In the first and second installments of our Cellular Certifications series, we comprehensively covered the topics of chipsets, modules and modems, regulatory certifications, and industry-level certifications. In Part III, we’ll focus on the finer details of carrier certifications.

1. What are carrier or MNO approvals?

Despite a device having regulatory and industry approvals, carriers may mandate their own testing requirements. Carriers are also known as Mobile Network Operators (MNO), and every carrier has their own testcases, limitations, and standards on testing results. Developers must adhere to MNO testing requirements to get on their network.

2. Which MNOs have certification requirements in US?

AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile all have enforced their own processes to get devices certified before allowing access to the network.

3. What is AT&T Certification process?

AT&T employs the “Get Network Ready” program to ensure devices comply with AT&T standards. This program includes simple processes that determine if a device operates as intended.

To initiate AT&T certification:

• TRENDI SIMs and Tests:
  • Test Requirements for Evaluating Network Ready Devices for IoT (TRENDI) checks for the device compatibility with AT&T’s network. TRENDI will ensure that a device does not interfere with other in-network devices. Developers can order a TRENDI SIM card from AT&T that includes all the necessary instructions for testing. It should take around 24 hours to complete tests.
    • Where to order AT&T SIM for TRENDI
    • TRENDI Testing Instructions
• Device Identification:
  • Developers must select one of the following methods to ID their device.
    • 1. Unique IMEI TAC- having a specific TAC range assigned for the device.
    • 2. Upload IMEI periodically- Send AT&T a list of all IMEI numbers.
  • More information about both methods can be found here:
    • ID through TAC
    • ID through IMEIs
• Industry Certification:
• The intended device must be IoT Network Certified (INC). This program is built upon the PTCRB certification program. It also ensures that device follows the AT&T antenna requirements. 
  • INC Overview 
  • AT&T Antenna Performance Limits
• Resources:
  • AT&T Get Network Ready 
  • AT&T Network Ready Certification Checklist 
  • List of AT&T certified devices 
  • AT&T approved test labs

4. What is the Verizon certification process?

Verizon’s certification process is referred to as the Open Development Device Certification Process. There are 4 major steps involved in the certification process (Figure 1):

• Register:
  • First and foremost, a developer must register with the Verizon Open Development portal and sign NDA.
• Submit Device:
  • A developer also needs to submit all relevant information regarding the device such as FCC grants, User Guides, troubleshooting, and device pictures. This includes the Device Lockdown (DLD) before testing.
• Certify Device:
  • Verizon will create a Test Campaign for the device that details the required testcases. Test labs will execute these tests.
• Prep for Market:
  • Once all tests have been successfully completed, the developer will receive letter from Verizon about certification. Device will be eligible to operate on the Verizon Network.

• Resources:
  • Verizon Open Development Certification Process
  • Verizon Certification Get Started
  • Verizon Approved Modules
  • Open Access Documents

5. What is the T-Mobile certification process?

T-Mobile employs their own validation process for certification of cellular devices. This process determines whether a device is compatible on their network and will not cause interference. Devices must have a T-Mobile certified module/chipset, FCC approval, and PTCRB approval. The T-Mobile Certification Process includes the following steps (Figure 2).

• Open Account on Certification Portal:
  • Once a developer has provided their contact information, they can get account details along with instructions for next steps.
• Submit Agreements:
  • Submit necessary documentation required for the certification process.
• Device Intake:
  • Submit all relevant information regarding the device. Based on this T-Mobile will create a compliance process.
• Compliance:
  • A T-Mobile representative will help developers determine the compliance requirements for the device.
• Lab Testing:
  • Validation process for the devices for testing.
• Certification Granted:
  • Once the device completes and passes all the necessary tests, a certification letter will be granted to the developer.

• Resources:
  • T-Mobile Device Certification Process
  • Get Started with IoT Certification
  • Approved modules and chipsets

Looking for more information on the complex road to cellular certification? Our team of Applications Engineers are experts in cellular, wireless, and connected systems and are uniquely positioned to help navigate your device to cellular certification approval. Consultation is free and available throughout your design cycle. Contact Symmetry Electronics today!

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