The Global Certification Forum is now able to provide assurance that dual-mode LTE / UMTS devices can hand-off sessions between the two radio-access technology families.

A recent GCF press release gave details of the first dual-mode device to achieve certification, supporting 2100 MHz LTE and other 3G radio - HSPA and WCDMA - in the 800 & 2100 MHz bands.

The Forum now expect a growing number of devices for further band combinations, adding to a heavy work load that has seen the approval of more than 470 different 3GPP mobile phones, wireless modems and connected devices in the past 12 months.

The transition to multi-mode devices is an important progression for LTE as mobile operators and their customers expect devices to operate seamlessly across all available radio access technologies, said Adriana Nugter, Operations Manager of GCF. Inter-RAT conformance will give an assurance that a device can combine different access technologies to deliver a consistent service offering.

About the Global Certification Forum

The GCF is an active partnership between network operators, device manufacturers and the test industry. Since its inception in 1999, GCF has created an independent certification programme to help ensure global interoperability between mobile devices and networks. By providing the focal point for the world’s most experienced practitioners in conformance testing, field trials and certification, GCF establishes best practice for the certification of mobile phones and the ever-expanding range of devices that incorporate wireless broadband connectivity.

GCF Contact:

Email: press@globalcertificationforum.org

www.globalcertificationforum.org