The QoS concept as used in LTE networks is class-based, where each carrier type is assigned one QoS Class Identifier (QCI) by the network. The QCI is a scalar that is used within the access network (namely the eNodeB) as a reference to node specific parameters that control packet forwarding treatment, for example scheduling weight, admission thresholds and link-layer protocol configuration.
The QCI is also mapped to transport network layer parameters in the relevant Evolved Packet Core (EPC) core network nodes (for example, the PDN Gateway (P-GW), Mobility Management Entity (MME) and Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF)), by preconfigured QCI to Differentiated Services Code Point (DSCP) mapping.
According to 3GPP TS 23.203, 9 QCI values in Rel-8 (13 QCIs Rel-12, 15 QCIs Rel-14) are standardized and associated with QCI characteristics in terms of packet forwarding treatment that the carrier traffic receives edge-to-edge between the UE and the P-GW. Scheduling priority, resource type, packet delay budget and packet error loss rate are the set of characteristics defined by the 3GPP standard and they should be understood as guidelines for the pre-configuration of node specific parameters to ensure that applications/services mapped to a given QCI receive the same level of QoS in multi-vendor environments as well as in roaming scenarios. The QCI characteristics are not signalled on any interface.
The following table illustrates the standardized characteristics as defined in the 3GPP TS 23.203 standard "Policy and Charging Control Architecture".
| QCI | Resource Type | Priority | Packet Delay Budget | Packet Error Loss Rate | Example Services |
| 1 | GBR | 2 | 100ms | 10−2 | Conversational Voice |
| 2 | GBR | 4 | 150ms | 10−3 | Conversational Video (Live Streaming) |
| 3 | GBR | 3 | 50ms | 10−3 | Real Time Gaming, V2X messages |
| 4 | GBR | 5 | 300ms | 10−6 | Non-Conversational Video (Buffered Streaming) |
| 65 | GBR | 0.7 | 75ms | 10−2 | Mission Critical user plane Push To Talk voice (e.g., MCPTT) |
| 66 | GBR | 2 | 100ms | 10−2 | Non-Mission-Critical user plane Push To Talk voice |
| 67 | GBR | 1.5 | 100ms | 10−3 | Mission Critical Video user plane |
| 75 | GBR | 2.5 | 50ms | 10−2 | V2X (Vehicle-to-everything) messages |
| 5 | non-GBR | 1 | 100ms | 10−6 | IMS Signalling |
| 6 | non-GBR | 6 | 300ms | 10−6 | Video (Buffered Streaming) TCP-Based (for example, www, email, chat, ftp, p2p and the like) |
| 7 | non-GBR | 7 | 100ms | 10−3 | Voice, Video (Live Streaming), Interactive Gaming |
| 8 | non-GBR | 8 | 300ms | 10−6 | Video (Buffered Streaming) TCP-Based (for example, www, email, chat, ftp, p2p and the like) |
| 9 | non-GBR | 9 | 300ms | 10−6 | Video (Buffered Streaming) TCP-Based (for example, www, email, chat, ftp, p2p and the like). Typically used as default carrier |
| 69 | non-GBR | 0.5 | 60ms | 10−6 | Mission Critical delay sensitive signalling (e.g., MC-PTT signalling) |
| 70 | non-GBR | 5.5 | 200ms | 10−6 | Mission Critical Data (e.g. example services are the same as QCI 6/8/9) |
| 79 | non-GBR | 6.5 | 50ms | 10−2 | V2X messages |
| 80 | non-GBR | 6.8 | 10ms | 10−6 | Low latency eMBB applications (TCP/UDP-based); Augmented Reality |
| 82 | GBR | 1.9 | 10ms | 10−4 | Discrete Automation (small packets) |
| 83 | GBR | 2.2 | 10ms | 10−4 | Discrete Automation (big packets) |
| 84 | GBR | 2.4 | 30ms | 10−5 | Intelligent Transport Systems |
| 85 | GBR | 2.1 | 5ms | 10−5 | Electricity Distribution- high voltage |
Every QCI (GBR and Non-GBR) is associated with a Priority level. Priority level 0.5 is the highest Priority level. If congestion is encountered, the lowest Priority level traffic (highest Priority number!) would be the first to be discarded.
QCI-65, QCI-66, QCI-69 and QCI-70 were introduced in 3GPP TS 23.203 Rel-12.
QCI-75 and QCI-79 were introduced in 3GPP TS 23.203 Rel-14.
QCI-67 was introduced in 3GPP TS 23.203 Rel-15.