News

Event type: Interoperability Events

Event Technology: Public safety & emergency communications, Testing languages, TETRA

ETSI, with the support of the Critical Communications Association (TCCA) and the Union Internationale des Chemins de fer (UIC), is organizing the 9^th MCX Plugtests^TM. This interoperability testing event will be hosted by by Texas A&M University at College Station, Texas, US from 24 to 28 February 2025.

What are the objectives and scope of the 9^th MCX Plugtests event?

The concept of Mission Critical Services such as “Mission Critical Push To Talk" (MCPTT), “Mission Critical Data" (MCData) and “Mission Critical Video" (MCVideo) started with 3GPP Release-13 and is ongoing in current Releases. The goal of this MCX Plugtests event is to validate the interoperability of a variety of implementations using different using different multi-client / vendor complex scenarios based on 3GPP Mission Critical Services. The format of the event will be live testing conducted face-to-face over 4G and 5G Networks.

This Plugtests event will focus on off-network communication and the 3GPP Release 18.

Specific focus will be put to cross communications including the Interworking Function (IWF) to other technologies like TETRA and P25, Off network communication and the inter MCX scenarios (enabling the connection of different systems, agencies or countries). The tests are based on 3GPP, ETSI and IETF standards and are designed for:

This event will feature tests with 4G and 5G radio equipment (gNBs, eNBs, 5GCs, EPCs, UEs) and will also allow Over-The-Top (OTT) testing of Mission Critical Servers and Clients. Test Equipment vendors will have a possibility to test as well in the Plugtests event.

What are the advantages of attending the 9^th MCX Plugtests event?

Who may participate?

New Vendors and Observers must sign the Rules of Engagement and NDA of the MCX Plugtests Programme to participate. 

The Plugtests Observer Program

Observers are welcome to help define the scope (i.e. functionality to be tested) for this event and to evaluate the tests statistics in the TRT (Test Reporting Tool).

In parallel to the testing, we are planning to organise an observer round table discussion, an observer program with presentations and interoperability demos. The focus of the observer round table discussion and program is to examine and discuss the progress of deployment and the challenges in testing of the Mission Critical Services for Public Safety and Public Transport. The observer round table discussion and program will be held onsite during the event.

The interoperability demos will be demonstrated by the interested vendors showing interoperability of their equipment by showcasing the MCX Plugtests test cases and observer scenario use cases.

Event type: Interoperability Events

ETSI organized the NGSI-LD (Next Generation Service Interface - Linked Data) Plugtests™ event, which was co-funded by the European Union (EU) and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), and hosted by ETSI at Sophia Antipolis, France, from 24 to 28 February 2025.

What were the objectives and scope of the NGSI-LD PLUGTESTS event?

NGSI-LD (ETSI GS CIM 009) is a standard for sharing and exchanging context information in a distributed environment. The key aspects of the specification include Information Model, API, JSON-LD serialization, and security/privacy. The goal of NGSI-LD was to enable interoperability among diverse context information systems and applications, supporting use cases in smart cities, IoT, and other domains.

The first ETSI NGSI-LD Plugtests event enabled implementers of the NGSI-LD protocol and the associated API to run interoperability and conformance test sessions to assess the level of interoperability of their implementation and validate the understanding of the standards.

Interoperability events play a crucial role as a cost-efficient and effective solution to achieve the goals of ensuring seamless data exchange between applications and brokers of context information.

The testing covered Interoperability Tests (GS CIM-054), Conformance Tests (GS CIM-029 and GS CIM-013), and Distributed Operations (GS CIM-053).

The event enabled participants to explore additional testing environments:

This event required in-person participation and was hosted at the ETSI premises.

What were the advantages of attending the NGSI-LD PLUGTESTS event?

Who could participate?

NGSI-LD implementers, application developers, IoT/Smart Cities solutions developers, and others in this domain were welcome. 

The NGSI-LD protocol and the associated API are designed to cater to a broad spectrum of developers seeking a simple method for enabling their applications to interact with a wide array of data sources.

This Plugtests was organized by ETSI and co-funded by the European Union (EU) and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).

Event type: Webinars

Event Technology: Open Source MANO

20 February 3:00 CET (Paris Time) - on ETSI BRIGHTTALK CHANNEL

👉 Find out more about OSM Release SEVENTEEN.

View all past and upcoming ETSI webinars on our webinar page.

Event type: Conferences & Summits

Event Technology: Artificial Intelligence, Securing Artificial Intelligence (SAI)

The ETSI Artificial Intelligence Conference - How Standardization is Shaping the Future of AI took place face-to-face on 10-12 February 2025, in ETSI premises, Sophia Antipolis, France.

Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning (AI/ML) and related technologies continue to be at the forefront of research, industrial and business developments and have become the key enablers for new and innovative products and services that are transforming business and society.

Europe, as with many other Nations and regions, is currently developing the required policies and legislation to ensure the deployment of artificial intelligence according to relevant values and fundamental rights.

The complex standards and regulatory landscape is shifting rapidly, the technologies are developing exponentially, and businesses are attempting to integrate AI into services and products.

Now more than ever clarity is needed! It is time to engage into standardization to lay the groundworks of an AI enabled future full of opportunities.

The ETSI AI Conference has been designed to provide attendees with the unique opportunity to exchange with AI subject-experts and learn about the state of the art work that is being done in AI-related standardization, regulation and service deployments.

This face-to-face event provided exclusive insights into the most relevant applications of AI, the related challenges and key enablers that need to be put in place to ensure the deployment of ‘trustworthy’ AI-enabled products and services. Attendees also learnt about current and future opportunities to contribute to standardization, and therefore play a role in actively shaping the future of the technology.

Demos and posters complemented the conference agenda.

Event type: TG Open Sessions

ETSI ISG CIM is organizing an open session entitled “Handling of Geo-Information in the Context of NGSI-LD” on January 29, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. CET, online.

The Open Session "Handling of Geo-Information in the Context of NGSI-LD” will bring together experts to explore the integration of geo-information with NGSI-LD, a specification for context information management. This gathering, which will present the outcomes of the ETSI Specialist Task Force 676 (STF 676), aims to showcase advancements and foster discussions on the use of geo-information within NGSI-LD frameworks.

Presentations will cover topics such as the interplay between NGSI-LD and geo-information in Minimum Interoperability Mechanisms (MIMs), generic geo-information handling for urban contexts, and the impact of these approaches on smart city applications. Additionally, the session will highlight connections between Building Information Management (BIM) and NGSI-LD, as well as share experiences from India on managing geospatial data within NGSI-LD ecosystems.

The event, structured as a two-hour session, promises valuable insights for participants interested in the intersection of geospatial data and contextual standards.

This event is tailored for professionals and stakeholders involved in urban development, smart city solutions, and geospatial data management.

It is particularly relevant for urban planners, software developers, policy makers, and standardization experts seeking to understand or contribute to the evolution of context-aware systems.

Organizations adopting NGSI-LD, working on data exchange platforms, or specializing in geospatial analytics will find the event especially beneficial.

Participants from academic and research institutions focusing on the application of geospatial information in urban systems are also encouraged to join.

Moreover, the event provides a unique platform for international collaboration, offering significant value for industry leaders, public sector representatives, and technology enthusiasts exploring the use of geo-information in global standards like NGSI-LD.

Attending this event offers a rare opportunity to gain first-hand insights into cutting-edge advancements linking NGSI-LD with geo-information, presented by leading experts in the field. Participants will learn about practical applications of these concepts, including how cities can leverage geo-information to enhance service delivery and operational efficiency.

The presentations will also highlight global best practices, such as India's innovative use of geospatial data within the NGSI-LD framework and the integration of BIM technologies. Beyond technical knowledge, attendees will have the chance to network with thought leaders and peers, fostering collaborations that can drive innovation in urban planning, smart cities, and data standardization.

Whether you are a decision-maker, a developer, or a researcher, the event promises actionable takeaways to shape the future of your projects.

Event type: ETSI @ External Events

ETSI is pleased to support the RCR Wireless News' virtual Wi-Fi Forum taking place on January 28th, 2025 starting at 9am EST/3pm CET.

With the 6 GHz spectrum increasingly available worldwide, Wi-Fi 7 adoption is set to grow rapidly, spanning a wide range of applications, use cases, and market sectors. However, can it support emerging applications that demand even greater throughput—such as AI/ML, AR/VR/XR, industrial IoT, and robotics? Speed is no longer the primary concern for users; instead, reliability and low latency are top priorities for both enterprises and residential customers. So, how can all end-users benefit from the full capabilities of this technology? How can they ensure quality of service, low latency, high bandwidth, and reduced interference?

Do not miss the opportunity to hear from ETSI ISG F5G represented by Mr Francis Keshmiri.

Join the Wi-Fi Forum 2025 to explore the future of the Wi-Fi 7 market, and hear from key industry players on their monetization strategies. Learn about best practices for design and implementation, discover Wi-Fi 7’s capabilities and applications, and see how it complements other wireless technologies, such as 5G.

👉 Find out more and Register here: https://hubs.ly/Q032FbqJ0

Event type: Webinars

Event Technology: Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT)

28 January 10:00 CET (Paris Time) - on ETSI BRIGHTTALK CHANNEL

View all past and upcoming ETSI webinars on our webinar page.

Event type: Conferences & Summits

Event Technology: Energy efficiency (EE)

ETSI, with ETSI TC EE (Environmental Engineering) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) are organizing the "ETSI-ITU Symposium on ICT Sustainability: Standards Driving Environmental Innovation", which will take place on 11–12 December 2024, in ITU Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

👉The agenda is online! Refer to the dedicated event web page on ITU web site to find detailed event information including programme, registration, venue and travel information, and more. We recommend to check the website periodically as it will be updated regularly as new or modified information becomes available.

The ETSI and ITU ICT Sustainability Symposium: Standards Driving Environmental Innovation will bring together industry leaders, policymakers, researchers and stakeholders to explore the crucial role of standards in promoting sustainable ICT practices. Standards guide the development of technologies that minimize environmental impact and enhance energy efficiency.

Through the circular design of ICT products, networks and services, standards ensure environmentally friendly technology. Lifecycle assessments consider all stages from creation to disposal, helping to assess, analyse and reduce the overall environmental footprint.

Environmental impact assessment reporting fosters accountability by evaluating and communicating the environmental effects of ICT products, networks and services. The digital product passport provides detailed environmental information, enabling informed consumer choices.

Adapting ICT products, networks and services to climate change ensures resilience, while standards for environmental conditions guarantee efficient and safe operation. Furthermore, ICT solutions enable the environmental impact in other sectors to be reduced.

These topics form the backbone of the symposium, driving the agenda for a greener digital future by highlighting the intersections between technology, standards and sustainability.

The objectives of the symposium include:

Several demos and posters will be available during the event and will be visited during the networking breaks.

Call for demos and posters: The call for posters and demos is now closed. The Programme Committee is performing the selection of the posters and demos' proposals. 

Participation in the Symposium is open to all. This includes ETSI members, ITU Member States, Sector Members, Associates and Academic Institutions, as well as to any individual from a country that is a member of ITU who wishes to contribute to the work. This includes individuals who are also members of international, regional and national organizations. Participation is free of charge.

Registration: Please note that registration to attend either in person or online is mandatory. It is recommended to register no later than 6 December 2024. Please note that pre-registration of participants to the symposium is mandatory and carried out online.

Event type: Webinars

Event Technology: Quantum Key Distribution (QKD)

10 December 14:00 CET (Paris Time) - on ETSI BRIGHTTALK CHANNEL

View all past and upcoming ETSI webinars on our webinar page.

Event type: ETSI @ External Events

Get ready to question the status quo at The Great Telco Debate 2024!

ETSI, as one of the supporting organizations, is pleased to endorse The Great Telco Debate taking place on Thursday 5 December 2024 in London, UK.

With the telecom industry evolving at an unprecedented pace, it’s time to make your voice heard, respond to the views of other industry experts and be part of the sector’s most engaging (and fun) in-person gathering.

Returning for its eleventh year, The Great Telco Debate brings together senior leaders from across the industry for a day of thought-provoking discussions and interactive debates on the most pressing issues facing CSPs and the wider telecoms ecosystem. This is a unique opportunity to gain insights, challenge perspectives, and network with key players in the industry. 

This year’s event takes place on Thursday 5 December 2024 at the prestigious One Moorgate Place in London. The Great Telco Debate will be preceded by our one-day, in-person summit, Telcos & AI, back by popular demand after a very successful launch in 2023.

👉 David Boswarthick, Director of Strategy and Innovation, ETSI, will exchange with other expert speakers in the Debate Five: Should 6G be part of telco investment plans? on Thursday 5th December 2024 afternoon.

The session will address the following:

Find out more about the event here