US : The Global Certification Forum (GCF) and the International Multimedia Telecommunications Consortium (IMTC) announced that any new 3G mobile phones supporting R99 CS (circuit-switched) video telephony must now pass interoperability and conformance test developed by IMTC as part of the GCF certification process.

GCF-certified handsets provide assurance to operators and manufacturers alike, indicating seamless interoperability at both bearer and application enabler levels on GSM, GPRS and W-CDMA networks worldwide.

In 2005, the GCF asked IMTC to adapt its existing test specifications and develop new specifications for 3G phones that support video telephony to include in the GCF certification program. The new tests were approved and added to the GCF certification process in 2006, allowing the test industry to validate test implementations and offer them to the wider industry.

“Since GCF and IMTC members include handset manufacturers, operators and testing tool, gateway and application developers, their collaboration contributes to shortening the time to market and testing costs when they work together with agreed upon testing criteria,” said Anatoli Levine, president of the IMTC. “The current testing tools were developed by IMTC members companies and IMTC members have early and regular access to IMTC tests, including these new GCF-specified tests.”

“These IMTC test cases further our mission to certify terminals against current global market standards,” said Dr. Adriana Nugter, chairwoman of the GCF. “Developed for GCF criteria, the organized and systematic IMTC interoperability tests will help to certify handsets that will deliver high-quality interoperability assurance to operators.”

“IMTC test events enable developers and manufacturers to test their products with many of the same companies they’ll go live with after GCF certification,” Levine said. “Benefits from cooperative test experiences are tangible, shortening time to market, helping to meet operator certification requirements and reducing product development costs.”

About the International Multimedia Telecommunications Consortium (IMTC)

The IMTC is an industry-leading, non-profit organization whose mission is to promote and facilitate the development and use of interoperable, real-time, multimedia telecommunication products and services based on open international standards. Hosting interoperability testing events and demonstrations throughout the world, including SIP, 3G-324M, 3GPP-PSS, NAT/Firewall Traversal, H.323, T.120, H .320, and Voice over IP technologies, the San Ramon, California-based consortium offers membership to any interested party, including vendors of audio, document, and video conferencing hardware and software; academic institutions; government agencies; and non-profit organizations. The IMTC is making Rich Media happen Anywhere, Anytime. Additional information is available at http://www.imtc.org

About the Global Certification Forum (GCF)

The GCF is the leading authority whose certification program assures the global interoperability of terminals and networks. Its membership is a unique partnership of over 270 companies comprising handset manufacturers, operators and related test industry organizations. Certification is voluntary and those participating can self-certify their terminals, providing they have ISO accreditation, through the GCF members portal. Additional information is available at http:www.globalcertificationforum.org