Ovum sees growth in mobile remote control

Mobile phone providers are increasing their ability to remotely manage customers’ handsets, according to new research from consulting firm Ovum.

A study of 900 handsets launched globally during the past four years by all the major manufacturers found the Open Mobile Alliance’s (OMA) device management capabilities in a third of handsets. By the end of 2008, Ovum expects OMA management capabilities to have reached 44 per cent of all global mobile shipments.

OMA device management capabilities allow devices to be configured remotely. Features can be enabled or disabled, settings or the parameters of the device can be changed, software can be upgraded and bugs can be fixed.

“What is clear is that we are now at a critical point in terms of adoption of this key technology,” said Adam Leach, Ovum analyst and author of the report Support for device management in mobile handsets: 2007 – 2009.

The OMA supports mobile interoperability and encourages competition among mobile operators by means of innovation.