Description
QoE Measurement Collection (QMC) is a standardized framework within 3GPP for the collection of Quality of Experience (QoE) metrics from end-user devices. QoE differs from traditional Quality of Service (QoS) by focusing on the subjective perception of a service by the end-user, such as video quality, audio clarity, or application responsiveness. The QMC framework defines the procedures, signaling, and information models necessary for the network to configure, activate, and receive QoE measurements from the User Equipment (UE). It operates across multiple service types, with a primary focus on media streaming services like HTTP Adaptive Streaming (HAS).
The architecture involves several network functions. The Policy Control Function (PCF) or Application Function (AF) can request QoE measurements for specific users or services. This request is communicated to the UE via the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) and the Radio Access Network (RAN). The UE, equipped with a QoE measurement client, then performs the measurements according to the received configuration. This configuration includes parameters like the service type (e.g., video streaming), target metrics (e.g., initial playback delay, rebuffering ratio, video codec information), and reporting triggers (e.g., periodic, event-based).
The UE collects data during the service session. For video streaming, this can include application-layer metrics like buffer status, resolution changes, and stall events. Once collected, the measurement reports are sent back to a designated collection entity, often a Mediation Function (MF) or directly to an Application Function (AF) like a video analytics server. The reports are transported over standardized interfaces, such as Nq between the UE and the AMF, and potentially Nm between the AMF and the MF. The collected data is then aggregated and analyzed by the operator or service provider to gain insights into real-world service performance, identify problem areas, and drive network and service improvements.
Purpose & Motivation
QMC was introduced to address the growing need for operators and service providers to understand the actual end-user experience, which is not fully captured by traditional network-centric QoS metrics. As services like video streaming became dominant, issues like video stalling, resolution degradation, and slow start-up times directly impacted user satisfaction and retention. Prior to QMC, operators relied on network probes, deep packet inspection (DPI), or limited, proprietary device reporting, which provided an incomplete or indirect view of QoE.
The creation of QMC was motivated by the industry's shift towards user-centric network management. It solves the problem of obtaining direct, standardized, and rich QoE data from the endpoint itself—the UE. This enables correlation of network conditions (e.g., radio signal strength, throughput) with actual application performance as perceived by the user. By standardizing this collection framework in Rel-14 and beyond, 3GPP ensured interoperability between devices and network analytics platforms, allowing for scalable, automated QoE-driven optimization and closed-loop operations.
Classification
Detected Changes Across Releases
from 3GPP Change RequestsSpecific changes extracted from the „Change history“ tables of 3GPP specifications (130 CRs across 5 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 QoE Measurement Collection (QMC) function was newly introduced for LTE and specifically for the MTSI (Multimedia Telephony Service for IMS) service in EUTRAN. This introduction established the control and configuration framework for QoE measurement collection, as defined in the relevant specification. The release also included enhancements for the collection of other measurement data, such as Bluetooth and WLAN measurements via MDT on the S1AP and X2AP interfaces.
- Introduction of QoE Measurement Collection for LTE TS 36.413CR1543
- CR to S1AP to introduce Bluetooth and WLAN measurement in MDT TS 36.413CR1617
- Introduction of QoE Measurement Collection for LTE TS 36.423CR1045
- Support of NB-IoT measurement enhancement and TDD Config TS 36.423CR1174
- Introduction of QMC for MTSI in EUTRAN TS 36.413CR1572
- Introduction of QMC for MTSI in EUTRAN TS 36.423CR1086
+ 11 more changes
In Release 16, the QoE Measurement Collection (QMC) function was newly introduced, alongside the definition of the Data Collection Coordination Function (DCCF) and the Analytics Data Repository Function (ADRF). The release also expanded measurement capabilities by standardizing End-to-End (E2E) delay measurement for QoS monitoring of URLLC services and specifying N6 delay measurement procedures for UPF selection. Furthermore, enhancements were made to the Performance Measurement Functionality (PMF) in the UPF and to the configuration of QoS monitoring parameters, including event-triggered reporting with thresholds and minimum waiting times.
- Access Network Performance Measurements TS 23.501CR0921
- Clarification on Access Network Performance Measurements TS 23.501CR1352
- Introduction of QMC TS 32.101CR0070
- Introduction of NeedForGap capability for NR measurement TS 38.300CR0191
- E2E delay measurement for QoS monitoring for URLLC TS 38.413CR0329
- E2E delay measurement for Qos monitoring for URLLC TS 38.473CR0530
+ 16 more changes
In Release 17, the QoE Measurement Collection (QMC) function introduced support for per-QoS Flow measurements, enabling more granular performance tracking, and added Packet Loss Rate as a key measurement parameter. It also enhanced efficiency through architectural changes to the data collection process and extended support for per-slice QoE measurements. Furthermore, the release specified requirements for UE behavior regarding QoE measurement and reporting and aligned procedures for handling QMC during RAN overload conditions.
- PMF enhancements to support per QoS Flow measurements TS 23.501CR2583
- Packet Loss Rate measurements TS 23.501CR2587
- Architectural changes to increasing efficiency of data collection TS 23.501CR2642
- Decision to apply measurements per QoS Flow TS 23.501CR2720
- QoS Flow recognition for per QoS Flow measurements TS 23.501CR2746
- 38.300 CR for Introduction of QoE measurements in NR TS 38.300CR0424
+ 30 more changes
In Release 18, the QoE Measurement Collection (QMC) function was enhanced with specific new capabilities for handover scenarios and expanded measurement reporting. These enhancements introduced RAN visible QoE metrics and MDT alignment information to improve handling during NR handover and in NR-DC (Dual Connectivity) situations. Furthermore, support was added for reporting jitter measurements and the end of data bursts to the NG-RAN.
- Introduction of support for Jitter Measurement and End of Data Burst reporting to the NG-RAN TS 23.501CR3875
- Handling of QoE measurement collection at handover in NR TS 28.405CR0015
- Add MDT alignment Information and RAN visible QoE Metrics to Handling QMC at Handover TS 28.405CR0019
- Introducing Report Amount for M4, M5, M6, M7 measurements for E-UTRAN [ReportAmount_MDT_E-UTRAN] TS 36.413CR1876
- Introducing Report Amount for M4, M5, M6, M7 measurements for E-UTRAN [ReportAmount_MDT_E-UTRAN] TS 36.423CR1688
- Introduction of R18 QoE measurement enhancements TS 38.410CR0047
+ 34 more changes
In Release 19, the QoE Measurement Collection (QMC) function introduced new capabilities for N6 delay measurement, including support for the SMF to trigger the measurement and for handling the I-SMF deployment case. It also enhanced energy consumption information collection for new PDU Sessions and from OAM, while adding clarifications on the protocols used for N6 delay measurements, such as IEEE 1588 and TWAMP. Furthermore, the release provided updates to the UPF configuration for QoS monitoring parameters and reporting suggestions to alleviate UPF load.
- AF request and functionalities enhancement to support N6 delay measurement TS 23.501CR5443
- Introduction of Secondary Cell Measurement Skipping for NR ATG TS 38.300CR1027
- E-CID measurement enhancement [ECID_enh1] TS 38.473CR1543
- Support of Sample-based measurement (case 3b) TS 38.473CR1575
- N6 delay measurement triggered by SMF TS 23.501CR6024
- N6 delay measurement for I-SMF case TS 23.501CR6025
+ 9 more changes
Explore further
Broader topics and technologies where QMC plays a role.
Defining Specifications
3GPP specifications that define or reference QMC, with the latest known release. Sourced from the 3GPP document catalog — see methodology.
| Specification | Title | Release |
|---|---|---|
| TS 23.501 vk00 | 5G System Architecture Stage 2 | Rel-20 |
| TS 26.114 vj10 | IMS Multimedia Telephony Media Handling | Rel-19 |
| TS 26.247 vj00 | 3GPP Progressive Download & DASH over HTTP | Rel-19 |
| TS 26.567 vj00 | IMS-based Split Rendering | Rel-19 |
| TR 26.812 vi10 | Technical Report | Rel-18 |
| TR 26.942 vj00 | Study on Media Energy Consumption Exposure & Evaluation | Rel-19 |
| TS 28.308 vj00 | QoE Measurement Collection IRP: Information Service | Rel-19 |
| TS 28.405 vj40 | QoE Measurement Control & Configuration | Rel-19 |
| TS 28.406 vj00 | QoE measurement collection: info definition & transport | Rel-19 |
| TS 32.101 vj00 | Management principles and high-level requirements | Rel-19 |
| TS 36.413 vj10 | S1 Application Protocol (S1AP) | Rel-19 |
| TS 36.423 vj10 | X2 Application Protocol (X2AP) Specification | Rel-19 |
| TS 37.340 vj00 | Multi-Connectivity Operation Overview | Rel-19 |
| TS 38.300 vj00 | NG-RAN Overall Description | Rel-19 |
| TS 38.410 vj10 | NG Interface Introduction for NG-RAN to 5GC | Rel-19 |
| TS 38.413 vj10 | NG Application Protocol (NGAP) | Rel-19 |
| TS 38.420 vj10 | Introduction to Xn interface specifications | Rel-19 |
| TS 38.470 vj10 | F1 Interface Introduction | Rel-19 |
| TS 38.473 vj10 | 5G F1 Application Protocol (F1AP) | Rel-19 |
| TR 38.890 vh00 | NR QoE Management and Optimization | Rel-17 |