The DECT Forum, the international association of the wireless home and enterprise communication industry; ETSI, the European Telecommunications Standards Institute; and the Home Gateway Initiative (HGI), have completed and given official approval to the ETSI Technical Specification TS 102 527-3, which completes the CAT-iq 2.0 related standards. CAT-iq provides full interoperability between devices from different vendors, a key requirement of the network operators represented by HGI.
With the standardization of CAT-iq – Next Generation DECT – the integration of DECT into Broadband IP-Networks has been successfully concluded. This means that CAT-iq certified products can take advantage of IP connectivity to enable wideband telephony and data driven applications in the digital cordless phone market. The availability of this ETSI Specification, together with others already published, makes it possible for vendors and system integrators to develop CAT-iq 2.0 certified products, based on the ETSI standards. The DECT Forum has set up a certification program for CAT-iq 2.0 end-products (fixed part and/or portable part) to ensure a mandatory quality level and interoperability to specific product parameters, which will provide a consistent end-user experience.
“The availability of this specification is a major milestone for the wired and wireless communication industry. I am expecting first innovative products, based on the new standard for telephony and data communication, in the second half of 2010,” said Erich Kamperschroer, chairman, DECT Forum.
“We anticipate the start of the certification program around mid 2010 and with an ETSI/DECT Forum Plug fest due to take place in mid June we are really excited by the progress being made,” said Daniel Hartnett, chairman, CAT-iq Working Group within DECT Forum.
Philippe Calvet, chair of HGI’s Business Group, said: “For many of our operator members, CAT-iq technology is important to deliver innovative and carrier-grade, IP-based telephony services to their customers. HGI has gathered the operators’ service requirements and worked closely with the DECT Forum and ETSI. As a result of this strong collaboration, HGI’s requirements have been fully incorporated into the specifications related to CAT-iq 2.0, and we anticipate the continuing cooperation among our groups will lead to further advances in capabilities.”
