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FAQs

Who owns the Mobile Broadband Service Mark?

GSMC Limited a subsidiary company of the GSM Association.

What is the value of the Mobile Broadband Service Mark?

The Service Mark is an industry identifier which tells consumers, throughout the world, the device it relates to represents a high standard of Mobile Broadband.  It is fast, it is easy to connect and it provides everyone with the freedom to access the internet whenever they want to.
The identifier has been created in partnership with 20 of the world’s best known and largest IT and telecommunications companies.

Can the Mobile Broadband Service Mark be used by the GSM Association members only?

No, any organisation can become a Licensee by signing the License Agreement and paying the due fees.

What guidelines or restrictions apply when wanting to use the Mobile Broadband Service Mark?

What guidelines or restrictions apply when wanting to use the Mobile Broadband Service Mark?
When using the Mobile Broadband Service Mark there are 2 areas to comply with in order to ensure you are working within the terms laid down by the registered owner of the Mobile Broadband Service Mark, GSMC Limited.
1) You are an official, fee paying Licensee, i.e. you have signed the appropriate License Agreement, it has been returned countersigned by GSMC Limited and you have subsequently paid the Annual License Fee.
2) The product is compliant with the Minimum Device Requirements and you have declared this by completing and returning Annex C to mobilebroadband@gsm.org

Why do Licensees have to pay to use the Mobile Broadband Service Mark?

This project is not part of the GSMA membership because the Service Mark is available to any organisation to use under License, whether a GSMA member or not.   it has been created as a self-financing initiative and is therefore not funded from GSMA membership fees.  Only the organisations that directly benefit from using the Service Mark need to pay.

What does the Licensee fee cover?

The revenues from the license fees fund are used to manage the initiative on an ongoing basis.   This includes the hiring of specialist staff to administer, market and sell the Service Mark, to provide the appropriate level of support for Licensees and to fund the ongoing legal costs associated with trade mark registration in many markets across the world.

A number of licensees will join the Mobile Broadband Service Mark Advisory Board to ensure the annual budget and License fees are appropriately set and spent.

What does compliance testing via Operator technical approval mean?

To be able to carry the Mobile Broadband Service Mark, a device needs to meet a set of minimum acceptance criteria. These criteria are listed in Annex Ax of the licensing agreement.

In case that an operator has given that device technical approval (the list of appointed operators are also included in Annex Ax) then the device automatically meets the minimum acceptance criteria.

Should this list not include a market where your device is intended to operate in please get in touch with us at mobilebroadband@gsm.org. This route applies to a Vendor who is a Licensee.

What is the difference between GCF/PTCRB certification and approval to use the Mobile Broadband Service Mark?

For a device to qualify to use the Mobile Broadband Service Mark (in marketing materials or actually on the device itself) it must:
 1) Meet the Minimum Device requirements laid out in Annex A1 or A2
2)  Be confirmed by the Licensee as having done so, through completing and returning Annex C for each and every device carrying the Service Mark logo.
 Annex C requires confirmation that the device (where applicable) is GCF or PTCRB certified as this is part of the Minimum Device requirements called out in Annex A1 and A2. 

Who completes Annex C and Annex F when the service mark is being subcontracted?

When a Licensed Operator (Licensed to use the Mobile Broadband Service Mark) is subcontracting the use of the logo to a vendor or reseller it is the Operator's responsibility to complete & return the Annexes, not the vendor.

Can a pan European electronics and cell phone reseller use the Mobile Broadband Service Mark? In particular: can they use the Service Mark when neither the Operator nor Vendor is a Licensee but where the product specification includes an embedded device m

A reseller can use the Mobile Broadband Service Mark only if they are acting on behalf of a Licensed Operator.  The Licensed Operator has to demonstrate the product is compliant (by returning completed Annex C and Annex F) to enable the reseller  to use the Service Mark on in-store POS materials, advertising etc.

Can they (reseller) have to become a Licensee and thus pay a License Fee?

A retailer or reseller that is responsible for the sales of  a device under his/her own brand, and whose device complies to the terms and conditions of the Licensing Agreement, can become a Licensee of the Mobile Broadband Service Mark.

Can I, as an approved Licensee of the Mobile Broadband Service Mark sub license the Service Mark up or down my supplier/value chain?

Only the ‘LOGO LICENSE AGREEMENT for Mobile Broadband Services’ , applicable to Mobile Network Operators,  allows for sublicensing .  When sublicensing the Operator, as the Licensee is still responsible for completing and returning Annex C and Annex F.

The second License Agreement, the’ LOGO LICENSE AGREEMENT for Mobile Broadband Devices’ is aimed at OEMS and manufacturers.  This does not entitle the OEM to sublicense.

What restrictions should I apply to my sub Licensee?

The only restrictions that apply are those laid down in the Minimum Device Requirement documents, Annex A1 and Annex A2.

Where can I use the Mobile Broadband Service Mark?

The Mobile Broadband Service Mark can be used wherever you so choose.  It will work as a smaller component of your overall brand and product messaging.  We think it could be successfully applied to devices, packaging, point of sale, sales/marketing literature, advertising and pr.  It can be used on websites and all materials that support the promotion of a qualifying product. 

Where can I download the artwork for the Service Mark?

Once you have signed the appropriate License Agreement and paid the License fee you will be sent the artwork and guidelines.

How can I make sure the messages we put out to our customers and staff regarding the Service Mark is the same as other companies using the Service Mark?

Stick to the suggested messaging in the guidelines provided.

Do I need to get artwork approved prior to committing to print or production runs, online activity etc?

We would encourage you to send us a copy of your artwork when you are first applying the Service Mark.

Is there an intention to promote the Mobile Broadband Service Mark centrally in the markets where there is strong use of the Service Mark?

In the first phase of the Service Mark going live are efforts are concentrated on achieving as much traction as possible.  We believe the Licensees are responsible for explaining the value of the Service Mark to their consumers.  Once established the Mobile Broadband Advisory Board might consider promoting the Mark more overtly to explain its role and its total industry support as this is a powerful part of the story.

Can you help me put together the right messages for my senior management to understand the value of adopting this Service Mark?

In the first instance we suggest you contact the team on mobilebroadband@gsm.org , we will help you as much as we can.