Leading 3GPP RAN1, championing collaboration and innovation on the path to 6G
- Sorour Falahati, Principal Researcher at Ericsson Research, was recently elected to a leading position in 3GPP, the primary global organization developing mobile communication standards.
- In this blog post, Sorour shares some personal insights, emphasizing the importance of 3GPP's collaborative efforts in advancing mobile technology. She also reflects on key experiences that have shaped her career and reveals some of the interests she pursues outside of work.
Technical Coordinator, Radio Access Network standardization
Technical Coordinator, Radio Access Network standardization
Technical Coordinator, Radio Access Network standardization
Sorour Falahati’s journey from a passion for problem-solving to the new position of Vice Chair for 3GPP’s RAN1 is a story of dedication and technical excellence. With a strong academic record and early engagement in European telecom research, Sorour joined Ericsson in 2005, contributing to 3GPP standardization.
From day one at Ericsson, Sorour found herself surrounded by some of the most renowned experts in telecom research, including Senior Experts Stefan Parkvall and Erik Dahlman, whose mentorship shaped her early career. Her first exposure to a 3GPP meeting in 2013 left a lasting impression — not only was the technical work fascinating, but the human dynamics of negotiation and consensus-building across cultures, companies, and countries captivated her. This blend of technical rigor with interpersonal collaboration went on to define Sorour’s personal style of working and later fuelled a strong enthusiasm for standardization.
With Stefan Parkvall and Erik Dahlman in the Ericsson Imagine Studio
About 3GPP
3GPP is the main global standardization forum for mobile communications systems that ensures mobile devices and networks work seamlessly worldwide, enabling global roaming, device compatibility, and the consistent evolution of mobile technology. The 3GPP standards community has provided world-leading standards for mobile broadband over the last two-and-a-half decades and thereby established the fastest scaling global technology ecosystem.
Understanding RAN1: The physical layer is the foundation of networks
Sorour explains that RAN1, the 3GPP working group she now chairs as Vice Chair, is critical to mobile networks because it defines the physical layer protocols and procedures — the very foundation of how devices communicate with the network. “RAN1 focuses on signaling and how signals are sent over the air interface,” she elaborates. The group undertakes extensive performance evaluations, comparing different technical solutions across diverse deployment scenarios to determine the most efficient approaches.
Leadership to Sorour is all about teamwork and collaboration
“This evaluation process is important,” Sorour notes, “because it guides the rest of the standardization work and ensures that what we develop is not only technically sound but also delivers real-world performance gains.” RAN1’s work is complex and demanding, involving close alignment between multiple industry players, each with unique tools, perspectives, and priorities.
Navigating the challenges and opportunities of the 6G era
As 3GPP launches formal studies on 6G, Sorour foresees a more conservative and measured approach compared to the excitement that surrounded the introduction of 5G. Today, service providers and stakeholders seek clear, compelling use cases and tangible benefits before committing to new technologies. However, Sorour believes that while initial adoption may be cautious, the industry will eventually embrace 6G’s potential, particularly for enabling features like energy efficiency and AI integration.
A key challenge lies in balancing innovation with the realities of legacy devices and networks. “With 5G, many new features could not be fully realized because older devices still dominate the network,” she explains. “6G offers a fresh start with new devices, making it possible to unlock more transformative benefits.” Given the longer study period for 6G, there is an opportunity to rigorously validate solutions and build consensus across a diverse ecosystem of vendors, communications service providers, and regions.
Ericsson and 3GPP
Sorour emphasizes Ericsson’s foundational role in 3GPP since its inception. “Our company has been a driving force from day one,” she says. Yet in her leadership capacity, she remains firmly impartial, dedicated to ensuring that 3GPP operates smoothly, fairly, and in the industry’s best interest. “When Ericsson proposed me as Vice Chair, it was with the commitment that I serve 3GPP ,” she stresses.
Sorour as the RAN1 Vice Chair. To the right with Younsun Kim, Samsung, RAN Chair and Xu Xiaodong, China Mobile, RAN1 Chair.
Her deep experience within Ericsson enables her with unique insights and resources to navigate complex technical and organizational dynamics. “Working at Ericsson means having access to broader expertise and hands-on business knowledge, which helps me bring practical perspectives to standardization.”
A vision for collaboration and efficiency
Looking ahead, Sorour’s aspiration is to enhance collaboration and efficiency within RAN1, a notoriously demanding group with diverse viewpoints. “My goal is to foster a more collaborative environment where delegates feel inspired to work together meaningfully,” she shares. She underscores the importance of openness, feedback, and mutual respect in building consensus.
Notably, Sorour is the first female Vice Chair in RAN1 — a milestone she embraces with a sense of responsibility and optimism. “It’s important to demonstrate that leadership in technical standardization is open to all, and to encourage inclusive participation.”
Life beyond 3GPP
Away from her demanding role, Sorour enjoys sports and artistic pursuits. Though her busy schedule currently limits active participation, she appreciates skiing, rock climbing, and painting — hobbies she took up after moving to Sweden from Iran. She values her supportive family, with whom she tries to spend as much quality time as possible, despite frequent travel.
Off work, Sorour enjoys a relaxed but active lifestyle
Final thoughts
Sorour Falahati’s journey reflects a blend of technical excellence, cultural sensitivity, and leadership backed by strong and effective collaboration. Her work at the heart of 3GPP’s RAN1 group positions her uniquely to shape the future of mobile connectivity as the industry moves into the 6G era. With a commitment to consensus-building and innovation, Sorour is a representative of how diverse perspectives and shared purpose drive progress in global telecommunications.