MFA Launches MulteFire 1.0 Certification Program to Support Interoperable Device Ecosystem for Private Wireless Networks

The MulteFire Alliance (MFA) today announced the launch of its MulteFire 1.0 Certification Program. In addition, the first customer premise equipment (CPE) device has been certified compliant.

With MulteFire technology, organizations can now cost-effectively deploy their own private LTE network and realize the benefits of better capacity, coverage, mobility and built-in security needed for industry 4.0 use cases.

The MulteFire 1.0 specification defines LTE operation in unlicensed and shared spectrum bands, including the global 5 GHz band. The certification program tests eNodeBs together with UEs for conformance with the MulteFire 1.0 specification to ensure an interoperable, global device ecosystem for use in unlicensed or shared radio spectrum. By removing the need for licensed spectrum, MulteFire will help to lower entry cost and accelerate high-speed, secure private wireless networking deployment.

MulteFire technology opens up an entirely new range of private wireless use cases that add to existing deployment scenarios in asset-intensive industries. New opportunities include rapid deployment situations such as field hospitals and emergency response, as well as temporary systems for pop-up events, touring, cultural and sports programs. In addition, MulteFire can also be used to complement existing private wireless deployment in licensed spectrum, for example to add capacity by tapping into the large bandwidth available in the unlicensed 5 GHz spectrum band.

“The MulteFire 1.0 Certification Program is a significant milestone for the Alliance and represents the diligent efforts of our Certification Working Group to bring this program to the industry,” said Mazen Chmaytelli, president, MFA. “We are also excited to share that we have already certified the first MulteFire radio and device solutions from Nokia as compliant.”

“By enabling private wireless connectivity in unlicensed and shared spectrum, we enable even more enterprises to deploy their own private LTE and 5G networks,” said Stephan Litjens, General Manager, Nokia Digital Automation Cloud and MFA board chair. “As a founding member of MFA, we’re firmly at the forefront of this initiative – firstly with certification of our own MulteFire CPE offering – and also to accelerate a device ecosystem for the benefit of enterprise digital transformation.”

Through overlapping membership with 3GPP, the MFA is also supporting efforts for 5G NR standalone operation in unlicensed spectrum. A recent ABI Research white paper quantifies the total addressable market size for private network equipment (for industrial manufacturing, ports, logistics, mining, and energy) in LTE and 5G at $32.37B by 2030. ABI also states that by 2030 more than half of industry verticals’ private networks using LTE or 5G will be deployed in unlicensed, shared or dedicated licensed spectrum.

DEKRA Named Authorized Test Lab for MulteFire 1.0

DEKRA, an MFA member and leader in product certification, conducted the certification testing for MulteFire 1.0 and DEKRA Malaga has been named an Authorized Test Lab for the MulteFire 1.0 Certification Program. DEKRA was already named the first Authorized Test Lab for the MulteFire 1.9 GHz sXGP Certification Program launched in Japan at the end of 2019.

“DEKRA is very pleased to continue its partnership with the MFA with the addition of MulteFire 1.0 testing to our services offering, and we are happy to contribute to the success of the MulteFire ecosystem,” said Andrés Moreno, Managing Director, DEKRA Testing and Certification Spain.

The MFA Certification Program is available to all MFA members. Upon device certification, companies will receive the ‘MulteFire Certified’ logo and certification mark for product promotion and marketing purposes. The MFA welcomes membership from all companies that have an interest in private wireless networks. To join the MFA and for more details on membership levels, visit www.multefire.org/join.

For more information on the MFA Certification Program, visit www.multefire.org/certification-program/.

Resources:

• ABI Research White Paper: The Importance of Spectrum Liberalization for Private 5G Networks
• Blog: MulteFire 1.0 Regulatory Analysis White Paper Now Available to MFA Members
• Webpage: Certification FAQ

About the MFA

The MFA is an international association dedicated to building a global ecosystem in support of the common interests of members, developers and users in the application of Long Term Evolution (LTE) and next-generation mobile cellular technology, such as 5G New Radio, in configurations that use unlicensed or shared radio spectrum. For more information about MulteFire technology, its benefits, or how to become a member of the MFA, visit www.MulteFire.org.

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Contact information

MulteFire Alliance
Lori Mesecke, +1-503-459-9150
press@multefire.org