FLO Forum Adopts FLO-Enabled Device Testing & Certification Process Specification

Monday, April 20th, 2009

Comprehensive process lowers barriers to entry and speeds time-to-market for FLO-enabled devices

FREMONT, CA and LONDON, UK — The FLO Forum, an international body of global wireless industry leaders and dedicated to the open standardization of FLO™ (Forward Link-Only) technology for mobile multimedia broadcast, today announced a significant step forward with the member-wide ballot approval of the FLO Device Certification Document.

The comprehensive document, the culmination of over two years’ work by the FLO Forum’s Test & Certification Committee, addresses testing and certification of FLO devices by clarifying roles and responsibilities and referencing additional technical specifications for organizations working with FLO-based mobile broadcast technology.

The Certification Document covers three main areas including certification of FLO devices, recognition of test laboratories to perform device certification, and validation of test cases on equipment used to perform certification tests. The FLO Forum Test and Certification Committee, chaired by Noel Richardson, was responsible for defining the detailed performance requirements for each of these areas. The initiative was driven by a number of FLO Forum member companies, in particular, testing houses CETECOM, and 7 Layers Inc., with additional know-how contributed by Qualcomm MediaFLO Technologies, which worked to define the day-to-day management and requirements of the FLO certification process.

“Testing and Certification is a vital part of ensuring effective interoperability and deployment of FLO networks and services,” said Richardson. “The FLO Forum Testing and Certification Committee’s work towards specifying these testing criteria for FLO devices means that an organization building a FLO-based mobile broadcast business will be able to bring their products and services to market quickly through clear specifications for device behavior.”

“The document not only meets the FLO Forum’s goal of providing a defined and simplified certification process; it also creates a foundation for us to offer proficient testing services,” said Maan Ghanma, Director of Business Development at CETECOM. “This is, in turn, beneficial to manufacturers who will be able to bring quality FLO-enabled devices to the market, following a process that will save them time and money.”

“The completion of this document is a milestone for the FLO ecosystem,” adds Kamil Grajski, President of the FLO Forum. “A clearly defined path for certification of FLO devices lowers barriers to entry for device manufacturers, speeds time-to-market and sets the stage for an increase in the availability of conforming FLO-enabled devices.”