{"id":382275,"date":"2026-01-21T13:42:09","date_gmt":"2026-01-21T13:42:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/382275\/"},"modified":"2026-01-21T13:42:09","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T13:42:09","slug":"3g-the-next-generation-patent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/382275\/","title":{"rendered":"3G: The Next Generation – Patent"},"content":{"rendered":"

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MC<\/p>\n

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Marks & Clerk<\/p>\n


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More<\/p>\n


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\n \"Marks
\n <\/a><\/p>\n


\nMarks & Clerk is one of the UK\u2019s foremost firms of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys. Our attorneys and solicitors are wired directly into the UK\u2019s leading business and innovation economies. Alongside this we have offices in 9 international locations covering the EU, Canada and Asia, meaning we offer clients the best possible service locally, nationally and internationally. <\/p>\n

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\n The first 3G network in the UK was launched back in 2003. However, in the coming weeks, Virgin Media O2 (VMO2) will cease to offer 3G service across much of the UK (though isolated pockets… \n <\/p>\n


\n United Kingdom
\n Intellectual Property \n <\/p>\n


\n To print this article, all you need is to be registered or login on Mondaq.com. \n <\/p>\n

The first 3G network in the UK was launched back in 2003.
\nHowever, in the coming weeks, Virgin Media O2 (VMO2) will cease to
\noffer 3G service across much of the UK (though isolated pockets
\nremain for slightly longer). This follows the lead of both BT\/EE
\nand Vodafone, who withdrew their 3G services in 2024. We will
\ntherefore shortly witness the end of 3G service in the UK for the
\nvast majority of users 1. Whilst this
\nmay represent a source of frustration for users of older handsets,
\nthe withdrawal of 3G services should enable spectrum reallocation
\nto 4G and 5G services, thereby improving the coverage and
\nperformance of these later generations.<\/p>\n

In contrast to the decline of 3G, the most recent issue of the
\n3GPP newsletter2highlights some of the
\ninteresting directions that the both 5G and 6G services are
\ndeveloping in. Of particular interest are the applications of AI
\nand machine learning (ML) to 5G-Advanced, with the long-term goal
\nof facilitating future generations of mobile networks that are
\nAI-native.<\/p>\n

Specifically, the 3GPP newsletter indicates three key
\nenhancements to 5G-Advanced which should offer significant benefits
\nto users:<\/p>\n


\nAI\/ML-based UE positioning, including deriving UE location
\nbased on ML Models in the Location Management Function (LMF) rather
\nthan on signaling measurements exchanged with the network, thereby
\nimproving the accuracy of UE positioning;
\n
\nUsing ML Models to analyse quality of service (QoS) input
\nparameters and predicting the quality of experience (QoE) for a
\nlist of QoS parameter sets, enabling an application’s quality
\nrequirements to be met more efficiently;
\n
\nMitigating unexpected surges in signalling which may reduce the
\nQoS provided by identifying the UEs and\/or RAN nodes responsible
\nfor the increased load. <\/p>\n

For example, the benefits offered by these developments could be
\nexperienced by users while trying to navigate congested urban
\npathways, or when streaming music on the train during rush
\nhour.<\/p>\n

From a legal perspective, it will also be interesting to see how
\nEPO practice will evolve with a greater number of applications for
\ninventions spanning AI\/ML and telecommunications. The EPO
\nguidelines set out various examples of technical contributions,
\nsome of which may be applicable to these inventions (e.g., signal
\nenhancement and analysis, efficient data encoding techniques,
\nencryption\/decryption), but additional examples may provide useful
\nguidance for applicants. For now, to improve the chances of
\nsuccessful prosecution at the EPO, it is advantageous for European
\npatent specifications to indicate a parallel with at least one of
\nthese currently accepted examples of technical contribution.<\/p>\n

Footnote<\/p>\n

1. UK prepares to wave goodbye to 3G telecoms “
\nThe Register<\/a><\/p>\n

The content of this article is intended to provide a general
\nguide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought
\nabout your specific circumstances.<\/p>\n

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