Field Trials

GCF Certification Program:
Interoperability of 2G/3G mobile devices

Mobile devices become more reliable if the final device is verified under real network conditions from the user´s point of view. Therefore the Global Certification Forum (GCF) as an active partnership between network operators and terminal manufacturers has developed an independent certification program to ensure global interoperability of devices and networks. The program focuses on the interoperability of 2G and 3G mobile wireless terminals at both bearer and application enabler level.

Field Trials are executed in various infrastructures of live networks in different countries. This requires a good relation to network operators in combination with a deep knowledge of infrastructures. 

The basis for field tests is the field trial guideline (DG.11) of the GSM association. The guideline recommends a certain amount of test cases to assure reliability, performance and functionality of mobile devices.

CETECOM has more than 10 years of project experience, is a member of the field trial agreement group and is officially accredited according to ISO 17025. Our project engineers are ISTQB (International Software Testing Qualification Board) certified tester. The service  is offered on a fixed price basis and covers all kind of devices starting with the reference designs, 2G standard phones and leads over 3G smartphones up to data terminals with implemented HSDPA and HSUPA

CETECOM is the ideal outsourcing partner for manufacturers and network operators and has expert knowledge in the following areas: 

• Technical Consulting
• Project Management
• Testing
• Failure Analysis
• Engineering 

Our field trial package following GCF rules comprise:

• Short project lead times
• Organization of entire field test projects
• Flexible handling of projects according to the customers need
• Coordination of Field Test projects in different countries
• Provision of SIM cards, reference devices and notebooks for data collection
• Organization of all travel issues
• Protocol Analysis
• Analyzing of errors using log files
• Comparing results with reference phones
• Re-testing after bug-fixing
• Regression Tests
• Daily reporting of test results
• Final reporting after finishing the projects
• Fixed project price
• Test Organisation Management Database (TOM) to store results 

Further Field trial services 

• Quality Field Trial
• IOP/IOT Testing
• Reference Design Testing
• Performance Testing
• Application Testing
• Java Testing
• Bluetooth Interoperability Testing
• Testing of GPS Applications
• Operator AcceptanceTesting
• Usability Testing