3GPP defines an architecture for real-time media communication integrated into the 5G System: the delivery of delay-sensitive media from one peer to another with support of the 5G network. An RTC Application Function and an RTC Application Server support RTC endpoints that use a subset of the WebRTC protocol stack.
The architecture is based on 5G Media Streaming. Both are realisations of one generalised Media Delivery architecture, and share their provisioning and media session handling APIs.
This project is based on technology developed by:
The Problem It Solves
Beyond traditional telephony, real-time media is needed for immersive XR conferencing and between third-party applications in the device and the network. 3GPP extended the 5G Media Streaming principles to it, so that the 5G System can support both operator and third-party services: from a session that runs over the top, with QoS, bit rate recommendations and QoE reporting from the operator, to a session the operator hosts itself.
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 (Real-time Media Communication (RTC) Architecture)From idea to running code
Read it, check it against the standard, then run it.
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
in development
- Call teardown and errorsThe server accepts the acknowledgement that ends a call, and returns the error details the specification asks for.
- Endpoint selectionSelection among matching endpoints brought in line with the matching rules of the specification.
- SDP handlingAn enforcement point on the answering side, so that a preliminary answer is not sent.
released
- rt-3gpp-swap v0.916 Oct 2026. First release of the SWAP server and its JavaScript library.
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
Also used by Conversational Avatars with MPEG ARF
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