3GPP, or the 3rd Generation Partnership Project, is a collaboration between telecommunications standards organizations around the world that is responsible for developing standards for mobile telecommunications technology, including cellular networks.
The history of 3GPP can be traced back to the early 1990s, when the first generation of cellular technology was introduced. As mobile telecommunications technology continued to evolve, a need emerged for a standardized approach to developing new technologies and standards.
In 1998, a group of telecommunications standards organizations, including the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), the Association of Radio Industries and Businesses (ARIB) in Japan, and the Telecommunication Technology Committee (TTC) in Japan, formed the 3GPP to collaborate on the development of new standards for mobile telecommunications.
The first major project undertaken by 3GPP was the development of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), which was the first 3G cellular standard. UMTS was launched in 2001 and was quickly adopted as the dominant 3G cellular standard in Europe, Asia, and other parts of the world.
Since the launch of UMTS, 3GPP has continued to develop new standards for mobile telecommunications technology, including the development of the Long-Term Evolution (LTE) standard for 4G cellular networks and the ongoing development of the 5G cellular standard.
Today, 3GPP is made up of more than 500 member organizations from around the world, including telecommunications companies, equipment manufacturers, and standards organizations. The organization continues to play a critical role in the development of new standards for mobile telecommunications, helping to drive innovation and ensure that mobile networks are compatible and interoperable around the world.