December 20, 2010 - Chicago, IL - Intertek (LSE: ITRK), the leading provider of quality and safety services to a wide range of industries around the world, is now providing Long-Term Evolution (LTE) device testing in its U.S.-based wireless laboratory. Intertek’s LTE capabilities include Radio Frequency (RF) and Radio Resource Management (RRM) performance as well as Protocol Conformance and data throughput. In addition, the scope of testing also includes test plans which cover operator-specific LTE features and LTE-CDMA InterRAT operations.

"No matter which wireless standards global operators have used in the past, most have announced that LTE is in their immediate future,” said Gregg Tiemann, Chief Executive of Intertek’s Commercial & Electrical division. “LTE is widely regarded as the de facto first step in the mobile broadband technology of the future. Mobile device vendors need fast and cost-effective LTE certification, and as a leader in testing legacy wireless technologies, with today’s announcement, Intertek has entered 4G territory.”

Infonetics Research, an industry analyst firm, has forecast that by 2012, the number of LTE subscribers will surpass 72 million and the LTE infrastructure market will reach $5 billion globally. The major advantages of LTE technology for end users and operators include higher download and upload speeds, lower latency for users (more responsive web response), greater efficiency and reduced costs for operators in handling data traffic, and a single all-IP network for operators simplifying infrastructure and reducing operating costs.

“Intertek is now in a position to provide our clients with the most complete array of testing services needed," added Tiemann. “For the testing of LTE-ready mobile devices, we chose a multi-vendor approach, utilizing equipment from several different companies, including in this first stage, Spirent Communications, Rohde and Schwarz, and Aeroflex. We will utilize these solutions in addition to others in future installments of our LTE testing capabilities.”

All of the testing equipment provides Intertek with critical first step test coverage for most of the latest LTE 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) test specifications and LTE operator test plans.

The following describes the initial equipment Intertek has implemented for its LTE device testing:

• Spirent’s 8100 Mobile Device Testing Solution emulates multiple cellular networks and realistic radio conditions to automate the testing of mobile devices. It delivers effective testing of handover performance between LTE and non-LTE networks, data throughput/retry scenarios, RF testing, conformance testing, location-based services, and testing of simultaneous voice over LTE/CDMA networks. Designed to deliver accurate results under the most realistic conditions, the 8100 includes complete emulation of eHRPD and the Evolved Packet Core (EPC), as well as full-fledged IPv6 service. The Spirent 8100 is used by leading test houses, technology providers, network operators and device manufacturers around the world.

“We’re happy to have earned Intertek’s confidence throughout the last 15 years.” said Spirent Director of Product Management Rajat Agarwal. “We are especially gratified that the LTE testing systems we are providing to Intertek will provide the same high value as our CDMA systems as they embark onto the latest testing of LTE-CDMA multi-mode devices”

• Rohde and Schwarz’s TS8980 test platform utilizes the multi-technology (LTE, CDMA2000®, GERAN, UTRAN) R&S CMW500 network emulator. With the ability to support multiple technologies simultaneously in a single box, the R&S CMW500 can efficiently support critical features such as LTE - CDMA2000® InterRAT Handovers. Used for RF and Protocol Conformance, OTA Radiated Performance, Operator Test Plans, Manufacturing Test and R&D, the R&S CMW500 plays many key roles at leading test houses around the world.

"Rohde & Schwarz understands that to keep our leadership position in all major aspects of LTE testing: RF and Protocol; R&D and Conformance; InterRAT; etc., we must be willing to evolve with the ever-changing standards and operator requirements,” explains Bryan Helmick, Product Manager, Rohde & Schwarz. “And while we continue to ensure that the CMW500 and TS8980 solutions meet the demands of the industry, we also understand that it is critical to provide Intertek and all of our customers with the best support and service in the industry.”

• The Aeroflex 7100 Digital Radio Test Set is an innovative, flexible platform supporting multiple wireless technologies including the new LTE mobile broadband system now being introduced across the U.S. The Aeroflex 7100 provides all key measurements required for characterizing the performance of LTE mobile devices. This includes the radio interface and the protocol stack, including the PDCP (Packet Data Convergence Protocol) and IMS (IP Multimedia Sub-system) layers. With support for network operator test plans, key performance characteristics such as data throughput and GMSS (Global Mobile System Selection) can be assessed, helping with the smooth introduction of this new technology.

“Aeroflex is proud to be helping Intertek introduce its new LTE test service at a key time during the early deployment of this advanced technology,” said Mike Thorpe, Product Manager, Aeroflex. “This new service builds on the existing relationship between Intertek and Aeroflex, extending coverage from CDMA to LTE.”