5G Media Streaming (5GMS) is specified by 3GPP in TS 26.501 as a set of extensions to the 5G System architecture. It supports media streaming services from mobile network operators and from third parties, in downlink, where the network is the origin of the media, and in uplink, where the device is.
The architecture is divided into independent components, so that it can be deployed with different degrees of integration between mobile network operators and content providers. Media can be streamed as it is produced (live) or after it has been produced (on demand).
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The Problem It Solves
Before 5GMS, 3GPP's streaming architecture was the Packet Switched Streaming architecture in TS 26.233, mainly developed for RTSP streaming. When the Release 16 work began, 3GPP considered it unfit for 5G media streaming services. Meanwhile, classical broadcast and content distribution services were migrating towards modern distribution architectures.
A 3GPP study on media distribution over 5G (TR 26.891) concluded that a new 5G media streaming architecture was required to enable any type of deployment of streaming services over 5G. 5GMS is that architecture. Its Release 16 work item asked for input from broadcasters, content providers and emerging media service providers, and from mobile network operators running their own media services.
As of Release 19, TS 26.501 defines these features for media streaming in the 5G System: content hosting, content publishing and content preparation; network assistance and dynamic policies; consumption and QoE metrics reporting; edge processing; delivery via eMBMS and via MBS; data collection, reporting and exposure; 3GPP Service URL handling; and remote control. TS 26.501 states that many of its features are motivated by the conclusions of TR 26.804, the Study on 5G media streaming extensions.
Sources: WID SP-180984 (5GMSA, Release 16), clauses 3 and 4; TS 26.501 V19.4.0, clauses 1 and 4.0.1 to 4.0.14.
The project at a glance
What it is, how it works, and where the Reference Tools stand, in one deck you can share.
Download the deck (5G Media Streaming (5GMS))From idea to running code
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Technical Analysis
How this technology works, and what it is good for.
Specifications
The specifications this technology is built on.
Software Accelerator
The open-source software that implements it.
Latest updates and roadmap
Status on 23 October 2026
under study
- Testing in testbedsTesting of the 5G Media Streaming Reference Tools in testbeds.
- Commercial OTT appIntegration of the 5GMS clients with a commercial OTT application, a candidate.
- Advanced Media DeliveryDocumentation on the standards related to Advanced Media Delivery.
in development
- Reference Tools for Releases 17 and 18Implementation of the Reference Tools for 3GPP Release 17 and Release 18 is in progress.
- Several Application ServersMore than one Application Server, also over HTTPS, and integration of the Data Collection Application Function.
- CMMF and DVB-IA CMMF recipe in the Docker setup, and a native Android DVB-I client for the 5GMS-Aware Application.
released
- rt-5gms-application-function v1.4.73 Aug 2026. Rejects an invalid content hosting ingest URL and prevents crashes on invalid or missing configuration.
- rt-5gms-application-server 1.2.53 Aug 2026. Adds CMCD capture and forwarding.
- rt-5gms-application-provider 1.3.03 Aug 2026. QoE metrics reporting is absorbed into the Management UI, and CMCD is added.
Merged since v1.4.6 21 pull requests in 8 repositories
Open Source, Built Together
Repositories of This Project
The real, running software for this technology: what each repository is, what it implements, its latest release and where to find it.
Early Access: available to members first
rt-5gms-application-functionrt-5gms-application-providerrt-5gms-application-serverrt-5gms-common-android-libraryrt-5gms-media-session-handlerrt-5gms-media-stream-handlerrt-5gms-examplesrt-5gms-applicationAlso used by 3GPP RAN and Core Platforms
rt-5gc-service-consumersAlso used by Content Delivery Protocols and Tools
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