The PCS Type Certification Review Board (PTCRB) is an international certification organization founded in 1997. Technical experts from manufacturers, operators and test laboratories work together to develop specifications for the proper and secure functionality of mobile devices in the mobile network.
Similar to the tasks of the Global Certification Forum (GCF) for Europe, PTCRB focuses on ensuring that a device operates in accordance with the US cellular standards as defined in the North American Program Reference Document (NAPRD).
A PTCRB certification is therefore required for products that rely on mobile communications technology and are to be operated in the United States. The technologies include the classic mobile radio standards 2G, 3G, and LTE, but also new technological developments such as CAT M1 and NB IoT.
The PTCRB certification process
The PTCRB approval process for mobile devices and modules provides an 8-steps plan that starts with the application for approval and ends with the issuance of the certificate for PTCRB certification.
The tasks of the „Primary Lab”
PTCRB has authorized several laboratories worldwide to carry out certification tests on behalf of PTCRB as so-called “Primary Lab”. These tests can also only be performed in a “Primary Lab”, where the laboratories are characterized by the following characteristics:
The role of the CTIA
CTIA was appointed as administrator for the PTCRB certification process and is also responsible for the administration of the IMEIs issued by PTCRB.
The CETECOM laboratories in Essen (Germany) and Anyang (Korea) are complete PTCRB Primary Labs and offer the full range of services for PTCRB certification of mobile devices, modules and integrated devices.
This includes certification services for CAT M1 and NB IoT as the next generation of mobile connectivity.
More information about GCF certification can be found here.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us directly: https://www.cetecom.com/en/contact/
