3GPP is a collaboration agreement that was established in December 1998. The original scope of 3GPP was to produce globally applicable technical specifications and technical reports for a 3G mobile system based on evolved GSM core networks and the radio access technologies that they support.  The scope was subsequently amended to include evolved radio access technologies such as GPRS and EDGE.

The 3GPP approach relies on evolution from GSM networks and it ensures that systems based on 3GPP specifications will be capable of rapid development and deployment of competitive service offerings while still enabling global roaming.

Ericsson was one of the founders of 3GPP and has played an active role in setting standards for UTRAN, GERAN, core networks, terminals, systems and services. Ericsson's Diameter Charging is an example of an Ericsson product that is base on 3GPP standardization.

Read more about 3GPP here: http://www.3gpp.org

Read the article: Understanding the standards