IS

Information Service

Services
Introduced in Rel-8
A broad category of services in 3GPP that provide information delivery to users, such as weather, news, or location-based content. It encompasses architectural elements, management functions, and charging mechanisms defined across numerous specifications to support diverse content provisioning.

Description

Information Service (IS) in 3GPP refers to a comprehensive framework for delivering information-based content to mobile users, encompassing services like news updates, weather forecasts, stock quotes, and location-based alerts. It is not a single service but a conceptual category defined across a wide array of specifications, primarily in the 32-series (Management and Charging) and 28-series (Management and Orchestration). The architecture involves multiple network elements, including the service platform (e.g., a content server), the core network for delivery, and management systems for provisioning, monitoring, and charging. Key components include the Service Capability Server (SCS) for service logic, the Gateway Mobile Location Centre (GMLC) for location-based services, and charging systems like Online Charging System (OCS) and Offline Charging System (OFCS) to handle billing for information delivery.

How it works: An Information Service typically follows a request-response or push model. In a request model, the user device (UE) sends a query via the mobile network to an information service provider's application server. The request traverses the core network (e.g., via IMS or direct IP connections), and the server processes it, possibly retrieving data from external sources (e.g., weather APIs). The response is then delivered back to the UE through the network, with appropriate quality of service (QoS) applied. In a push model, the service provider initiates delivery based on triggers like time or location, using mechanisms such as SMS, Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), or IP-based push notifications. Management specifications (e.g., 32.101) define how these services are monitored for performance, fault, and configuration, ensuring reliable operation.

The role of Information Service in the network is to enable value-added services beyond basic voice and data, driving revenue for operators and enhancing user experience. It integrates with various 3GPP subsystems: the charging system (e.g., 32.295 for charging data records) tracks usage for billing; the policy framework (e.g., PCRF) may apply specific QoS; and the security framework ensures data privacy. Specifications like 29.163 cover interworking with other networks (e.g., SIP-based services), while 36.171 and 38.171 include performance requirements for delivery over LTE and NR radio. This extensive standardization ensures that Information Services can be deployed consistently across different operators and technologies, from 2G to 5G, supporting evolution towards rich communication services (RCS) and IoT data delivery.

Purpose & Motivation

The purpose of standardizing Information Service (IS) in 3GPP is to provide a unified framework for delivering content-based services over mobile networks, ensuring interoperability, manageability, and monetization. Before such standardization, information services were often proprietary, leading to fragmentation where services worked only on specific networks or devices. This limited scalability and increased costs for operators and content providers. By defining IS across specifications like 32.101 (Telecommunication management principles), 3GPP addresses these issues by establishing common architectures, management procedures, and charging mechanisms, enabling seamless service deployment and roaming.

Historically, early mobile information services like SMS-based alerts or WAP portals emerged in 2G networks but lacked comprehensive management standards. The introduction of IS in Release 8, alongside the growth of packet-switched data in 3G/4G, was motivated by the need to support more complex services such as multimedia messaging, location-based services, and mobile internet content. This evolution addressed limitations of ad-hoc implementations by providing standardized interfaces for service provisioning, quality monitoring, and charging, which are critical for operator control and revenue assurance. The framework also supports regulatory requirements, such as emergency alerts or public warning systems, by defining reliable delivery mechanisms.

The motivation for IS standardization stems from the business need to create an ecosystem where operators, content providers, and users can interact efficiently. It solves problems like inconsistent service quality, complex billing integration, and lack of management visibility. By encompassing a wide range of specs—from network management (32-series) to service architecture (28-series)—IS enables operators to offer diverse information services while maintaining network performance and security. This has paved the way for advanced services in 5G, such as massive IoT data dissemination and edge computing-based information delivery, ensuring backward compatibility and future extensibility.

Key Features

  • Framework for content delivery services (e.g., news, weather, location-based alerts)
  • Defined across management (32-series) and service (28-series) specifications
  • Supports both push and request-response service models
  • Integrates with charging systems (OCS/OFCS) for billing and accounting
  • Includes performance monitoring and fault management capabilities
  • Enables interoperability across operators and devices for consistent user experience

Evolution Across Releases

Rel-8 Initial

Introduced the Information Service (IS) framework within 3GPP, establishing foundational management and charging principles in specs like 32.101. Initial architecture defined service provisioning, performance monitoring, and billing mechanisms to support standardized content delivery over emerging 3G/4G networks, enabling operators to deploy value-added services consistently.

TS 21.905TS 25.172TS 25.766TS 28.518TS 28.536TS 28.606TS 28.616TS 28.621TS 28.624TS 28.625TS 28.626TS 28.629TS 28.633TS 28.653TS 28.654TS 28.656TS 28.659TS 28.662TS 28.663TS 28.669TS 28.673TS 28.676TS 28.701TS 28.703TS 28.706TS 28.707TS 28.708TS 28.709TS 28.733TS 28.736TS 28.871TS 29.116TS 32.101TS 32.102TS 32.103TS 32.111TS 32.121TS 32.122TS 32.123TS 32.125TS 32.126TS 32.150TS 32.151TS 32.152TS 32.153TS 32.154TS 32.155TS 32.157TS 32.182TS 32.300TS 32.302TS 32.303TS 32.305TS 32.306TS 32.307TS 32.311TS 32.312TS 32.322TS 32.323TS 32.325TS 32.326TS 32.335TS 32.336TS 32.343TS 32.345TS 32.346TS 32.347TS 32.352TS 32.353TS 32.355TS 32.356TS 32.357TS 32.362TS 32.363TS 32.365TS 32.366TS 32.367TS 32.371TS 32.372TS 32.373TS 32.375TS 32.376TS 32.381TS 32.382TS 32.383TS 32.385TS 32.386TS 32.391TS 32.392TS 32.393TS 32.395TS 32.396TS 32.397TS 32.411TS 32.413TS 32.415TS 32.416TS 32.417TS 32.442TS 32.443TS 32.445TS 32.446TS 32.506TS 32.507TS 32.523TS 32.526TS 32.535TS 32.536TS 32.537TS 32.601TS 32.603TS 32.606TS 32.607TS 32.613TS 32.615TS 32.616TS 32.617TS 32.621TS 32.623TS 32.625TS 32.626TS 32.631TS 32.633TS 32.635TS 32.636TS 32.641TS 32.643TS 32.645TS 32.646TS 32.651TS 32.653TS 32.655TS 32.656TS 32.661TS 32.663TS 32.665TS 32.666TS 32.667TS 32.671TS 32.672TS 32.673TS 32.675TS 32.676TS 32.690TS 32.691TS 32.695TS 32.696TS 32.711TS 32.713TS 32.715TS 32.716TS 32.723TS 32.725TS 32.726TS 32.731TS 32.733TS 32.735TS 32.736TS 32.743TS 32.745TS 32.746TS 32.751TS 32.752TS 32.753TS 32.756TS 32.763TS 32.765TS 32.766TS 32.773TS 32.776TS 32.783TS 32.786TS 32.792TS 32.796TS 32.818TS 32.824TS 32.828TS 32.832TS 32.859TS 32.866TS 32.880TS 32.901TS 36.171TS 36.355TS 36.866TS 37.355TS 37.571TS 38.171

Defining Specifications

SpecificationTitle
TS 21.905 3GPP TS 21.905
TS 25.172 3GPP TS 25.172
TS 25.766 3GPP TS 25.766
TS 28.518 3GPP TS 28.518
TS 28.536 3GPP TS 28.536
TS 28.606 3GPP TS 28.606
TS 28.616 3GPP TS 28.616
TS 28.621 3GPP TS 28.621
TS 28.624 3GPP TS 28.624
TS 28.625 3GPP TS 28.625
TS 28.626 3GPP TS 28.626
TS 28.629 3GPP TS 28.629
TS 28.633 3GPP TS 28.633
TS 28.653 3GPP TS 28.653
TS 28.654 3GPP TS 28.654
TS 28.656 3GPP TS 28.656
TS 28.659 3GPP TS 28.659
TS 28.662 3GPP TS 28.662
TS 28.663 3GPP TS 28.663
TS 28.669 3GPP TS 28.669
TS 28.673 3GPP TS 28.673
TS 28.676 3GPP TS 28.676
TS 28.701 3GPP TS 28.701
TS 28.703 3GPP TS 28.703
TS 28.706 3GPP TS 28.706
TS 28.707 3GPP TS 28.707
TS 28.708 3GPP TS 28.708
TS 28.709 3GPP TS 28.709
TS 28.733 3GPP TS 28.733
TS 28.736 3GPP TS 28.736
TS 28.871 3GPP TS 28.871
TS 29.116 3GPP TS 29.116
TS 32.101 3GPP TR 32.101
TS 32.102 3GPP TR 32.102
TS 32.103 3GPP TR 32.103
TS 32.111 3GPP TR 32.111
TS 32.121 3GPP TR 32.121
TS 32.122 3GPP TR 32.122
TS 32.123 3GPP TR 32.123
TS 32.125 3GPP TR 32.125
TS 32.126 3GPP TR 32.126
TS 32.150 3GPP TR 32.150
TS 32.151 3GPP TR 32.151
TS 32.152 3GPP TR 32.152
TS 32.153 3GPP TR 32.153
TS 32.154 3GPP TR 32.154
TS 32.155 3GPP TR 32.155
TS 32.157 3GPP TR 32.157
TS 32.182 3GPP TR 32.182
TS 32.300 3GPP TR 32.300
TS 32.302 3GPP TR 32.302
TS 32.303 3GPP TR 32.303
TS 32.305 3GPP TR 32.305
TS 32.306 3GPP TR 32.306
TS 32.307 3GPP TR 32.307
TS 32.311 3GPP TR 32.311
TS 32.312 3GPP TR 32.312
TS 32.322 3GPP TR 32.322
TS 32.323 3GPP TR 32.323
TS 32.325 3GPP TR 32.325
TS 32.326 3GPP TR 32.326
TS 32.335 3GPP TR 32.335
TS 32.336 3GPP TR 32.336
TS 32.343 3GPP TR 32.343
TS 32.345 3GPP TR 32.345
TS 32.346 3GPP TR 32.346
TS 32.347 3GPP TR 32.347
TS 32.352 3GPP TR 32.352
TS 32.353 3GPP TR 32.353
TS 32.355 3GPP TR 32.355
TS 32.356 3GPP TR 32.356
TS 32.357 3GPP TR 32.357
TS 32.362 3GPP TR 32.362
TS 32.363 3GPP TR 32.363
TS 32.365 3GPP TR 32.365
TS 32.366 3GPP TR 32.366
TS 32.367 3GPP TR 32.367
TS 32.371 3GPP TR 32.371
TS 32.372 3GPP TR 32.372
TS 32.373 3GPP TR 32.373
TS 32.375 3GPP TR 32.375
TS 32.376 3GPP TR 32.376
TS 32.381 3GPP TR 32.381
TS 32.382 3GPP TR 32.382
TS 32.383 3GPP TR 32.383
TS 32.385 3GPP TR 32.385
TS 32.386 3GPP TR 32.386
TS 32.391 3GPP TR 32.391
TS 32.392 3GPP TR 32.392
TS 32.393 3GPP TR 32.393
TS 32.395 3GPP TR 32.395
TS 32.396 3GPP TR 32.396
TS 32.397 3GPP TR 32.397
TS 32.411 3GPP TR 32.411
TS 32.413 3GPP TR 32.413
TS 32.415 3GPP TR 32.415
TS 32.416 3GPP TR 32.416
TS 32.417 3GPP TR 32.417
TS 32.442 3GPP TR 32.442
TS 32.443 3GPP TR 32.443
TS 32.445 3GPP TR 32.445
TS 32.446 3GPP TR 32.446
TS 32.506 3GPP TR 32.506
TS 32.507 3GPP TR 32.507
TS 32.523 3GPP TR 32.523
TS 32.526 3GPP TR 32.526
TS 32.535 3GPP TR 32.535
TS 32.536 3GPP TR 32.536
TS 32.537 3GPP TR 32.537
TS 32.601 3GPP TR 32.601
TS 32.603 3GPP TR 32.603
TS 32.606 3GPP TR 32.606
TS 32.607 3GPP TR 32.607
TS 32.613 3GPP TR 32.613
TS 32.615 3GPP TR 32.615
TS 32.616 3GPP TR 32.616
TS 32.617 3GPP TR 32.617
TS 32.621 3GPP TR 32.621
TS 32.623 3GPP TR 32.623
TS 32.625 3GPP TR 32.625
TS 32.626 3GPP TR 32.626
TS 32.631 3GPP TR 32.631
TS 32.633 3GPP TR 32.633
TS 32.635 3GPP TR 32.635
TS 32.636 3GPP TR 32.636
TS 32.641 3GPP TR 32.641
TS 32.643 3GPP TR 32.643
TS 32.645 3GPP TR 32.645
TS 32.646 3GPP TR 32.646
TS 32.651 3GPP TR 32.651
TS 32.653 3GPP TR 32.653
TS 32.655 3GPP TR 32.655
TS 32.656 3GPP TR 32.656
TS 32.661 3GPP TR 32.661
TS 32.663 3GPP TR 32.663
TS 32.665 3GPP TR 32.665
TS 32.666 3GPP TR 32.666
TS 32.667 3GPP TR 32.667
TS 32.671 3GPP TR 32.671
TS 32.672 3GPP TR 32.672
TS 32.673 3GPP TR 32.673
TS 32.675 3GPP TR 32.675
TS 32.676 3GPP TR 32.676
TS 32.690 3GPP TR 32.690
TS 32.691 3GPP TR 32.691
TS 32.695 3GPP TR 32.695
TS 32.696 3GPP TR 32.696
TS 32.711 3GPP TR 32.711
TS 32.713 3GPP TR 32.713
TS 32.715 3GPP TR 32.715
TS 32.716 3GPP TR 32.716
TS 32.723 3GPP TR 32.723
TS 32.725 3GPP TR 32.725
TS 32.726 3GPP TR 32.726
TS 32.731 3GPP TR 32.731
TS 32.733 3GPP TR 32.733
TS 32.735 3GPP TR 32.735
TS 32.736 3GPP TR 32.736
TS 32.743 3GPP TR 32.743
TS 32.745 3GPP TR 32.745
TS 32.746 3GPP TR 32.746
TS 32.751 3GPP TR 32.751
TS 32.752 3GPP TR 32.752
TS 32.753 3GPP TR 32.753
TS 32.756 3GPP TR 32.756
TS 32.763 3GPP TR 32.763
TS 32.765 3GPP TR 32.765
TS 32.766 3GPP TR 32.766
TS 32.773 3GPP TR 32.773
TS 32.776 3GPP TR 32.776
TS 32.783 3GPP TR 32.783
TS 32.786 3GPP TR 32.786
TS 32.792 3GPP TR 32.792
TS 32.796 3GPP TR 32.796
TS 32.818 3GPP TR 32.818
TS 32.824 3GPP TR 32.824
TS 32.828 3GPP TR 32.828
TS 32.832 3GPP TR 32.832
TS 32.859 3GPP TR 32.859
TS 32.866 3GPP TR 32.866
TS 32.880 3GPP TR 32.880
TS 32.901 3GPP TR 32.901
TS 36.171 3GPP TR 36.171
TS 36.355 3GPP TR 36.355
TS 36.866 3GPP TR 36.866
TS 37.355 3GPP TR 37.355
TS 37.571 3GPP TR 37.571
TS 38.171 3GPP TR 38.171