Hi,
I am carefully assessing the life cycle cost to define my strategy of launching 4 product models in the market by next year that they are in design stage at this moment.
This analysis below I share is only financial, not technical or about features.
BLE only path
If I launch my product only with BLE using a certified and non-modified BLE module with FCC, my initial and cost is $11,040 according with the BLE website as an Adopter member https://www.bluetooth.com/fee-schedule/ plus the cost of FCC radio certification + lab.
I don't need to account for fees to publish a new firmware update in the future.
Matter path (BLE, Thread, WIFI)
The initial cost per product without accounting the annual membership:
Per product release
Thread Group, $1,500 (Certification by Inheritance without lab testing using Nordic Thread CIDs)
Matter CSA, $3,000 (to get the DAC certificate)
Matter Lab Testing, to be defined by ATL
Bluetooth, $11,040 (Qualification without testing using Nrodic Bluetooth LE QDIDs)
WIFI Aliance, $4,000 (certify a derivative product only if Raytac certifies the AN7002 module)
Subtotal: $19,540 + ATL
Annual membership
Thread Group, $7,500 (implementer)
Matter, $9,000 (adopter)
Bluetooth, $0 (adopter)
WIFI, $6,000 (implementer)
Subtotal $22,500
I clearly understand the cost of doing business and factoring that cost into the product either by choosing BLE only or choosing Matter (BLE, Thread, WIFI) and/or with product families.
- BLE path cost: $11,040 + FCC certification with lab
- Matter path cost (1 product model): $19,540 (certification) + $22,500 (membership/y) = $42,040 + CSA ATL lab testing
Having said that, I truly need to understand what is the scope of the Rapid Recertification program to have visibility of the cost of life cycle of my product.
For example, for each and every security patch (even in the Thread/Matter stack), I have to pay a lab for to keep my future customers secure or can I use the 'Rapid Recertification Program' to use this path without having to pay the ATL to keep the firmware updated against the latest security flaws for a life cycle of 5 years or 10 years?
Already accounting for $225,000 is the cost to keep the membership with Thread, Matter, Bluetooth, WIFI for 10 years (not accounting inflation).
Thank you,
Adolfo
