The Global Certification Forum (GCF) is a certification organization in which manufacturers, operators and test laboratories deal with the compliance of devices in mobile networks with standards and specifications.
The GCF was founded in 1999 and has quickly established itself as an organization for the regulation of products in the European mobile network. Thus, the GCF is a counterpart to the North American PTCRB, which deals with the use in the American mobile network.
A GCF certification is therefore necessary for manufacturers who want to use their products in the European mobile network. These products include both terminals and modules.
The GCF defines a 6-step certification plan for the approval of a device or module:
Within the GCF certification process, there are two bodies with specific roles:
Within the process, an ACE has the task of defining the scope of testing required for the certification of a product and evaluating all test results to ensure that the product meets all relevant certification criteria.
An RTO, on the other hand, is responsible for implementing the specified test plan. The tests can cover four categories:
Based on strict criteria regarding expertise, qualifications and technical equipment, RTOs must be appointed by the GCF and must regularly confirm these criteria.
We at CETECOM hold both relevant roles in the GCF certification process and are therefore an “Assessement Capable Entity (ACE)” and a “Recognized Test Organization (RTO)” recognized by the GCF in our laboratories in Essen and Anyang, Korea.
As an RTO we are recognized in all four categories, making us the ideal partner for GCF certification with more than 25 years of experience in the mobile communications industry. This includes certification services for CAT M1 and NB IoT as next generation mobile connectivity.
For more information on the American counterpart, the PTCRB certification, please click here.
