SEAL

Service Enabler Architecture Layer for Verticals

Services →
Introduced in Rel-16

SEAL is a 3GPP standardized service capability layer that provides common enablers and APIs for vertical applications by abstracting underlying network complexities to accelerate development and ensure interoperability.

Category
Services
Introduced
Rel-16
Where
Services › Codecs
Specifications
35 specs
SEAL Description Purpose Related Classification Detected Changes Specifications

Description

The Service Enabler Architecture Layer for Verticals (SEAL) is a comprehensive framework defined by 3GPP to facilitate the development and deployment of services for various industry verticals such as automotive (V2X), IoT, drones, and industrial automation. It is not a single network function but a layered architecture comprising a set of common service enablers that expose standardized Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) to vertical applications. SEAL sits above the core network functions and abstracts the underlying 3GPP network capabilities, providing a unified and simplified interface for service developers. Key components of the SEAL architecture include enablers for Group Management, Configuration Management, Identity Management, Location Management, Network Resource Management, and the SEAL Data Delivery (SEALDD) function. These enablers work in concert; for example, the Group Management enabler allows an application to define a logical group of UEs (like all drones in a fleet), and the Location Management enabler can then provide the positions of all members in that group. SEAL operates by receiving requests from vertical applications via its northbound APIs, then orchestrating the necessary interactions with 3GPP network functions (like NEF, UDM, GMLC) or other SEAL enablers to fulfill the request. It handles aspects like service authorization, policy enforcement, and data transformation. Its role is to act as a middleware that hides the heterogeneity and complexity of network interfaces, enabling verticals to innovate rapidly without deep telecommunications expertise, while ensuring efficient, secure, and reliable use of 3GPP network assets.

Purpose & Motivation

SEAL was created in 3GPP Release 16 to address a critical gap in the 5G ecosystem: the difficulty for vertical industries to leverage advanced 3GPP network capabilities. Prior to SEAL, verticals had to engage in complex, point-to-point integrations with various network functions (e.g., NEF, SCEF), leading to fragmented, non-interoperable solutions and slow time-to-market. The proliferation of vertical-specific architectures (like for V2X) also risked creating silos. The primary purpose of SEAL is to provide a unified, standardized, and reusable layer of common service enablers that are agnostic to specific verticals. This solves the problems of integration complexity, lack of interoperability, and redundant development efforts. By offering a consistent set of APIs for common needs like group communication, location, and device management, SEAL significantly lowers the barrier to entry for vertical application providers. It was motivated by the 5G vision of enabling a diverse range of services beyond mobile broadband, ensuring that the network can be efficiently exposed and monetized while giving verticals the tools they need to build scalable, reliable services.

Classification

Part ofNEF
Specific typesSEALDDSCM-SSCM-CSDDMSGM-SSIM-SSIM-CTDOTPAE
Related approachesV2X

Detected Changes Across Releases

from 3GPP Change Requests

Specific changes extracted from the „Change history“ tables of 3GPP specifications (269 CRs across 5 releases). Complements the general historical overview above with the evidence-based evolution of this function.

Rel-16 10 changes

In Release 16, the SEAL function introduced specific procedures and API definitions for vertical applications, including SIP-based subscribe/notify procedures for SEAL group management and a location reporting configuration procedure. It also defined new IANA registration templates for SEAL group and location management documents and provided corrections and updates to the associated SEAL APIs and XML schemas for configuration.

  • SIP based subscribe/notify procedures for SEAL group management TS 24.544CR0001
  • Adding IANA registration template for SEAL group document TS 24.544CR0005
  • IANA registration template of SEAL location management TS 24.545CR0001
  • XML scheme for location reporting configuration procedure for SEAL location management TS 24.545CR0005
  • Architecture requirements group management TS 23.434CR0001
  • Change of service-based interface representation of the functional model for SEAL TS 23.434CR0006

+ 4 more changes

Rel-17 36 changes

In Release 17, the SEAL function introduced new services including the SEAL Location Deviation Service and SEAL Event Monitoring Service, enhanced its support for verticals with supplementary location information, and enabled 5G Core Network capabilities for SEAL groups. It also expanded protocol support with CoAP integration and corresponding security provisions, while adding new management APIs for network slice capability and group message filters. These additions provided SEAL with more granular monitoring, reporting, and configuration tools for vertical applications like UAS.

  • SEAL support for CoAP TS 23.434CR0051
  • SEAL Location Deviation Service TS 23.434CR0056
  • SEAL Event Monitoring Service TS 23.434CR0057
  • Supplementary location information to verticals TS 23.434CR0059
  • SEAL enable 5G CN capabilities for SEAL groups TS 23.434CR0065
  • SEAL Location Deviation Service Information flows and APIs TS 23.434CR0066

+ 30 more changes

Rel-18 68 changes

In Release 18, the SEAL architecture was updated to introduce the SEAL Data Delivery (SEALDD) function and a new SEAL-3P reference point. The release also added new capabilities for the UAE layer, specifically for multi-USS operations and Detect and Avoid (DAA) assistance during UAV flights. Furthermore, it defined new services including a SEAL Notification Management service and enhancements for edge application architectures.

  • Addition of multi-USS capabilities to UAE layer registration TS 23.255CR0030
  • Addition of DAA assist capability to UAE layer registration TS 23.255CR0038
  • SEAL Notification Management service – Functional Model TS 23.434CR0104
  • SEAL Notification Management service – Information Flows and Procedures TS 23.434CR0105
  • Update to SEAL architecture to include SEALDD TS 23.434CR0129
  • Update to the SEALDD description TS 23.434CR0164

+ 62 more changes

Rel-19 139 changes

In Release 19, the SEAL function introduced several new capabilities focused on enhanced data delivery and application support for verticals. Key additions include support for SEALDD-enabled data transmission quality guarantees using Non-3GPP radio access, the introduction of an Adaptive XR Data Transmission Service, and enabling client-initiated SEALDD connection establishment. The release also expanded policy and flow management with features like SEALDD policy configuration for multi-modal flows, provisioning of Geofence policies, and enhancements to the SEALDD connection status and relocation procedures.

  • Support for DAA ground-based UAE layer assistance TS 23.255CR0055
  • SEALDD transmission quality guarantee with BAT and periodicity adaptation TS 23.433CR0015
  • Correction on SEALDD enabled congestion control for VAL application by supporting L4S mechanism TS 23.433CR0021
  • Provisioning a Geofence policy in the SEALDD server TS 23.433CR0023
  • Enhancements to the SEALDD connection status procedure TS 23.433CR0024
  • Seamless SEALDD relocation enhancement TS 23.433CR0032

+ 133 more changes

Rel-20 16 changes

In Release 20, the SEAL function introduced new capabilities including QoS differentiation and policy enforcement for non-3GPP devices, defined new protocol stacks for the SEALDD-UU and SEALDD-S interfaces, and added support for SEALDD-enabled multicast and broadcast data delivery. The release also provided enhancements for congestion control, clarified the SEALDD functional model and interfaces, and detailed deployment options and business relationships involving the SEAL client.

  • Support of QoS differentiation for non-3GPP devices in SEALDD layer TS 23.433CR0184
  • Addition of the protocol stacks for SEALDD-UU and SEALDD-S TS 23.433CR0189
  • Addition of the user plane protocol stack examples for SEALDD-UU and SEALDD-S TS 23.433CR0190
  • Support on SEALDD enabled Multicast and Broadcast data delivery service TS 23.433CR0193
  • Support on the SEALDD policy enforcement. TS 23.433CR0194
  • Support on the SEALDD regular connection establishment with additional indication of SLA on QoS service type TS 23.433CR0195

+ 10 more changes

Explore further

Broader topics and technologies where SEAL plays a role.

Topics
Authentication (5G-AKA, EAP)Lawful InterceptSidelink & V2XIoT & MTCManagement & OperationsServices & Applications
Technologies
5G

Defining Specifications

3GPP specifications that define or reference SEAL, with the latest known release. Sourced from the 3GPP document catalog — see methodology.

SpecificationTitleRelease
TS 23.255 vj50 UAS Application Layer Support Rel-19
TS 23.433 vk00 SEAL Data Delivery (SEALDD) for Verticals Rel-20
TS 23.434 vk00 Service Enabler Architecture for Verticals Rel-20
TS 23.438 vk10 SEAL Digital Asset Service for Metaverse Rel-20
TS 23.482 vk00 AIML Enablement Service Architecture Rel-20
TS 23.554 vj70 MSGin5G Service Application Architecture Rel-19
TS 23.558 vk00 Architecture for Edge Applications 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 24.257 vj40 UAS Application Enabler (UAE) Layer Rel-19
TS 24.486 vj00 V2X Application Enabler (VAE) Protocol Spec Rel-19
TS 24.538 vj30 MSGin5G Service Protocol Specification Rel-19
TS 24.542 vj00 SEAL Notification Management Protocol Rel-19
TS 24.543 vj50 SEAL Data Delivery Management Protocol Rel-19
TS 24.544 vj00 SEAL Group Management Protocol Rel-19
TS 24.545 vj40 SEAL Location Management Protocol Specification Rel-19
TS 24.546 vj10 SEAL Configuration Management Protocol Specification Rel-19
TS 24.547 vj00 SEAL Identity Management Protocol Rel-19
TS 24.548 vj10 SEAL Network Resource Management Protocol Rel-19
TS 24.549 vj10 SEAL Network Slice Capability Enablement Protocol Rel-19
TS 24.550 vj00 Metaverse Enablement Services Protocol Rel-19
TS 24.558 vj50 Edge Enabler APIs Stage 3 Rel-19
TS 24.559 vj41 Application Data Analytics Enablement Services Rel-19
TS 24.560 vj00 AIML Enablement (AIMLE) Services Stage 3 Protocol Rel-19
TS 26.531 vj00 Data Collection & Reporting Architecture for 5G Rel-19
TS 26.804 vj10 5G Media Streaming Extensions Study Rel-19
TR 26.857 vi00 Technical Report on Media Service Enablers Rel-18
TS 28.879 vj10 OAM for Service Management Exposure Study Rel-19
TS 29.435 vj20 SEAL NSCE Server Services Stage 3 Rel-19
TS 29.482 vj00 SEAL AIMLE Services Stage 3 Protocol Rel-19
TS 29.548 vj40 SEAL Data Delivery Server Services Stage 3 Rel-19
TS 29.549 vj40 SEAL API Specification for Vertical Applications Rel-19
TS 29.558 vj40 Enabling Edge Applications Rel-19
TS 29.561 vj30 5G Interworking with External Data Networks Rel-19
TS 33.434 vj00 Security aspects of SEAL for verticals Rel-19