Standalone Non-Public Network

In Release 15, the 3GPP specifications introduced the foundational concept of the Standalone Non-Public Network (SNPN) as a network intended for non-public use, catering to verticals like factories or enterprises. This release established that 5G system requirements apply to both NPNs and Public Land Mobile Networks (PLMNs) unless specified otherwise. It also defined mechanisms for a PLMN to host a non-public network and for coordinating network slices between a non-public network and a PLMN to extend services.

• Storing Configured NSSAI when the PLMN is changed TS 24.501CR0203
• Proposal for definition for PLMN trust domain TS 23.222CR0011
• Network sharing prioritised PLMN handling TS 23.501CR0056
• Inter-PLMN mobility when N26 is not used TS 23.501CR0070
• Non-Allowed Area as criterion for Cell Reselection or trigger for PLMN Selection TS 23.501CR0076
• Clarification on usage of PLMN ID received via PCO during PDN connection establishment TS 23.501CR0383

+ 28 more changes

In Release 16, 3GPP introduced foundational support for Standalone Non-Public Networks (SNPNs), defining them as networks intended for non-public use. This release specified new UE configuration parameters for SNPN access mode and defined mechanisms for unified access control and emergency services support within these networks. Furthermore, it addressed operational aspects such as handling abnormal registration rejections and defining the FQDN format for the N3IWF to enable SNPN access.

• Multiple CCFs deployment in a PLMN trust domain TS 23.222CR0050
• TS 23.501: Introducing Non-public network TS 23.501CR0734
• Introducing support for Non-Public Networks TS 23.501CR0757
• Introducing Non-public network TS 23.501CR0734
• FQDN format of N3IWF in a standalone non-public network TS 23.501CR0841
• Support of emergency services in public network integrated NPNs TS 23.501CR1073

+ 184 more changes

In Release 17, SNPN enhancements primarily focused on enabling connectivity for UEs with credentials owned by a separate Credentials Holder, supporting services like IMS voice and emergency services, and improving mobility between SNPNs and between SNPNs and PLMNs. The release also introduced mechanisms for UE onboarding, AAA server support for primary authentication, and configuration for various IMS and management services specific to SNPNs. Furthermore, it provided guidelines for session continuity when using Non-3GPP Interworking Function (N3IWF) to connect SNPNs and PLMNs.

• KI#3: Support for IMC for SNPN TS 23.228CR1239
• Informative guideline on supporting session/service continuity between SNPN and PLMN when using N3IWF TS 23.501CR2563
• SNPN support AAA Server for primary authentication and authorization TS 23.501CR2611
• SNPN with separate entity hosting subscription TS 23.501CR2625
• General introduction of Enhancements to Support SNPN along with credentials owned by an entity separate from the SNPN TS 23.501CR2684
• Homogeneously support SNPN connectivity for UEs with credentials owned by Credentials Holder TS 23.501CR2799

+ 240 more changes

In Release 18, the SNPN function was enhanced to support access via wireline and non-3GPP technologies, and to enable a UE to access multiple non-public networks simultaneously. It also introduced specific support for emergency services and onboarding, including a Visited Country Emergency SNPN FQDN and an FQDN for an SNPN N3IWF supporting Onboarding. Furthermore, the release provided clarifications on SNPN access mode and added support for the Common API Framework (CAPIF) within an SNPN.

• Support multiple non-public networks access and corresponding simultaneous services for a UE TS 22.261CR0564
• NAI format for 5G registration via trusted access using SNPN TS 23.003CR0648
• Definition of NAI format for support of NSWO using SNPN Credentials TS 23.003CR0663
• NAI format for N5CW device 5G registration via trusted access using SNPN TS 23.003CR0665
• Visited Country Emergency SNPN FQDN TS 23.003CR0671
• FQDN for SNPN N3IWF supporting Onboarding TS 23.003CR0674

+ 183 more changes

In Release 19, the SNPN function was enhanced with new support for 5G ProSe (Proximity Services) within non-public networks, including updates to the ProSe direct discovery announce request procedure, UE-to-network relay selection, and QoS handling for layer-3 UE-to-network relays. Furthermore, requirements were introduced for the interconnection of SNPNs with public land mobile networks (PLMNs), and enhancements were made for scenarios involving relay UEs to improve coverage and energy efficiency in vertical deployments like Public Safety.

• Add requirements for Interconnect of SNPN in 22.261 TS 22.261CR0776
• Format of SNPN ID description for 5G ProSe applications TS 23.003CR0703
• KI#6: Support of Standalone IMS Data Channel feature TS 23.228CR1422
• Alignment of DC exposure and standalone DC with IMS DC architecture TS 23.228CR1509
• Location reporting information obtained from the PLMN operator (5G) TS 23.289CR0126
• NF discovery and selection by target PLMN TS 23.501CR5399

+ 93 more changes

In Release 20, the SNPN function was updated with an editorial change for publication following TSG SA approval, as documented in the MCC update for SA#109. This change specifically finalized the normative text detailing requirements for coordinating network slices across PLMNs and non-public networks to extend selected communication services. It also solidified the mechanisms for an MNO to operate a hosted non-public network and its associated private slices in a combined manner, as outlined in the grounding context.

• MCC Editorial update for publication after TSG SA approval (SA#109) TS 23.700