▲ (From left) Rajavelsamy Rajadurai and Lixiang Xu

Samsung Electronics has secured new chair and vice-chair positions in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), the world’s largest telecommunications standards organization.

Established in 1998, 3GPP develops global mobile communications standards with participation from major companies and organizations including Samsung, Qualcomm, Apple, Ericsson, Nokia and Huawei. The international body consists of three Technical Specification Groups (TSGs) — Service and System Aspects (SA), Radio Access Network (RAN) and Core Network and Terminals (CT) — each overseeing four to six Working Groups (WGs) for a total of 15 WGs across the organization.

Rajavelsamy Rajadurai, Principal Architect at Samsung R&D Institute India-Bangalore (SRI–B), has been elected chair of 3GPP’s Service and System Aspects Working Group 3 (SA WG3). Meanwhile, Lixiang Xu, Principal Engineer at Samsung R&D Institute China-Beijing (SRC-B), has been elected vice chair of 3GPP’s Radio Access Network Working Group 3 (RAN WG3). SA WG3 defines standards related to network security and user privacy, whereas RAN WG3 develops base station interface protocol technologies. 

In March, Dr. Younsun Kim, Master at Samsung Research, was elected chair of 3GPP’s Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network (TSG RAN) — leading standardization across all areas of wireless technology including the physical layer, protocol aspects and radio resource control.

With these latest appointments, Samsung now holds three chair positions (SA WG2, SA WG3 and TSG RAN) and five vice-chair positions (SA WG4, SA WG6, RAN WG2, RAN WG3 and CT WG3) within 3GPP.

Beginning in the second half of 2025, 3GPP will initiate research into 6G technologies. SA WG3 plans to explore security enhancements to counter cyberattacks, including those from quantum computers, and to develop privacy protection technologies for mobile communications networks. RAN WG3 is expected to research AI-powered solutions to reduce energy consumption at base stations and improve service quality. These groups are positioned to play a crucial role in advancing the use of AI, strengthening security and promoting sustainability — all key focus areas in the development of 6G.

Through its expanded leadership within 3GPP, Samsung has established a framework to help drive standards across the mobile industry and collaborate with partners to shape the future of next-generation communications.

▲ Dr. Younsun Kim, Master at Samsung Research

Samsung Electronics today announced that it has secured a leadership position at the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), the world’s largest telecommunications standard development organization.

During the plenary meeting held in Incheon on March 12, Dr. Younsun Kim, Master at Samsung Research, Samsung Electronics, was elected as Chair of 3GPP Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network (TSG RAN),¹ which is responsible for standardizing all aspects of wireless technology, such as the physical layer, protocol aspects and radio resource control.

“I believe that my election as chair is further recognition of Samsung’s leadership in mobile communication technology,” said Dr. Kim. “6G standardization involves more than just solving technical issues; it is a collaborative effort requiring participation from all companies and organizations in the mobile communication sector. I will make every effort to successfully lead 3GPP’s TSG RAN and advance the standardization of 6G.”

Since its establishment in 1998, 3GPP has led the development of global mobile communication technology standards with participation from major telecommunications companies and organizations worldwide, including Samsung, Apple, Qualcomm, Huawei, Ericsson and Nokia.

In May 2021, Dr. Kim was elected Chair of 3GPP Radio Access Network Working Group 1 (RAN WG1), which is the largest working group within 3GPP and responsible for developing physical layer specifications for 3GPP radio access technologies. Over the past four years, Dr. Kim has successfully led the standardization of 5G physical layer technology, significantly contributing to the emergence of the 5G network industry.

Through Dr. Kim’s expanded role as Chair of 3GPP TSG RAN starting in May, Samsung will be able to contribute to the standardization of 6G, the next generation of mobile communication technology.

Dr. Kim’s appointment to the chair position of the Technical Specification Group is viewed as a recognition of Samsung’s contributions and technological leadership in the mobile communication industry.

The company currently holds two chair positions in RAN WG1 and SA WG2, as well as four vice-chair positions in RAN WG2, SA WG4, SA WG6 and CT WG3. With Dr. Kim’s election as Chair of 3GPP TSG RAN, Samsung Electronics will maintain the industry’s highest number of chair positions within 3GPP, even after the RAN WG1 chair term expires, solidifying its pivotal role among over 800 member companies.

The advancement of mobile communication systems is now at a turning point. It must not only enhance transmission speeds but also drive 6G standardization with a focus on new values. 3GPP plans to launch research on 6G in the second half of this year.

6G aims to achieve future-oriented and sustainable advancements in mobile communication technology, including improving the energy efficiency of networks, enhancing network quality using AI and introducing security technologies to prevent attacks originating from quantum computers. At this critical milestone, Dr. Kim’s election as chair by the support from international mobile communication standards experts holds great significance.

Meanwhile, Samsung recently published a 6G White Paper titled, “AI-Native & Sustainable Communication” that outlines the latest trends and future of next-generation mobile communication technologies. It also highlights Samsung’s leadership in 6G research and other key technologies.

With its leadership in next-generation communication technology and Dr. Younsun Kim’s role as Chair of 3GPP, Samsung is expected to lead the standardization of 6G technology and make significant contributions to the advancement of the mobile communication industry overall.

¹ The 3GPP comprises three Technical Specification Groups (TSGs): Radio Access Network (RAN), Service and System Aspects (SA), and Core Network and Terminals (CT). Each TSG consists of 4–6 Working Groups (WGs), for a total of 15 working groups.