2020-2024
As the 2020s began, the world came to a standstill. The COVID-19 pandemic led to millions of deaths, prompted countries worldwide to impose lockdowns and halt travel, and caused unprecedented disruption across nearly all industries. Mobile technology became crucial in controlling the spread of COVID-19, enabling millions to work from home and stay connected while physically distanced from colleagues, family, and friends. Simultaneously, the widespread availability of LTE and 5G networks facilitated the rapid and effective dissemination of news to the public, influencing behaviour and providing essential health information.
Bigger, better 5G smartphones
Despite COVID-19 lockdowns, the mobile industry persevered and GCF maintained operations, albeit without in-person meetings for over two years. Smartphones improved, boasting larger, brighter high-resolution displays and superior camera sensors that eclipsed earlier models. They also became more intelligent, offering a wider array of connectivity options and technologies.
In 2020, GCF certified its first 5G mmWave device, the Samsung Galaxy S20 5G UW (Ultra Wideband), which was capable of accessing the millimetre wave (mmWave or FR2) frequency bands. Although mmWave offers exceptionally fast speeds, its limited range meant that the more common sub-6 GHz (FR1) frequency bands gained greater popularity in practice.
The initial 5G networks were non-standalone (NSA), dependent on a 4G core network, but standalone (SA) 5G soon emerged, offering higher speeds and lower latency. GCF certified the Oppo Find X3 Pro in 2021, the sole handset available at the launch of Europe’s first commercial 5G SA network, which at the time covered only three cities in Germany. 5G adoption has continued to surge. By the end of 2023, 38% of all devices certified by GCF, and 60.5% of all smartphones certified, incorporated 5G technology. Over 96% of 5G devices certified in 2023 supported 5G SA operations.
To support the increasing certification activity, GCF established the Device Conformance Criteria (DCC) tool in 2007, which has evolved continuously. While GCF initially managed with a relatively manual process, the DCC tool now facilitates the tracking of work items, test platforms, and test case validations across industries. In 2021, GCF updated to a new version to manage the growing complexity of certification criteria driven by the advancements in LTE and 5G. Today, the DCC stands as the most comprehensive database of test information for devices implementing 3GPP standards.
IoT everywhere
Since 2015, IoT has become an integral part of GCF’s activities. By 2023, GCF’s IoT activities reached a new milestone: the number of wireless modules, designed for IoT and mobile broadband applications, exceeded consumer-oriented mobile phones (primarily smartphones) for the first time. The first IoT chipset to be certified by GCF (in 2020), not specifically as a module or device, was the u-blox UBX-R5. This 5G-ready, multi-band chipset supported both LTE-M and NB-IoT and featured hardware-based security. It could then be implemented and easily certified across a range of devices. 5G also entered the IoT arena with its reduced capability (RedCap) variant, introduced in 3GPP Release 17. In 2023, GCF launched its 5G RedCap certification, with the first product, the Quectel RG255C-GL module, being certified in September 2024.
5G RedCap (also known as 5G NR-Light) is designed to broaden the application of 5G to use cases not well-served by conventional 5G but that could still benefit from the advanced features and spectral efficiency of 5G NR. It does so by offering lower bandwidth and fewer features at a reduced cost. 5G RedCap is particularly suitable for IoT and industrial applications that need higher data throughput than other LPWA technologies can provide, such as video surveillance, industrial sensors, and wearables.
Beyond handsets
GCF’s work predominantly revolves around mobile handsets, modules, and IoT. As previously noted, 2023 marked the first year when more modules than smartphones were certified (35.6% versus 33.2% of all devices certified). However, certifications extend to multiple other technologies and markets. For instance, in 2021, GCF launched its C-V2X Automotive programme. Collaborating with the 5G Automotive Association (5GAA), GCF has crafted an innovative programme for certifying the radio layer of C-V2X. Direct wireless connections based on C-V2X (starting with LTE-V2X and progressing towards 5G NR-V2X) between vehicles and between vehicles and infrastructure will enhance the safety and efficiency of transportation systems. The first C-V2X-capable device was certified in November 2022. In the mission-critical sector, while TETRA currently prevails, the next generation of mission-critical services (MCS) is being deployed over LTE cellular networks and is advancing towards 5G. These newer technologies, governed by 3GPP standards, provide the necessary bandwidth for robust voice and data communication with first responders, public safety services, transportation, and beyond.
GCF and The Critical Communications Association (TCCA) have collaborated for several years on a joint initiative to establish a certification programme for Mission-Critical Services, aiming to certify MCS clients and devices that support MCS services. The first MCS client, the MissionX Android SDK from Frequentis, was certified in July 2024. Additionally, in 2024, GCF’s certification programme reached new milestones with the introduction of NB-IoT support for Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN). With the adoption of standards-based satellite connectivity, manufacturers can now certify their devices for direct connection to various satellite operators. This facilitates the rapid launch of satellite-connected devices with guaranteed interoperability, enabling satellite communications in regions beyond the reach of terrestrial networks.
Looking back on 25 years of history, GCF has the heritage, expertise, and knowledge to support the mobile industry, coupled with an inquisitive spirit to continue driving innovation into the future.
This text is part of the booklet "A Foundation for the Future: 25 years of GCF", available for download here.