What the 3GPP standard means for the mission-critical communications industry?

In this article, we provide a brief overview of 3GPP and explore how its standards influence the mission-critical communications industry. We also discuss how these developments relate to our own technology approach, and what they mean for the future of interoperable, secure and resilient communication solutions.

Key term

3GPP, or the 3rd Generation Partnership Project, is an international collaboration that develops and maintains the technical specifications underpinning modern mobile telecommunications. Established to merge industry efforts, it brings together standards bodies, network operators, equipment manufacturers and research organisations to ensure that mobile technologies evolve in a coordinated and globally interoperable manner. Its work spans generations of mobile systems, from 3G to 5G and beyond, forming the foundation on which critical communications solutions are designed, deployed and continuously improved.

3GPP engagement and product alignment

Airbus has been actively participating in 3GPP working groups for over a decade, contributing insights that help shape the evolution of global standards. We view 3GPP as a valuable framework that supports customers by promoting streamlined solutions and interoperability across diverse systems.

Our engagement in the decision-making bodies of 3GPP has been both active and influential, yet it is important to recognise that no single organisation can claim complete compliance with the full breadth of 3GPP specifications. Instead, we are progressing together with our customers on a shared path towards maximising the future 3GPP alignment of Agnet, our mission-critical communication platform. While 3GPP provides an essential framework, it is not an absolute measure of success. What ultimately matters are that Agnet performs reliably under all operational conditions and fulfils end-user expectations around scalability, resilience, functionality and cybersecurity.

How customers shape innovation

Agnet already supports many features beyond the current 3GPP feature set, developed in close collaboration with customers to address real operational needs. Our objective is to make Agnet the most functionally compliant solution with 3GPP standards on the market, while simultaneously broadening its open ecosystem through well-defined APIs to support deeper integration and accessibility. This balanced approach ensures that Agnet remains robust, adaptable and future-proof.

Beyond adhering to standards, Agnet offers additional features developed collaboratively with customers to address specific operational needs. Designed as an open ecosystem with APIs, it allows seamless integration and adaptation, enabling organisations to build future-proof communications solutions that remain flexible, secure, and aligned with emerging requirements.

In the field of critical communications, reliability and resilience are essential. Systems must perform flawlessly in both routine and emergency situations, where failure is not an option. By aligning with 3GPP standards while incorporating customer-driven innovations, Agnet delivers solutions that meet the demanding operational, security, and performance needs of mission-critical environments. This approach ensures that organisations can always rely on their communications infrastructure, while also benefiting from the flexibility and adaptability of an open, evolving ecosystem.

Future outlook: expanding openness and integration

Agnet is already an open ecosystem with APIs, providing customers with flexibility and the ability to integrate with existing systems. Looking ahead, we aim to expand Agnet further in alignment with 3GPP standards, making it even more open and accessible. This expansion will not only enhance interoperability across diverse networks and devices but also enable organisations to build customised, future-proof solutions that can evolve alongside emerging technologies. By combining the openness of APIs with adherence to global standards, we ensure that Agnet remains adaptable, scalable, and ready to meet the challenges of next-generation critical communications.

Watch how Airbus is navigating the 3GPP standard with Agnet