India has hosted the 3GPP Radio Access Networks (RAN) Working Group meetings for the first time, marking a pivotal moment in global telecommunications. Held in Whitefield, Bengaluru, the meetings commenced on August 25 and will continue through August 29, with over 1,500 delegates from more than 50 countries participating. This is the highest-ever attendance for any 3GPP working group session, underscoring the global significance of the deliberations.
The meetings focus on 3GPP Release 20, which lays the foundation for 6G specifications, alongside finalization of Release 19 that advances 5G Advanced. The event is hosted by the Telecommunications Standards Development Society, India (TSDSI), with full institutional and financial backing from the Department of Telecommunications. A delegation from the Department is actively engaged, reflecting the Government of India’s strategic commitment to shaping future communications technologies.
TSDSI, India’s recognized Standards Development Organization and one of seven global partners in 3GPP, plays a central role in these discussions. The Bengaluru meetings offer Indian researchers, companies, and academic institutions unprecedented access to global standard-setting processes, eliminating the barrier of international travel and enabling real-time contribution to 6G development.
India’s hosting of the 3GPP RAN meetings marks a shift in global telecom dynamics, positioning the country as a rising technology leader. The event is expected to catalyze deeper collaboration between industry and academia, drive domestic innovation, and reinforce India’s role in the global telecom standards ecosystem.
