Connectivity Standards Alliance Confirms Membership Tiers for IoT Development

The Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) has confirmed the details of its two distinct membership tiers.

Designed to cater to varying levels of involvement in Internet of Things (IoT) development, the two tiers, Adopter and Participant, offer different benefits and levels of engagement.

CSA Adopter Membership

For companies seeking to leverage existing standards and quickly bring certified products to market, the Adopter Membership is intended as a cost-effective entry point.

With an annual investment of $7,000 USD, Adopter members gain access to the Alliance’s standards documents. Also included is access to Alliance certification programs, and the right to use Alliance technology logos and trademarks for certified products.

Adopters also benefit from royalty-free IP developed by leading smart home companies, ensuring seamless connectivity across diverse platforms. While not stated, this implies Matter-compatibility is on the table for new Adopters.

Furthermore, this program offers opportunities to enhance visibility and reach, along with access to testing and certification resources. The cost for product certification under this tier is $3,000 USD per product, reduced to $2,500 USD for derivative products.

CSA Participant Membership

The Participant Membership, priced at $20,000 USD annually, is aimed at a different type of member. Organizations that desire a more active role in shaping the future of IoT standards are required here.

Participants gain all the benefits of Adopter membership, but gain a direct voice in the development process. Participant members can actively contribute to working groups, and directly influence the creation of new standards, specifications, and IoT software development tools.

Adopters also gain early insights into emerging technologies, and access to draft specifications. They also gain the opportunity to collaborate with industry experts and thought leaders, potentially chairing working groups and committees.

The cost for product certification under this tier is $2,000 USD per product, down to $1,500 USD for derivatives.

Other CSA Memberships

Two other membership tiers have also been confirmed. Associate membership, seen as an entrypoint for new members, is free, and allows the use of Alliance certification trademarks, with a license fee ($2,500 USD per product, with an additional $500 USD per year). Meanwhile, Promoter membership, at $105,000 USD, provides a far greater influence to IoT development. This seems to be aimed at larger hardware companies.

Internet of Things Innovation

Both membership tiers offer valuable resources for companies operating in the IoT space. The CSA also facilitates collaborative marketing initiatives, helping members expand their reach. The Alliance’s certification programs ensure product compatibility and provide intellectual property rights protection.

“The Connectivity Standards Alliance is an innovation hub for the future of the IoT,” states Tobin Richardson, Alliance President and CEO. This commitment to innovation is reflected in the two membership tiers, which provide options for both leveraging existing standards and actively contributing to their evolution.

We’ve seen repeatedly over the past few months how important manufacturer collaboration is to the CSA. It’s crucial to Matter development, and by extension building a secure and reliable Internet of Things.

The CSA website provides further details on each membership level and the benefits they offer.