GSA statement on the merger of 5Gi into 3GPP Rel-17

16 Dec 2021

GSA is pleased to learn of the outcome at the recent 3GPP RAN meeting, where a compromise proposal from multiple stakeholders is leading to the merger of 5Gi into 3GPP Rel-17. We welcome this development and congratulate the Indian administration for driving this effort. The GSA had held various engagements with the stakeholders, including the Indian Dept. of Telecommunications (DoT) on the benefits of a globally harmonized standard.

The technologies from 3GPP are very mature and will assist the faster adoption of 5G in India. The economies of scale created around 3GPP technologies will also benefit the Indian consumers by making them part of a larger ecosystem, with a future proof evolution path.

We now look forward to the 5G spectrum auctions in India, and will continue to work with the Indian stakeholders with their current and future technology needs.