Release 20

As for previous generations, ITU defines the 6G calendar and 3GPP develops the standardized technology that will be the project’s candidate to the ITU international mobile telecommunications (IMT) process. On this occasion, the target date for “Technology proposals for IMT-2030” has been defined by ITU to be early 2029, and resulting specifications (i.e. full system definition) are to be submitted by mid-2030 at the latest.

To meet these target dates and to give 3GPP enough time to perform relevant studies, 3GPP has concluded that two 3GPP Releases are needed to specify 6G:

• Release 20 for Studies
• Release 21 for the normative work

5G-Advanced in Rel-20: Building on the Foundations of 5G

For Rel-20 5G-Advanced, 3GPP has set an 18-month roadmap focused on enhancing the current capabilities of 5G. The planned schedule ensures a steady progression toward critical upgrades, with progressive freezes as follows:

• Stage-1 (service requirements) freeze in June 2025.
• Stage-2 (system architecture aspects) has a two-tier timeline, with 80% completion anticipated by June 2026, leading to a final freeze in September 2026.
• Stage-3 (protocol details) is targeted for March 2027, followed by the final ASN.1/OpenAPI freeze in June 2027.

In TSG SA Rel-20 5G-Advanced studies are advancing steadily. Three to highlight are: Satellite Access - Phase 4 (FS_5GSAT_Ph4), Future Railway Mobile Communication System - Phase 6 (FS_FRMCS_Ph6), and Energy Efficiency as Service Criteria Phase 2 (FS_EnergyServ_Ph2). 

RAN plans for 5G-A in Rel-20

Following the TSG RAN workshop at RAN#106 was summarized in RP‑243292

• RAN WG capacity has to be carefully shared between 5G-Advanced and 6G in Rel-20
• Critical to have reasonable amount of TUs accommodating necessary 5G-Advanced items to address commercial needs, with sufficient TUs given to 6G to ensure successful studies.
• It is necessary to avoid duplicate scope in 5G-Advanced and 6G in Rel-20 - As an example, a study planned for 5G-Advanced (with the intention to convert to specifications later in Rel-20) should not conflict or overlap with the corresponding 6G study

6G in Rel-20

Technical studies on the 6G radio interface and 6G core network architecture within the RAN and SA Working Group to start in June 2025. Release 21 will be the official start of normative 6G work.

• The latest Work Plan is always available for download at https://www.3gpp.org/specifications/work-plan 
• Rel-20 Planning and Progress in TSG SA: https://www.3gpp.org/news-events/3gpp-news/sa-rel20 
• The SA1 road to 6G: https://www.3gpp.org/news-events/3gpp-news/sa1-6g-road
• Introduction to 3GPP Release 19 and 6G Planning - Contains an introduction to the preparation for 6G in 3GPP. https://atis.org/webinars/introduction-to-3gpp-release-19-and-6g-planning/
• Advancing 5G towards 6G, TSDSI Workshops (Jan 2023): https://www.3gpp.org/news-events/partner-news/tsdsi-workshops
• TR21.920 the "Release description; Release 19", will be approved and published at the end of the Release. Prior to that, draft versions will be available.