Description
Vehicle-to-Everything Policy (V2XP) refers to the set of rules and parameters that govern the behavior and resource allocation for V2X communication within a 3GPP network. It is a specialized subset of the broader Policy and Charging Control (PCC) framework, tailored specifically for the unique requirements of V2X services, which often involve low latency, high reliability, and dynamic geographic constraints. The V2XP framework is implemented and enforced by the Policy Control Function (PCF) in the 5G core network. The PCF generates V2XP rules based on input from the V2X Application Server (V2X AS), network operator configurations, and subscriber information from the Unified Data Management (UDM).
These policies are then delivered to the relevant network functions and the User Equipment (UE). For network-based communication (Uu), V2XP rules are provided to the Session Management Function (SMF) and Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) to influence QoS flows, packet forwarding, and session management. For direct communication over the PC5 sidelink, V2XP rules are provided to the UE to govern its behavior on the sidelink interface. Key parameters within a V2XP rule include the ProSe Per-Packet Priority (PPPP), ProSe Per-Packet Reliability (PPPR), allowed V2X service areas, maximum transmission power, and resource allocation modes (scheduled vs. autonomous). The PCF may also provide V2X-specific Policy and Charging Control (PCC) rules that include parameters for charging and QoS enforcement.
The operation of V2XP involves dynamic policy decisions. For instance, when a UE initiates a V2X service, the V2X AS may request a specific policy from the PCF based on the service type (e.g., basic safety vs. advanced teleoperation). The PCF evaluates this request against the user's subscription and network conditions to formulate the appropriate V2XP. This policy is then activated and enforced for the duration of the V2X session. V2XP is crucial for managing radio congestion, especially in dense vehicular scenarios, by prioritizing safety messages and efficiently allocating sidelink resources. It provides a standardized mechanism for the network to control and optimize V2X communication, ensuring that the diverse and stringent requirements of different V2X applications are met consistently across the network.
Purpose & Motivation
V2XP was created to address the need for granular, dynamic, and service-aware control over V2X communications within the 3GPP policy framework. Early V2X implementations, including the initial Release 14 specifications, had policy mechanisms but the formalized V2XP framework, emphasized from Release 16 onwards, was driven by the introduction of more advanced and diverse eV2X services. These new services (e.g., platooning, remote driving) have vastly different requirements in terms of latency, reliability, data rate, and communication range compared to basic safety messages. A one-size-fits-all policy approach was insufficient.
The V2XP framework solves the problem of how to efficiently map diverse V2X application requirements onto network and radio resources. It allows the network operator and service provider to define policies that dictate, for example, that a collision-avoidance message must have higher priority and lower latency than an infotainment-related V2X update. This is critical for managing limited radio spectrum, preventing congestion, and ensuring that safety-of-life messages are never delayed due to network resource contention. V2XP also enables service differentiation and monetization, as operators can offer tiered V2X service levels with corresponding policy guarantees. By integrating V2X policy into the core PCC architecture, 3GPP ensured that V2X communication could be managed with the same robustness, security, and scalability as traditional cellular services.
Detected Changes Across Releases
from 3GPP Change RequestsSpecific changes extracted from the „Change history“ tables of 3GPP specifications (322 CRs across 6 releases). Complements the general historical overview above with the evidence-based evolution of this function.
In Release 15, the V2XP function introduced the UE Route Selection Policy (URSP) as a key component of UE policy information, enabling the UE to determine how to route outgoing traffic, including triggering new PDU Sessions. The release also established the framework for UE policy control, defining the UE Policy Association between the AMF and the PCF for policy provisioning. Furthermore, it clarified procedures for UE policy distribution and storage, including in roaming scenarios such as storage in the VPLMN.
- Addition of Reflective QoS Timer in PDU session related policy information TS 23.503CR0005
- UE policies granularity and UE assistance for policy evaluation TS 23.503CR0011
- Update of UDR policy related subscription TS 23.503CR0021
- Corrections to description of session management related policy enforcement TS 23.503CR0025
- Clarification on UE policy configuration TS 23.503CR0044
- Correction on Policy Control Request Triggers TS 23.503CR0046
+ 45 more changes
In Release 16, key enhancements for V2X Policy (V2XP) included the introduction of a UE-requested V2X policy provisioning procedure (UPDS updates) and the provisioning of NR PC5 unicast security policies. The release also specified the procedure for N2 PC5 Policy, added support for a New UE Policy Control Request Trigger for V2X, and introduced corrections and extensions to the overall V2X policy provisioning framework.
- Access and mobility related policy information for 5G-RG TS 23.503CR0236
- Update to Policy Framework for TSC TS 23.503CR0310
- USPS extension for V2X policy TS 24.501CR1281
- UPDS updates enabling UE-requested V2X policy provisioning procedure TS 24.501CR1692
- Introduction of background data transfer policy information in URSP TS 24.526CR0043
- Specifying and adding reference for V2X Policy TS 24.526CR0052
+ 66 more changes
In Release 17, the V2X policy (V2XP) function was enhanced to extend UE policy control for ProSe-based services, including support for UE-to-Network (U2N) relay via ProSe. This allowed the PCF to provide UE policy information, specifically UE Route Selection Policy (URSP) rules, enabling the UE to route traffic via a ProSe Layer-3 UE-to-Network Relay outside a PDU session. Furthermore, the release introduced mechanisms for ProSe policy provisioning start and stop indications and UE ProSe policy transmission.
- BSF enhancement on PCF Discovery for dynamic AM policy TS 23.503CR0506
- Access and mobility policy control functionality to enable dynamic change of AM Policies TS 23.503CR0520
- Policy control based on satellite backhaul information TS 23.503CR0539
- ProSe Policy TS 23.503CR0533
- Policy control of data rate per network slice TS 23.503CR0552
- Policy control enhancement for local notification TS 23.503CR0587
+ 73 more changes
In Release 18, the V2X Policy (V2XP) function introduced explicit support for provisioning A2X (Application to Everything) policies directly to the UE, as well as the transmission of specific Ranging and Sidelink Positioning policies. This expands the UE policy information framework beyond URSP and ANDSP to include these new V2X-specific policy types, enabling more granular control over vehicle-to-everything communications. Additionally, enhancements were made to specify and add references for these new A2X and Ranging/SL Positioning policies within the overall policy control architecture.
- NWDAF- assisted URSPs introduced in policy decision TS 23.503CR0769
- Policy control for dynamic satellite backhaul TS 23.503CR0788
- DN Performance Analytics usage in PDTQ policy TS 23.503CR0799
- Policy update to support policy control enhancements for multi-modal services TS 23.503CR0835
- Updates on PDU session related policy information TS 23.503CR0871
- VPLMN Specific Offloading Policy for HR-SBO TS 23.503CR0925
+ 81 more changes
In Release 19, enhancements for the V2XP function included the introduction of QoS and Policy Assistance analytics to improve policy decisions and the ability for the PCF to control UE and AM Policy Associations based on UDM subscription data. Furthermore, the release added mechanisms for spending limits for UE Policy and support for CHF information in roaming scenarios, while also introducing corrections and clarifications for the handling and storage of policy association data.
- Minimize number of UE and AM Policy Associations TS 23.503CR1288
- Local Offloading Policy to support Local Handling of Edge Computing TS 23.503CR1348
- KI#1 Clarification on Local Offloading Policy TS 23.503CR1401
- PCF use of QoS and policy assistance information analytic TS 23.503CR1303
- Support of the minimize number for the UE Policy TS 29.513CR0561
- UE and AM Policy Association control based on UDM Subscription Data TS 29.513CR0562
+ 22 more changes
In Release 20, the V2X policy function was enhanced with new policy control capabilities based on abnormal user plane traffic analytics and traffic pattern analytics. It also introduced service adjustment mechanisms based on exposure and added support for Background Data Transfer (BDT) and UE policy control for network energy saving. Furthermore, corrections and refinements were made to the QoS and policy assistance analytics procedures.
- Policy control based on abnormal user plane traffic analytics and traffic pattern analytics TS 23.503CR1599
- Service Adjustment based on Exposure - Policy TS 23.503CR1600
- Adding BDT, PDTQ and UE policy control for network energy saving TS 23.503CR1612
- Policy control based on new Abnormal User Plane Traffic Analytics TS 23.503CR1613
- Correction on QoS and policy assistance analytics TS 23.503CR1627
Explore further
Broader topics and technologies where V2XP plays a role.
Defining Specifications
3GPP specifications that define or reference V2XP, with the latest known release. Sourced from the 3GPP document catalog — see methodology.
| Specification | Title | Release |
|---|---|---|
| TS 23.503 vk00 | 5G Policy and Charging Control Framework | Rel-20 |
| TS 24.501 vj50 | 5G NAS Protocols Specification | Rel-19 |
| TS 24.526 vj30 | UE Policies for 5GS; Stage 3 | Rel-19 |
| TS 24.587 vj30 | V2X Services Protocols for 5G System | Rel-19 |
| TS 24.588 vj00 | UE Policies for V2X Services in 5GS | Rel-19 |
| TR 26.941 vj01 | 5G Media Slicing Extensions | Rel-19 |
| TS 29.513 vj40 | 5G PCC Signalling Flows & QoS Mapping | Rel-19 |
| TS 29.525 vj40 | 5G UE Policy Control Service Stage 3 | Rel-19 |