From Wild West to World Standard: The Evolution of CTIA Grading

Could a "Carfax for phones" eliminate billions in waste from the device supply chain? Flavio Rossi, Apkudo advisor and wireless industry veteran with experience at T-Mobile, Asurion, and as co-founder of Rexy Resale, discusses the critical work of the CTIA Reverse Logistics and Service Quality Group. The challenge? Multiple grading languages create confusion and erode trust in device trading. "You could have company A describe their device as a grade A, while company B would describe that same device as a grade B," Rossi explains. With major players like Apple, Samsung, and Verizon collaborating, the group has released five revisions since 2019. Rossi reveals humans are only 50% accurate at grading—can automation and standards like Device Passport finally create the "Carfax for phones" that the industry desperately needs? Flavio Rossi is an advisor to Apkudo and a seasoned wireless industry veteran with decades of experience spanning network infrastructure, carriers, and reverse logistics. His career includes leadership roles at Alltel, Verizon, Asurion, and a long tenure at T-Mobile, where he was first introduced to Apkudo in 2014 during the MetroPCS acquisition. In 2019, Rossi partnered with Apkudo to co-found Rexy Resale, which has grown to operate three facilities serving major carriers and OEMs across the US. He is an active member of the CTIA Reverse Logistics and Service Quality Group, working to standardize device grading across the industry.
Flavio Rossi

Advisor to Apkudo

Allyson Mitchell

VP of Sustainability, Apkudo