Wi-Fi Alliance Pre-Certification FAQ

1. What is Wi-Fi Alliance Pre-Certification testing?
2. How much does it cost?
3. What test plans do you offer?
4. How do I schedule Pre-Certification Testing?
5. Do I have to be a member of the Wi-Fi Alliance to have pre-certification testing performed on my device?
6. Do I have to be a member of BOTH the WFA and the WLAN Consortium to participate in Pre-Certification testing?
7. How do I become a member of UNH-IOL Wireless LAN Consortium?
8. What is the relationship between the WLAN Consortium and the WFA?
9. Why are the WFA Test Plans not available on your website?

The UNH-IOL has been chosen by the Wi-Fi Alliance (WFA) to perform official Wi-Fi pre-certification testing services to their members. For over 8 years, the UNH-IOL has been performing a variety of interoperability and conformance testing of wireless LAN products for industry.

Pre-Certification testing allows companies seeking to have products certified by the WFA to participate and do the same testing as would be conducted during the actual certification process, but with more engineering feedback, and less cost. This allows companies to work out and correct implementation issues that may cause their product to fail during the actual certification process, in a neutral laboratory environment where the WFA testbed(s) have been replicated and all the tools and procedures are available for use.

[Top]

For current members of the Wireless LAN Consortium at UNH-IOL who are in good standing, WFA testing is FREE!

For non-member companies seeking to use the Pre-Certification services of the UNH-IOL, there is a per test plan fee of $6,000.00 USD.

[Top]

For the current list of available test plans, please Click Here

[Top]

For active members UNH-IOL Wireless consortium members, complete instructions for requesting testing slots can be found on our Request for Testing page.

For non-members, please contact us for more information and to arrange for payment and testing. Contact information may be found here.

[Top]

Yes. Since pre-certification testing involves running the same test plans as formal certification testing, any company that desires pre-certification testing must be a member of the Wi-Fi Alliance. For more information on becoming a member of the Wi-Fi Alliance, please visit http://www.wi-fi.org

[Top]

No. Pre-Certification testing is available to any company that is a current member of the WFA, and is not required to be a member of the UNH-IOL WLAN Consortium. The UNH-IOL does offer pre-certification testing on a pay-per-test plan basis, however, we strongly recommend saving money and becoming a member of the UNH-IOL Wireless Consortium for all of your Wi-Fi testing needs.
To find out how your company can save money and reduce product time-to-market, please visit our Membership Benefits page.

[Top]

Prospective members must read and agree to the Wireless LAN Consortium Charter, then complete, sign and send us the Membership Application along with payment or purchase order for the membership fee.

For a more complete description on how to become a member, see our How To Join page.

[Top]

The Wireless LAN Consortium is a separate entity from the Wi-Fi Alliance, but supports the Alliances mission in promoting wireless LAN technology, specifically through the technical efforts related to interoperability and conformance testing relative to the various Wireless LAN specifications.

[Top]

The WFA test plans are not available on our website as they are the property of the WFA. You must be a member of the WFA to obtain access to them.

Please visit www.wi-fi.org for more information.

[Top]