GCF certification as a key enabler for mission critical broadband services

Figure 1: Mission critical broadband system components

MCX communication takes place over an IP connection between the client and server, and can technically be executed over any wireless or wired connection. However, certain critical features such as Quality of Service, Priority, and Pre-emption (QPP), which are specific to cellular networks, require integration and support of the MCX systems with the underlying LTE and/or 5G network elements.

As such, the certification of MCX products not only checks the MCX-specific features and functionality that run over IP, but also those features and functionality that need to be supported by the radio access technology.

MCX product types

There are two product types currently supported in GCF certification:

• MCX software clients and platforms (integrated or downloaded on a device that enables MCX over cellular broadband)
• MCX-Oriented Devices (LTE and/or 5G GCF certified devices used for mission critical services)

A client is a fully functional MCX application that is commercially available for purchase and operation by the MCCO. A client platform is also a fully functional MCX application, but it is available only to other product suppliers for integration into an end product. As an example, a MCX Client SDK could be certified as a client platform, which a product supplier could then use to develop their own client for commercialization.

MCCOs should ensure that all the devices they procure supporting MCX services are certified as defined in the GCF certification criteria.

Scope of GCF certification

GCF certification comprises four types of product testing:

• Conformance testing – conducted in an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory against test equipment that simulates the wireless service (Radio Access Network and various Application Servers). Its purpose is to ensure product compliance to the standard
• Field Trials testing – conducted in a commercial network where the service is available. Its purpose is to ensure the product under test interoperates with networks that have been commercially deployed across the world.
• Interoperability testing – conducted in a controlled lab environment against a test bed using real network elements and servers that are configured to offer the service. Its purpose is to ensure that the product under test interoperates correctly with other compliant products, systems and solutions.
• Performance testing – conducted in a lab, to check how well the service is performing on the product under test. Performance tests do not have a pass/fail criterion but typically reports back metrics that allows the MCCO to evaluate a product against a benchmark or average set of metrics from other certified products.

Conformance testing is currently mandatory for GCF MCX certification, while interoperability and field trial testing are currently being developed, and targeted to become active in 2026. Performance testing can also be incorporated into Mission Critical Certification Program by MCCOs.

Figure 2: MCS certification testing scope

Product procurement

The MCCO, or the designated entity contracted by the MCCO, may procure devices, MCX clients and services from a single supplier, or may procure its MCX clients, servers and devices from a combination of multiple vendors. In each case, GCF has defined specific scenarios, so it is always 100% clear which entity is responsible for certification. This enables MCCOs to ensure they are always acquiring certified products.

In addition, TCCA maintains recommended best practices for the procurement of MCX products, including MCX broadband services and certification practices.

If a desired product type certification is not yet available in the GCF certification programme (for example MCX server certification), a MCCO can demand a commitment from the product type supplier to undertake certification of that product type, when it is activated in the certification programme.

In all scenarios, GCF certification forms the baseline level of requirements needed to be achieved before MCCO network specific testing is conducted. This will minimize interoperability issues, and will ensure that any integration issues that are discovered can be easily isolated and are not related to compliance issues of the products. To ensure compliance, the MCCO’s contract tenders must indicate that certification of products is mandatory.

To help MCCOs, GCF and TCCA have developed and maintained a model text that can be introduced into contract tenders, either ‘as is’, or customised by an MCCO to their requirements. This text describes the minimum certification requirements for procured products, and is available for download from the TCCA’s Legal and Regulatory Working Group (LRWG) library.

What’s next?

The Mission Critical Services Work Stream (MCS-WS), managed by GFC in collaboration with TCCA, continues to evolve the MCX ecosystem. The workstream consists of key industry players and subject matter experts from GCF and TCCA member companies. Together, they are developing the key requirements for testing mission critical services, as well as defining the policies and procedures for the certification program.

GCF is also continuously expanding its support for MCX. For example, additional frequency bands can be added to GCF certification as needed by MCCOs. As well, Interoperability (IOP) and Field Trials testing is expected to become active by 2026. Additional capabilities such as MCX Server certification, Sidelink and IoT telematics over MCData are already in scope and will be delivered in future phases of the programme.

GCF’s goal is to certify the entire system of MCX products and solutions (devices, clients and servers). Different product types are being introduced in phases once external dependencies are met, such as standardisation requirements from 3GPP.