19 June 2025
TCCA’s world-leading TETRA Interoperability (IOP) testing and certification process underpins the ongoing success of the TETRA standard, and the independence of the process ensures the ongoing strength of the market. TCCA is pleased to announce the appointment of DEKRA, the world's largest independent, non-listed expert organisation in the field of standards-based testing, inspection and certification, as the new TETRA Certification Body that will oversee the IOP testing process and issue the certificates.
DEKRA was chosen from a number of bidding companies after evaluation by TCCA and its TETRA manufacturer members. Several DEKRA offices around the world will be involved in supporting the TETRA IOP process, including those in Germany, Chile, China and Spain.
TCCA’s TETRA IOP process is managed by TCCA’s Technical Forum and was developed to enable a truly open multi-vendor market for TETRA equipment and systems. The multi-vendor market gives concrete benefits both to the users in terms of a wide portfolio of compatible equipment, competitive pricing and rapid development of new product models, and to the industry in terms of a wider accessible market, faster market take-up and better possibilities for investment in new development. The certification process is funded by the participating manufacturers.
Test targets and priorities for the IOP process are set jointly between TETRA users, operators and manufacturers. For each feature to be certified, a TETRA Interoperability Profile (TIP) specification is created within TCCA’s Technical Forum Working Groups. Once approved in the Technical Forum, a detailed Interoperability Test Plan document is produced. The certification testing is based on these Test Plans.
With these official test documents, test sessions can be conducted between manufacturers’ infrastructure and devices at a host manufacturer premises. DEKRA will witness the testing sessions, analyse the results and issue the detailed official Interoperability Certificates and Test Reports. These Certificates are available to anyone looking to verify the interoperability of TETRA infrastructure and devices across multiple manufacturers and to inform purchasing decisions.
“DEKRA`s expertise in cellular communication technologies goes back to the times when GSM and TETRA were developed more than 35 years ago. Since these days, our teams have been part of all further standardization activities including conformance, interoperability and functional testing. TETRA has been important for public safety in Europe and colleagues working at DEKRA had been even involved in supporting the large scale deployment in Germany from 2009 onwards. Safety is part of our DNA and we are delighted to be the partner of TCCA”, said Thomas Jäger, Senior Vice President, Global Connectivity and ITS Technologies at DEKRA.
“It is clear that TETRA will remain as the world leading digital trunking solution for many years and therefore the need for ongoing IOP testing and certification, especially as the TETRA standard continues to be enhanced,” said TCCA CEO Kevin Graham. “We are pleased to have DEKRA, an expert global organisation, continue these important independent certification services.”
TCCA would like to thank DGTCSI-ISCTI (The General Directorate for Communications Technology and Information Security - Higher Institute for Communications and Information Technology), a division of the Government of Italy, which has provided TETRA IOP Certification services for TCCA and the TETRA manufacturers for more than 20 years.
“The critical communications market has witnessed TETRA's unwavering support for public safety agencies and critical enterprise sectors over the last decade,” said Ildefonso de la Cruz, principal analyst in the Public Safety & Critical Communications group at OMDIA. “But especially, over the past five years, TETRA’s performance has been nothing short of remarkable with a 13% growth in the number of active TETRA radios globally, overcoming major challenges like the global COVID-19 pandemic, and surpassing more than 5.2 million TETRA users worldwide.”
Through the output from its Working Groups, interoperability and certification programmes, and via its world-leading Critical Communications World event, TCCA members and partners set the agenda for the global development of critical communications.
Pictured: Kevin Graham, TCCA CEO, left, and Thomas Jäger, Senior Vice President, Global Connectivity and ITS Technologies at DEKRA, sign the new contract
About DEKRA
For 100 years, DEKRA has been a trusted name in safety. Founded in 1925 with the original goal of improving road safety through vehicle inspections, DEKRA has grown to become the world's largest independent, non-listed expert organization in the field of testing, inspection, and certification. Today, as a global partner, the company supports its customers with comprehensive services and solutions to drive safety and sustainability forward—fully aligned with DEKRA’s anniversary motto, "Securing the Future." In 2024, DEKRA is expected to generate revenue of 4.3 billion euros. Around 48,000 employees are providing qualified and independent expert services in approximately 60 countries across five continents. DEKRA holds a Platinum rating from EcoVadis, placing it among the top 1% of the world’s most sustainable companies.
