The ATIS webinar detailed the progress of 3GPP Release 20, which employs a dual-track strategy to advance 5G Advanced while simultaneously establishing the architectural framework for 6G. Puneet Jain highlighted that Release 20 Stage 2 is targeting 80% completion by June 2026, with a functional freeze scheduled for March 2027 to ensure a smooth transition. Wanshi Chen emphasized a strategic shift toward leaner 6G standards that minimize unnecessary options and focus on realistic performance improvements for IMT-2030. Key decisions are expected by June 2026 regarding the 6G RAN-to-Core interface and the timeline for Release 21, which will build upon the current study results.
Source: https://www.3gpp.org/news-events/3gpp-news/rel-20-webinar
Keywords: 3GPP Release 20, 6G standards, service requirements, device diversity, energy efficiency