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UL Accelerates Internet of Things Innovation with Bluetooth® Wireless Technology Testing

A woman uses wireless and interoperability services to operate a kitchen device with a smart phone.

September 4, 2018

NORTHBROOK, Ill., 30th August 2018 -- UL, a leading global safety science company, today announced that UL Verification Services, Inc. is the first Bluetooth Qualification Test Facility (BQTF) in the world to be recognized by Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) under the new qualification process. UL helps manufacturers improve user experience and minimize return rates by testing the market readiness of their Bluetooth products.

Bluetooth is a global wireless standard for Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Nearly 4 billion Bluetooth devices are expected to ship in 2018 across consumer, commercial, and industrial markets.[1] From pairing a mobile phone to a car’s infotainment system to connecting headphones to a smart television, consumers want seamless interoperability between their Bluetooth devices.

The UL laboratory in Fremont, California is equipped with Bluetooth SIG validated test equipment and a team of knowledgeable technical personnel to conduct Bluetooth tests. This ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory demonstrates technical competency in its testing capability.

Beyond Bluetooth testing, the full-service Fremont campus offers a comprehensive range of EMC and wireless testing services that can be customized to the client’s test requirements. UL’s Fremont facility features one of the largest EMC test chambers in North America and a unique High-Definition (HD) audio Verification laboratory.

Interoperability is an important aspect of IoT testing. At the UL Living Lab, a two-story, 2,500-square-foot furnished home that is part of the UL’s Fremont campus, engineers simulate a real-world environment where hundreds of IoT devices “talk” to each other. Manufacturers can test devices for interoperability with leading IoT protocols as well as smart home hubs.

Legacy Bluetooth Qualification Test Facilities and Bluetooth Recognized Test Facilities can only provide Bluetooth-related testing if they qualify under the new program by December 2018. UL is in the process of qualifying its other Bluetooth-testing facilities to meet the deadline.

About UL

UL fosters safe living and working conditions for people everywhere through the application of science to solve safety, security and sustainability challenges. The UL Mark engenders trust enabling the safe adoption of innovative new products and technologies. Everyone at UL shares a passion to make the world a safer place. We test, inspect, audit, certify, validate, verify, advise and train and we support these efforts with software solutions for safety and sustainability. To learn more about us, visit UL.com/CTECH.

[1] Bluetooth SIG press release, From Prototype to Global Standard – Bluetooth Celebrates 20 Years of Market Creation, January 9, 2018

CONTACT: Binyamin, Zena
North America Marketing Manager - Consumer Technology
P: (847) 664.6635
Zena.Binyamin@ul.com