The MulteFire Alliance has announced the launch of its MulteFire 1.9 GHz Certification Program. Multefire is a technology that allows simple deployment of LTE in the unlicensed or shared spectrum. It can be easily deployed by operators, cable companies, ISPs, building owners and enterprises just like Wi-Fi.
The 1.9 GHz certification program will ensure that MulteFire devices are interoperable and conform to the MulteFire 1.1 specification. The MulteFire 1.9 GHz Certification Program will test eNodeB devices in the 1.9 GHz band in Japan, verifying that devices in this channel can effectively interoperate and communicate via LTE. The program is open to MulteFire Alliance members and their devices that pass certification may use the “MulteFire Certified” logo and certification mark to promote and give end-users confidence their product has passed rigorous interoperability testing.
The launch of the MulteFire Alliance 1.9 GHz Certification Program in Japan marks a critical step forward in the development of new wireless networks with LTE technology operating standalone in unlicensed and shared spectrum bands.
1.9 GHz Certification Supports Business-Critical Applications in Japan
MulteFire in 1.9 GHz supports industrial IoT, utilities, transportation and more. The MulteFire Release 1.1 specification which added support for the 1.9 GHz band, also known as sXGP in Japan, takes advantage of the massive device ecosystem in 3GPP Band 39.
The XGP Forum has long-supported the development of 1.9 GHz in Japan and it results in the next evolutionary step towards the legacy LTE ecosystem. Vendors in Japan now have the ability to reduce system costs and achieve quick time-to-market. Only small modifications at the eNodeB side are needed to obtain co-existence with existing DECT and PHS systems in the same band. The 1.9 GHz Certification Program will give end-users confidence that their devices will work.
DEKRA Named 1.9 GHz Authorized Test Lab (ATL)
DEKRA, a MulteFire Alliance member and an expert organization providing product certification and technical reports, will serve as the first authorized test lab for the MulteFire Alliance 1.9 GHz Certification Program. DEKRA offers regulatory, conformance, interoperability, performance, usability, field, and other services for all the key wireless technologies. DEKRA has a large network of testing and certification laboratories with presence in Japan and other key regions. The MulteFire Alliance Authorized Test Lab is located in Yokohama, Japan. Since 2017, DEKRA has supported the MulteFire Alliance’s efforts in delivering MulteFire technology in unlicensed spectrum bands for private LTE networks.
The MulteFire Alliance is an international association dedicated to building a global ecosystem in support of the common interests of members, developers and users in the application of Long Term Evolution (LTE) and next-generation mobile cellular technology, such as 5G New Radio, in configurations that use unlicensed or shared radio spectrum.
The MulteFire Alliance was giving details about the 1.9 GHz Certification Program at MWC19 Los Angeles.
