GCF(The Global Certification Forum) 全球认证论坛介绍

The Global Certification Forum 全球认证论坛介绍
 
A unique service assuring mobile wireless terminal interoperability for operators and vendors. 致力于为无线通信设备制造商和运营商提供无线终端互操作，相互兼容的服务

The rapid development of the global mobile wireless market, now with over 1.9 billion GSM and 3GSM users worldwide, has stimulated an ever-increasing demand for new terminals, bearer networks and applications. A critical factor lies at the heart of the ability to deliver seamless services to end users - interoperability. Simply put, when operational performance levels for handsets on international networks are assured, a high quality experience for operators and users will follow.

The Global Certification Forum (GCF) has recognised how critical the assurance of successful interoperability can be to the industry as a whole. Through an active partnership between network operators and terminal manufacturers, it has developed an independent certification programme to ensure global interoperability. The programme's focus is on the interoperability of 2G and 3G mobile wireless terminals at both bearer and application enabler level.

 

 A wide-ranging membership for a comprehensive view of interoperability 拥有广泛的通信行业内会员

Participation in the Global Certification Forum is voluntary and open to mobile network operators and manufacturers placing their products on the market. Companies involved in terminal development, including test houses and testing equipment manufacturers, are also welcome to join. The GCF is supported by many of the largest operators and vendors in the industry.

 

Manufacturer declaration - the heart of GCF certification

There is no intention for GCF to be used as a regulatory or type approval requirement or for any other regulatory purposes. It is complimentary to national or regional regimes. GCF Certification sets out a series of clear steps for terminal manufacturers to follow, resulting in a visible and transparent trail to incorporate in the certification process.

By following the GCF test cases, manufacturers can perform tests that provide evidence of interoperability based upon criteria developed by the global standards-making community and validated through the GCF. And, in order to reduce potential problems for manufacturers, the GCF ensures that test cases will perform on a range of commercially available test equipment. This provides compatibility between test facilities - whether in-house or via a third party. The result of this for end-users is quite straightforward - a GCF - compliant terminal is the right choice to make.

 

Keeping GCF future proof

The test cases are continuously updated so GCF certified terminals would always have been tested to standards that reflect the latest phase of market and technology evolution. New technologies are incorporated into the GCF Certification Criteria as appropriate.

A wide range of benefits for all stakeholders

Through the Forum, operators and terminal manufacturers have created a win-win situation. This new and comprehensive testing program provides greater assurance of terminal device functionality interoperability.

Confidence factors - for users

Buying a GCF certified terminal assures user that:

it has been designed, manufactured and tested to agreed standards
it will interoperate correctly when used on a variety of digital mobile networks
they have made a wise investment - the right choice
Confidence factors - for network operators

When GCF certified terminals are used, operators can be assured that:

terminals will perform correctly on networks
customers will receive a seamless roaming service
their brand is associated with high quality service delivery

Confidence factors - for terminal manufacturers

Manufacturers who certify their terminals to GCF rules and procedures can be assured that:

their products will benefit from a higher degree of interoperability
time-to-market for new products is reduced using this 'one-stop' verification process
expensive and time-consuming duplication of effort can be avoided
Tested once, accepted by all - manufacturers can significantly reduce or even negate the requirement for operator testing if presenting GCF certified devices.

Joining the GCF

Full membership of the GCF is open to mobile terminal manufacturers and network operators. Other interested parties including test laboratories and test equipment manufacturers may participate as observers. Membership of the GCF is subject to an annual fee. However, all operators who are members of the GSM Association may join the GCF free of charge. Information on the fee structure for manufacturers and observers is available from the GCF Secretariat.

The application process is straightforward. Operators need to complete a single document, the Declaration of Participation. Manufacturers have to complete two additional documents: a self-declaration of their Quality Assurance capabilities and processes and a self-certification of their personnel and skill resources to carry out GCF conformity tests – an Assessment Compliance.

List of certified devices can help assist purchase decisions

For those who are not members of the GCF, the list of latest certified terminals is publicly available from the GCF website, see:
http://www.globalcertificationforum.org/Application/onlinecertification/terminallist/
This can be extremely useful when contemplating terminal investments for your company - giving you the confidence that these devices will work according to the standards.

Supported by the GSM Association

The Global Certification Forum is an independent organisation with a wide-ranging membership of operators, equipment manufacturers and other interested parties. The activities of the Forum are actively supported by key staff from the Association Technical Projects operation and by the Association Executive Management Committee.

For more information on the Global Certification Forum

If there are any questions you have concerning:

membership and membership benefits,
test regimes,
the certification process,
please contact GCF