Summary Report from 3GPP plenaries #109 (Beijing, China, 15 - 19 September 2025)
Hans van der Veen, NEC Laboratories Europe GmbH
RAN took 4 days (with more than 1000 documents); SA took 3 days.
Rel-19
- RAN: RAN2/3/4 core work was functionally frozen with 2 non-spectrum exceptions (AIML air interface, BS RF requirement evolution for FR1/FR2) and 8 spectrum-related exceptions.
- SA/CT: Stage 2 still has three remaining exceptions (unchanged from June). Stage 3 was frozen with 3 exceptions (IVAS_Codec_Ph2, ATIAS_Ph2, NR_mobile_IAB_OAM).
Two new WIs were approved (SA1 mini-WI for SA1 and SA5 charging WI).
Rel-20 (5G)
- RAN: A work package of RAN4 WIs and SIs was approved.
- SA/CT: Stage 1 has no remaining exceptions. A large number of SIs and WIs were approved.
Rel-20 (6G)
- RAN: RAN1 content for the WG SI was discussed and IMT-2030-related TPRs were discussed.
- SA/CT: SA3 and SA5 SID were approved and SA3 freezing target set.
Rel-19: Planning (Three remaining Stage 2 exceptions; RAN2/3/4 core and Stage 3 frozen with exceptions)
RAN Workshop: took place in June 2023
SA Workshop: took place in June 2023
Stage 1: frozen December 2023 with exceptions (no more exceptions by June 2024)
SA Stage 2 work package: approved December 2023
RAN1/2/3 work package: approved December 2023
RAN4 work package: approved March 2024
Stage 2: frozen December 2024 with exceptions (remaining by September 2025: AIML_CN, NG_RTC, Ambient IoT)
RAN1: frozen June 2025 without exceptions
RAN2/3/4 core functionality: frozen September 2025 with 2 non-spectrum exceptions (AIML air interface, BS RF requirement evolution for FR1/FR2) and 8 spectrum-related exceptions)
Stage 3: frozen September 2025 with 3 exceptions (IVAS_Codec_Ph2, ATIAS_Ph2, NR_mobile_IAB_OAM)
ASN.1 and open APIs: freezing target December 2025
RAN4: freezing target December 2025
Rel-19 Exceptions
RAN
- RP-252840 AI/ML for NR air interface
- RP-252579 NR base station (BS) RF requirement evolution for FR1/FR2 and testing
- <plus 8 spectrum-related exceptions>
SA
- SP-251157 EVS Codec Extension for Immersive Voice and Audio Services, Phase 2 (IVAS_Codec_Ph2)
- SP-251158 Terminal Audio quality performance and Test methods for Immersive Audio Services, Phase 2 (ATIAS_Ph2)
- SP-251200 Management of IAB nodes (NR_mobile_IAB_OAM)
Rel-19 RAN Work Item Summaries (descriptions of features in the release after the work has actually finished)
RAN
- RP-252823 NR MIMO Phase 5
- RP-252365 Evolution of NR duplex operation: Sub-band full duplex (SBFD)
- RP-252009 Low-power wake-up signal and receiver for NR (LP-WUS/WUR)
- RP-252333 Enhancements of network energy savings for NR
- RP-252565 Multi-carrier enhancements
- RP-252928 Ambient IoT (Internet of Things) in NR
- RP-252884 NR Mobility Enhancements Phase 4
- RP-252886 Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) for NR Phase 3
- RP-252356 XR (eXtended Reality) for NR Phase 3
- RP-251942 NR sidelink multi-hop relay
- RP-252107 Introduction of BDS (BeiDou Navigation Satellite System) B2b Signal in A-GNSS for LTE and NR
- RP-252828 Introduction of A-GNSS support for NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) L1 SPS (Standard Positioning Service) in NR & LTE
- RP-252926 SON (Self-Organising Networks)/MDT (Minimization of Drive Tests) in NR standalone and MR-DC (Multi-Radio Dual Connectivity) Phase 4
- RP-252149 Enhancements for Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML) for NG-RAN
- RP-252480 Additional topological enhancements for NR
- RP-252732 UE RF enhancements for NR FR1/FR2 and EN-DC, Phase 4
- RP-252495 RRM phase 5
- RP-252837 Support of intra-band non-collocated EN-DC/NR-CA deployment Phase2: new receiver type(s)
- RP-252603 Enhancements for Air-to-ground network for NR
- RP-252011 TRP (Total Radiated Power), TRS (Total Radiated Sensitivity) and MIMO OTA (Over the Air) testing enhancement Phase 3
- RP-252075 Enhanced requirements and conductive test methodology for NR NTN and IoT NTN
- RP-252696 Low NR band carrier aggregation via switching
- RP-252505 Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) for Internet of Things (IoT) Phase 3
- RP-252846 Inter-RAT mode mobility support from E-UTRAN TN to NR NTN
- RP-252829 LTE-based 5G Broadcast Phase 2
- RP-252872 Introduction of IoT-NTN TDD mode
- RP-252885 New LTE band for 5G broadcast for region 3 utilizing a geosynchronous satellite
SA
- SP-250982 Split Rendering over IMS (SR_IMS)
- SP-251144 5G Real-time Media Transport Protocol Configurations, Phase 2 (5G_RTP_Ph2)
- SP-251129 Uncrewed Aerial System, Phase 3 (UAS_Ph3)
- SP-251147 Avatar Communications in AR Calls (AvCall-MED)
- SP-251148 Media Messaging Enhancements (MeME-MED)
Approved Rel-19 Work Items and Study Items RAN (excluding spectrum-related; excluding conformance testing)
- <None>
Approved Rel-19 Work Items and Study Items SA
SA1
- SP-251194 WI: Stage 1 for Lower Selection-priority for PLMN Selection
SA2
- <None>
SA3
- <None>
SA4
- <None>
SA5
- SP-251262 WI: Charging aspects of MINT Phase 2
- <None>
Rel-20 (5G) Planning (RAN4 work package approved; no more Stage 1 exceptions)
Stage 1 SIDs: approved June 2024
RAN Workshop: took place in December 2024
SA Workshop: took place in December 2024
Stage 1: frozen June 2025 with 1 exception (no more exceptions in September 2025)
Stage 2 SIDs: approved June 2025
RAN1/2/3 work package: approved June 2025
RAN4 work package: approved September 2025
Stage 3 (CT) approval of SIDs: planned for March 2026 or earlier;
Stage 2: freezing target June 2026 (80%); September 2026 (100%)
RAN1: freezing target December 2026
RAN2/3/4 core functionality: freezing target March 2027
Stage 3: freezing target March 2027
ASN.1 and open APIs: freezing target June 2027
RAN4 Perf: freezing target June 2027
Rel-20 (5G): 5GAdvanced RAN4 content
The RAN4 Rel-20 5GAdvanced content was approved in the following WIs and SIs. For scopes, see further below.
RP-252952 WI: UE RF enhancements for NR FR1, Phase 5
RP-252905 WI: NR base station (BS) RF requirement evolution for FR1 and testing phase 2
RP-252903 WI: Enhancement of UE OTA test method and requirements for NR
RP-252955 WI: NR Radio Resource Management (RRM) Phase 6
RP-252956 SI: Study on spatial channel model for demodulation performance requirements for NR: Phase 2
RP-252957 WI: NR demodulation performance: Phase 6
RP-252962 WI: Enhanced requirements for NR NTN and IoT NTN Phase 2
RP-252953 WI: Enhancement of low NR band carrier aggregation via switching
RP-252954 WI: Enhancement of NR RF and RRM requirements for uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV)
Rel-20 (5G): Ambient IoT scope (Endorsed moderator summary proposal RP-252931)
Update the Rel-20 Ambient IoT SID with the addition of the following study objective:
Identify D2R RSRP-like measurement, and the involved A-IoT signal(s)/channel(s), which are feasible for Device 2b/Device C for more accurate outdoor Device localization than based on Reader-ID [RAN1].
· RAN1 is not expected to conclude on the positioning accuracy as part of the identification of feasible D2R RSRP-like measurement
· Note: Device localization based on Reader ID as specified in Rel-19 can be supported for active device(s) in Rel-20 with no additional work.
· The design of D2R signal(s)/channel(s) for active devices is not impacted by the identification of the D2R RSRP-like measurement
· This objective does not include the study of dedicated Device procedures for Device localization
· The objective assumes no dedicated positioning architecture will be specified in Rel-20
· The objective assumes no specification of inter-Reader coordination for Device localization in Rel-20
· This objective will start at RAN1#124
Rel-20 (5G): AI/ML mobility scope (Endorsed WF RP-252896)
L3 beam-level prediction is supported only for NW-side models in Rel-20 WI.
- All scenarios of sub-case 5 are supported
- No RAN4 impacts
On direct event prediction:
- RAN2 to discuss KPI for performance monitoring in Q1 2026
- RAN4 to discuss requirements in Q2 2026
-Check point in RAN#112 for final decision on whether direct event prediction will be supported depending on RAN2 and RAN4 conclusions.
Rel-20 (5G): Additional topological enhancements for NR scope (Endorsed WF RP-252478)
Remove the objective of resource coordination between access and backhaul links from Rel-19 additional topological enhancements WID.
Rel-20 (5G): Introduction of UE capability for max 6 DL MIMO layers (Endorsed WF RP-252746)
RAN2 had submitted two endorsed CR packs. RAN decided to approve the CR pack only for Fixed Wireless Access.
Approved Rel-20 5G Work Items and Study Items RAN (excluding spectrum-related; excluding conformance testing)
NR WIs/SIs led by RAN1
- <None>
NR WIs/SIs led by RAN2
- <None>
NR WIs/SIs led by RAN3
- <None>
NR WIs/SIs led by RAN4
- RP-252952 WI: UE RF enhancements for NR FR1, Phase 5
Keywords: (1) High power UE (HPUE) for NR single carrier operation; (2) 6MHz channel bandwidth; (3) Power enhancement with relaxed UE Tx EVM and advanced BS receiver
- RP-252905 WI: NR base station (BS) RF requirement evolution for FR1 and testing phase 2
Keywords: (1) Enhancement of co-location requirements; (2) SBFD BS to SBFD BS adjacent channel co-existence
- RP-252903 WI: Enhancement of UE OTA test method and requirements for NR
Keywords: Define enhanced test methodologies to cover NTN Ka and Ku bands
- RP-252955 WI: NR Radio Resource Management (RRM) Phase 6
Keywords: (1) Specify requirements for (e)RedCap UEs: (a) Relaxed RLM/BFD RRM requirements; (b) Support of less than 5 MHz channel bandwidth (15 PRB transmission bandwidth configuration and 12 PRB SSB); (2) For intra-band co-located contiguous CA, specify necessary RRM requirements to support data scheduling on SCell prior to UE transmitting valid CSI report
- RP-252956 SI: Study on spatial channel model for demodulation performance requirements for NR: Phase 2
Keywords: Study practical spatial channel modelling methodology for MU-MIMO demodulation requirements and CSI reporting requirements
- RP-252957 WI: NR demodulation performance: Phase 6
Keywords: (1) Specify optional performance requirements under single spatial channel model for SU-MIMO in FR1; (2) Define performance requirements 6Rx UE (handheld and FWA) with interference: (a) PDSCH demod with inter-cell interference with MMSE-IRC receiver; (b) Specify CQI reporting requirements with inter-cell interference with MMSE-IRC receiver; (c) PDSCH demod requirements with intra-cell inter-user interference with MMSE-IRC receiver
- RP-252962 WI: Enhanced requirements for NR NTN and IoT NTN Phase 2
Keywords: (1) HPUE for NTN; (2) HD-FDD for NTN; (3) DL intra-band intra-SAN CA for NTN (after completion of HPUE and only if there is RAN1/RAN2 availability)
- RP-252953 WI: Enhancement of low NR band carrier aggregation via switching
Keywords: (1) Specify the necessary UE RF and RRM core requirements to allow switching between {case 1, case 3} to enable low band carrier aggregation via switching for the dual downlink scenario between FDD band and SDL band; (2) Reuse the semi-static switching mechanism based on RRC configuration defined in Rel-19 for low-band CA via switching
- RP-252954 WI: Enhancement of NR RF and RRM requirements for uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV)
Keywords: Scenario: BSs for UAV service are deployed on the ground by adjusting the tilt angle upwards. The coverage height is up to 600~1000m. The ISD for BSs for UAV service is about 2~4km. A direct radio link between BS on the ground and UAV UE. (1) Specify RF requirements for UAV UE to support higher UL output power; (2) Specify RRM requirements, if needed
LTE WIs/SIs led by RAN1
- <None>
LTE WIs/SIs led by RAN2
- <None>
LTE WIs/SIs led by RAN3
- <None>
LTE WIs/SIs led by RAN4
- <None>
Approved Rel-20 5G Work Items and Study Items SA
SA1
- SP-251267 WI: Stage 1 for Phase 2 of Mission Critical Discreet listening
SA2
- SP-251207 WI: Model Evaluation Metrics Enhancement
- SP-251208 WI: NR to LTE mobility restriction
- SP-251209 WI: Support for Ethernet PDU session for backhauling of MWAB
- SP-251210 WI: Support of NSSAA in EPS
- SP-251211 WI: Deferred AM Policies in the 5GC
- SP-251212 WI: Dynamic NITZ Update
- SP-251213 WI: Providing per-subscriber Allowed MAC addresses from UDM
SA3
- SP-251237 SI: Study on Security Aspects for IMS resiliency
- SP-251238 SI: Study on AIMLE Service Security
- SP-251239 SI: Study on security for PLMN hosting a NPN phase 2
- SP-251240 SI: Study on providing PSK for MPQUIC/TLS
- SP-251241 SI: Study on Security for Core Network Enhanced Support for Artificial Intelligence (AI) / Machine Learning (ML) Phase 2
- SP-251242 SI: Study on Security and Privacy Aspects of Integrated Sensing and Communication
- SP-251243 SI: Study on Security Assurance Specification (SCAS) for Container-based Product
- SP-251244 SI: Study on Security Aspects of Satellite Access in 5G Phase 4
- SP-251245 SI: Study on Security Aspects of CAPIF Phase 4
- SP-251246 SI: Study on Security Aspect of support of Ambient power-enabled Internet of Things-Phase 2
- SP-251247 SI: Study on Supporting AEAD algorithms
- SP-251248 SI: Study on Best security practices for SBA
- SP-251249 SI: Study on Security Aspect for NR Femto Phase 2
- SP-251250 SI: Study on Security aspects of WAB nodes for NR
- SP-251251 WI: PRINS Refinement
- SP-251252 WI: Security Assurance Specification (SCAS) for NR Femto
- SP-251253 WI: 5G Security Assurance Specification (SCAS) for NR Femto Security Gateway (SeGW)
SA4
- SP-251190 SI: 3D Gaussian splats
- SP-251201 SI: Study on Usage of Dynamically Changing Traffic Characteristics and Enhanced QoS support in Media Applications and Services
- SP-251202 SI: Study on Advanced Video Formats and Operation Points
- SP-251265 SI: Study on Advanced Media Delivery Phase 2
SA5
- SP-251203 SI: Study on 5GA charging reliability enhancement
- SP-251203 SI: Study on Unified Management interface for Multi-RAT support
- SP-251214 WI: Charging aspects for XRM
SA6
- SP-251215 WI: Service Enabler Architecture Layer (SEAL) Phase 4
Rel-20 (6G) Planning (RAN1 started work; SA3 and SA5-CH SID approved; SA3 freezing target set)
Stage 1 SID: approved at September 2024 (TSG 105)
RAN plenary SI Rel-20 focusing on ITU-IMT-2030: 12/24 until 06/25
TSG-wide 6G Workshop: Took place in March 2025 (TSG#107)
RAN plenary SI Rel-20 focusing on 6G General: approved at March 2025, until 06/26
SA2 and RAN WGs SID: approved at June 2025 (TSG 108)
RAN1 started in 3Q/25 until 1Q/27; RAN2/3/4 start in 4Q/25 until 2Q/27
SA3 and SA5-CH SID: approved at September 2025 (TSG 109)
Stage 1 (study): freezing target: March 2026
CT WG SIDs approval: March 2026
SA2 (study) freezing target: December 2026 or Mar 2027
SA3 (study) freezing target: June 2027
SA1/SA2 6G SI may continue beyond Stage-1/Stage-2 freeze dates for 5G-Advanced
Other SA WG (SA4, SA5 OAM, SA6) SIDs approval: tbd at future TSG meeting
Rel-20 (6G): O-RAN discussion (Endorsed WF: RP-252881; Approved LSout: SP-251273)
The following text was endorsed after continued highly controversial discussion and sent to O-RAN from SA plenary:
3GPP shall capture the following text in italic in a normative Annex of TSxx.401 or TSxx.300 (RAN3):
6G NodeB architecture includes a distinct logical Radio Unit (RU).
The functions hosted by the RU as well as the interface between RU and other parts of 6G NodeB are not specified in 3GPP.
Note-1: This interface can be implemented according to O-RAN ALLIANCE specifications for multi-vendor interoperability.
Note-2: This interface can be implemented according to e.g. (e)CPRI-based or fully proprietary solution(s).
Rel-20 (6G): Study on 6G scenarios and requirements (Agreed TR: RP-252882)
The agreed TR 38.914 v0.2.0 implements all pCRs at RAN#109 meeting.
Rel-20 (6G): Deployment scenarios (Endorsed moderator's report proposals: RP-252914)
For 6GR deployment scenarios focus on the following,
· analyze that the air interface design (aka “6GR”) to be developed during the 6G Radio Study fulfils the requirements of IMT-2030 (for the ITU process)
· analyze the performance of “6GR” in realistic/practical deployment scenarios and where applicable, allow comparison to 5G-Advanced
Include carrier frequency of 15 GHz for the 6G scenarios (other than rural scenario) as part of 6G study.
· Note: Carrier frequency of 15GHz has not been confirmed by ITU-R/WRC
Macro BS antenna elements
· Around 700 MHz: Up to 64 Tx and Rx antenna elements
· Around 2 GHz: Up to 288 Tx and Rx antenna elements
· Around 4 GHz: Up to 576 Tx and Rx antenna elements
· Around 7 GHz: Up to 2304 Tx and Rx antenna elements
· Around 15 GHz: Up to 2304 Tx and Rx antenna elements
· Around 30 GHz: Up to 4096 Tx and Rx antenna elements
· Note: Mapping between TX / RX antenna elements and TX / RX ports will be discussed in RAN1
Rel-20 (6G): Key performance indicators (Endorsed moderator's report agreements: RP-252883)
Agreement 1: For 3GPP internal evaluation, define energy efficiency as a quantitative KPI in 3GPP for both network and device.
Agreement 2: For 3GPP internal evaluation, at least empty load and partial load cases should be evaluated in 6GR study.
· Evaluate via system level simulations (SLS)
· Other evaluation methods are not precluded when relevant
Agreement 3: For 3GPP internal evaluation, UE/network power model is to be discussed in RAN1.
Agreement 4: For 3GPP internal study, link budget is used as the evaluation methodology for coverage when applicable
Agreement 5: For 3GPP internal study, the target for coverage is to be determined by RAN.
· FFS: Exact coverage target value(s).
· FFS: Additional details considering control/data channel
Rel-20 (6G): Requirements for architecture and migration (Endorsed moderator's report proposals: RP-252909)
Requirements for architecture and migration
· The 6G RAN architecture shall support standalone RAN architecture.
· The RAN architecture shall support connectivity through multiple TRPs, either collocated or non-collocated.
· 3GPP defined interfaces for 6G RAN shall be open for multi-vendor interoperability.
· The 6G RAN architecture shall allow for control plane and user plane separation.
· The 6G RAN architecture shall support sharing of the RAN between multiple operators.
· The 6G RAN architecture shall allow for the operation of network slicing.
· The 6G RAN architecture shall be designed considering both terrestrial network and non-terrestrial network.
· The 6G RAN architecture shall support inter-RAT mobility between the 6GR and NR.
· The 6G RAN shall support Multi-RAT Spectrum Sharing between 6GR and NR.
· 6G RAT shall support Spectrum Aggregation (e.g. Carrier Aggregation) for both uplink and downlink, and for both co-located and non-co-located TRPs.
· 6G RAN architecture shall support enhanced service awareness in RAN.
· The design of the 6G RAN shall allow enhanced resilience compared to NR if/where applicable.
· The design of the 6G RAN shall enable lower CAPEX/OPEX with respect to current networks.
· The 6G RAN architecture shall allow non-public network.
Additional migration options
· RAN plenary start study in March 2026
· RAN plenary study if any additional migration option(s) is needed (other than standalone, MRSS, and inter-RAT mobility between NR-6G)
· RAN plenary to make a decision by September 2026 whether to expand WG SI scope to cover additional migration option(s)
· Scope of normative work on migration functionalities to be done upon WG work item scoping.
· Same applies to 6G-6G DC
Rel-20 (6G): Requirements of new and existing services (Endorsed moderator's report agreements: RP-252943)
Agreement 1: It is agreed to capture following into TR 38.914 section 5.4:
· Mobile broadband
· Immersive Communication
· Massive Communication (IoT)
· Sensing
· AI
· Voice
· Regulatory services
Agreement 2: It is agreed that ‘Observability’ will be discussed in architecture requirements.
Agreement 3: Whether to capture following into TR 38.914 section 5.4 will be further discussed:
· Non-Terrestrial Network
· Aerial
· FWA
· Vehicles
· Mission Critical Communication
· Positioning and/or Navigation
· TSN
· HRLLC
Agreement 4:
· 6GR should study the sensing modes, including TRP monostatic, TRP-TRP bistatic, TRP-UE DL, UE-TRP UL, UE-UE bistatic and UE monostatic.
Rel-20 (6G): System design aspects (numerology, spectrum) (Endorsed moderator's report agreements: RP-252963)
Regarding the RAN1 agreement below, the following is agreed:
Keep using “around 7GHz” instead of using detailed frequency range definition in RAN1’s and RAN4’s study.
Agreement
6GR takes the following SCS as start point for discussion for all the signals/channels except PRACH.
· For sub 6GHz
o The following subcarrier spacing is at least supported
o 15kHz SCS for FDD, 30kHz SCS for TDD
o FFS: 30kHz SCS for FDD for around e.g., 1-2.5GHz
o FFS: 7.5kHz SCS for sub1GHz (FDD)
· For around 7GHz
o The following subcarrier spacing options can be studied
o 30kHz, 60kHz
· FFS: For around 15GHz
o The following subcarrier spacing options can be studied
o 30kHz, 60kHz, 120kHz
· For between 24.25GHz - 52.6GHz
o Subcarrier spacing 120kHz is supported
· FFS whether to allow using additional subcarrier spacing for SSB
FFS subcarrier spacing for PRACH and up to initial access discussion.
Rel-20 (6G): 6G Study (LSout to SA3 on lower layer AS security: RP-252891; Approved revised SID: RP-252912)
This LS asks SA3 to coordinate early on lower layer AS security. The objectives of the SI were changed:
Study if any additional migration mechanism option(s) is necessary needed (other than standalone, MRSS, and inter-RAT mobility between NR-6G). [RAN] [RAN2, RAN1, RAN3, RAN4]
NOTE: the start of this study objective (b) should be triggered by RAN plenary in time to guarantee proper completion of the WG study.RAN plenary starts this study in March 2026 and will make a decision by September 2026 whether to expand WG SI scope to cover additional migration option(s).
Rel-20 (6G): Spectrum utilization requirements (disc. RP-252137; Endorsed moderator's report proposals: RP-252952)
Agreement 1: 6GR shall support improved spectrum utilization and operations over 1 or more carriers/bands compared to 5G NR.
Agreement 2: 6GR shall support flexible utilization of spectrum resources for DL and UL over different carriers/bands.
Agreement 2 is related with the discussion document in RP-252137:
"In existing cell framework, downlink is mandatory to be configured and uplink configuration shall be associated with the downlink, and the cell is always identified by the downlink. If to support such a flexible uplink and downlink paring, there is a need to decouple the configuration from the two, and in this case whether a cell with uplink only should also be regarded as a cell needs to be discussed. This will impact the cell modelling and definition. Correspondingly, the flexibility of DL and UL configuration for TDD bands shall also be studied together for such a flexible pairing".
Approved Rel-20 6G Work Items and Study Items RAN (excluding spectrum-related; excluding conformance testing)
- <None>
Approved Rel-20 6G Work Items and Study Items SA
SA1
- <None>
SA2
- <None>
SA3
- SP-251233 SI: Security for the 6G System
SA4
- <None>
SA5
- SP-251218 SI: Charging Aspects of 6G System
SA6
- <None>

- Rel-19
- Rel-20