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Certifications
Trafalgar Wireless can assist you with your device certification. We work with partners who can guide you through the certification processes. IoT devices need to meet multiple certification requirements, before they can be used on public cellular networks, which fall into the three categories:
These certifications are typically mandatory for an IoT device to be used in a specific country or region. They cover requirements such as electrical safety, RF emissions interference, electromagnetic compatibility (eMC), and environmental factors.
Examples of regulatory certifications include:
- Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Part 15B
- Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive 2014/30/EU and Radio Equipment Directive (RED) 2014/53/EU
- China Compulsory Certification (CCC)
More information:
https://www.fcc.gov/engineering-technology/laboratory-division/general/equipment-authorization
These certifications are typically in addition to the regulatory certification / type approval above. They check the functionality of the product, and whether the functionality conforms to specific industry standards by agreed conformance test suites, which may include interoperability testing and field testing.
The two main telecoms industry has two main certification schemes are:
- GCF (Global Certification Forum) is a worldwide, voluntary scheme that uses self-declaration with a quality assurance and certification challenge process. Devices without certification may be blocked from connecting to GCF members’ networks.
- PTCRB (PCS Type Certification Review Board) is mainly used in North America and is mandatory for devices using PTCRB members’ networks. Devices without this certification may be blocked. Each PTCRB certification is verified with tests executed at PTCRB approved labs.
Both schemes cover testing based on 3GPP standards, SIM/eSIM functionality and antenna performance. PTCRB adds North American specific requirements.
Network operators will often require one of the certification schemes to be obtained as part of their acceptance or certification requirements.
More information about telecoms industry certification:
Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) with the most rigorous testing and certification tend to have the best performing networks – ideal for enterprises wanting to deploy business critical services. But to use these networks, you need to certify your devices in advance. And that can be a challenge.
Some network operators, such as Verizon and Deutsche Telekom, run their own certification schemes to minimise connectivity issues and ensure that devices don’t harm the network or other users.
These schemes ensure device interoperability specific to the network configuration and parameter settings. They can test in-field performance, such as radio sensitivity, dropped connection rate, handover success, data throughput and battery life. Tests for devices using newer technologies, such as LTE-M, NB-IoT and 5G, are used to ensure the devices are customised properly to benefit from the specific network configurations required.
The two main telecoms industry has two main certification schemes are:
- Typically, this is in addition to the Telecom Industry certification, where network operators execute additional interoperability testing specific to their network configuration and network parameter settings.
- Some operators like Verizon and AT&T will require industry certification, whereas others like T-Mobile or US Cellular may treat such approvals as optional. In some cases, where the network operator accepts the results of telecom Industry certification, additional operator-specific tests may not be required.
- Often, this testing focuses on in-field performance of the devices, such as radio sensitivity, dropped connection rate, handover success, data throughput and battery life.
- This certification is applicable for IoT Device Hosts, IoT Devices and Communication Modules and Radio Baseband Chipsets, covering IoT security, service Layer and Application Layer, depending on the network operator requirements.
More information about operator certification processes:
AT&T: https://iotdevices.att.com/networkready.aspx
Verizon: https://opendevelopment.verizonwireless.com/open-access/article/OD_Cert_Process
T-Mobile: https://www.t-mobile.com/business/solutions/iot/device-certification