The Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) is contributing to the development of the optical communication components industry for the commercialization of 5G mobile communications and is establishing itself as a true 'internationally accredited testing institute.'

ETRI announced on the 14th that it was recently re-designated as an internationally accredited testing laboratory by the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) after supplementing the accreditation standards for internationally accredited testing laboratories in June of last year.

Since 2006, the research team has conducted 3,562 internationally accredited tests for 478 industrial companies over a period of 15 years, achieving results that include an increase in corporate sales of KRW 801.1 billion and a KOSDAQ listing.

ETRI had previously experienced difficulties in obtaining certification due to aging equipment and a lack of personnel while operating internationally accredited testing facilities. However, in October 2019, through analysis of internal and external environments, ETRI created the "Development Plan 2025" and the "Heavy Equipment Service Technology Roadmap 2030" and re-promoted internationally accredited testing institute certification, achieving this result.

In order to play a leading role in regional innovation and growth, ETRI will collaborate with KOREN in the future to conduct 5G open test lab projects, including △5G optical component testing and government business network mobilization testing, and △28GHz small cell communication testing. We plan to focus on revitalizing the 5G industry by utilizing shielding facilities.

The A2LA international certification test is the first hurdle that domestic mining companies must pass to objectively verify the reliability of their developed products for overseas market entry.

But in the early 2000s, local companies faced many difficulties in requesting testing from the United States.

In order to facilitate the entry of domestic mining companies into overseas markets, ETRI, after a year of preparation starting in 2005, became the first domestic optical communications company to obtain the qualification of an internationally accredited testing laboratory from the US A2LA.

The research team has been working to resolve issues such as equipment aging and support businesses through projects such as the establishment of a light-based process innovation platform and industrialization support project and the establishment of new infrastructure such as a 5G open test lab.

In addition, we plan to focus on upgrading the ISO/IEC 17025 quality management system of the A2LA international accredited testing agency and laying the foundation for the development of the next-generation optical convergence industry.

ETRI's Honam Research Center is recognized for its role as a driving force for overseas market entry by supporting internationally accredited testing of products developed by domestic mining companies, as well as for achieving significant results such as increased sales, shortened development periods, and reduced testing costs.

In 2000, Gwangju Metropolitan City selected the mining industry as a regional specialized industry that would lead the local economy, and laid the foundation for fostering it as an integrated complex.

In line with this, the ETRI Honam Research Center has been focusing on fostering optical communication component technology, internationally recognized testing technology, optical subscriber network system, and service technology to strengthen the technological competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises and support their technical challenges, in order to build infrastructure in the optical industry and develop and commercialize core technologies.

The research team has contributed to the creation of an ecosystem and job creation, enabling the optical communication component industry to take off based on wired communication networks by supporting 3,562 tests.
br /> In addition, in December 2019, PPI Co., Ltd. achieved sales of approximately KRW 70 billion by supplying AWG optical modules used in 5G communication networks to domestic and foreign telecommunication companies with internationally accredited testing support for two years, and was listed on KOSDAQ in December 2019.

ETRI Honam Research Center Director Lee Gil-haeng said, "To foster the local mining industry, we have improved our quality management system through non-face-to-face video conferencing to align with the evaluation process. The remarkable redesignation as an A2LA International Accredited Testing Laboratory will be a catalyst for the development of Korea's mining industry."

Based on its accumulated technology and experience, ETRI's Honam Research Center plans to contribute to the role of a government-funded research institute and efforts to promote balanced regional development by revitalizing the 5G industry and enhancing the competitiveness and sales of industrial companies.