Fernando E. Hardasmal (FH), Deputy General Manager of Cetecom Spain: CETECOM has been in the telecom testing business for more than 12 years. Initially, CETECOM tested wired and analog wireless technologies. And progressively it has been getting quite involved in a variety of new wireless and cellular technologies.

Nowadays, CETECOM offers testing services for WiFi (the only active WiFi Alliance test Lab in Europe), DECT, GSM-GPRS, EDGE, WCDMA, RFID, Bluetooth and of course WiMAX. Other technologies being explored are UWB, NFC, DVB-H, etc.
Looking to the different technologies tested at CETECOM,  we can say that it is one of the most complete Third Party Testing Labs in the World.

WiMax.com: Why do you believe the WiMAX Forum" chose Cetecom for testing?

FH: We believe that the WiMAX Forum took into consideration different facts as for example our testing experience in different wireless and cellular technologies.

Probably being able to test all the technologies that we just mentioned was important to the Forum too---especially the fact that we can test cellular technologies such as GSM, GPRS, EDGE and WCDMA.

Also, CETECOM Spain is able to develop conformance and interoperability test systems. This fact might have also been relevant given that  we are now in the process of the development and validation of WiMAX test tools and systems that are key elements in any certification process.

CETECOM is also working in regulatory testing (EMC, electrical safety, etc.). These services are important for vendors who plan to sell Worldwide given that in many countries they have specific requirements. And we will be able to support them, too.

Finally, we are highly committed to WiMAX technology. And we are actively investing in both testing and certification services and test system's development.

WiMax.com: Do you believe that Cetecom's past involvement in such diverse technologies as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi play a big part in the lab's selection by the Forum?

FH: As I mentioned before, the answer is Yes. But probably our know-how and experience in GSM-GPRS-EDGE and WCDMA was also a plus as regards for example WiMAX Mobile.

The Bluetooth case was probably important too, because we are a BQTF (Bluetooth Qualification Test Facility) and we have developed both RF and protocol conformance test systems that are leading the Bluetooth market.

WiMax.com: Cetecom obviously has a tremendous background in cellular testing---how does that background affect your ability to define both the Fixed and Mobile WiMAX systems?

FH:  That background is very helpful. In fact some of the teams working in Fixed WiMAX are coming from Bluetooth, DECT or WiFi while the team working in Mobile WiMAX has been more active in GSM-GPRS-WCDMA.

The experience in both testing worlds is very positive for the development of the testing services and also the conformance test systems.

WiMax.com: Where in the world are Cetecom facilities located geographically for vendors to send products to?

FH: CETECOM Spain has its testing facilities in Málaga (Spain) and works with affiliate partner Labs in North America (eg. East and West Coast), Asia (Japan, Taiwan, China, Korea and Singapore) and even some labs in the UK and Germany.

Once the WiMAX Forum develops new Labs in the mentioned regions, we plan to be there supporting the WiMAX Forum" either directly or through our affiliate partners, if possible. In fact, we have been supporting the development of GSM, GPRS, WCDMA, Bluetooth and RFID in the US, Japan, Taiwan, Korea, China, Singapore and others.

WiMax.com: What are the technical hurdles and testing methodologies (if they can be commented upon) that products will be put through? Is defining those methodologies a major part of this early testing?

FH: basically the products will go through conformance protocol and RF testing and interoperability testing. This being the first time we expect some normal difficulties. But we also expect to have products tested and certified this year.

WiMax.com: Does Cetecom anticipate a lot of learning curve benefits for Mobile WiMAX testing based on its processes developed during testing of 802.16-2004 (Fixed WiMAX) products?

FH: We anticipate Mobile WiMAX to be more complex. But obviously there will be some learning curve benefits, probably for both the Lab and also for the vendors. Most of the 802.16-2004 vendors will also probably develop Mobile WiMAX products. The development of the 802.16-2004 certification program has involved volunteers from many companies and their experience will be very valuable for Mobile WiMAX.

WiMax.com: What sorts of approaches and/or techniques will likely be implemented in regards to testing procedures based on 802.16-2004 results---basically where will testing protocols most likely be tweaked to garner real-world results?

FH: Well, in terms of the testing performed for 802.16-2004 a significant part of the testing protocol could be useful for Mobile WiMAX. But when it comes to the mobility profiles they are specific to Mobile WiMAX therefore, for example, it will be necessary to develop new test cases and procedures which involve the different propagation profiles in mobile channels.

WiMax.com: How many vendors have submitted 802.16-2004 based products for testing?

FH: We can not disclose this information, but I can say that we have already welcomed a very acceptable number of manufacturers who have booked time slots in the lab.

WiMax.com: When does Cetecom anticipate having the first results in? When could we likely expect to see Certifications be awarded? Will all awarded vendors be announced by Cetecom or only by the companies so certified? Or by the Forum?

FH: We are working closely with the WiMAX Forum and the vendors to see the first Certified products before the end of 2005. About announcements, I understand that the WiMAX Forum" will lead any announcements. 

WiMax.com: If a vendor fails Certification what is the process and timeline for them to resubmit products for testing? Must they wait a period of time before re-submitting?

FH: They can resubmit their products as soon as they feel that they are ready for testing. 

WiMax.com: Are there any early results from testing that are surprising either in the quality of the results or the ease of interoperability?

FH: I can not disclose much specific information, but I can say that we have obtained early positive results in August. And we have been working intensively with both test equipment vendors and product vendors since then.

WiMax.com: What potential challenges does Cetecom see being the biggest impediments to vendor success?

FH: In every technology the main challenges that we face are the availability of test equipment, availability of samples ready for testing and of course the different implementations that each vendor might have done with the standard. Do not forget that with these being the first products certified there is not much experience yet.

However, I would like to say that the resources and energies that some of the WiMAX Forum" members are investing are remarkable---and they are very motivating for us.

WiMax.com: Does Cetecom anticipate that integrated Mobile WiMAX and other technologies such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi may be the future of broadband access?

FH: I do not have any doubt that Mobile WiMAX could be a broadband access solution that could be quite successful from a technical point of view. More over I think that Mobile WiMAX can be complementary to some of the existing cellular technologies such as WCDMA.
Bluetooth is in a very promising state with the version 2.0 and Enhanced Data Rates. And WiFi is experiencing a crucial moment facing the convergence with Cellular technologies. We expect to see many Cellular phones in the coming years which include not only Bluetooth but also WiFi.

Fernando E. Hardasmal took his studies in Economy at the University of Málaga Spain and a MBA at the University of South New Hampshire, NH, USA, later on he has been working for CETECOM Spain (1992-1999) as Marketing Manager and Information Technologies Manager, later on he became the CEO at CETECOM Inc. (Milpitas, CA) and TÜV Essen Inc. (San José, CA). (2000-2002); currently, Fernando E. Hardasmal is the Deputy General Manager at CETECOM Spain.

Fernando E. Hardasmal has been involved in Telecommunications testing and certification for more than 12 years, in technologies as DECT, ISDN, WiFi, GSM-GPRS, RFID and more recently WiMAX.

Tim Sanders is founder of TheFinalMile, Inc., a fixed wireless consulting group. His experience came from running a multistate Wireless ISP. He can be reached at tim@thefinalmile.net  or 828-253-0702.