François Piroard appointed Vice Chair of TSG for CT within 3GPP

François Piroard, Senior Expert in Standardisation and Ecosystem Development at Airbus Public Safety and Security (PSS) was appointed in March 2025 Vice Chair of the Technical Specification Group (TSG) for Core Networks and Terminals (CT) within the Third Generation Partnership project (3GPP) for the next two years.

With over 35 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, François has gained extensive expertise in areas such as software development, project and line management, system specifications, product business management and standardisation. He has been representing Airbus for 3GPP since 2012 and has actively participated in several working groups in the SA (Service requirements and overall architecture of the 3GPP systems) and CT TSGs.

In his new role, François will assist the Chairman of the Core Networks and Terminals TSG by managing the working groups for technical issues. This consists of preparing, approving and maintaining the 3GPP Technical Specifications and Technical Reports of the following four working groups: User Equipment to Core Network protocols (CT1), Interworking with External Networks & Policy and Charging Control (CT3), Core Network Protocols (CT4) and Smart Card Application Aspects (CT6).

This appointment is recognition by Airbus’ peers of its technical expertise, of the driving contribution made and the work resulting in important technical solutions over more than 10 years. It also pays tribute to its constant commitment to advance the 3GPP standard. Indeed, Airbus has four other delegates who, with François, cover all the TSGs: 

• Jukka Vialen, Vice Chair for the past six years of the SA6 working group focusing on Application Enablement and Critical Communication Application, 
• Eric Georgeaux in the RAN (Radio Access Network) Radio Performance and Protocol Aspects working group, 
• Mika K. Laitinen and Camille Lacroix in the SA Security and Privacy working group.

What is more, Airbus has strengthened its presence over the last two years with two delegates from its Connected Intelligence business unit, Amina Boubendir (TSG SA) and Jean-Christophe Schiel (TSG RAN), as well as Xavier Pons Masbernat (TSG RAN) from Space Systems, also a business unit, who add their expertise in satellite connectivity, another demonstration of the important role Airbus has to play in defining the 3GPP standard. 

Press contact:
Laurence Duhamel
laurence.duhamel@airbus.com 
+33 (0)6 85 09 83 83

3GPP contact:
François Piroard
francois.piroard@airbus.com 
+33 (0)6 85 74 48 51