ETSI TS 122 261 V16.18.0 (2025-07)

5G; Service requirements for the 5G system (3GPP TS 22.261 version 16.18.0 Release 16)

RTS/TSGS-0122261vgi0

General Information

• Status: Not Published
• Technical Committee: 3GPP SA 1 - Services
• Current Stage: 12 - Citation in the OJ (auto-insert)
• Completion Date: 21-Jul-2025

Standards Content (Sample)

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
5G;
Service requirements for the 5G system
(3GPP TS 22.261 version 16.18.0 Release 16)

3GPP TS 22.261 version 16.18.0 Release 16 1 ETSI TS 122 261 V16.18.0 (2025-07)

Reference
RTS/TSGS-0122261vgi0
Keywords
5G
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3GPP TS 22.261 version 16.18.0 Release 16 2 ETSI TS 122 261 V16.18.0 (2025-07)
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3GPP TS 22.261 version 16.18.0 Release 16 3 ETSI TS 122 261 V16.18.0 (2025-07)
Contents
Foreword . 7
Introduction . 7
1 Scope . 8
2 References . 8
3 Definitions, symbols and abbreviations . 9
3.1 Definitions . 9
3.2 Abbreviations . 11
4 Overview . 11
5 High-level requirements . 12
5.1 Migration to 5G . 12
5.1.1 Description . 12
5.1.2 Requirements . 13
5.1.2.1 Interworking between 5G systems . 13
5.1.2.2 Legacy service support . 13
5.1.2.3 Interoperability with legacy 3GPP syste ms . 13
6 Basic capabilities . 14
6.1 Network slicing . 14
6.1.1 Description . 14
6.1.2 Requirements . 14
6.1.2.1 General . 14
6.1.2.2 Management . 14
6.1.2.3 Network slice constraints . 15
6.1.2.4 Cross-network slice coordination . 15
6.2 Diverse mobility management . 15
6.2.1 Description . 15
6.2.2 General requirements . 16
6.2.3 Service continuity requirements . 16
6.2.4 Void . 16
6.3 Multiple access technologies . 16
6.3.1 Description . 16
6.3.2 Requirements . 16
6.3.2.1 General . 16
6.3.2.2 E-UTRA access . 17
6.3.2.3 Void. 17
6.3.2.4 Fixed broadband access . 17
6.4 Resource efficiency . 17
6.4.1 Description . 17
6.4.2 Requirements . 18
6.4.2.1 General . 18
6.4.2.2 Efficient bulk operations for IoT . 19
6.4.2.3 Efficient management for IoT . 19
6.4.2.4 Efficient control plane . 19
6.5 Efficient user plane . 19
6.5.1 Description . 19
6.5.2 Requirements . 19
6.6 Efficient content delivery . 20
6.6.1 Description . 20
6.6.2 Requirements . 20
6.7 Priority, QoS, and policy control . 21
6.7.1 Description . 21
6.7.2 Requirements . 21
6.8 Dynamic policy control . 22
6.9 Void . 22
6.9.1 Void . 22
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6.9.2 Void . 22
6.10 Network capability exposure . 22
6.10.1 Description . 22
6.10.2 Requirements . 22
6.11 Context aware network . 24
6.11.1 Description . 24
6.11.2 Requirements . 24
6.12 Self backhaul . 24
6.12.1 Description . 24
6.12.2 Requirements . 24
6.13 Flexible broadcast/multicast service . 25
6.13.1 Description . 25
6.13.2 Requirements . 25
6.14 Subscription aspects . 25
6.14.1 Description . 25
6.14.2 Requirements . 26
6.15 Energy efficiency . 26
6.15.1 Description . 26
6.15.2 Requirements . 26
6.16 Markets requiring minimal service levels . 27
6.16.1 Description . 27
6.16.2 Requirements . 27
6.17 Extreme long range coverage in low density areas . 27
6.17.1 Description . 27
6.17.2 Requirements . 27
6.18 Multi-network connectivity and service delivery across operators . 28
6.18.1 Description . 28
6.18.2 Requirements . 28
6.19 3GPP access network selection . 28
6.19.1 Description . 28
6.19.2 Requirements . 29
6.20 eV2X aspects . 29
6.20.1 Description . 29
6.20.2 Requirements . 29
6.21 NG-RAN Sharing . 29
6.21.1 Description . 29
6.21.2 Requirements . 29
6.22 Unified access control . 30
6.22.1 Description . 30
6.22.2 Requirements . 30
6.22.2.1 General . 30
6.22.2.2 Access identities . 31
6.22.2.3 Access categories . 31
6.23 QoS Monitoring . 32
6.23.1 Description . 32
6.23.2 Requirements . 33
6.24 Ethernet transport services . 34
6.24.1 Description . 34
6.24.2 Requirements . 34
6.25 Non-public networks . 34
6.25.1 Description . 34
6.25.2 Requirements . 35
6.26 5G LAN-type service . 35
6.26.1 Description . 35
6.26.2 Requirements . 36
6.26.2.1 General . 36
6.26.2.2 5G LAN-virtual network (5G LAN-VN) . 36
6.26.2.3 Creation and management . 36
6.26.2.4 Privacy . 37
6.26.2.5 Traffic types . 37
6.26.2.6 Discovery . 37
6.26.2.7 Void. 37
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6.26.2.8 Void. 37
6.26.2.9 Service exposure . 37
6.27 Positioning services . 37
6.27.1 Description . 37
6.27.2 Requirements . 38
6.28 Cyber-physical control applications in vertical domains . 39
6.28.1 Description . 39
6.28.2 Requirements . 39
6.29 Messaging aspects . 39
6.29.1 Description . 39
6.29.2 Requirements . 40
7 Performance requirements . 40
7.1 High data rates and traffic densities . 40
7.2 Low latency and high reliability . 41
7.2.1 Overview . 41
7.2.2 Scenarios and KPIs . 41
7.2.3 Other requirements . 42
7.2.3.1 AR/VR . 42
7.2.3.2 Wireless road-side infrastructure backhaul . 43
7.3 High accuracy positioning . 45
7.3.1 Description . 45
7.3.2 Requirements . 45
7.3.2.1 General . 45
7.3.2.2 Requirements for Horizontal and Vertical positioning service levels . 45
7.3.2.3 Other performance requirements . 47
7.4 Void . 47
7.4.1 Void . 47
7.4.2 Void . 47
8 Security. 47
8.1 Description . 47
8.2 General . 47
8.3 Authentication . 48
8.4 Authorization . 48
8.5 Identity management . 49
8.6 Regulatory . 49
8.7 Fraud protection . 49
8.8 Resource efficiency . 50
8.9 Data security and privacy . 50
9 Charging aspects . 50
9.1 General . 50
9.2 5G LAN . 50
Annex A (informative): Latency needs to support example use cases from vertical industries . 51
Annex B (informative): Positioning accuracy needs to support example use cases from
vertical industries . 52
Annex C (informative): Relation of communication service availability and reliability . 53
Annex D (informative): Critical-communication use cases . 56
D.1 Discrete automation – motion control . 56
D.1.1 Service area and connection density . 57
D.1.2 Security . 57
D.2 Discrete automation . 57
D.2.1 Service area and connection density . 59
D.2.2 Security . 59
D.3 Process automation . 59
D.3.1 Remote control . 60
D.3.2 Monitoring . 60
D.3.3 Service area . 60
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D.4 Electricity distribution . 60
D.4.1 Medium voltage . 60
D.4.1.1 Service area and connection density . 62
D.4.1.2 Security . 62
D.4.2 Energy distribution – high voltage . 62
D.4.2.1 Service area and connection density . 62
D.4.2.2 Security . 62
D.5 Intelligent transport systems – infrastructure backhaul . 63
D.5.1 Service area and connection density . 63
Annex E (informative): void . 64
Annex F (informative): QoS Monitoring. 65
F.1 QoS monitoring for assurance . 65
F.2 Network Diagnostics . 66
Annex G (informative): Change history . 67
History . 71

ETSI
3GPP TS 22.261 version 16.18.0 Release 16 7 ETSI TS 122 261 V16.18.0 (2025-07)
Foreword
This Technical Specification has been produced by the third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP).
The contents of the present document are subject to continuing work within the TSG and may change following formal
TSG approval. Should the TSG modify the contents of the present document, it will be re-released by the TSG with an
identifying change of release date and an increase in version number as follows:
Version x.y.z
where:
x the first digit:
1 presented to TSG for information;
2 presented to TSG for approval;
3 or greater indicates TSG approved document under change control.
y the second digit is incremented for all changes of substance, i.e. technical enhancements, corrections,
updates, etc.
z the third digit is incremented when editorial only changes have been incorporated in the document.
Introduction
The need to support different kinds of UEs (e.g. for the Internet of Things (IoT)), services, and technologies is driving
the technology revolution to a high-performance and highly efficient 3GPP system. The drivers include IoT, Virtual
Reality (VR), industrial control, ubiquitous on-demand coverage, as well as the opportunity to meet customized market
needs. These drivers require enhancements to the devices, services, and technologies well established by 3GPP. The key
objective with the 5G system is to be able to support new deployment scenarios to address diverse market segments.
This document compiles requirements that define a 5G system.
The 5G system is characterised, for example, by:
- Support for multiple access technologies
- Scalable and customizable network
- Advanced Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) (e.g. availability, latency, reliability, user experienced data rates,
area traffic capacity)
- Flexibility and programmability (e.g. network slicing, diverse mobility management, Network Function
Virtualization)
- Resource efficiency (both user plane and control plane)
- Seamless mobility in densely populated and heterogeneous environment
- Support for real time and non-real time multimedia services and applications with advanced Quality of
Experience (QoE)
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3GPP TS 22.261 version 16.18.0 Release 16 8 ETSI TS 122 261 V16.18.0 (2025-07)
1 Scope
The present document describes the service and operational requirements for a 5G system, including a UE, NG-RAN,
and 5G Core network. Requirements for a 5G E-UTRA-NR Dual Connectivity in E-UTRAN connected to EPC are
found in TS 22.278 [5].
2 References
The following documents contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute provisions of the present
document.
- References are either specific (identified by date of publication, edition number, version number, etc.) or
non-specific.
- For a specific reference, subsequent revisions do not apply.
- For a non-specific reference, the latest version applies. In the case of a reference to a 3GPP document (including
a GSM document), a non-specific reference implicitly refers to the latest version of that document in the same
Release as the present document.
[1] 3GPP TR 21.905: "Vocabulary for 3GPP Specifications".
[2] NGMN 5G White Paper v1.0, February 2015.
[3] 3GPP TS 22.011: "Service accessibility".
[4] NGMN, "Perspectives on Vertical Industries and Implications for 5G, v2.0", September 2016.
[5] 3GPP TR 22.278: "Service requirements for the Evolved Packet System (EPS)".
[6] 3GPP TR 22.101: "Service aspects; Service principles".
[7] 3GPP TS 22.146: "Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service (MBMS)".
[8] 3GPP TS 22.246: "Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service (MBMS) user services".
[9] 3GPP TS 22.186: "Enhancement of 3GPP support for V2X scenarios".
[10] NGMN, "Recommendations for NGMN KPIs and Requirements for 5G", June 2016
[11] 3GPP TS 22.115: "Service aspects; Charging and billing".
[12] Communication network dependability engineering. IEC 61907:2009.
[13] Soriano, R., Alberto, M., Collazo, J., Gonzales, I., Kupzo, F., Moreno, L., & Lorenzo, J.
OpenNode. Open Architecture for Secondary Nodes of the Electricity Smartgrid. In Proceedings
CIRED 2011 21st International Conference on Electricity Distribution, CD1. June 2011.
[14] North American Electric Reliability Council. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Cyber Security
Standards CIP–002–1 through CIP–009–1. Available:
http://www.nerc.com/docs/standards/sar/Revised_CIP-002-009_FAQs_06Mar06.pdf. 2006.
[15] McTaggart, Craig, et al. "Improvements in power system integrity protection schemes."
Developments in Power System Protection (DPSP 2010). Managing the Change, 10th IET
International Conference on. IET, 2010.
[16] IEEE Power Engineering Society – Power System Relaying Committee – System Protection
Subcommittee Working Group C-6. Wide Area Protection and Emergency Control.
[17] Begovic, Miroslav, et al. "Wide-area protection and emergency control." Proceedings of the IEEE
93.5, pp. 876-891, 2005.
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3GPP TS 22.261 version 16.18.0 Release 16 9 ETSI TS 122 261 V16.18.0 (2025-07)
[18] ITU-T Recommendation G.1000 "Communications quality of service: A framework and
definitions".
[19] IEC 61907, "Communication network dependability engineering".
[20] NIST, "Framework for Cyber-Physical Systems", 2016.
[21] 3GPP TS 22.104: "Service requirements for cyber-physical control applications in vertical
domains".
[22] 3GPP TS 22.262: "Message Service within the 5G System".
[23] 3GPP TS 22.289: "Mobile Communication System for Railways".
[24] 3GPP TS 22.071: “Location Services”.
3 Definitions, symbols and abbreviations
3.1 Definitions
For the purposes of the present document, the terms and definitions given in 3GPP TR 21.905 [1] and the following
apply. A term defined in the present document takes precedence over the definition of the same term, if any, in 3GPP
TR 21.905 [1].
5G LAN-type service: a service over the 5G system offering private communication using IP and/or non-IP type
communications.
5G LAN-virtual network: a virtual network capable of supporting 5G LAN-type service.
active communication: a UE is in active communication when it has one or more connections established. A UE may
have any combination of PS connections (e.g. PDP contexts, active PDN connections).
activity factor: percentage value of the amount of simultaneous active UEs to the total number of UEs where active
means the UEs are exchanging data with the network.
area traffic capacity: total traffic throughput served per geographic area.
communication service availability: percentage value of the amount of time the end-to-end communication service is
delivered according to an agreed QoS, divided by the amount of time the system is expected to deliver the end-to-end
service according to the specification in a specific area.
NOTE 1: The end point in "end-to-end" is assumed to be the communication service interface.
NOTE 2: The communication service is considered unavailable if it does not meet the pertinent QoS requirements.
If availability is one of these requirements, the following rule applies: the system is considered
unavailable if an expected message is not received within a specified time, which, at minimum, is the sum
of maximum allowed end-to-end latency and survival time.
direct network connection: one mode of network connection, where there is no relay UE between a UE and the 5G
network.
end-to-end latency: the time that takes to transfer a given piece of information from a source to a destinati
...