Europe [5], the Telecommunications Technology Association (TTA) from Korea [6], and the Telecommunication Technology Committee (TTC) from Japan [7].) The 3GPP is responsible for standardizing the requirements, the architecture, and most of the protocols used to create the mobile broadband system. Some of the protocols, however, are standardized by other organizations. The biggest set of protocols standard- ized elsewhere, but used in the 3GPP system, are the Internet Protocol (IP) protocols. Those are standardized by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) [8]. In this chapter, we will look at the architecture, technology, and protocols used in 3GPP systems. In addition, we will briefly look at the standardization process used to specify the technology. We will start with the process, because understanding the process used to create the technology will help us to better understand the steps of the evolution of the system, and perhaps the technology itself. 2.1 Standardization and Specifications A technology is strongly influenced by the process with which it has been created. A well-organized and well-defined process can create good results quickly. An inclusive, and less structured process can create innovative solutions. However, too strict or too loose processes can hamper the creation of technology - even to the point where a perfectly good technology does not come ready in time, or has inadequate or unsuitable content. As with other technologies, 3GPP network technologies have also been influenced by the standardization process. Obviously, 3GPP is the main standardization organization for the technology. In addition, the IETF has been influential on the protocols used in Deploying IPv6 in 3GPP Networks: Evolving Mobile Broadband from 2G to LTE and Beyond, First Edition. Jouni Korhonen, Teemu Savolainen and Jonne Soininen. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Published 2013 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Deploying IPv6 in 3GPP Networks Table 2.1 3GPP standardization process stages Stage Purpose Stage 1 Service descr