Description
5G is a comprehensive system architecture defined by 3GPP, fundamentally redesigned from previous generations to support a wider range of services and requirements. The system is defined by a clear separation between the Radio Access Network (RAN) and the Core Network (CN). The 5G Access Network (5G-AN), which includes the Next Generation Radio Access Network (NG-RAN) built on gNBs and ng-eNBs, is responsible for all radio-related functions. It connects to the 5G Core Network (5GC) via standardized interfaces (N2 for control plane, N3 for user plane), enabling a service-based architecture (SBA) with greater flexibility and scalability than previous network generations.
The 5G Core Network is a cloud-native, service-based architecture where network functions (NFs) like the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), and User Plane Function (UPF) offer their capabilities as reusable services to other authorized NFs via a common framework. Communication between these NFs uses HTTP/2-based service-based interfaces (SBIs). A key innovation is the clear separation of the User Plane (UP) from the Control Plane (CP). The UPF handles all packet routing and forwarding, policy enforcement, and traffic reporting, and it can be deployed flexibly and distributedly close to the network edge to minimize latency. The CP functions manage sessions, mobility, and policies.
5G introduces the concept of network slicing, which allows the creation of multiple logical, end-to-end networks on a shared physical infrastructure. Each slice is an isolated set of network resources and functions tailored to specific service requirements (e.g., enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communications (URLLC), massive Machine-Type Communications (mMTC)). The 5G system supports a unified authentication framework and enables seamless mobility and session continuity, including interworking with 4G E-UTRAN via the Non-Standalone (NSA) architecture where the 5G RAN is anchored to a 4G core, and the Standalone (SA) architecture with a full 5G core.
Purpose & Motivation
5G was created to address the exponential growth in mobile data traffic and the emergence of new use cases that 4G networks were not designed to handle efficiently. The limitations of 4G included constrained peak data rates, higher latency unsuitable for real-time control, limited capacity for massive numbers of IoT devices, and a monolithic core network architecture that was difficult to adapt for diverse service requirements. The industry needed a more flexible, scalable, and efficient system to support the future digital society.
The primary motivation was to define a single, unified network platform capable of supporting three broad families of use cases defined by the ITU's IMT-2020 vision: Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) for extreme data rates, Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communications (URLLC) for critical applications like industrial automation and remote surgery, and massive Machine-Type Communications (mMTC) for connecting vast numbers of low-power sensors. This required a fundamental architectural shift to a cloud-native, service-based core and a more advanced radio interface.
Furthermore, 5G aims to reduce the total cost of ownership for operators by introducing network virtualization, softwarization, and automation. The service-based architecture and network slicing enable operators to deploy and manage services more rapidly and efficiently, creating new revenue streams by offering tailored connectivity solutions to vertical industries like automotive, manufacturing, and healthcare, which was challenging with previous generations.
Classification
Detected Changes Across Releases
from 3GPP Change RequestsSpecific changes extracted from the „Change history“ tables of 3GPP specifications (810 CRs across 6 releases). Complements the general historical overview above with the evidence-based evolution of this function.
Studied in Rel-14, normative work from Rel-15.
In Release 15, the foundational 5G system architecture was introduced, including the new 5G service-based interface for core network functions and the formal integration of 5G into the charging architecture and mechanisms. It also defined key procedures like the 5G-based primary authentication with ABBA and established critical capabilities for mobility and interworking, such as support for intra-5G handovers, EPS interworking for context retrieval, and IMS emergency support with network slicing. Furthermore, it specified new NAS security contexts and introduced specific 5G QoS parameters and fixes to support services like URLLC.
- Addition of 5G in the definition of 3GPP system TS 21.905CR0116
- Coding of AN-parameters in EAP 5G-NAS message TS 24.502CR0005
- Add support for 5G Trace to Nudm_SDM TS 29.503CR0007
- 5G Trace for AUSF TS 29.509CR0014
- Introduce EFs that contain NAS full native security context from 5G Mobility Management Information. TS 31.102CR0776
- Introduce an EF that contains 5G UAC Access Identity Information TS 31.102CR0780
+ 61 more changes
In Release 16, key 5G enhancements included the introduction of the 5G LAN-type service for private network support, detailed group management, and traffic forwarding control within these 5G Virtual Networks (5G-VN). It also added 5G SRVCC for voice call continuity and introduced Rate Control for 5G CIoT, alongside positioning service requirements and QoS parameters mapping for Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN).
- Functional requirements for 5G positioning services (clause 6) TS 22.261CR0331
- 5GLAN requirements about enabling disabling UE from 5G-LAN based on location TS 22.261CR0316
- MSGin5G requirements on the 5G system TS 22.261CR0303
- Support for 5G LAN TS 23.501CR0747
- Introduction of 5G LAN-type service TS 23.501CR0903
- Introducing Rate Control for 5G CIoT TS 23.501CR0752
+ 134 more changes
In Release 17, 5G enhancements introduced new capabilities for Proximity Services (ProSe), including UE-to-Network Relay support with specific authentication and key agreement procedures, and expanded Mission Critical Services with broadcast/multicast requirements. The release also updated the 5G system architecture to support Dynamically Changing Policies in the core network and added new 5QI values for Advance Interactive Services (AIS). Furthermore, it provided enhancements for steering of roaming in connected mode and introduced key performance indicators (KPIs) for asset tracking and UE-to-network relaying.
- Enhancement for the 5G Control Plane Steering of Roaming for UE in CONNECTED mode TS 22.261CR0381
- KPIs for Asset Tracking in 5G system TS 22.261CR0391
- eCAV – further 5G service requirements for network operation and management TS 22.261CR0394
- KPIs for UE to network relaying in 5G system TS 22.261CR0388
- CR for group communication in 5G system TS 22.261CR0403
- Tethered VR requirement for 5G TS 22.261CR0405
+ 210 more changes
In Release 18, key 5G enhancements included the formal introduction of 5G ProSe (Proximity Services) for direct UE-to-UE relay communication and discovery, alongside new identifier formats and architectural definitions for these relay functions. The release also expanded support for Non-Public Networks (SNPN) and trusted non-3GPP access by specifying new NAI (Network Access Identifier) formats for registration. Furthermore, it introduced updated requirements for service function chaining, data integrity, and timing resiliency within the 5G system.
- Service requirements for enhancing service function chaining support by 5G network TS 22.261CR0478
- update of CR of Addition of requirements on Data integrity in 5G TS 22.261CR496
- 5G timing resiliency TS 22.261CR0507
- Update to KPIs to 5G system with satellite access for support control and/or video surveillance TS 22.261CR0519
- 5G LAN related rquirements from FS_Resident (Pirates) TS 22.261CR0533
- NAI format for 5G registration via trusted access using SNPN TS 23.003CR0648
+ 230 more changes
In Release 19, key 5G enhancements include the introduction of a 5G wireless sensing service and Mobile Metaverse Services, alongside significant expansions to 5G ProSe for multi-hop relay discovery, connection management, and support for both UE-to-Network and UE-to-UE relay models. The release also adds support for local traffic routing for UEs with multiple accesses, monitoring of signalling traffic, and the integration of non-3GPP devices behind a UE or 5G Residential Gateway.
- Add requirements on supporting local traffic routing for UEs with multiple accesses to 5G TS 22.261CR0709
- General description for 5G wireless sensing service TS 22.261CR0735
- Introduction of Mobile Metaverse Services TS 22.261CR0755
- Monitoring of signalling traffic in 5G TS 22.261CR0791
- Format of SNPN ID description for 5G ProSe applications TS 23.003CR0703
- Update ProSe App Code format to support 5G ProSe in NPNs TS 23.003CR0705
+ 141 more changes
In Release 20, key 5G enhancements included defining requirements for legacy residential gateways to support 5G LAN-type services and correcting the technical definition of that service itself. The release also introduced a Resilient Notification Service specifically for 5G Satellite access and provided 5G ProSe enhancements to support MANET multicast for IP-based Layer-3 Multi-hop UE-to-UE Relay.
- Requirements on legacy residential gateway supporting 5G LAN-type service TS 22.261CR0804
- Resilient Notification Service for 5G Satellite access. TS 22.261CR0825
- 5G ProSe Enhancements to support MANET multicast for IP based 5G ProSe Layer-3 Multi-hop UE-to-UE Relay TS 23.304CR0565
- Correct the definition of 5G LAN-type service TS 22.261CR0844
Explore further
Broader topics and technologies where 5G plays a role.
Defining Specifications
3GPP specifications that define or reference 5G, with the latest known release. Sourced from the 3GPP document catalog — see methodology.
| Specification | Title | Release |
|---|---|---|
| TR 21.905 vj00 | 3GPP Technical Terms and Definitions | Rel-19 |
| TS 22.261 vk30 | 5G System Service Requirements | Rel-20 |
| TR 22.804 vg30 | 5G Automation in Vertical Domains Study | Rel-16 |
| TS 22.830 vg10 | Business Role Models for Network Slicing | Rel-16 |
| TR 22.861 ve10 | Massive IoT Feasibility Study; Stage 1 | Rel-14 |
| TS 22.864 vf00 | 5G Network Operation Use Cases & Requirements | Rel-15 |
| TS 23.003 vj50 | Numbering, addressing and identification in 3GPP | Rel-19 |
| TS 23.304 vk00 | 5G Proximity Services (ProSe) Stage 2 | Rel-20 |
| TS 23.501 vk00 | 5G System Architecture Stage 2 | Rel-20 |
| TS 23.503 vk00 | 5G Policy and Charging Control Framework | Rel-20 |
| TS 23.700 vk00 | XR Services Application Enablement Layer | Rel-20 |
| TR 23.745 vh00 | Study on App Layer Support for Factories of the Future in 5G | Rel-17 |
| TS 23.795 vg10 | V2X Application Architecture Study | Rel-16 |
| TS 24.237 vj00 | IMS Service Continuity Protocol Details | Rel-19 |
| TS 24.501 vj50 | 5G NAS Protocols Specification | Rel-19 |
| TS 24.502 vj20 | 5G Core Access via Non-3GPP Networks; Stage 3 | Rel-19 |
| TS 24.514 vj30 | Ranging & Sidelink Positioning in 5GS | Rel-19 |
| TS 24.554 vj40 | 5G Proximity Services (ProSe) Protocols | Rel-19 |
| TS 24.555 vj30 | 5G ProSe UE Policies Specification | Rel-19 |
| TS 24.890 vg00 | 5G NAS Protocol for 5GS Stage 3 | Rel-16 |
| TS 28.203 vi10 | Charging management | Rel-18 |
| TS 29.503 vj50 | UDM Service Based Interface Stage 3 | Rel-19 |
| TS 29.509 vj50 | AUSF Service Based Interface Protocol | Rel-19 |
| TS 29.512 vj40 | 5G Session Management Policy Control Service | Rel-19 |
| TS 29.513 vj40 | 5G PCC Signalling Flows & QoS Mapping | Rel-19 |
| TS 29.521 vj40 | 5G Binding Support Management Service Stage 3 | Rel-19 |
| TS 29.534 vj20 | 5G Access & Mobility Policy Authorization Service | Rel-19 |
| TS 29.555 vj10 | 5G Direct Discovery Name Management Services | Rel-19 |
| TS 29.557 vj20 | 5G AF ProSe Service Stage 3 Protocol | Rel-19 |
| TS 29.559 vj40 | 5G PKMF Service Based Interface Stage 3 | Rel-19 |
| TS 29.890 vg00 | CT3 5G System Technical Report | Rel-16 |
| TS 31.102 vj40 | USIM Application Specification | Rel-19 |
| TS 32.240 vj40 | Charging Management Architecture & Principles | Rel-19 |
| TS 32.277 vj20 | Charging Management for Proximity Services (ProSe) | Rel-19 |
| TS 33.501 vk00 | 5G Security Architecture and Procedures | Rel-20 |
| TS 33.503 vj20 | Security for Proximity Services (ProSe) in 5G | Rel-19 |
| TR 33.851 vh10 | Security for Industrial IoT in 5G | Rel-17 |