Operator Membership Benefits

GCF Certification gives network operators an assurance that a mobile phone or wireless devices will perform correctly on their network infrastructure, deliver a seamless roaming service and associate the operator's brand with high quality service deliver.

GCF membership is open to any operator of a network based on any 3GPP technology: GSM/GPRS/EDGE; 3G/HSPA/DC-HSPA; LTE (FDD & TDD).

The transparency and robustness of the GCF scheme allows an operator to focus their own testing activity on requirements specific to their own network or service proposition rather than common areas covered by GCF.

Two types of operator membership are available.

  • Operator Members
  • Associate Operator Members

All operator members benefit from a GCF email alert every time a new device is certified.  The email includes a link to the GCF members' portal and Device Certification Criteria database. These provide operators with access to very detailed information on all test cases applied to the device and the corresponding results.

For end-to-end certification criteria, the members' portal provides details of the radio access and core networks used for testing and the software clients employed in interoperability testing.

Any Operator or Associate Operator Member can apply to become a Field Trial Qualified Operator (FTQO). Field trials are a unique aspect of the GCF Certification Programme and provide even greater confidence in the interoperability of devices. Field trials rely on close co-operation between manufacturers and a range of Field Trial Qualified Operators: FTQOs benefit hugely from first-hand experience and knowledge of forthcoming products.

Associate Operator Membership allows smaller operators with limited testing resources to benefit from  Certification.  Instead of paying an annual membership fee, Associate Operator Members pay a daily delegate rate to attend GCF meetings.

Operator Members pay an annual fee and enjoy additional benefits: 

  • Free attendance at GCF meetings
  • Voting rights at GCF meetings
  • The right to stand for election to the GCF Board or Chair/Vice Chair positions on the Steering Group, Agreement Groups or Ad-Hoc Groups
  • The ability to directly influence the evolution of the GCF Certification by proposing new Work Items or Performance Items
  • The right to nominate Rapporteurs for Work Items or Performance Items.

Membership fees are agreed annually by all full Members in the open forum of the Steering Group.

Info Sheet pdfOperator Membership

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