3GPP Scout / Meetings / RAN3 #133

RAN3 #133: what was agreed

Final brief3GPP TSG RAN WG3, 24 August to 28 August 2026, Maastricht. Last updated 2026-09-29.

RAN3 #133 · 2026-09-29

Top 3 things that happened on RAN3 #133 at RAN3 #133

The verdict

  1. RAN3 approved an outgoing reply LS to RAN2 and SA2 on single paging for idle and inactive in 6G. The reply text was not supplied. (R3-263597 (Outgoing LS. Register status: approved at R3-133.). R3-263597, 3GPP RAN3, 3GPP TSG RAN WG3 #133. © 3GPP RAN3. https://www.3gpp.org/ftp/tsg_ran/WG3_Iu/TSGR3_133/Docs/R3-263597.zip)
  2. The register marked inputs on UE context retrieval, ISAC procedures and signaling, and P2P not pursued. Those statuses do not establish technical rejection. (R3-263173 (pCR. Register status: not pursued at R3-133.). R3-263173, ZTE, 3GPP TSG RAN WG3 #133. © ZTE. https://www.3gpp.org/ftp/tsg_ran/WG3_Iu/TSGR3_133/Docs/R3-263173.zip; R3-263064 (Contribution. Register status: not pursued at R3-133.). R3-263064, Huawei, 3GPP TSG RAN WG3 #133. © Huawei. https://www.3gpp.org/ftp/tsg_ran/WG3_Iu/TSGR3_133/Docs/R3-263064.zip; R3-263058 (pCR. Register status: not pursued at R3-133.). R3-263058, Qualcomm, 3GPP TSG RAN WG3 #133. © Qualcomm. https://www.3gpp.org/ftp/tsg_ran/WG3_Iu/TSGR3_133/Docs/R3-263058.zip)
  3. No chair notes or session report was supplied. The register alone cannot establish whether RAN3 reached technical agreements on retrieval, ISAC procedures or the RAN-CN interface. (R3-263173 (pCR. Register status: not pursued at R3-133.). R3-263173, ZTE, 3GPP TSG RAN WG3 #133. © ZTE. https://www.3gpp.org/ftp/tsg_ran/WG3_Iu/TSGR3_133/Docs/R3-263173.zip; R3-263064 (Contribution. Register status: not pursued at R3-133.). R3-263064, Huawei, 3GPP TSG RAN WG3 #133. © Huawei. https://www.3gpp.org/ftp/tsg_ran/WG3_Iu/TSGR3_133/Docs/R3-263064.zip; R3-263110 (pCR. Register status: not pursued at R3-133.). R3-263110, Huawei, 3GPP TSG RAN WG3 #133. © Huawei. https://www.3gpp.org/ftp/tsg_ran/WG3_Iu/TSGR3_133/Docs/R3-263110.zip)

What was agreed

Approved paging reply. The register records approval of an outgoing reply LS to RAN2 and SA2 on single paging for idle and inactive in 6G. Its substantive reply is unavailable in this pack.
Outgoing LS. Register status: approved at R3-133.; Rel-20Reply LS to R2-2602817 = R3-262066 and S2-2606684 = R3-263017 on single paging mechanism for idle and inactive in 6G (to: RAN2, SA2; cc: SA3; contact: ZTE). R3-263597 (Outgoing LS. Register status: approved at R3-133.). R3-263597, 3GPP RAN3, 3GPP TSG RAN WG3 #133. © 3GPP RAN3. https://www.3gpp.org/ftp/tsg_ran/WG3_Iu/TSGR3_133/Docs/R3-263597.zip
Retrieval pCR not pursued. The register marks a pCR on UE context retrieval with and without Xa connectivity not pursued. This is separate from the approved paging reply and does not establish a retrieval procedure.
pCR. Register status: not pursued at R3-133.; 38.760-3, Rel-20(pCR to TR38.760-3) Discussion on UE context retrieval with and without Xa connectivity in 6G. R3-263173 (pCR. Register status: not pursued at R3-133.). R3-263173, ZTE, 3GPP TSG RAN WG3 #133. © ZTE. https://www.3gpp.org/ftp/tsg_ran/WG3_Iu/TSGR3_133/Docs/R3-263173.zip
Outgoing LS. Register status: approved at R3-133.; Rel-20Reply LS to R2-2602817 = R3-262066 and S2-2606684 = R3-263017 on single paging mechanism for idle and inactive in 6G (to: RAN2, SA2; cc: SA3; contact: ZTE). R3-263597 (Outgoing LS. Register status: approved at R3-133.). R3-263597, 3GPP RAN3, 3GPP TSG RAN WG3 #133. © 3GPP RAN3. https://www.3gpp.org/ftp/tsg_ran/WG3_Iu/TSGR3_133/Docs/R3-263597.zip
ISAC inputs not pursued. Two ISAC procedures and signaling contributions, and a draft LS on measurement parameter reuse and physical layer definitions, were marked not pursued. These dispositions do not approve or reject an ISAC procedure.
Contribution. Register status: not pursued at R3-133.; Rel-20(TPs for ISAC) Procedures and signaling. R3-263064 (Contribution. Register status: not pursued at R3-133.). R3-263064, Huawei, 3GPP TSG RAN WG3 #133. © Huawei. https://www.3gpp.org/ftp/tsg_ran/WG3_Iu/TSGR3_133/Docs/R3-263064.zip
Contribution. Register status: not pursued at R3-133.; Rel-20ISAC RAN-CN procedure model and signaling content. R3-263100 (Contribution. Register status: not pursued at R3-133.). R3-263100, InterDigital, 3GPP TSG RAN WG3 #133. © InterDigital. https://www.3gpp.org/ftp/tsg_ran/WG3_Iu/TSGR3_133/Docs/R3-263100.zip
Outgoing LS. Register status: not pursued at R3-133.; Rel-20Draft LS on measurement parameter reuse and physical layer definitions for ISAC (to: RAN1; cc: SA2; contact: Xiaomi). R3-263540 (Outgoing LS. Register status: not pursued at R3-133.). R3-263540, Xiaomi, 3GPP TSG RAN WG3 #133. © Xiaomi. https://www.3gpp.org/ftp/tsg_ran/WG3_Iu/TSGR3_133/Docs/R3-263540.zip
P2P and unified-interface pCRs not pursued. The pCR on P2P for non-connectivity services and the pCR considering a unified RAN-CN interface were both marked not pursued.
pCR. Register status: not pursued at R3-133.; 38.760-3, Rel-20(pCR to TR 38.760-3) On P2P IF for 6G non-connectivity services. R3-263058 (pCR. Register status: not pursued at R3-133.). R3-263058, Qualcomm, 3GPP TSG RAN WG3 #133. © Qualcomm. https://www.3gpp.org/ftp/tsg_ran/WG3_Iu/TSGR3_133/Docs/R3-263058.zip
pCR. Register status: not pursued at R3-133.; 38.760-3, Rel-20Consideration on unified RAN-CN interface solution. R3-263110 (pCR. Register status: not pursued at R3-133.). R3-263110, Huawei, 3GPP TSG RAN WG3 #133. © Huawei. https://www.3gpp.org/ftp/tsg_ran/WG3_Iu/TSGR3_133/Docs/R3-263110.zip
Further P2P pCRs not pursued. The pCR on a P2P-based RAN-CN interface and the pCR on a P2P solution with AMF for new services were also marked not pursued. These statuses do not establish an interface choice.
pCR. Register status: not pursued at R3-133.; 38.760-3, Rel-20Discussion on P2P based RAN-CN interface. R3-263139 (pCR. Register status: not pursued at R3-133.). R3-263139, Samsung, 3GPP TSG RAN WG3 #133. © Samsung. https://www.3gpp.org/ftp/tsg_ran/WG3_Iu/TSGR3_133/Docs/R3-263139.zip
pCR. Register status: not pursued at R3-133.; 38.760-3, Rel-20P2P solution with AMF for new Services. R3-263220 (pCR. Register status: not pursued at R3-133.). R3-263220, Nokia, 3GPP TSG RAN WG3 #133. © Nokia. https://www.3gpp.org/ftp/tsg_ran/WG3_Iu/TSGR3_133/Docs/R3-263220.zip

Who pushed what

When direct Xa is unavailable, should the CN relay UE context or store it for RRC Inactive?

Qualcomm proposes telling SA2 to prefer retrieval via the CN over CN storage; Lenovo likewise prefers transfer via the CN, and Apple proposes a transparent CN relay for its Case B. Vodafone's broader RRC Inactive proposal calls for RAN-only storage rather than reliance on CN-based context identification and retrieval.

QualcommPrefers retrieval via the CN over CN storage without direct Xa.
Proposal 5: RAN3 indicate to SA2 that, when direct Xa connectivity between aNBs is unavailable, retrieval of UE context from the last serving aNB via [...]
R3-263270, Proposal 5, paragraph 45. R3-263270, Qualcomm, 3GPP TSG RAN WG3 #133. © Qualcomm. https://www.3gpp.org/ftp/tsg_ran/WG3_Iu/TSGR3_133/Docs/R3-263270.zip; register: not treated
LenovoPrefers transfer via the CN over CN storage when Xa is absent.
Proposal 6: For the case where the new aNB for RRC Resume does not have an Xa interface with the last serving aNB, Option 2 [...]
R3-263312, Proposal 6, paragraph 91. R3-263312, Lenovo, 3GPP TSG RAN WG3 #133. © Lenovo. https://www.3gpp.org/ftp/tsg_ran/WG3_Iu/TSGR3_133/Docs/R3-263312.zip; register: not treated
AppleProposes a transparent CN relay for its Case B, returning AS context in an opaque container.
For Case B, RAN3 to adopt a transparent-relay procedure via the 6G CN: the new aNB sends a UE Context Retrieval Request to the intermediate [...]
R3-263410, Proposal 1, paragraph 47. R3-263410, Apple, 3GPP TSG RAN WG3 #133. © Apple. https://www.3gpp.org/ftp/tsg_ran/WG3_Iu/TSGR3_133/Docs/R3-263410.zip; register: not treated
VodafoneProposes RAN-only RRC Inactive storage, not reliance on CN-based identification and retrieval.
Therefore, even though reducing resume latency is a valid objective, it is proposed to agree that, for RRC Inactive operation, the UE context should be [...]
R3-263092, Store UE context only in the RAN, paragraph 42. R3-263092, Vodafone, 3GPP TSG RAN WG3 #133. © Vodafone. https://www.3gpp.org/ftp/tsg_ran/WG3_Iu/TSGR3_133/Docs/R3-263092.zip; register: not treated

How should retrieval over Xa handle direct links, multi-hop paths and the resume ID?

NEC proposes direct retrieval when the new aNB has a direct Xa interface to the last serving aNB; AT&T urges consideration of multi-hop retrieval as preferred when an Xa path exists. China Mobile proposes studying a resume ID that may at least include identifiers for the last serving aNB and a UE context unique within it.

NECProposes fetching context directly over Xa when the aNBs have a direct interface.
For the case UE resumes in a new aNB that has a direct Xa interface to the last serving aNB, UE context can be fetched [...]
R3-263184, Proposal 1, paragraph 24. R3-263184, NEC, 3GPP TSG RAN WG3 #133. © NEC. https://www.3gpp.org/ftp/tsg_ran/WG3_Iu/TSGR3_133/Docs/R3-263184.zip; register: not treated
AT&TPrefers consideration of RAN-native multi-hop retrieval when an Xa path exists.
RAN3 should consider RAN-native multi-hop retrieval over Xa as the preferred approach when an Xa path exists between the target and source aNBs.
R3-263070, Proposal 3, paragraph 39. R3-263070, AT&T, 3GPP TSG RAN WG3 #133. © AT&T. https://www.3gpp.org/ftp/tsg_ran/WG3_Iu/TSGR3_133/Docs/R3-263070.zip; register: not treated
China MobileProposes studying resume ID design and possible identifiers.
In UE context retrieval with Xa connectivity case, RAN3 study resume ID design which may at least include the identification of the last serving aNB [...]
R3-263480, Proposal 1, paragraph 19. R3-263480, China Mobile, 3GPP TSG RAN WG3 #133. © China Mobile. https://www.3gpp.org/ftp/tsg_ran/WG3_Iu/TSGR3_133/Docs/R3-263480.zip; register: not treated

Should RAN-CN P2P use SCTP for connectivity services, and where else should P2P be considered?

China Mobile proposes SCTP for the connectivity-services P2P interface, while Deutsche Telekom describes SCTP-based P2P as the most mature option for those services. AT&T proposes considering P2P for specified non-connectivity interactions; its contribution was noted, not agreed as an interface choice.

China MobileProposes SCTP-based P2P for connectivity services.
Proposal 1: The SCTP based protocol is used towards P2P interface for connectivity services.
R3-263477, Proposal 1, paragraph 31. R3-263477, China Mobile, 3GPP TSG RAN WG3 #133. © China Mobile. https://www.3gpp.org/ftp/tsg_ran/WG3_Iu/TSGR3_133/Docs/R3-263477.zip; register: not treated
Deutsche TelekomDescribes SCTP-based P2P as the most mature connectivity-services option.
Observation 1: SCTP based P2P is the most mature option for connectivity services.
R3-263211, Observation 1, paragraph 16. R3-263211, Deutsche Telekom, 3GPP TSG RAN WG3 #133. © Deutsche Telekom. https://www.3gpp.org/ftp/tsg_ran/WG3_Iu/TSGR3_133/Docs/R3-263211.zip; register: not treated
AT&TProposes considering P2P for UE-anchored, latency-critical, procedure-oriented non-connectivity services.
RAN3 considers P2P-based solutions for non-connectivity services with UE-anchored, latency-critical, procedure-oriented interaction patterns.
R3-263066, Proposal 2, paragraph 48. R3-263066, AT&T, 3GPP TSG RAN WG3 #133. © AT&T. https://www.3gpp.org/ftp/tsg_ran/WG3_Iu/TSGR3_133/Docs/R3-263066.zip; register: noted

What procedures and messages should be developed for ISAC signaling and the Ns interface?

Samsung proposes that signaling procedures in TR 38.765 also be agreed in the WI phase; LG Electronics proposes annex text for Ns interface procedures, and Huawei proposes gNB-initiated Ns Setup messages for NsAP. Huawei's ISAC TP was marked not pursued, and these submissions do not establish a meeting agreement.

SamsungSeeks WI-phase agreement on signaling procedures captured in TR 38.765.
Proposal 2: The signaling procedures captured in TR 38.765 should be agreed in WI phase as well.
R3-263145, Proposal 2, paragraph 27. R3-263145, Samsung, 3GPP TSG RAN WG3 #133. © Samsung. https://www.3gpp.org/ftp/tsg_ran/WG3_Iu/TSGR3_133/Docs/R3-263145.zip; register: not treated
LG ElectronicsProposes annex text as a baseline for Ns interface aspects, functions and procedures.
Proposal 1: Discuss the texts in Annex as baseline for the general aspects, functions and signaling procedures of the Ns interface.
R3-263417, Proposal 1, paragraph 18. R3-263417, LG Electronics, 3GPP TSG RAN WG3 #133. © LG Electronics. https://www.3gpp.org/ftp/tsg_ran/WG3_Iu/TSGR3_133/Docs/R3-263417.zip; register: not treated
HuaweiProposes gNB-initiated Ns Setup messages within NsAP.
The Ns interface management function include the following messages, which can be incorporated into the NsAP: gNB-Initiated Ns Setup: a Class 1 procedure (i.e., Ns [...]
R3-263064, Proposal 2, paragraph 32. R3-263064, Huawei, 3GPP TSG RAN WG3 #133. © Huawei. https://www.3gpp.org/ftp/tsg_ran/WG3_Iu/TSGR3_133/Docs/R3-263064.zip; register: not pursued

Still open

What to watch next meeting

Sources

Coverage: RAN3 #133 (Maastricht, 2026-08-24 to 2026-08-28), agenda items 10.6.1, 13.3, 10.3.1.1. Scout read 9 recorded decisions and 146 company positions or contribution passages on these agenda items (catalog synced 2026-09-29) and cites 9 decisions and 13 positions from 21 TDocs. Every quoted passage was matched verbatim against the TDoc text; the summaries around the quotes are Scout's reading. Register statuses are copied from the 3GPP TDoc register: not treated means a document was not handled on its own, though its content may have fed feature-lead summaries or merged revisions. Not covered: other agenda items and meetings, plenary TDocs and plenary decisions after the meeting, email discussions after the meeting, and anything not yet in the chair notes or register.

  • No chair notes, session report, feature-lead summary or text of the approved reply LS was supplied.
  • Company contributions marked not treated are proposals submitted to the meeting; this pack does not establish that they were discussed.

Hottest topics

  1. UE context retrieval with and without Xa connectivity significance 58 of 100, 29 TDocs
  2. Procedures and signaling significance 57 of 100, 31 TDocs
  3. Point to Point Interface (P2P) significance 50 of 100, 25 TDocs
  4. Service Based Interface (SBI) significance 46 of 100, 18 TDocs
  5. LTM SCell activation enhancements significance 46 of 100, 22 TDocs

Built by 3GPP Scout from the public meeting record (623 TDocs registered, catalog synced 2026-09-29). Significance scores rank topics by decisions, contention, breadth and volume. Excerpts are at most 25 words and link to the original on the 3GPP file server.