M2M module is approved for North American use

Telit Communications has been awarded PTCRB (PCS Type Certification Review Board) certification for its GE864 module. With that, the world's smallest quad-band GSM/GPRS module clears the last regional regulatory hurdle for use in the North American market. PTCRB certification for other Telit modules is also expected in the coming weeks.

This certification is an important milestone for Telit as it rolls out its global market strategy.

The company aims to attain a market-leading position in the global M2M market, and the granted PTCRB certification considerably enhances Telit's competitive position in the key North American market.

The arrival of the GE864 to the North American market allows M2M communication to move into application areas where module sise is a critical issue.

The GE864 is the ideal solution for, among others, the market of wearable devices and consumer-oriented location-based services.

PTCRB certification a regulatory requirement in order to sell GSM cellular communication products in the North American market.

This seal of approval from the CTIA industry association ensures products satisfy the requirements of the American Variants of the GSM/GPRS network standard.

To receive certification, devices must exhibit US-specific features such as AMR (adaptive multirate) and 850/1900MHz frequency bands.

Testing is carried out by an accredited testing lab.

The PTCRB certificate is comparable with the GCF approval in Europe.

With PTCRB certification, Telit's GE864 has met all requirements to start the approval process with American network operators.

This approval is of major importance in the USA.

'American network operators individually determine what devices can be provisioned on their networks'.

'The PTCRB certificate will therefore considerably help us in the process of marketing our modules in North America, which is one of the fastest-growing GSM markets in the world', says Dominikus Hierl, President of Telit Wireless Solutions.

Other Telit modules are currently undergoing the American certification process with award announcements expected within the next few weeks.

Approval by the network operators is one of the requirements if the M2M application is to be entitled to lower-cost M2M mobile telephony tariffs.

In keeping with its market commitment to protect the investment of its customers, Telit is canvassing the gamut of approvals from Operators and MVNOs servicing the North American M2M Market.

Because they are quad-band devices, Telit's modules can be used all over the world where GSM/GPRS coverage is available.

Add to that PTCRB certification and Telit is perfectly positioned to be the module vendor of choice for M2M solution companies looking to enter the American market from other regions.

The quad-band capability of the GE864 with its virtually global regulatory compliance mean that applications that have been developed for special vertical segments in the European market can be marketed to these verticals worldwide.

Thanks to its external dimensions of just 30 x 30 x 2.8mm and a weight of 7g, the GE864 is especially ideal for applications where a subcompact form-factor is a requirement.

With the GE864, Telit becomes the world's first (and currently the only) module manufacturer to offer a GSM/GPRS module applying the BGA installation concept.

BGA is a component mounting solution based on small solder balls on the underside of the module allowing for direct mounting of the device to the application circuit board, without the need for plugs, cables, or connectors.

This not only reduces material costs, but also the installation time and assembly costs.

And because the module can be assembled using an automated pick-and-place assembly as that used for standard SMD components, the GE864 becomes the market's only such module viable for very large scale production.

The board-to-board BGA mounting is also extremely stable and reliable.

Together, the compact shape and reduced assembly costs are crucial advantages for use in cost-sensitive applications, such as those intended for the consumer market.