This specification is only applicable for a GERAN PLMN. In the 2nd generation is this a GSM PLMN. In the 3rd generation is this a PLMN that uses a GERAN as radio access network operating either in A/Gb mode or in Iu mode.

A PLMN may be described by a limited set of access interfaces (refer to 3GPP TS 24.002 and 22.001) and a limited set of PLMN connection types to support the telecommunication services described in the 3GPP 22-series of specifications. The present document identifies and defines these connection types in so far as they relate to the particular network capabilities for a PLMN.

The basic lower layer capabilities of a PLMN are represented by a set of PLMN connection types. The definition of a set of PLMN connection types provides the necessary input to identify network capabilities of a PLMN. In addition to describing network capabilities of a PLMN, the identification of connection types facilitates the specification of network-to-network interfaces. It may also assist in the allocation of network performance parameters.

The present document should be considered in conjunction with other 3GPP specifications with particular reference to 3GPP TS 22.001, 22.002, 22.003, 23.002, 24.002 and 44.004.

The present document provides a bridge between the service specification in the 3GPP TS 22-series of specifications and the more detailed specifications such as the 3GPP TS 43, 44, 23, 24, 27 and 29 series. As such, it establishes a framework for the specification and understanding of the more detailed specifications. It is therefore not a specification against which detailed conformance testing can be performed. However, it shall be considered mandatory for the understanding of the more detailed specifications and used to resolve issues of conflict in these specifications.

From R99 onwards the following services are no longer required by a PLMN:

• the dual Bearer Services 'alternate speech/data' and 'speech followed by data'
• the dedicated services for PAD and Packet access
• the single asynchronous and synchronous Bearer Services (BS 21..26, BS 31..34)

From Release 4 onwards the following services are no longer required by a PLMN:

• the synchronous Bearer Service non-transparent (BS 30 NT).
• the Basic Packet access
• the Teleservice Facsimile non-transparent (TS 61/62 NT).

If a PLMN network still provides these services it has to fulfil the specification of former releases.