CTIA has been chosen to manage the CBRS Alliance’s new product certification program.
The program, which is set to launch by the end of this year, aims to ensure multi-vendor interoperability by certifying LTE equipment in the United States 3.5 GHz band.
Following a thorough proposal and evaluation process, CTIA snagged the contract, due in part to the trade association’s lengthy history of success in the certification and testing space, according to the CBRS Alliance.
“CTIA shares our strong interest in the 3.5 GHz CBRS band and understands the importance of shared spectrum in the development of LTE-based technologies,” Neville Meijers, VP of business development at Qualcomm Technologies, and chairman of the board for the CBRS Alliance, noted. “We look forward to collaborating with CTIA as we continue to pave the way for innovative solutions that will shape the future of wireless.”
Having an official certification process will ensure CBRS infrastructure can be deployed successfully, the CBRS Alliance said.
The group indicated that the program will be a one-stop-shop approach to certify CBRS ecosystem devices to address FCC certification, WInnForum-specific test certification, and compliance with CBRS Alliance specifications.
Since forming in August of 2016 with six members, including Alphabet, Qualcomm, and Nokia, the CBRS Alliance has grown to 70 corporate members. Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile are all part of the Alliance.
Those attending Mobile World Congress Americas in September can learn about the organization’s progress in test and certification, and technological advancements achieved thus far at a partner event called “Shared Spectrum. Expanded Opportunities.” The event is taking place Sept. 13 at 9 am. The first ever economic analysis of the three-tier spectrum sharing model will also debut at the event.