1 Scope

23.0603GPPGeneral Packet Radio Service (GPRS)Release 17Service descriptionStage 2TS

The present document defines the stage‑2 service description for the General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) which is a packet bearer service and a main part of the packet domain. ITU-T Recommendation I.130 [29] describes a three-stage method for characterisation of telecommunication services, and ITU-T Recommendation Q.65 [31] defines stage 2 of the method. The GPRS described in the present document is also the description of the GERAN and UTRAN related functionality of the Evolved Packet System (EPS) according to TS 23.401 [89].

The present document does not cover the Radio Access Network functionality. TS 43.064 [11] contains an overall description of the GSM EDGE Radio Access Network (GERAN). TS 25.401 [53] contains an overall description of the Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN). TS 43.051 [74] contains an overall description of GSM/EDGE Radio Access Network.

The present document does not cover the functionality of the GPRS enhancements for the Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E‑UTRAN). This functionality and also the interoperation functionality between E‑UTRAN and GERAN/UTRAN accesses are described in TS 23.401 [89].

The present document specifies functions, procedures and information which apply to GERAN Iu mode. However, functionality related to GERAN Iu mode is neither maintained nor enhanced since Rel‑9.