Verification of 3GPP compliancy

3GPP specifies any regulation which is needed to define protocols for network operators and suppliers. These protocols are released by a consortium of telecommunication standards organizations which define specifications for mobile communication technologies and were responsible for developing widely known standards such as 2G, 3G, 4G LTE and 5G. For network operators in telecom, compliance with changing standards is essential for the success of a telecom network.

Thanks to our expertise in test automation for telecom, we know what is needed in the industry. We understand that a telecom network operates on specific versions, and compliance must align with these. To save time in the process, we offer an innovative 3GPP compliance verification. And this is where our AI service comes into play.

Challenges with new specifications

Like every technological advantage, 3GPP standards continuously evolve to accommodate new technologies and features. Telecom operators need to keep up with these changes to ensure that network components and devices from various vendors comply with the latest standards. The only reasonable way to test such a complex and continuous development is by automation. Especially when – apart from challenges posed by components and devices – networks often support multiple generations of technologies.

A network operator should achieve interoperability, since differences in interpretations of the standards can lead to compatibility issues. Another challenge lies in regulatory requirements that may be based on 3GPP standards, whereby operators must ensure compliance with both 3GPP and regulatory standards. At the same time, networks develop to be more complex and interconnected. Consequently, the security of network elements and devices is essential and compliance with 3GPP security standards critical for a safe network.

For a global network, operators need to enable seamless international roaming for their customers. Their networks have to comply with international 3GPP standards and have roaming agreements in place with other operators. Their network equipment and devices need to comply with spectrum allocation regulations, which can vary from region to region.

To face those challenges, any functionality of a telecom network and devices should be tested and verified. Otherwise, the quality of a network operator would drastically decrease, and the work would be outdated with the release of even never standards.

Writing validation rules is the difficult part, because for verification you have to look into many different documents that comprise the specifications. Furthermore, these documents refer to each other. To write a validation rule, testers need to find out what a message is expected to look like. They read one document, find the right section and the relevant information, and then it refers to another section in another document. This is extremely time-consuming.

Writing validation rules is the difficult part, because for verification you have to look into many different documents that comprise the specifications. Furthermore, these documents refer to each other. To write a validation rule, testers need to find out what a message is expected to look like. They read one document, find the right section and the relevant information, and then it refers to another section in another document. This is extremely time-consuming.

QiTASC AI service

AI writes verification rules

With the QiTASC AI service, time spent on the verification process can be drastically reduced. When you decide to work with AI, the procedure, the testing and verification software, the lab and the testers stay the same. The support lies in finding the relevant rules in the standards. AI is faster at finding the relevant rule in the vast amount of documents that define 3GPP.

Apart from the amount of information, the difficulty of using AI for 3GPP compliancy verification is that the standards are written in natural language. It would be easier if it was written in code, but instead you need a human to read and understand it. This is where the QiTASC AI service can help, as it can extract structured information out of natural language.

In the verification process, testers use AI as if it was a bot. They ask to generate validation rules for a certain context. AI grabs the right document and the right section and understands what is needed: Which parameters are mandatory for this message to be correct, which are optional, and so on. And with this knowledge, it generates the verification rules.

Our offer for 3GPP compliance verification

As a company with an innovative approach to test automation and a focus on the telecommunications industry, we offer everything you need for 3GPP compliance verification:  high-quality testing software including reporting and analysis, complementary hardware, AI and testing service, experts with up-to-date knowledge for ongoing support, cost-effectiveness, reputation, and the adaptability and experience to evolve technologies.