CTIA Authorizes Intertek Testing Services to Conduct Radiated Performance Testing for CTIA Certification Program Evaluations.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

CTIA Wireless 2003

Booth #4650

BOXBOROUGH, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 17, 2003

ETL SEMKO's expanded scope reduces customers'

product certification cycles

The ETL SEMKO division of Intertek Testing Services plc. (LSE: ITRK) announces today at the CTIA Wireless 2003 show that the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (CTIA) has expanded ETL SEMKO's CTIA-Approved Testing Laboratory (CATL) distinction to include authorization to test to the CTIA's Mobile Station Radiated Performance test plan. All handsets entered into the CTIA Certification Program must undergo radiated performance testing by a CATL, and currently, ETL SEMKO is one of only two CATLs around the globe designated to provide this service.

This distinction effectively reduces many of ETL SEMKO's clients' CTIA product testing and certification cycles. Because the CTIA requires this radiated performance testing of all handsets, ETL SEMKO can offer manufacturers an advantage over other CATLs because of its authorization to provide that service, in addition to several others that are ultimately needed for CTIA Certification.

Testing to any CTIA Certification Program criteria may only be conducted by a CATL. With this recent testing authorization, ETL SEMKO now provides CTIA testing for five program categories (more than any other CATL), including cdmaOne, TDMA, AMPs, cdma2000 and radiated performance.

CATLs are selected by the CTIA based on a variety of criteria including stringent consideration of facilities, expertise and capabilities. To help meet CATL radiated performance test equipment requirements, ETL SEMKO constructed a new anechoic chamber with a state-of-the-art antenna positioning system.

"These tests are conducted in an anechoic chamber with a 12-inch 'quiet zone,' or area of minimal signal ripple," said Brian Tucker, ETL SEMKO project engineer. "This allows for accurate measurement of the handsets' radiated performance while minimizing the total measurement uncertainty."

To determine radiated performance, ETL SEMKO measures the three-dimensional pattern of a mobile unit's radiated power. The goal is to have maximum spatial coverage of the cellular antenna so the user does not have to point the antenna in one particular direction to experience good call performance. Since the human head has been known to interfere with cellular phone signals in the past, this testing calls for use of a simulated head.

"Radiated performance testing is primarily conducted to determine a handset's effective radiated power (ERP) or in simpler terms, its transmitted signal strength," said Tucker. "A handset's ability to transmit a signal is crucial to its effective operation and the essential reason why the CTIA insists that products be tested to this test plan before certification is granted."

Visit http://www.etlsemko.com/telecom/ctia.html for further information about ETL SEMKO's CTIA testing capabilities and background on the CTIA Certification Program.

About the CTIA Certification Program

Established in 1991, the CTIA Certification Program provides a safeguard for consumers, ensuring that they receive high quality wireless communications products and services. Today the CTIA Certification Program also protects network operators and service providers' purchases, ensuring that the wireless products they procure are in conformance with established industry standards, like those of EIA/TIA and ANSI, thereby avoiding degraded service. Wireless products covered by the program operate in North American cellular bands 800 MHz and PCS 1900 MHz.

About ETL SEMKO

ETL SEMKO is a division of Intertek Testing Services plc., a global leader in testing, inspection and certification services, which operates in over 260 laboratories and 500 offices in 99 countries throughout the world. ETL SEMKO provides access to global markets through its local services including product safety testing and certification, EMC testing and performance testing for customers in such industries as appliances, HVAC, cables and wiring accessories, industrial machinery, medical devices, telecommunications, lighting, automotive, building products, semiconductor and electronics. For more information about ETL SEMKO's services, visit www.etlsemko.com or e-mail [e-mail].