5G Evolution Toward 5G Advanced: An overview of 3GPP releases 17 and 18

The 3GPP has passed the midpoint in its work on its release 17 (Rel-17) specifications, with plans to publish them at the end of the first quarter of 2022. Meanwhile, the discussions on the scope of Rel-18 are well underway. In fact, 3GPP has already announced its decision to recognize Rel-18 as the first release of 5G Advanced to highlight the significant evolution of the 5G System (5GS) that it represents.