Mobile Device

TRENDS
An analysis of GCF device certifications in 2021

By combining conformance and interoperability tests

undertaken in laboratories with field trials on multiple
commercial networks, GCF Certification verifies the quality
of the interoperability between mobile phones, wireless
or IoT devices across different network elements and
vendors’ infrastructure.

Hundreds and hundreds of different devices are certified

each year. The following is an analysis of GCF’s certification
listings which provides insight into current trends within
the mobile device market.

September 2022
 Mobile Device Trends 2021 2

Executive
SUMMARY
The Global Certification Forum (GCF) is the globally recognised quality mark
for the interoperability of mobile phones and other devices that incorporate
mobile connectivity.
As of June 2022, over 150 device manufacturers across 25 countries were participating in GCF. The GCF suite of certification
solutions is also recognised by operators with interests in global markets.
This annual review of Mobile Device Trends is based on an analysis of device certifications published by the Global
Certification Forum during 2021. The analysis provides insights into the mobile technologies and functionalities being
requested by operators and end-users across markets worldwide. It also takes into account the effect of Covid-19
on the sector and certifications.
A total of 609 devices from 89 manufacturers were certified by GCF in 2021. The following outlines the key findings:

5G:
• Now in its third year, the integration of 5G into devices
has continued to grow, but its speed of adoption is
starting to slow down. Compared with LTE, the speed of
5G adoption seems to be lower at the same stage.
• In the past, the number of devices supporting 5G
standalone (SA) was relatively low – 34% of 5G devices
in 2020. We are seeing this growing quickly, with 65%
of 5G devices certified in 2021 supporting SA. As of
June 2022, in our year-to-date figures we can see the
percentage supporting SA has climbed again, to 88%.
• 189 devices (31%, up from 21% in 2020) of all 2021
certified devices integrated 5G. This came from 43
vendors, up from 28 in 2020.
• Looking specifically at smartphones, in 2020 a lot of
smartphone models came in two variants (LTE and 5G),
which were certified separately. However, in 2021, we
typically see just one variant (5G) of smartphones, which
has contributed to the reduction in the number of total
certifications from 2020 to 2021.
Covid-19 and geo-political factors
• While 2020 was a record year for CGF certifications,
these numbers dipped slightly in 2021. However, the
number of certifications continued to grow at a relatively
steady rate when examined month by month and
quarter by quarter. We believe the pandemic did not
have a strong effect on the number of certifications in
2021, although restrictions on travel would have had
some impact, for example on access to field trials.
• We introduced processes to help our members
complete certifications, for example providing more
time to finish testing, and these changes have worked
well. We have kept these processes in place in 2022, as
multiple countries still have many Covid restrictions in
place.
• Sanctions on US technology had some impact in
2021, restricting access to hardware and software. We
did not see a big effect from this on the number of
manufacturers certifying devices, or the number of
products certified.
• The continued chip shortages have been a contributing
factor to the reduced number of devices certified in
2021.
LTE
• As in 2020, LTE was the most used wireless
communications standard in devices certified by GCF.
• In 2021, we did not see new features of LTE coming up
for certification, which shows that it is a stable, mature
technology.
• 88% of all devices (533) supported LTE.
• 100% of the LTE devices supported FDD-LTE. 78% (415)
supported TDD-LTE, up from 70% in 2020.

• VoLTE support was certified in 68% of LTE devices (363).
This is very similar to 2020, where 69% supported VoLTE.
• An additional 61 devices incorporated the cellular IoT
variant, LTE CAT M1.
3G (UMTS/ WCDMA)
• 3G certifications dropped slightly, with 79% of certified
devices implementing the standard, compared to 83%
in 2020. The standard’s continued resilience is surprising
given a long-term push by operators to replace 3G data
capacity with LTE and 5G.
• There was just one standalone 3G device certified
during 2021 (there were none in 2020).
• The penetration of HSDPA (78%) and HSUPA (74%)
was slightly down on 2020 (which had 81% and
80%, respectively); dual-cell HSDPA (64%) remained
approximately the same as 2020.
cdma2000
• There were no cdma2000 certifications in 2021, and GCF
discontinued cdma2000 certifications at the end
of 2021.
Mobile Device Trends 2021 3
GSM
• 64% of 2021 GCF certified devices incorporated GSM,
with only four standalone GSM devices.
• This continues the steady decline of GSM, down from
72% in 2020.
• EDGE penetration also dropped compared with 2020,
from 67% of devices to 60%.
Cellular IoT
• 2021 saw a continued increase in the number of devices
incorporating a cellular IoT standard.
• As in 2020, two standards dominated these
certifications, NB-IoT and LTE CAT M1 (FDD). These were
incorporated in 65 and 64 devices respectively.
• Conversely, LTE CAT M1 (TDD) and EC-GSM were not
included in any certified devices in 2021.
eSIM
• This was the third full year that the certification of eSIM
(RSP) devices has been possible.
• 83 devices were certified that supported RSP. This
compares with 69 RSP devices that were certified
in 2020.
• Additionally, 23 devices supported removable eUICC
and 70 supported non-removable eUICC.
 Mobile Device Trends 2021 4

Secure NFC Complexity / multi-mode devices

• Six smartphones (2% of all smartphones) were certified
that supported SIM-based (UICC) Secure NFC services
according to GSMA NFC specifications.
• Additionally, 30 smartphones (12% of all smartphones)
were certified that supported embedded secure
element NFC (eSE-NFC).
oneM2M
• In 2021, two products supporting oneM2M Release 1
were certified. Validation of Release 2 test cases has
been delayed, which has reduced the number of
oneM2M certifications.
• 93% of all devices certified in 2021 incorporated more
than one bearer technology.
• 71% of devices incorporated three or more
technologies.
• This reflects the continued need to support end-users
served by operators whose network infrastructures
include more than one generation of mobile
technology.

Number of bands in “average” (mean) GCF-certified device (across all devices)

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
GSM 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.2 3.1 3.1 3.2 3.7 3.4 3.7
3G 2.2 2.6 2.7 2.9 3.1 3.2 3.4 6.1 6.0 3.8
FDD-LTE 0.3 1.2 2.3 3.6 4.6 6.0 7.6 10.0 10.6 11.1
TDD-LTE 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.6 1.0 1.3 2.9 2.5 3.5
5G 0.1 1.7 10.7

Download a digital copy of this report at: https://www.globalcertificationforum.org/news/downloads.html

 Mobile Device Trends 2021 5

CONTENTS
1. General device trends: 6 8. Smartphones: 23
• Year on year growth • Smartphone growth
• 2021 certified devices by type • Smartphone complexity
• 2021 certified devices by mobile technology used • Mobile technologies incorporated

2. 5G: 10 9. Wireless modules: 25

• The rate of 5G incorporation • Wireless module growth
• How this compares with LTE • Module complexity
• Increasing numbers of 5G device manufacturers • Mobile technologies incorporated
• Breakdown of 5G devices by classification 10. The effect of Covid-19 on
• 5G NR bands certified device certifications 27
• 5G device complexity • Cumulative certifications

3. LTE: 14 11. Conclusion 28

• LTE appears to have plateaued
12. H
 ow GCF ensures compliance
• LTE bands used and interoperability 29
• LTE device complexity • About GCF
4. 3G: 17 • Who GCF works with
• Penetration of 3G • The GCF process
• 3G bands used • The benefit of GCF Certification
• 3G device complexity 13. Key GCF milestones 31
5. GSM: 19 14. GCF Device Certifications 31
• GSM continued its decline
15. Table of figures 32
• EDGE/ Quad-band GSM
16. Appendix – Summary of H1 2022 data 33
6. Cellular IoT: 20
• The adoption of cellular IoT standards continues
to grow

7. Device complexity: 21
• A further rise in overall complexity
• Single-mode devices
• Multi-mode devices
 Mobile Device Trends 2021 6

1. General device trends

1.1: Year on year growth

Despite the continuing impact of the pandemic, 2021 saw a record number of
device manufacturers undergoing certification of at least one device with GCF (89),
up 18.7% versus 2020.

The number of devices certified (609) was 14.8% down on 2020. This is partly due to
the continued shift to 5G: in 2020 we had seen many smartphones certified as both
4G and 5G versions, while in 2021 there were more 5G-only smartphones. There
was also an impact from the worldwide chip shortage, which has caused problems
across many industries.

GCF certified devices & certifying manufacturers 2002 - 2021

900 90

800 80

715
700 70
641 629
609
600 60

Certifying manufacturers
536 540
Number of devices

521
500 479 471 50
430 436
420
400 379 40
323
300 30
256
222
200 20
151
119
100 70 10
36

0 0
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

Number of devices Certifying manufacturers

Fig 1

GCF works with device manufacturers of all sizes, and three manufacturers certified 40 devices or more. Conversely,
51 manufacturers certified three devices or fewer. And of the 89 manufacturers certifying devices in 2021, 23 were
new members.
Comparing annual certifications against global device sales (source: Gartner) suggests there is a relationship between
the choice of devices in the global market and overall market size. We have also tracked certifications against sales for
the dominant class of device - smartphones (source: Gartner). All of the world’s top-10 smartphone manufacturers are
members of GCF and adhere to its principles.
 Mobile Device Trends 2021 7

Global device sales and device certifications 1999 - 2021

715 2000
700
641 629 1800
609
600 1600
536 540
521
1400
500 479 471

Device sales (millions)

Device certifications

420 430 436 1200

400 379
1000
323
300 800
256
222
600
200
151
119 400
100 70
36 200
12 24
0
0 0

2016

2018
1999

2019
2004

2014
2005

2015
2003

2013
2000

2010

2020
2002

2007

2012

2017
2001

2011

2021
2006

2008

2009

Device certifications Device sales (millions) Smartphone sales (millions)

Fig 2: Device sales source: “Gartner Worldwide Manufacturer Sales to End Users of Mobile Terminal Devices / Gartner Global smartphone sales
to end users 2007-2021”, collated by GCF.

1.2: 2021 certified devices by type

Smartphones continue to be the largest class of devices certified, and in 2021 they make up 43% of the devices certified,
down five percentage points on 2020.
This decrease in smartphone share is partly due to continued growth in the number of modules certified, up more than
three percentage points on 2020 to just under 30%. Nearly a third of the module total was made up of IoT modules.

2021 certified devices by type

Smartphone
Module
WLAN Router
Tablet
Feature Phone
Other (personal comms)
Wearable Device
Vehicular UE
Other IoT
Netbook/Notebook
IoT Platform
Dongle
IoT Chipset
Consumer Electronics
Medical

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

Proportion of certifications

Fig 3a
 Mobile Device Trends 2021 8

2020 certified devices by parent category

Other
6.0%

Other personal
comms
19.7%
Smartphones
47.6%

Modules
26.6%

2021 certified devices by parent category

Other
2.5%
Other personal
comms
25.1% Smartphones
42.5%

Modules
29.9%

Fig 3b and c

The number of smartphones certified decreased from 340 in 2020 to 259 in 2021. As previously mentioned, this is at least
partly due to more devices being 5G-only, rather than having 4G and 5G versions. Additionally, some global brands have
stopped or limited their certifications of smartphones.
15% of certifications were feature phones, tablets, notebooks, mobile gateways/ portable hotspots, USB modems and
other non-smartphone communication devices, down slightly on 20% in 2020.
This includes:
• Tablets, where the proportion of certifications rose slightly from 4.2% in 2020 to 4.8% in 2021
(although the number of devices certified fell very slightly from 30 to 29).
• Feature phones, where the proportion of certifications rose slightly from 3.1% in 2020 to 4.1% in 2020
(the number of devices certified rose from 22 to 25).
 Mobile Device Trends 2021 9

1.3: 2021 certified devices by mobile technology used

As in 2020, LTE has again retained its crown as the most commonly integrated standard - see section 3.

Proportion of 2021 certified devices incorporating each mobile technology

100%

90% 88%

79%
80% 78%
74%

70% 68%
64% 64% 63%
60%
60%

50%

40%

30% 28%

20%
11% 11%
10%
3%
0% 0% 0%
0%

T
E

3G

E
PA

PA

00
PA
SM

1
E

1
e)
n

-Io

Io
G

LT

LT

TM

TM
io

av
av

20

B-
U

SD
D
ED
G

at

SM
D

D
HS
HS

A
A
A

N
W
W
TD
FD

g
-H

C
M

-G
re

m
C

E
E
gg

(m

EC
D

LT

LT
C
b
ra

D
5G
u

TD
FD
(s
rie

5G
ar
C

Fig 4
 Mobile Device Trends 2021 10

2. 5G
2.1: The rate of 5G incorporation

The rate of 5G incorporation has continued to increase, with the standard included in
31% of devices (189) certified, versus 21% in 2020, and just 2.5% in 2019.

Additionally, 65% (123) of 5G devices supported standalone 5G; and 10% (19) of 5G devices enabled access to FR2 5G
frequencies, also referred to as high or FR2 bands.
GCF offers certification for standalone 5G as well as dual connectivity between 5G and LTE and the many inter-band
configurations related to these.

How 5G penetration compares with LTE

100%

90% 88% 88%

84% 85%

80% 76%

69%
70%

60%
53%

50%

39%
40%

31%
30%

21%
20%
15%

10%
3% 2%
0%
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10

5G devices as % of all devices LTE devices as % of all devices

Fig 5a

2.2: How this compares with LTE

This is the third year in which 5G services have been available to the public.
LTE was launched at the end of 2009, with the first LTE device certifications completed by GCF in Q1 2011. Nine LTE
certifications were made that year, representing 1.9% of the total. The following year this increased to 15%, with the
technology becoming a dominant standard in 2017.
GCF announced its first 5G certification in Q2 2019, with 16 devices certified through the year (2.5% of all certifications). In
2020, we saw a big jump to 20.8% of certified devices supporting 5G, thus outpacing the rise of LTE.
While the adoption of 5G is still fast, it is now lagging behind LTE’s progress in year three, with 189 5G devices certified in
2021, representing 31% of all devices certified.
 Mobile Device Trends 2021 11

In the early stages of 5G deployment, there was a high proportion of devices classed as NSA (Non-Standalone), while more
recently, in 2021, there has been a shift with more devices supporting 5G Standalone (SA). This reflects the rollout of more
5G SA networks by mobile operators, with launches in 2021 including networks in Germany, Finland, Australia, Spain, and
the UK.
Figure 5b shows the increasing percentage of 5G devices certified by GCF which are SA, over the last two years. In 2021,
123 of the 189 5G devices certified were SA, which is 65% of the 5G devices.

5G devices certified by quarter

60 100%

90%

50
80%

70%
40

60%

30 50%

40%

20
30%

20%
10

10%

0 0%
2020 Q1 2020Q2 2020 Q3 2020 Q4 2021 Q1 2021 Q2 2021 Q3 2021 Q4

5G SA SA as % of 5G

Fig 5b

2.3: Increasing numbers of 5G device manufacturers

In 2020, 28 device manufacturers developed and certified 5G devices with GCF, and over two thirds of these companies
(21) submitted at least two. Nine manufacturers certified five or more.
In 2021, 43 device manufacturers certified 5G devices with GCF, and 27 submitted at least two. Fifteen manufacturers
certified five or more.
 Mobile Device Trends 2021 12

2.4: Breakdown of 5G devices by classification

5G certifications by type
Consumer Electronics IoT Platform
1% 1%

Vehicular UE
1%
Tablet WLAN Router
4% 12% Module
21%

Netbook/Notebook
1%
Other (personal comms)
4%
Other IoT
1%

Smart Phone
54%

Fig 6

In 2019 94% of 5G certifications were predominantly for either smartphones (63%, 10 devices) or mobile gateways and
hotspots (31%, five devices).
In 2020, most (84%) of 5G certifications were for smartphones (106 of the 149 certified 5G devices, 71%), and modules
(twenty devices, 13%).
In 2021, the number of smartphones certified has stayed almost the same (103), but the growth in 5G certifications overall
means this is now only 54% of the total. Modules have grown their share to 21% (40 devices), and WLAN routers make up
12% (23 devices, up from 4.7% in 2020).

2.5: 5G NR bands certified

Incorporating multiple bands expands the potential market for a given device and with certification actively underway
for 14 of the 55 5G NR bands, GCF is being used to certify devices destined for use in all the leading mobile markets
worldwide.
The GCF programme enables the certification of devices designed to operate in both FR1 (also referred to as low and high
bands) and FR2 bands, as well as for standalone and non-standalone usage.
During 2021, devices using 26 of the FR1 and four of the FR2 bands were certified. Bands of particular note include:
• n78 (3500 MHz), which was in 153 devices (81%), was the most commonly incorporated band
• n5 (850 MHz) was the second most commonly incorporated band, featuring in 141 certified devices (75% of 5G devices).
• n1 (2100 MHz), n3 (1800 MHz) and n41 (2500 MHz) were the next most certified 5G bands, and each was incorporated
in 132 5G devices (70%).
• In the FR2 spectrum, the Ka bands n260 (39 GHz) and n261 (28 GHz) were incorporated in all 19 of the 19 FR2 devices.
• Certified devices used 16 frequency division duplex (FDD) bands and nine FR1 time division duplex (TDD) bands.
Additionally, (as stated) four FR2 bands were adopted in certified devices.
 Mobile Device Trends 2021 13

Number of 5G devices incorporating each band

180

160

140

120

100

80

60

40

20

8
0

6
7
1

9
8

5
9

58
5

8
n1

n5

4
n8

6
7

0
0

6
57

59
n7

4
4

61
2

3
8

60
n3
n2

n7
n4

n7

n9
n4
n1

n5
n5

n8
n8
n8
n6

n7

n9
n9

n9
n2

n7
n4
n3
n2
n1
n1

n8
n8
n8
n6

n7

n7

n7

n9

n9
n4
n3

n3
n2

n2

n5

n8
n7

n9
n4
n3
n2

n2
n2

n2
n2
n2
FR2 SUL TDD FDD SDL

Fig 7

2.6: 5G device complexity

Of the 189 certified 5G devices, 188 supported E-UTRA-NR dual connectivity (EN-DC).
Looking at 5G SA devices that were certified (and excluding several devices where the submitted data was incomplete),
we can see that the mean number of 5G bands per 5G SA device was 10.9, up slightly on 10.2 in 2020, with 30 devices
supporting 12 or more 5G bands.
19 devices were able to use the FR2 frequency bands and all 19 of these were able to access the n260 Ka band
(all supporting use on both the 28 and 39 GHz bands).
The average complexity of FR2 capable devices increased, with these 19 devices allowing the use of 12.7 bands
on average.

Multiband deployments of 5G NR (5G SA device)

20 19

18

16

14
Number of devices

12

10 9 9

8
6
6 5 5 5 5
4 4 4
4
2 2
2 1 1 1 1
0 0
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

Number of 5G NR bands

Fig 8 
 Mobile Device Trends 2021 14

3. LTE
3.1: LTE appears to have plateaued

The penetration of LTE in certified devices has continued to plateau in 2021, with the
standard being integrated into 88% of all certified devices (as in 2019 and 2020), and
LTE retaining its position as the most integrated standard.

While it is holding steady for now, it will be interesting to see if this share falls as 5G continues its growth and begins to
replace LTE for data communications, or if it stays at this level for the short-to-midterm future.

LTE certifications 2011-21

700 100.0%

628
90.0%
600
548 551
533 80.0%
Number of LTE devices (exc LTE M1)

500 70.0%
437
60.0%
400 370 360
50.0%

300 282
40.0%

200 30.0%
171

20.0%
100
66
10.0%
9
0 0.0%
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

LTE devices LTE devices as % of all devices

Fig 9

In 2021, 533 certified devices supported LTE. An additional 61 devices incorporated the cellular IoT variant, LTE CAT M1.
As in 2019 and 2020, FDD-LTE was supported in all of these devices. TDD-LTE was incorporated into 78% of them (415
devices), up from 70% in 2020, 66% in 2019 and 62% in 2018. And while all TDD-LTE capable devices also incorporated
FDD-LTE, the proportion supporting simultaneous FDD/TDD operation is 55%. This is up from 49% in 2020.
There was also a decrease in certifications supporting Gigabit LTE, with 70 Category 16 / Category 18 devices certified,
down from 125 in 2020, but still up from 50 in 2019 and just six in 2017.
VoLTE operation was certified in 68% of LTE devices (363), which is very similar to 2020 when 69% of devices supported it.
 Mobile Device Trends 2021 15

3.2: LTE bands used

The GCF scheme enables the certification of devices designed to operate in 25 FDD-LTE and sub bands and nine
TDD-LTE bands.
During 2021, all bands covered by the GCF scheme had devices certified. Bands of note include:
• Band 3 (1800 MHz) became the most certified LTE band. It features in 469 LTE devices (88% of LTE devices and 77% of
all devices).
• Band 7 (2600 MHz) dropped down to become the second most certified LTE band, incorporated in 464 devices (87% of
LTE devices and 76% of all devices).
• Band 1 (2100 MHz) became the third most incorporated band, regaining its lead over Band 5. Band 1 featured in 462
devices (87% of LTE devices).
• Band 28, the APT 700 MHz band, which has been allocated in major markets in Latin America and Asia Pacific including
Brazil, Argentina, Japan, Korea, India, the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand was certified in 378 devices (71% of LTE
devices and 62% of all devices), up on 2020 (which saw 57% of devices able to utilise the band).

Proportion of certified LTE devices incorporating each LTE band

100%

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%
Ba 4 0

Ba 4 7
Ba 1 3
Ba 4

Ba 1 2

Ba 4 3
Ba 1 1

Ba 1 8

Ba 2 1

Ba 2 5

Ba d 2 8

Ba 38

Ba 4 2
Ba 4 1
Ba 3

48
Ba 2

Ba 1 7

Ba 1 9

Ba 2 0

Ba 2 6

Ba 30

Ba 39
Ba 1

Ba 5

Ba 8

Ba 1 4

Ba 2 8 A

Ba 8 B

Ba 6 6

Ba 34
Ba 6
Ba 7

Ba 32
nd
nd

nd

nd

nd
nd

nd
nd

2
nd
nd

nd

nd

nd

nd

nd

nd
nd

nd
nd

nd

nd

nd

nd

nd

nd

nd
nd

nd

nd
nd

nd
nd
n
Ba

nd

FDD TDD

Fig 10
 Mobile Device Trends 2021 16

3.3: LTE device complexity

In general, the number of certified bands in LTE devices continued to increase

during 2021.

Of the 533 devices incorporating LTE, 530 (99% of LTE devices – the same percentage as in 2020) incorporated three or
more LTE bands, while 98% incorporated five or more bands (same as 2020), and (over) half of LTE devices incorporated
13 or more bands (versus 11 bands in 2020 incorporated in half of the LTE devices).

Multi-band deployment of LTE (excluding LTE Cat M1)

50
46
45

40 39
37 37
36
35
Number of devices

30
27
26 26
25 23 23
22
20
20 19
18 18
17
16
15
15 14
12
10
10
7
6 6
5 3 3
2 2 2
1
0 0 0
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33
Number of LTE bands

Fig 11

The modal number of LTE (excluding LTE Cat M1) bands is ten (up from nine in 2020), and a slightly bimodal distribution is
occurring, with 89 devices deploying 22+ bands (up slightly from 86 in 2020). 367 (69% of LTE devices) incorporated 10 or
more FDD-LTE bands; up from 61% in 2020 and 51% in 2019. 214 devices supported 15 or more FDD-LTE bands; up from
201 in 2020 and 115 in 2019.
In 2021, the average (mean) LTE device incorporated 13.8 LTE bands, up from 12.7 in 2020.
With such a wide diversity of bands, the number of potential inter- and intra-band Carrier Aggregation (CA) combinations
is enormous. GCF has developed a flexible certification framework which enables manufacturers to demonstrate their
devices will work effectively in CA band combinations deployed by network operators. The number of devices deploying
Carrier Aggregation increased in the past year with 382 devices certified (62% of LTE device certifications), very similar to
2020, which had 61% (383 devices) deploying Carrier Aggregation.
 Mobile Device Trends 2021 17

4. 3G
4.1: Penetration of 3G

Manufacturers are still embracing 3G, despite operators prioritising LTE and 5G for data
delivery. Certifications for 3G (UMTS/ WCDMA) stood at 79% (484 devices) in 2021,
slightly down on 83% in 2020.

3G is typically included as a voice-call fallback for VoLTE devices when roaming, with just one standalone 3G device
being certified during 2021 (there were none in 2020).
Certification of HSDPA and HSUPA were down slightly versus 2020, with 78% (472 devices) and 74% (451 devices)
incorporating each respectively. This represents 98% and 93% of 3G devices. The penetration of dual-cell HSDPA
remained about the same at 64% of all devices, within 1 percentage point of 2020.

4.2: 3G bands used

Bands of note include:
• Band 1 (2100 MHz) featured in 448 certified 3G devices (74% of all devices and 93% of 3G-capable devices), very
slightly up on 2020.
• Band 8 (900 MHz) again remained the second most frequently certified 3G band – in 447 devices (73% of all devices
and 92% of all 3G devices), very slightly up on 2020.
• Band 5 (850 MHz) was again the most commonly certified US 3G band, this is used in 420 (69% of devices certified in
2021), down four points vs 2020.

Proportion of certified 3G devices incorporating each 3G band

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

UTRA BAND 1 (2100) 93%

UTRA BAND 2 (1900) 75%

UTRA BAND 5 (850) 87%

UTRA BAND 6 (800) 23%

UTRA BAND 8 (900) 92%

UTRA BAND 9 (1700) 6%

Fig 12
 Mobile Device Trends 2021 18

4.3: 3G device complexity

Two or more 3G bands were certified in all devices deploying 3G.
The number of bands considered for UTRA certification has been reduced by GCF, due to the sunsetting of technology. For
2021, in Figure 13, we are including bands FDDI, FDDII, FDDV, FDDVI, FDDVII, and FDDIX.
The modal number of bands is four in 2021, and 328 devices (68% of 3G devices) were certified with four or more 3G
bands.

Multi-band deployments of 3G
250
228

200
Number of devices

150

100 88
74
67

50
27

0 0 0 0 0
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Number of 3G bands

Fig 13
 Mobile Device Trends 2021 19

5. GSM
5.1: GSM continued its decline

The penetration of GSM declined steadily from 2008/2009 (when 100% of devices
included the standard) to 2020 (when just 72% of devices did).

2021 saw the decline continue, with 64% of devices including the standard, and only four GSM standalone devices
certified.

Devices incorporating GSM and quad-band GSM 2006 - 2021

600 100%

516
503
494
483
471 468

450 75%
413 415 417 420
397 392
379

322

300 50%

253

220

150 25%

0 0%
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

Number of certified GSM devices GSM % Quad GSM %

Fig 14

5.2: EDGE/ Quad-band GSM

EDGE was certified in 365 devices (60% of all devices, down from 67% in 2020).
Certifications for Quad-band GSM devices saw a decrease, with 331 certifications (54% of all devices, versus 62% in 2020,
65% in 2019 and 56% in 2018).
 Mobile Device Trends 2021 20

6. Cellular IoT
6.1: The adoption of cellular IoT standards continues to grow

Cellular IoT has been widely adopted globally, and those devices based on 2, 3 and 4G
technologies are set to be enhanced further with the arrival of 5G networks: improving
not just in terms of speed, but in latency and reliability.

The number of devices connected by Massive IoT and other emerging cellular technologies is forecast to reach 4.1 billion
by 2024 and the growth in certified devices reflects this - Source Ericsson.
This is the 5th year that GCF has certified the cellular IoT standards LTE CAT M1 (FDD), LTE CAT M1 (TDD), NB-IoT and
EC-GSM.
In this time the number of devices has increased significantly, with NB-IoT certifications increasing more than 10-fold,
and LTE CAT M1 (FDD) increasing more than 20-fold:
• NB-IoT was featured in 65 devices certified this year (up from 56 in 2020 and five in 2017)
• LTE CAT M1 (FDD) featured in 64 (slightly down from 66 in 2020, but up from three in 2017)
But, these two standards dominate. LTE CAT M1 (TDD) was not included in any devices certified in 2021 (there was just one
in 2020); and EC-GSM was also not in any devices (there were three in 2020).

Cellular IoT standard growth 2017 - 2021

70
66
65
64

60
56

50
45

40
37

30

22

20 19

10
6 6
5
3 3 3
2
1 1 1
0 0
0
NB-IoT LTE CAT M1 (FDD) LTE CAT M1 (TDD) EC-GSM

2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

Fig 15
 Mobile Device Trends 2021 21

7. Device complexity
7.1: A further rise in overall complexity

Devices on average have continued to increase in complexity for several years.

2021 continued this trend overall, although the proportion of certifications for devices supporting four or more bearer
technologies dipped slightly to 18%, from 20% in 2020.

Incidence of multi-mode, multi-band devices 2021 vs 2020

60% 60

53%
51%
50% 50

40% 40

30% 30

21%
20% 18% 18% 20
16%

12%

10% 10
7%

3%
0.3%
0% 0
1 2 3 4 5
Number of bearer technologies
Proportion of devices 2021 2020 Mean number of bands per device 2020 Mean number of bands per device 2021

Fig 16 - Bearer technologies have been classified as 2G (GSM/ EDGE), 3G (WCDMA/ UTRA/ HSDPA/ HSUPA),
4G (LTE FDD/ LTE TDD), 5G, CDMA2000, NB-IoT, LTE M1 (TDD/ FDD), EC-GSM

7.2: Single-mode devices

The proportion of single mode devices fell in 2021, down to 7% from 12% of devices in 2020. These single-mode devices
are predominantly Cellular IoT (15 devices), and LTE systems (26 devices).
There was one standalone 3G device (that only supports 3G and no other modes), up from none in 2020. There were no
5G-only devices in 2021, the same as in 2020.
The complexity of single mode devices decreased slightly, with the mean number of bands in 2021 being 5.8, down from
6.5 in 2020, but still higher than 5.0 in 2019 and 3.7 in 2018.
 Mobile Device Trends 2021 22

7.3: Multi-mode devices

The complexity of devices, in terms of the number of bearer technologies, is once again rising.
As in 2020, 2019 and 2018, the modal number of bearer technologies per device was three, however the proportion of
systems employing four or more bearer technologies has more than doubled in the last couple of years, from 8.5% in 2019
to 18% this year.
The number of implemented bands used in the average device is also up slightly. Certified devices now have a mean of
21.8 frequency bands, compared to 19.8 in 2020.
This figure increases to 37.7 bands for devices supporting four bearer technologies (up from 32.1 in 2020).
The highest number of implemented bands in 2021 was 68.
 Mobile Device Trends 2021 23

8. Smartphones
8.1: Smartphone growth

Smartphones have consistently represented the largest category of devices certified

by GCF. 2021 continued this trend, with the category representing 42.5% of all
certifications, although this was down on 2020’s figure of 48%.

A total of 259 smartphones were certified in 2021, down from 340 in 2020.
These 259 devices came from 30 manufacturers. Almost half (45%) of the certified smartphones were developed by just
two manufacturers. And 70% of smartphones certified were made by just five manufacturers.

Year on year handset certification growth

400 80%

300 60%

200 40%

100 20%

0 0%
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

Handsets Smartphones Feature phones Smartphones as a % of all certified devices

Fig 17

8.2: Smartphone complexity

Smartphones are also significantly more complex than the average device, with 97% of smartphones integrating three or
more bearer technologies, versus 53% for non-smartphone devices.
However, the number of bands per device is now lower for smartphones, while in previous years it was higher than for
non-smartphone devices. Smartphones with three bearer technologies used spectrum across an average of 19.7 bands;
for non-smartphone devices this figure is 21.3. This appears to be due to the high number of modules being certified that
support many bands.
Due to the very small number (11) of non-smartphone devices that support four or more bearer technologies, it is not
possible to compare without being affected by skews.
 Mobile Device Trends 2021 24

Complexity of smartphones vs other devices - 2021

70% 60

60% 58%
50

50%
50%
40

40% 39%
36%
30

30%

20
20%

11% 10
10%

2% 3%
1%
0% 0%
0% 0
1 2 3 4 5

Number of bearer technologies

Smartphones non-smartphones Mean number of bands per smartphone Mean bands per non-smartphone

Fig 18

8.3: Mobile technologies incorporated

The increased level of complexity of smartphones can also be highlighted by examining the proportion of devices using
each mobile technology and comparing it against non-smartphone devices.
FDD LTE is again the dominant mobile technology. Additionally, 96 smartphone designs support 5G.

Proportion of 2021 certified devices incorporating each mobile technology - smartphone vs non-smartphone

100%
100% 97% 97% 96%
92%
90% 89%
90% 87%

79%
80%

70% 67%
64%
62% 63%63%
60%
54%

50% 46%

40%
40% 36%
34%

30%
23%
19% 18%
20%

10%
3% 3%
0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
0%
GSM EDGE 3G HSDPA HSUPA DC-HSDPA FDD LTE TDD LTE Carrier 5G (sub 5G CDMA2000 EC-GSM-IoT NB-IoT FDD LTE CAT TDD LTE CAT
aggregation mmWave) (mmWave) M1 M1

smartphone certifications non-smartphone

Fig 19
 Mobile Device Trends 2021 25

9. Wireless modules
9.1: Wireless module growth

Since 2020, GCF has included IoT modules among the general module category.
In total, there were 182 modules certified in 2021; representing just under 30%
of the total, up from 27% in 2020.

In 2021, 71% of module certifications came from just four companies (down from 84% in 2020, but similar to 70% from the
top four manufacturers in 2019). Additionally, the top four module manufacturers were among GCF’s top 10 manufacturers
by number of certifications.

Module certifications 2011 to 2021

200 35%
190
182
180
169
30%
160

140 135 25%

120
20%
102
100
89
79 82 15%
80

59
60 10%
41 40
40
5%
20

0 0%
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

Modules Modules as a % of certified devices

Fig 20

9.2: Module complexity

As with certified devices generally, a variety of multi-mode, multi-band modules are currently being offered to the market.
26 of the 182 certified modules (14%) were single-mode, down substantially on 32% in 2020. 32% in 2021 incorporated two
bearer technologies (very similar to 31% in 2020) and 51% in 2021 included three (up substantially on 37% in 2020).
 Mobile Device Trends 2021 26

Complexity of modules vs other devices - 2021

60% 60

54%

51%
50% 50

40% 40

32%

30% 30

25%

20% 20
16%
14%

10% 10

4%
2%
0% 0%
0% 0
1 2 3 4 5
Number of bearer technologies

non-modules modules Mean number of bands per module Mean bands per non-module

Fig 21

The number of frequency bands per module certified has risen compared with recent years, now standing at 17.6 per
module (up from 14.2 in 2020). The maximum number of frequency bands for a module was 51.

9.3: Mobile technologies incorporated

The average module is significantly less complex than the average device, and this can also be observed in the proportion
of devices supporting each mobile technology.
As per 2020, FDD LTE is the most commonly certified bearer technology in modules, with 64% of modules incorporating it
in 2021, compared to 63% in 2020. In 2021, 53% of modules incorporated 3G (UTRA) versus 57% in 2020, and in 2021, 38%
incorporated GSM, versus 44% in 2020.

Proportion of 2021 certified devices incorporating each mobile technology - module vs non-module

100% 97%

91%
90% 88%
84%
81%
80% 77% 76%
75%
70%
70%
64%

60%
53% 52%
51%
50%

38% 38%
40%
35% 34%
31% 31% 31%
30%

20%
20%

10%
4% 3%
2%
0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
0%
GSM EDGE 3G HSDPA HSUPA DC-HSDPA FDD LTE TDD LTE Carrier 5G (sub 5G (mmWave) CDMA2000 EC-GSM-IoT NB-IoT FDD LTE CAT TDD LTE CAT
aggregation mmWave) M1 M1

module certifications non-module

Fig 22
 Mobile Device Trends 2021 27

10. The effect of Covid-19 on

device certifications
While 2020 was a record year for GCF certifications, these numbers dipped slightly
in 2021. However, the number of certifications continued to grow at a relatively
steady rate when examined month by month and quarter by quarter

Cumulative certifications in year

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0
Jan 2021 Feb 2021 Mar 2021 Apr 2021 May 2021 Jun 2021 Jul 2021 Aug 2021 Sep 2021 Oct 2021 Nov 2021 Dec 2021

Fig 23

We therefore do not think the outbreak had a significant effect on certifications.

It is not possible to say if any decrease in 2021 was caused by a transition to working from home (forcing manufacturers
to prioritise the certification of 5G-devices), or if the dip was caused by an industry refocus towards 5G that would have
occurred anyway.
 Mobile Device Trends 2021 28

11. Conclusion
In a global mobile ecosystem that now embraces multiple distinct bearer technologies
deployed across numerous frequency bands, GCF certification provides a practical
and industry-recognised means of ensuring devices will interoperate correctly with
networks and meet the performance expectations of end-users.

In 2021, the average GCF-certified device incorporated 2.8 bearer technologies (the same as 2020) and operated across
21.8 frequency bands (up from 19.8 in 2020).
Demonstrating the conformance and interoperability of today’s sophisticated multi-mode, multi-band smartphones,
modules and vehicles to the satisfaction of the world’s mobile operators and governments is therefore essential. And this
GCF Device Analysis shows that its solutions remain relevant to the pre-launch testing of relatively simpler single-mode and
even single-band devices.
With 2022 set to see a significant rise in the number and penetration of 5G devices, coupled with its use in vehicle-to-
vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure systems, the need to demonstrate this conformance and interoperability remains
paramount.
 Mobile Device Trends 2021 29

12. How GCF ensures compliance

and interoperability
12.1: About GCF

Founded in 1999, the Global Certification Forum (GCF) is the globally-recognised

quality mark for the interoperability of mobile phones and other devices that
incorporate mobile connectivity.

GCF Certification is based on test cases defined by recognised standards organisations such as 3GPP, GSMA, OMA, NFC
Forum, oneM2M and TCCA. GCF operator and manufacturer members identify and agree a selection of available test cases
for each technology and functionality to be brought within the scope of the scheme to deliver a robust but pragmatic
testing regime that meets market needs.
GCF Certification comprises lab-based conformance and interoperability testing complemented by field-trial testing on
live commercial networks.

12.2: Who GCF works with

As of June 2022, over 150 device manufacturers are participating in GCF. The GCF suite of certification solutions is also
recognised by operators with interests in global markets.
A number of GCF operator members have undertaken studies to evaluate device performance on their networks
monitoring features such as RSCP, Ec/lo, dropped calls etc. These studies have shown that devices from GCF members
perform significantly better than devices from non-member companies.
GCF members are spread across the globe.

Fig 24
 Mobile Device Trends 2021 30

12.3: The GCF process

Common, rigorous and trusted certification criteria promote harmonisation of operator acceptance testing schemes. By
minimising duplication, GCF Certification reduces acceptance testing costs and contributes to improved economies of scale
for device manufacturers.
The initiative provides a consistent, optimised, flexible, scalable framework for certifying any mobile device: from a simple
single-mode low-cost handset to sophisticated multi-mode, multi-band smartphones, tablets, wireless routers, IoT modules
and products.

12.4: The benefit of GCF Certification

By adopting GCF Certification into its quality management system, a manufacturer can be marketed to the customers of
multiple network operators worldwide. In national markets where operators are not directly involved in the marketing of
devices, distributors can reduce their after-sales service overheads by prioritising products that have been shown to meet
GCF’s globally recognised benchmark of conformance and interoperability.
Originally developed for GSM, GCF certification broadened to cover newer technologies as they were adopted:
GPRS, EDGE, 3G UMTS (WCDMA), HSPA, 4G LTE, LTE-Advanced, and LTE-Advanced Pro and more recently, e-Sim
and 5G (FR1 and Ka band).
More recently, GCF has added vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure compliance testing, and also MCPTT.
GCF can also certify standards-based client applications such as RCS and NFC.
The effective use of frequency bands, and the handling of the growing number of band combinations available in devices/
to networks is assisted by the GCF initiative, which provides an effective method for verifying the correct operation of
Carrier Aggregation currently up to 5CA.
The quality of interoperability assured by the programme facilitates successful international and national roaming for
end users.
 Mobile Device Trends 2021 31

13. Key GCF milestones:

Date Event
June 2021 C-V2X Automotive programme launched
December 2020 Consumer IoT security programme launched
March 2020 First IoT chipset certified
July 2019 First 5G device capable of accessing FR2 bands certified
April 2019 First 5G device certified
September 2018 GCF and TTA announce global certification solution for oneM2M
August 2018 First RSP eSIM consumer device certified
May 2018 GCF introduces MVNO membership categories
February 2018 RSP eSIM certification for consumer devices introduced
December 2017 GCF starts development of 5G device certification
September 2017 First LTE CAT M1 device certified
March 2017 First NB-IoT device certified
February 2017 Platform Certification introduced
December 2016 Certification of first device supporting Carrier Aggregation
December 2014 First CDMA2000 devices certified.
October 2013 Certification for client applications introduced
October 2012 First dual-mode FDD/TDD LTE device certified
September 2011 First LTE TDD device certified
March 2011 First LTE FDD device certified
Aug 2008 First HSUPA device certified
Jun 2008 First HSDPA device certified
Feb 2006 First 3G device certified
May 2000 Certification of first device – GSM
1999 GCF Founded

Fig 25

14. GCF Device Certifications

Certified devices are listed on the GCF website at:
https://www.globalcertificationforum.org/services/3gpp-certifications/all-3gpp-certifications.html

A list of certified modules suitable for adding mobile connectivity to other products and qualifying for GCF’s optimised
certification scheme can be found at:
https://www.globalcertificationforum.org/services/3gpp-certifications/modules-and-iot-chipsets.html
 Mobile Device Trends 2021 32

15. Table of figures

1. General device trends:
• Fig 1: Number of devices certified/ manufacturers certifying equipment with GCF 6
• Fig 2: Comparison of GCF certifications and global device sales  7
• Fig 3 a,b,c: Breakdown of certifications by class of device 7/8
• Fig 4: Breakdown by mobile technology penetration 9
2. 5G:
• Fig 5a: 5G penetration compared with LTE 10
• Fig 5b: 5G devices certified by quarter 11
• Fig 6: Breakdown of 5G certifications by class of device 12
• Fig 7: Number of 5G devices incorporating each band 13
• Fig 8: Multi-band deployments of 5G NR (5G SA device) 13
3. LTE:
• Fig 9: LTE certifications 2011 - 2021 14
• Fig 10: Proportion of certified LTE devices incorporating each LTE band 15
• Fig 11: Multi-band deployments of LTE 16
4. 3G:
• Fig 12: Proportion of certified 3G devices incorporating each 3G band 17
• Fig 13: Multi-band deployments of 3G 18
5. GSM:
• Fig 14: Devices incorporating GSM and Quad-band GSM 19
6. Cellular IoT:
• Fig 15: Cellular IoT standard growth - 2017 to 2021 20
7. Device complexity:
• Fig 16: Incidence of multi-mode, multi-band devices 2021 vs 2020 21
8. Smartphone breakdown:
• Fig 17: Year on year handset certification growth - (breakdown for smartphones from 2016) 23
• Fig 18: Complexity of smartphones vs other devices 24
• Fig 19: Proportion of certified devices incorporating each mobile technology 24
9. Wireless module breakdown:
• Fig 20: Module certifications 2011 to 2021 25
• Fig 21: Complexity of modules/ non-module devices certified in 2021 26
• Fig 22: Proportion of devices supporting each mobile technology – module vs non-module 26
10. The effect of Covid-19 on device certifications
• Fig 23: Cumulative monthly certifications - 2021 27
12. How GCF ensures compliance and interoperability:
• Fig 24: GCF members worldwide by country 29
13. Key milestones
• Fig 25: Key GCF milestones 31
 Mobile Device Trends 2021 33

16 Appendix –
summary of H1 2022 data
16.1: Introduction

Until now, GCF has published an annual report on mobile device trends. From 2022
onwards, we intend to also publish a shorter summary report after quarter 1 and 2
focusing on selected areas of interest.

This section covers H1 2022.

16.2: Device types

In H1 2022, 318 devices were certified by 51 manufacturer members. The breakdown of these devices by type is shown
in Fig A1.
This shows that in H1 2022, the percentage of devices that are smartphones remained at 43%, the same as in 2021,
while the proportion of modules went up from 30% in 2021 to 34% in H1 2022.

H1 2022 device types

Others
17%

WLAN routers
6%
Smartphones
43%

Modules
34%

Fig A1

16.3: 5G trends
The percentage of certified devices supporting 5G is growing and reached 40% in Q2 2022, compared with 26%
in Q1 2022.
33% (105/318) supported 5G while 92% (291/318) supported LTE in H1 2022. One 5G product did not support LTE.
We were getting close to the milestone of 90% of all 5G devices supporting standalone (SA) in Q1 2022 with 87%
supporting SA. The Milestone was met in Q2 2022– of the 59 5G devices certified in Q2 2022, 55 supported SA,
which is 93% (see Fig A2).
 Mobile Device Trends 2021 34

5G devices certified by quarter

70 100%

90%
60

80%

50
70%

60%
40

50%

30
40%

30%
20

20%

10
10%

0 0%
2020 Q1 2020 Q2 2020 Q3 2020 Q4 2021 Q1 2021 Q2 2021 Q3 2021 Q4 2022 Q1 2022 Q2

5G SA SA as % of 5G
Fig A2

There were six 5G devices that support mmWave in Q1 2022, which is 9% of the 69 5G devices certified. As a percentage,
this is about the same as the 10% of 5G devices that supported mmWave in 2021 (19 out of 189 5G devices), but the
numbers of devices are too small to reliably draw any inferences about any trend here.

16.4: Update on other Activities

GCF started the introduction work items for support of connectivity option 4 5G NE-DC (NR – E-UTRA Dual Connectivity) in
Q2 2022 with the target to activate certification in Q4 2022.
Working with TCCA and its members, GCF expects to launch certification of the 3GPP Mission Critical Services in late 2022.
During 2022, GCF is expected to retain the measures put in place to address the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, it is expected that physical meetings of the forum will start again in Q4 2022. GCF will have a physical presence at
industry events in the second half of 2022.
Mobile Device Trends 2021 35
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