What is US Operator PTCRB Certification?

PTCRB refers to the PCS Type Certification Review Board, established by North American mobile operators in 1997. Current operator members are no longer limited to North America but encompass mobile network operators worldwide. Its purpose is to provide type certification for terminal products and modules, including Cellular GERAN (GSM), UTRAN (UMTS), and E-UTRAN (LTE).

North American PTCRB Requirements: Operator Access Certification

In the United States, operator access certification is also known as PTCRB certification testing. PTCRB is a review board established in North America in 1997 responsible for PCS type certification. A validation group was also established at the same time, primarily responsible for the certification of PCR mobile terminal types and IMEI allocation.

PTCRB certification is a quasi-mandatory type certification executed by third-party certification bodies. All PCS terminal equipment placed on the North American market must undergo PTCRB certification and apply for an IMEI based on the test report. The term "quasi-mandatory" is used here because a true "mandatory" requirement would be issued by government regulatory authorities, whereas PTCRB is not a governmental entity but a forum. However, it is highly authoritative. The reason is that distributors entering the North American market must test the products provided by manufacturers strictly according to these requirements; therefore, it is considered quasi-mandatory.

PTCRB Test Classifications:

1. RF (Radio Frequency) Testing

2. Protocol Testing

3. SIM Testing

4. Audio Testing
   (Additionally, there are tests such as OTA testing, AT command testing, etc.)

5. Field Trial
   An indispensable and important part of GCF certification. Its implementation ensures that terminal equipment can be used safely in actual network environments. It verifies inter-network interoperability and the performance of new network services from the end-user's perspective.

6. Application Enabler Testing
   Application testing in GCF certification includes tests for Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), Video Telephony, and other features.

OTA Testing Requirements in PTCRB Certification:

GSM850, GSM1900, FDD BAND II, FDD BAND IV, and FDD BAND V are tested in accordance with the OTA testing standards issued by CTIA.

Test Standard Number:

Conformance 3GPP TS 51.010-1 (Generally updated every 3 months)

Required Materials:

1. Documents

2. Operation Manual

3. Schematics

4. Circuit Diagrams

5. Test Samples

6. 2 units for RF testing (must have RF interfaces and dummy batteries)

7. 2 units for Audio and Spurious emissions testing (must function normally, with both dummy and real batteries)

8. 2 units for Protocol testing (with RF cables, real batteries, and chargers)

9. 1 unit for SIM testing (may cause damage to the casing near the SIM socket)

Field Trial

The field trial is an indispensable part of PTCRB certification. For each operating frequency band, live network interaction across 5 operators is required. This can be conducted simultaneously with RF, Protocol, and SIM testing.

PTCRB Network Listing:

Applying to become a PTCRB Member

Member Categories:

• Operator

• Manufacturer

• Laboratories

• Observer

Fill out the relevant information on the PTCRB website and submit the membership application.

PTCRB Review Process:

• Upon approval, you become a PTCRB member with no annual membership fee required.

• The member finds an accredited laboratory for product testing.

• The member submits the relevant documents and test reports on the PTCRB website (see the PTCRB certification online operation process for details).

• PTCRB reviews the documents and test reports, then issues a payment notice. The product is then placed in a "pending certification" status.

PTCRB Test Cycle:

The test cycle primarily depends on the features supported by the mobile phone. For example, it depends on the supported frequency bands, whether it supports GPRS Class 10, EDGE, half-rate, etc. Depending on the specific circumstances, the length of testing time varies greatly. Furthermore, the test cycle is also affected by the rectification and debugging of the phone during the testing process. Generally speaking, if a full PTCRB test proceeds smoothly, the test cycle usually takes about 4 weeks.

How Many Types of PTCRB Certification Listing Fees Are There?

Below are the types of PTCRB certification listing fees (PTCRB fees / ctia certification Fees). CTIA will invoice the manufacturer a Certification Administrator fee of:

1. Initial Original Certification: Refers to certifications that do not use a previously certified module. The PTCRB fee is $12,500 USD, or $15,000 USD if it includes Wi-Fi. The majority of this fee type applies to phones and tablets that directly integrate the chip onto the board.$12,500.00 (U.S.) for an initial certification request ($15,000 if incorporating Wi-Fi and undergoing Converged Device testing).

2. Variant Certification (based on a certified product): The PTCRB fee is $3,125 USD (commonly known as a PTCRB variant certification). For variant certifications incorporating uncertified Wi-Fi, the fee is $3,750 USD.$3,125.00 (U.S.) for a variant certification request ($3,750 if incorporating Wi-Fi and undergoing Converged Device Testing).

3. Products using a certified module: To apply for PTCRB certification, the fee is $1,500 USD. This fee was implemented starting July 1, 2018; previously, it was $3,125 USD.$1,500.00 (U.S.) for an Integrated DeviCE certification request.

4. Notebooks applying for PTCRB certification: The fee is $3,125 USD, or $3,750 USD for products with Wi-Fi.$3,125.00 (U.S.) for a notebook certification request ($3,750 if incorporating Wi-Fi and undergoing Converged Device Testing).

5. Rebranding: The PTCRB fee for rebranding a product is $3,125 USD. If the product is an Integrated Device (using a certified module), the rebranding fee is $1,000 USD. These fees remain the same regardless of whether the device incorporates Wi-Fi.$3,125.00 (U.S.) for "Rebranding" of a previously-certified product. If the product is an Integrated Device, the fee is $1,000.00. The fee is the same regardless of whether the device incorporates Wi-Fi.

6. Variant of an Integrated Device: If a product using a certified module has passed certification and undergoes another variation, the PTCRB fee is $1,000 USD.$1,000.00 (U.S.) for an Integrated Device Variant certification request.