Long-Term Evolution (LTE) is the high-performance air interface standard for mobile communication developed by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). Its evolved radio access technology—the E-UTRA— provides a framework for increasing data rates and overall system capacity, reducing latency and improving spectral efficiency and cell-edge performance. Such capabilities explain why it is has been adopted by both GSM and CDMA operators alike, and is well on its way to becoming the first single global standard for cellular communication.
As with any wireless communication standard, its successful deployment depends on the compatibility and effective interworking of the LTE-based system’s different elements. Conformance testing, conducted by an approved test lab, is required to ensure these elements meet a minimum level of performance as defined in the 3GPP specifications. LTE conformance tests cover base station, user equipment (UE) and radio resource management performance, and encompass both regulatory testing and industry testing. Regulatory certification under the administration of national and regional authorities, such as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the U.S. and the CE mark administered by the European Commission, is mandatory to bring a product to market. In contrast, industry certification is optional, although it is very much encouraged to reach a minimum performance level and enable stable international roaming. Industry certification is available through certification bodies like the Global Certification Forum (GCF) and PCS Type Certification Review Board (PTCRB), among others.