Both 3GPP and GSMA are widely known names in mobile industry. However, many people is having a confusion about what is the difference in the role of each of them ?

Simply, both organizations work together to ensure the smooth functioning and advancement of the mobile industry. While 3GPP develops the technical standards, GSMA promotes their adoption and advocates for policies that support the mobile ecosystem.

3GPP is a collaboration of telecommunications standards organizations (specifically ETSI, ARIB, TTA, TTC, ATIS, and CCSA) that develops and maintains technical specifications for mobile telecommunications networks.

So, mobile operators and vendors are required to follow 3GPP standards to ensure interoperability and compatibility between different networks and devices.

While GSMA is an association that includes hundreds of mobile operators worldwide. It represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide and works to promote the development and adoption of new technologies, including those standardized by 3GPP such as 5G and IoT.

While the GSMA doesn't have direct regulatory authority over mobile operators and vendors that obligates them to follow its guidelines, many operators and vendors adhere to GSMA guidelines and recommendations because of its significance.

So, It is not mandatory for mobile operators and vendores to follow GSMA guidelines. However, those guidelines play a crucial role in shaping the mobile industry.