ETSI and the Global Certification Forum have signed a Memorandum of Understanding formalising a collaborative relationship that has existed between the two organisations since GCF was founded in 1999.
The MoU provides a framework governing the exchange of information between the two organisations and the hosting of joint meetings and events to address issues of mutual interest.
Co-operation will initially focus on M2M and Smart Card Platforms. New areas can be added by mutual agreement.
ETSI’s work on end-to-end standards for Machine-to-Machine Communications, which draws on its own Next Generation Networks activity and 3GPP mobile standards initiatives, contributes to the oneM2M Partnership Project which is promoting global standards for M2M standards.
The ETSI Smart Card Platform Technical Committee was set-up in 2000 to create a central focal point for the standardisation of a common chip card platform for mobile telecommunication systems to promote and encourage participation from companies beyond the GSM & 3GPP standardisation activities.
Collaboration between GCF and ETSI will pave the way for mobile device functionality based on the M2M and Smart Card Platform standards to be tested during the GCF certification process.
“GCF certification plays a major role in ensuring new standards are implemented effectively and deliver the intended benefits to mobile device users. ETSI and GCF share a common interest in bringing new mobile functionality to market,” said ETSI director-general Luis Jorge Romero Saro.
“ETSI standards are recognised worldwide and continue to make a massivecontribution to the development of mobile communications”, said Lars Nielsen, general manager of GCF. “The cooperation agreement will help the mobile industry to make the most of ETSI’s latest standards.”