This Recommendation specifies the maximum network limits of phase and time error that shall not be exceeded. It specifies the minimum equipment tolerance to phase and time error that shall be provided at the boundary of packet networks at phase and time synchronization interfaces. It also outlines the minimum requirements for the synchronization function of network elements.

This Recommendation addresses the case of time and phase distribution across a network with packet-based method with full timing support (FTS) to the protocol level from the network.

The physical layers (PHY) that are relevant to this specification are the Ethernet media types as defined in [IEEE 802.3].