IoT Device
Certification
Programfor Utilities

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Table ofcontents
1. Introduction
2. About us
3. Importance of Certification
4. Get Certified in One to Two Weeks
5. Simplify the Process
6. Get in Touch

Ericsson | IoT Device Certification Program for Utilities

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Ericsson | IoT Device Certification Program for Utilities

Introduction
Together, Ericsson and CTIA
Certification have developed a pivotal
IoT device certification program
tailored specifically for utilities facing
a surge in IoT devices on their private
long-term evolution (LTE) networks.
The IoT Network Certified for SmartConnected Infrastructure™ program
caters to the escalating demand foradvanced IoT deployments in utilities,
setting forth a comprehensive set ofstandards to guarantee the security
and reliability of these devices.
Our collaboration directly addresses
the vital need to safeguard devices
deployed on mission-critical OEM
network equipment and utilityspecific spectrum bands. Ericsson
and CTIA are at the forefront ofdriving innovation while establishing
new standards for reliability in ourinterconnected world of utility private
LTE networks.
Tom Sawanobori, Senior Vice
President and Chief TechnologyOfficer, CTIA, says:“CTIA already boasts a
proven device certification
program capable of testing
the interoperability, safety,and security of IoT devices.
The introduction of aprogram focused on IoT
devices deployed for utility
applications is a naturalextension and demonstrates
the growing number of use
cases that can benefit fromindustry baseline standards.”

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Ericsson | IoT Device Certification Program for Utilities

About us
CTIA represents the US wirelesscommunications industry, bringing
together carriers, equipment
manufacturers, mobile app
developers, and content creatorsto facilitate consumers in leading a
21st-century connected life. CTIA
Certification™ has been certifying
thousands of wireless devices in thecellular wireless ecosystem for over30 years. The IoT Network Certified™
certification program is specificallydesigned to meet the needs of the IoT
community.
Ericsson is a leading technology
partner for the utility industry in
mission-critical LTE networks
globally. With over fifty percent
market share of the world’s radio
access network technology, Ericsson

possesses the ideal portfolio totransition utilities and enterprises
to secure private network solutions.
As a leader in 5G, we leverage
our innovation, research, anddevelopment to construct futureproof, mission-critical networks.
Our solutions facilitate various
use cases such as distribution
automation, supervisory control
and data acquisition (SCADA)
communications, advanced metering
infrastructure (AMI), workforce
management, voice, video, data, andmission-critical push-to-talk. Ericssonhas been delivering secure, reliablecommunication services throughout
our company’s 147-year history.

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Ericsson | IoT Device Certification Program for Utilities

Importance ofcertification
With grid modernization programs
spearheading utility innovation,
cellular-enabled IoT devices and apps
are becoming increasingly prevalent.
The IoT Network Certified for Smart
Connected Infrastructure program
establishes the industry benchmark
for these interconnected products,
as utilities increasingly demand
third-party validation of network
compatibility.
IoT Network Certified serves as thebaseline certification for IoT devices

Utility IoT device testing:operating on cellular networks.
Additional utility IoT device testing
and cybersecurity testing areincorporated to attain IoT Network
Certified for Smart Connected
Infrastructure. These tests play apivotal role in fortifying a robust
and secure critical infrastructure
network demanded by utilities anddevice vendors. Here are some of thenumerous benefits these tests offer toutility operators and device vendors:- Ensures successful deployment of the device on a utility private LTE (PLTE)
network.
- Pre-testing in a utility customer’s frequency band accelerates acceptance bya utility.
- Can identify issues with the module in a production network that may not be
detected on an instrument-based simulation testbed.

Cybersecurity testing:- Minimizes the potential for any disruption, intrusion, or data theft.
- Assures utilities of device data security through robust pre-testing.
- Devices that have undergone rigorous security testing may be accepted fasterby the utility’s cybersecurity team.
- Elisiario Cunha Neto, Ericsson North America Vice President and CTO
Business Development Customer Unit, Ericsson, says:“Together with CTIA, we are developing a program basedon leading voluntary standards that promotes compatibility,
safety, and reliability of IoT devices concerning performanceand cybersecurity in mission-critical networks”.

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Ericsson | IoT Device Certification Program for Utilities

Get certified in one
to two weeks
The swift certification process and subsequent speed-to-market for thisprogram’s device testing offer significant benefits for both device vendors
and utility companies. The IoT Network Certified for Smart Connected
Infrastructure certification process is rapid, with most use cases taking only
two days to fully test at the Ericsson labs. Device vendors and utility companies
will not have to endure extended waiting periods to ensure their missioncritical devices and networks are equipped for live network deployments.

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Ericsson | IoT Device Certification Program for Utilities

Simplify the process
The rigor, detail, and scope of theIoT Network Certified for Smart
Connected Infrastructure program
offer clear benefits for device
vendors. By partnering with CTIA andEricsson, device manufacturers canverify that their devices can operate
successfully on critical infrastructure,enabling them to present certified
devices to utility service providers
crucial to national security. Withutility companies expected to rapidly
adopt certification standards asa requirement for connecting totheir networks, the added valuethat certification brings to device
manufacturers is evident. The
protection and security provided bysuch elite testing will yield dividends
in peace-of-mind value.
Because utility device testing occurs
at Ericsson facilities and is conductedby Ericsson engineers and employees,
device vendors and manufacturers
can consolidate testing and eliminate
in-house lab costs. Advanced network
testing on scopes such as fixed
broadband LTE, long-term evolution
for machines (LTE-M) (CAT-M1)
and narrowband internet of things(NB-IoT) provides device vendors
with a range of complexities to verifyagainst.
Device vendors will also enjoy peaceof mind knowing that Ericsson’s topof-the-line Device and Application
Verification Services (EDAVS) teamin Richardson, Texas, will conduct therigorous testing. By relying on highly
trained technical experts, device
vendors and utility service providers
can rest assured that national security
critical infrastructure is protected.

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Ericsson | IoT Device Certification Program for Utilities

Contact us
Get in touch to learn more:
Steve Lowe
Sales Director, Ericsson
Steve.lowe@ericsson.com
Michelle James
VP Strategic Industry Programs, CTIA
mjames@ctia.org