The DECT Forum, the international association of the wireless home and enterprise communication industry, is pleased to announce the availability of CAT-iq White Papers. The White Papers – part 1 “voice” and part 2 “data” – outline the current status and the future profile descriptions of CAT-iq – the technology of choice for voice and data applications.

CAT-iq stands for Cordless Advanced Technology, Internet and Quality, and is the global technology initiative from the DECT Forum, designed for IP-voice services in the next generation networks. CAT-iq focuses on high quality wideband Audio VoIP as well as low bit-rate data applications. The CAT-iq profiles are split between voice and data services, with CAT-iq 1.0 and CAT-iq 2.0 providing features to support key voice enhancements, and CAT-iq 3.0 and CAT-iq 4.0 providing features to support data.

CAT-iq is firmly positioned as a key broadband access technology. CAT-iq has the unique opportunity to continue cordless telephony’s conquest of huge segments of the world’s population, and introduce data services into homes complementing those offered by WLAN and Bluetooth. When reach, standby and talk time, cost and of course voice quality are paramount, CAT-iq is the technology of choice. The Certification process for CAT-iq 2.0 will start in September 2010, enabling market deployment of a new generation of products of various manufacturers before the end of this year.

“The White Papers – part 1 “Voice” and part 2 “data” – provide a comprehensive and detailed portray of the CAT-iq technology and its profiles. With first CAT-iq 2.0 products being available still in 2010, the White Papers will feed the growing interest in CAT-iq as a leading global wireless technology”, says Daniel Hartnett, Chairman of the CAT-iq Working Group within the DECT Forum.

The White Papers are publicly available on the DECT Forum’s CAT-iq website

The DECT Forum, the international association of the wireless home and enterprise communication industry, is pleased to announce that CETECOM ICT Services GmbH (Germany) and Nemko AB (Norway) have been appointed first CAT-iq 2.0 test laboratories.

The CAT-iq 2.0 certification program is on track and will start in September, enabling the market launch of CAT-iq 2.0 products before the end of 2010. The DECT Forum has appointed CETECOM and Nemko as Qualification Laboratories to assess and test products submitted by applicants in accordance with the test plan and the other procedures required by the CAT-iq 2.0 Qualification Program allowing products to be certified according to the specification. In addition to meeting the requirements for CAT-iq certification, both laboratories are accredited by their national accreditation bodies as being compliant with the standard ISO/IEC 17025.

“With the appointment of CETECOM and Nemko as the first test houses for CAT-iq 2.0 certification we are confident that we have selected the most experienced and reliable partners”, says Daniel Hartnett, Chairman of the CAT-iq Working Group within the DECT Forum. “With these appointments, the certification of CAT-iq 2.0 can start in September 2010. I am expecting market launch of certified CAT-iq 2.0 products before the end of this year.”

“We are very pleased to be selected by the DECT Forum as a certified test house for the CAT-iq 2.0 certification”, says Andreas Ehre, Head of Business Development, CETECOM ICT Services Germany. “Our long expertise in global testing and certification services in communication technologies – including our role as qualification test laboratory for CAT-iq 1.0 certification – guarantees that we will be able to meet the strong demands of the DECT Forum and the entire wireless communication industry.”

“Nemko services include full testing and certification of wireless telecommunications products“, says Frode Sveinsen, Chief Engineer, Nemko Norway. “Our laboratories are all highly recognized in their respective markets. We are pleased that Nemko as a test house will be part of the deployment of the CAT-iq technology from the very beginning.“

One year ago Jakajima and DECT Forum organized the CAT-iq global design competition amongst the design students around the globe. 

Here are some ideas. CAT-iq offers much more than just a phone!

For more information go the site of the CAT-iq design competition.

The DECT Forum is pleased to announce that the first IOP Plugtests™ (Interoperability Test) for CAT-iq 2.0 in cooperation with ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute) was successful. With this important milestone CAT-iq 2.0 certification can begin in September 2010.

DECT Forum and ETSI have organized an official Plugtests™ event for CAT-iq 2.0 in Sophia Antipolis (France) in June 2010 where silicon manufacturers, system vendors, OEMs, and carriers have tested the interoperability of their CAT-iq 2.0 implementations against other devices and systems. This successful and well-timed event brought together the following players and suppliers in the CAT-iq space: Cetecom, Dosch&Amand, DSP Group, Lantiq, RTX, Technicolor, and VTech.

With all participants testing against each other, the implementations benefitted from real life test scenarios. The very positive result of the IOP Plugtests™ was that CAT-iq implementations are stable and interoperable. The DECT Forum and ETSI will schedule a second Plugtests™ event in early September.

According to Daniel Hartnett, Chairman of the CAT-iq Working Group within the DECT Forum is this successful Interoperability Test an important milestone for the DECT Forum and the entire value chain of the DECT and CAT-iq industry. This means that the official CAT-iq 2.0 Certification Program can begin in September 2010. The market launch of first CAT-iq devices will happen before the end of 2010.

During the CAT-iq developers conference, October 19/20 2010 Eindhoven, the Netherlands, developers will meet, exchange ideas in order to expand the CAT-iq deployment into teleccom, home automation, smart metering, ultra low power products and service.

About DECT Forum:
The DECT Forum is the international association of the wireless home and enterprise communication industry. With more than 800 million devices sold and growing by more than 80 million devices per year, DECT, DECT 6.0 and CAT-iq are worldwide-adopted technologies with high relevance for wireless voice and broadband home and enterprise communication. The DECT Forum is located in Berne, Switzerland. Full members of the DECT Forum are currently: Ascom, AVM, Binatone, CCT, Cetecom, Deutsche Telekom, DSP Group, Gigaset Communications, GN Netcom, Lantiq, NEC, Nemko, Orange FT, Panasonic, Philips, Plantronics, Polycom, RTX, Sagem, Samsung, SiTel, SGW Electronics, Swissvoice, Technicolor, Unical, Uniden, VTech.

On April 23 the DECT Forum, the international association of the wireless home and enterprise communication industry, officially approved the new “Test Specification Audio for CAT-iq 2.0 Devices”. As partner of the DECT Forum, HEAD acoustics GmbH, the international solution provider for communication quality testing, has been and still is actively involved in the develop- ment of all audio-related test specifications for CAT-iq™.

HEAD acoustics therefore is pleased to announce the immediate availability of a complete test system for measuring and certifying CAT-iq™ devices according to the new “Test Specification Audio for CAT-iq 2.0 Devices”. Big test houses which are members of the DECT Forum have already been equipped with the new CAT-iq™ measurement system provided by HEAD acoustics and are using it for development, optimization and certification. The audio quality (echo, reverberation, frequency response, voice quality) of CAT-iq™ HD Voice devices is brought to a high level by this new standard.
         
CAT-iq™ (Cordless Advanced Technology - Internet and Quality) has successfully been introduced into the market as the successor of the DECT standard by the DECT Forum. CAT-iq™ is continuously developed in further profiles and requires a certification of terminals by means of measurement systems approved by the DECT Forum and used by qualified test laboratories.

The new ACQUA measurement standard CAT-IQ 2.0 (Code 6794) contains the full implementation of all measurements specified by the “Test Specification Audio” (Version 1.11) as automated test suite for the communication analysis system ACQUA. In combination with the new NG-DECT/CAT-iq™ measurement front end MFE X (Code 6481) and further HEAD acoustics components, a complete test system for measuring and certifying CAT-iq™ devices according to the new “Test Specification Audio” is now available.
         
MFE X serves as “Reference Portable Part“ (RefPP) and as “Reference Fixed Part“ (RefFP) for acoustic measurements of cordless terminals. As required by CAT-iq™, it supports modern wideband and IP connections as well

as the classic DECT telephony. As required by CAT-iq™, it supports modern wideband and IP connections as well as the classic DECT telephony.
MFE X is used in conjunction with the following system components:

• ACQUA (communication analysis system, version 2.4.200 with extensions or later),
• HMS II.3 (artificial head measurement system) with HHP III (handset positioning mechanism),
• MFE VI.1 (analog measurement front end with integrated mouth amplifier
• MFE VIII (IP reference gateway),
• MFE IX (IP network impairment simulator with WLAN/WiFi access point).

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) are pleased to announce the completion and official approval of the ETSI Technical Specification TS 102 527-3* which completes the CAT-iq 2.0 related standards (CAT-iq is a registered trademark in 47 countries worldwide owned by the DECT Forum. It is
based on standards and specifications produced by ETSI (new generation DECT)). 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”, says 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.

“Since its introduction almost 20 years ago DECT cordless telephony has been a long lasting continuous success story”, says Dr. Walter Weigel, ETSI Director General. “With the release of this latest ETSI Specification I am convinced that CAT-iq will continue and likely exceed the impressive worldwide deployment and customer acceptance of DECT as a next generation of wireless communication.”

Philippe Calvet, Chairperson of HGI’s Business Group, commented: “For many of our operator members, CAT-iq technology is important to deliver innovative and carriergrade, 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,” concluded Philippe Calvet.

The DECT Forum, the worldwide association of the home and enterprise communication industry, and Jakajima are pleased to host the first Global CAT-iq Market and Developer Conference in Eindhoven (The Netherlands) on October 19-20, 2010. The Conference will provide first-hand information about the entire process of CAT-iq Certification as well as future applications and next generation CAT-iq profiles. The delegate pre-registration for the CAT-iq Conference is open now at www.cat-iqconference.com.

CAT-iq technology is already impacting the global communication market for telecom, IT, consumer electronics and home automation products. Facing the challenges and the opportunities of CAT-iq now and in the future, the CAT-iq Conference will bring together the whole ecosystem of companies currently deploying CAT-iq technology, building the CAT-iq infrastructure and designing the applications to make this a success.

“With the standardization and imminent certification program for CAT-iq 2.0, the industry has reached an important milestone and technology inflexion point, enabling innovative products and wireless services for IP based broadband home communication”, says Erich Kamperschroer, Chairman of the DECT Forum.

“The Conference aims to leverage the technical development and market deployment of CAT-iq systems and products in 2010, and will assist in developing ideas for new application opportunities beyond voice”, says Daniel Hartnett, Chairman of the CAT-iq Working Group within the DECT Forum.

This event will tackle technical challenges, discuss efficient and innovative solutions, show new business opportunities and will give an outlook into the CAT-iq future. For more information about the first Global CAT-iq Market and Developer Conference – the program, online registration, sponsoring and exhibition opportunities – please contact Jakajima or visit www.cat-iqconference.com/contact.html.

The Conference will take place in the Conference Centre at the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven (The Netherlands): a stimulating high-tech environment for an innovative conference.

About CAT-iq 2.0 Certification Program:
The CAT-iq certification program promotes CAT-iq to market stakeholders as a technically credible implementation of conformity to a set of standards that will add value to their industry/lives. It ensures interoperability of devices from multiple manufacturers for functionalities defined in CAT-iq. Furthermore the certification program ensures a mandatory level of quality for specific product parameters to achieve consistent user experience for the various stakeholders. All manufacturers, test houses, certification laboratories, and further interested companies, who intend to test and certify CAT-iq devices, will be able to purchase the certification test equipment.

CAT-iq is a registered trademark (in 47 countries worldwide) owned by the DECT Forum, it references features and procedures to corresponding ETSI specifications. Only end products can be approved through the certification program (fixed part and/or portable part). Application for CAT-iq certification is restricted to Full members of the DECT Forum. Please find an overview of the CAT-iq certification program at www.cat-iq.org.

Dag Akerberg is CTO of the DECT Forum and Chairman of the Regulatory Working Group. This working group is participating and contributing in regulatory activities that may influence the access to the DECT spectrum. A global regulatory trend for spectrum utilization (owned by an operator) is to develop a set of common and minimal (least restrictive) technical conditions, rather than specifying a specific technology (e.g. GSM). This concept is called "technology neutrality".

Europe
In Europe the decision ERC/DEC/(94) 03 on spectrum 1880 - 1900 MHz for DECT has been under review. DECT Forum contributed to this review, and the decision was to leave it unchanged. It was agreed that DECT, with its unique technology features, its various coexisting applications, its large number of manufacturers and dealers and its market success, is a justified case for not applying "technology neutrality". The "technology neutrality" concept will however increase the number of technologies that may be used on the spectrum just below 1880 MHz and just above 1900 MHz.

DECT Forum has participated and contributed to the studies for these bands by analyzing the influence on DECT. The relevant reports are "Draft ECC Report 146", now on public consultation until 19th April, and "Draft report from CEPT to the European Commission in response to the Mandate to develop least restrictive technical conditions for 2GHz bands", which will come for public consultation soon. The conclusion is that the minimal technical conditions developed could somewhat increase the probability of harmful interference to DECT systems, but still not beyond levels that well designed DECT systems should be able to cope with.

Noting that the DECT instant Dynamic Channel Selection procedures are optimized for an environment of DECT-like or continuous interference patterns, the following non-mandatory provisions will become increasingly important, not least for countries where only 10 MHz are available: Ability to detect "stochastic" interference patterns (see example for GSM interference ETSI EN 300175-3 clause 11.4.5), ability to escape from a detected "stochastic" interference pattern by not starting search for a "Least Interfered Channel" on the same carrier where the interference was detected, and finally if up-link power control is used, it is recommended that if interference is detected, the first action should be to increase the power.

The DECT Forum RWG will issue a document with more details on the above recommended provisions.

World
 Regarding spectrum outside Europe DECT Forum has been actively promoting the preparation at the FCC of a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) based on the DECT Forum Petition from last year. This NPRM is expected to be issued very soon, and contain proposals for changes in the FCC UMTS rules to provide similar robustness towards potential interference from cellular systems as the European regulation. Furthermore, in Japan a proposal for allowing 5 DECT carriers (carrier positions 1895,516 - 1902,528 MHz) to coexist with PHS in the PHS band will come on public consultation during March. For more information please contact the Secretariat.

While leveraging its number one position in VoIP gateway silicon products, Lantiq, announced major additions to its DECT/CAT-iq portfolio. During DECT World & CAT-iq 2010 in Amsterdam, Lantiq will launch the industry's first end-to-end CAT-iq 2.0 home gateway and handset system as well as its Korean DECT gateway and handset silicon products.

Lantiq's range of CPE home gateway devices all contain embedded DECT/CAT-iq functionality, making them the industry's most cost-competitive and flexible solutions available. By adding Lantiq's UGW (Universal Gateway), a pre-integrated CAT-iq gateway software suite including protocol stack and application, Lantiq is helping to ease the system integration effort of its customers. Coupled with COSIC Plus PMB9603 running similar handset software, Lantiq's premium CAT-iq handset device is the ideal counterpart to the CAT-iq gateway system bringing real value to customers in the form of pre-tested stability and many years of gateway and audio experience.

As the CAT-iq base station migrates into the home gateway, chip sets from different vendors will be required to be interoperable with each other and deliver the full feature spectrum regardless of the underlying silicon. The introduction of the first CAT-iq 2.0-capable handsets and home gateways is a major milestone for carriers and vendors alike. It signals the official introduction of wideband-capable CAT-iq systems. This is the inflexion point at which wideband has a chance to attain the necessary critical mass of users to be a true success.

As with VoIP in the past, Lantiq is leading the field by successfully managing the extremely complex marriage of gateway and DECT with all the hardware and software competence to build an end-to-end DSL home gateway including both the CAT-iq base station and handset. Lantiq's expertise gives customers a real head start in entering this market.

Leveraging its strong position in CAT-iq, Lantiq is also expanding its regional cordless telephony coverage with the introduction of COSIC products for the Korean cordless VoIP market. As an incumbent supplier to Korean Telecom, Lantiq's product portfolio will now include gateway and handset solutions for applications similar to CAT-iq for the Korean market.

Lantiq's CAT-iq UGW software package will run on any product in the gateway family including XWAY(TM) DANUBE, xRX100, xRX200, and future family members. Lantiq's backward-compatible and future-proof software will make customer purchasing decisions easier, and when coupled with a CAT-iq 2.0 handset based on COSIC PLUS, Lantiq's customers will have a complete product offering including a full CAT-iq 2.0 feature set with all gateway functional blocks including networking, device management and VoIP, and ensure the peaceful co-existence of DECT and WLAN.

Two representatives from Lantiq will be speaking at the DECT World & CAT-iq 2010 Conference, February 3-4, in Amsterdam. Mr. Daniel Hartnett, Product Marketing CAT-iq for Lantiq and Chairman of the CAT-iq Working Group, will host a session, "Looking Forward to CAT-iq 3.0 and Beyond - Examining Features and Benefits," and Dr. Martin Schenk, CTO of Lantiq, will participate in a panel titled, "How Can Operators Continue to Generate Revenue from DECT in a Mature Market?"

The DECT Forum announces security updates of the DECT standard and a formal certification of DECT and CAT-iq devices. These security measures based on state-of-the-art cryptography mitigate attacks on DECT’s authentication and encryption scheme discovered over the past year.
Following research showing that some DECT devices do not use the existing security algorithms to their full extent, new research shows that even when these algorithms are used, calls can sometimes be intercepted1. The DECT Forum, the worldwide association of the home and enterprise communication industry, has worked closely with the researchers of deDECTed.org in designing short-term and long-term countermeasures to all currently known attacks.

The DECT Forum takes the attack scenarios seriously and continues to investigate their applicability in a security task force consisting of representatives from several DECT manufacturers. This task force was set up in collaboration with the researchers of deDECTed. The joint work throughout 2009 has produced a number of short-term improvements within the current DECT standard as well as a security roadmap for integrating state-of-the-art cryptography into the CAT-iq next-generation standard.
The short-term updates to the DECT standard were worked out in close cooperation with ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute) and will be ratified as
early as spring 2010. Furthermore, the DECT Forum is in the process of establishing a formal certification of DECT devices to assure security best practices for DECT implementations based on the formal requirements and latest updates of the standard.

The longer-term improvements in the standard are currently being discussed with ETSI SAGE (Security Algorithms Group of Experts) and deDECTed; details will be
announced once a standard draft is available for public review.
The DECT Forum would like to give special recognition to valuable contributions from the members of the deDECTed group. Going forward the DECT Forum hopes to 
continue this cooperation and draw upon the expertise that the deDECTed members can provide.

The new research by deDECTed.org has been presented at the 26C3 congress in Berlin (December 27-30, 2009).