Interview with Younsun Kim, TSG RAN Chair (Sept 2025)

In this short interview, shot in Beijing during the RAN#109 meeting. Younsun Kim gives us an overview of the status of Rel-19 stage 3 freeze, the progress being made on high level Rel-20 priorities and the start of 6G studies in TSG RAN.

 

We asked Younsun to briefly introduce the role of the working groups in RAN and the relationship that 3GPP has with the IMT process, for new systems for mobile.

 

Finally, we ask about plans for Rel-21 and when the timeline for that release – the start of 6G specifications - will be confirmed.

 

Some Takeaways:

Rel-20 – Focus strongly on the 5G Advanced track & the immediate commercial needs of deployed 5G networks.

RAN groups coordinated through Plenary – TSG RAN

The 6G study work in TSG RAN has two components – (1) The RAN level study on requirements for the new radio interface and (2) the detailed design work and technical solutions that meet those requirements in the working groups.

Rel-21 – 3GPP has a checkpoint for the studies on key technologies for 6G in June 2026. The timeline for that release will be clearer then.