Work Plan for Evaluation of QUIC-based Protocols for On-Demand and Live Video Services

Introduction

This contribution proposes a work plan for the Rel-20 study item FS_QStream_MED (Evaluation of QUIC-based protocols for on-demand and live video services), hosted by the MBS SWG.

Study Objectives

The study encompasses six main objectives:

Objective 1: Application Scenarios

Identify application scenarios and their uplink/downlink delivery characteristics for segmented media delivery services, including:
- Low latency video streaming
- Live streaming
- On-demand video platforms
- Short-form video platforms

Objective 2: Streaming Technologies

Identify existing and emerging segmented media streaming technologies, specifically QUIC-based technologies from TR 26.804:
- DASH over HTTP/3
- MoQ
- MPEG-DASH over WebTransport
- MPEG-DASH Part 6 over QUIC

Objective 3: Evaluation Framework

Define an evaluation framework for media delivery protocols in the context of 5G Media Streaming (TS 26.501 and TS 26.512):

Objective 3A: Metrics Definition

Determine existing metrics reflecting QoE from relevant specifications (TS 26.247, TR 26.944, ITU-T P.1203, CTA-2066):
- Playback time from live edge
- Start-up time
- Rebuffering events and duration
- Streaming quality
- Associated QoS metrics

Objective 3B: Impact Assessment

Document potential impacts on:
- Media delivery architecture (TS 26.501)
- Delivery protocols (TS 26.512)
- Codecs and formats (TS 26.511)

Considering factors such as:
- Current CDN architectures
- 3GPP core network architecture (TS 23.501)
- UE implementation
- Encrypted content
- Caching efficiency
- Scalability
- Distributed deployment capability
- General-purpose implementation readiness

Objective 3C: Test Framework Design

Design a test framework for collecting selected metrics to evaluate baseline (DASH over HTTP 1.1) against identified technologies.

Objective 4: Technology Evaluation

Evaluate selected technologies by collecting QoE metrics under 3GPP network conditions using mobile network traces. This includes:
- Developing network simulation setup
- Selecting network traces for relevant application scenarios

Note: Objective 4 is split into three phases:
- Phase 1: Develop network simulation setup
- Phase 2: Select network scenarios
- Phase 3: Run experiments and evaluations

Objective 5: Integration Study (Conditional)

If sufficient evidence of benefits is identified:

Objective 5A: Gap Analysis

Study integration of beneficial emerging technologies into 5G Media streaming and identify gaps in:
- Architecture (TS 26.501)
- Protocols (TS 26.512)
- Codecs and formats (TS 26.511)
- Relevant video coding tools (e.g., layered video coding, temporal subsequences)

Objective 5B: Normative Work Identification

Identify potential normative work requirements for architecture, protocols, and codecs/formats.

Objective 6: External Coordination

Communicate progress to relevant SDOs (IETF MoQ Working Groups) and solicit collaboration with organizations conducting similar work (e.g., SVTA).

Detailed Work Plan Timeline

SA4#134 (November 2025, Dallas)

• Agree study item description

SA#110 (December 2025, Baltimore)

• Approve new study item

Post SA4#134 MBS SWG Calls (January 2026)

• Discuss work plan

SA4#135 (February 2026, Goa)

• Finalize work plan
• Agree specification skeleton for TR 26.934 (Test platform for media delivery technologies) ‡
• Agree specification skeleton for TR 26.835 (Evaluation of QUIC-based streaming protocols)
• Initiate Objective 1 (services and application use cases)
• Initiate Objective 3c (test framework design) ‡
• Initiate Objective 3b (study impact on architectures) ‡

Post SA4#135 MBS SWG Calls (TBD)

• Progress Objectives 1, 3b, 3c
• Initiate Objective 3a (determine relevant metrics)
• Initiate Objective 2 (identify media streaming technologies)

SA4#135-bis-e (April 2026)

• Complete Objectives 1 and 2
• Complete Objective 3b ‡
• Progress Objective 3c ‡
• Progress Objective 3a
• Initiate Objective 4, Phase 1 (develop network simulation setup)
• Communicate with other 3GPP WGs and external organizations (Objective 6)

Post SA4#135-bis-e MBS SWG Calls (TBD)

• Progress Objective 3c ‡
• Progress Objective 4
• Complete Objective 3a

SA4#136 (May 2026, Montreal)

• Complete Objective 3 (finalize TR 26.934) ‡
• Complete Objective 4, Phase 1
• Initiate Objective 4, Phase 2 (select network scenarios)
• Continue external coordination (Objective 6)

SA#112 (June 2026, Singapore)

• Approval of TR 26.934

Post SA4#136 MBS SWG Calls (TBD)

• Progress Objective 4, Phase 2

SA4#137-e (August 2026, online)

• Complete Objective 4, Phase 2
• Initiate Objective 4, Phase 3 (run experiments and evaluations)

Post SA4#137-e MBS SWG Calls (TBD)

• Progress Objective 4, Phase 3

SA4#138 (November 2026, Calgary)

• Complete Objective 4
• Initiate Objective 5 (result analysis)
• Continue external coordination (Objective 6)
• Send TR 26.835 for information to SA

SA#114 (December 2026, US)

• Presentation of TR 26.835 to SA

Post SA4#138 MBS SWG Calls (TBD)

• Progress Objective 5
• Start working on conclusions and recommendations

SA4#139 (February 2027, South Korea)

• Complete all objectives
• Finalize conclusions and recommendations
• Send TR 26.835 for approval to SA

SA#115 (March 2027, TBD)

• Approval of TR 26.835

Key Deliverables

• TR 26.934: Test platform for media delivery technologies (approved SA#112, June 2026)
• TR 26.835: Evaluation of QUIC-based streaming protocols for on-demand and live video services (approved SA#115, March 2027)

Note: ‡ indicates work related to the test platform (TR 26.934)

Proposal

Agreement is requested on the work plan detailed above.