Internet Group
The GSMA Internet Group (IG) is the key working group which researches, analyses and measures the potential opportunities and impacts of new web and internet technologies on mobile operator networks and platforms. We maintain the most up-to-date knowledge base of new internet and web innovations through intelligence gathering of available global research and active participation in key Standards organisations.
The GSMA IG are highly active with the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and European Telecommunication Standards Institute (ETSI). Through other GSMA working groups we also maintain open communications with other Standards bodies, such as 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) and the Next Generation Mobile Networks (NGMN) in the telecommunications ecosystem.
Key Areas
As web and internet technologies are constantly in flux the we maintain a flexible work structure to allow immediate reaction to new innovations. Today, our focus includes:
- Content Delivery – reviewing the current state of caching solutions, analysing new proposals and investigating collaborative solutions. Technologies include: Open Caching, Content Delivery Networks (CDN) and Multi Access Edge Computing solutions.
- Protocol Evolution – measuring the current internet protocol performance over mobile networks and producing requirements for future standards in protocol advancement. Technologies include: Quick UDP Internet Connections (QUIC), Transport layer technologies, congestion control and future internet architectures.
- Streaming and Real Time Communications – evaluating the current and future impact of streaming on mobile networks, discovering best methods for real time communication innovations to coordinate with operator services. Technologies include: WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication), Quality of Service (QoS) for internet streaming services and scaling.
- Smarter Traffic Management – developing and promoting network management solutions which continue to function with encrypted communications. Technologies include: Low Latency Low Loss Scalable throughput (L4S), encrypted caching solutions, etc.
- Progressive Enhancement in the Web – education and support for new web technologies which contribute to the Web as the open platform for application development. Technologies include: “ServiceWorkers”, Web Payments and other HTML5 APIs.
Work Items and Processes
New technologies are identified and discussed within GSMA IG meetings. Some progress to work items where there is clear task to be undertaken. Typically, this might involve a proposal to a relevant Standards body. including the identification of use cases and requirements definitions; work items often require research and detailed analysis tailored to the telecommunications ecosystem.
Work items are developed through consensus with all GSMA IG members. Items commonly detail and promote opportunities for ecosystem organisations and bring industry collaboration for improved customer experiences. Where options are identified, we will detail business opportunities and provide guidance for operators on commercial rollout and adoption of internet and web based technologies and services.
How to Get Involved
GSMA members who would to join the Internet Group or would like to request more information on any of the GSMA Internet Group activities please contact: [email protected].
GSMA members can join monthly teleconferences and task force calls, simply ask for a copy of our virtual meeting schedule.
Non GSMA members interested in joining the Internet Group should firstly contact: [email protected].
Communications including liaison statements (from external bodies) should be sent to [email protected].
Regarding any Internet Governance Advocacy related matters, further information can be found here.