GCF and MSSA Partner to Develop Certification Frameworks for 3GPP NTN Devices

The Global Certification Forum (GCF) and Mobile Satellite Services Association (MSSA) have signed a memorandum of understanding to coordinate certification and interoperability work for 3GPP-based non-terrestrial networks, including 5G NR-NTN, NB-IoT NTN and direct-to-device services.

The organisations will work on certification requirements and testing frameworks intended to ensure devices can operate reliably across integrated terrestrial and satellite networks. The programme will cover applications including smartphones and personal communications, IoT, automotive and mission-critical equipment, while using GCF's existing device certification framework as a foundation.

A particular focus will be interoperability and roaming across terrestrial networks and different satellite constellations. MSSA members' operational networks could also be used for field testing, allowing devices and services to be validated under real satellite conditions in addition to laboratory conformance testing.

GCF already provides certification for NB-IoT NTN devices operating with GEO satellite systems, introduced in 2024, and is working to extend its programmes to LEO and other non-geostationary constellations as well as 5G NR-NTN. The MSSA partnership is intended to bring satellite operators more directly into that certification process as standards-based NTN services move towards broader commercial deployment.

The agreement addresses an increasingly important issue that 3GPP compliance alone does not guarantee that devices will work seamlessly across different operators and constellations, and that a more unified certification regime could reduce duplicated testing for device manufacturers and help satellite connectivity develop towards the roaming and interoperability model already established in terrestrial cellular networks.