REDWOOD CITY, California, June 24 /PRNewswire/ --

- Industry analyst firm MSearchGroove discusses how service providers and mobile operators can compete and win against the Internet giants

Market trends are converging to create a major opportunity for service providers and mobile operators -- mobile email for the mass market. To seize this opportunity, service providers can deploy a solution that is based on open source for the broadest device compatibility, and supported by advertising to foster adoption among cost-conscious users. This is the key message in a new white paper released by Funambol, Inc., the leading provider of Mobile 2.0 messaging software powered by open source.

The white paper -- entitled "Free For All: The Untapped Opportunity For Mass Market Mobile Email" and authored by Peggy Anne Salz, founder and chief analyst of MSearchGroove, an online source of analysis and commentary on mobile search, mobile advertising, and social media -- contends that the arrival of flat-rate data plans and the advance of mobile advertising strategies create perfect Petri dish conditions for companies to offer mobile email services subsidized by relevant advertising.

In addition to the white paper, Funambol is hosting a webcast on July 8th at 8am PT / 11am ET / 5pm CET with Peggy Anne Salz to discuss the white paper and its findings, including a Q&A session. To sign up for the webcast, please visit the Funambol events page at http://www.funambol.com/news/events.php.

"As we talk with service providers, mobile operators and portals around the world, many are trying to further monetize their user bases," said Fabrizio Capobianco, Funambol CEO. "They are interested in ad-supported mobile email for the mass market but don't know where to begin. This white paper and webcast are excellent educational opportunities to learn how to generate significant revenue with a free ad-supported mobile email service."

There are two billion email accounts worldwide, and 3.3 billion people who own cell phones, yet less than 2 percent of people get email on their mobile phones. What about the remaining 98 percent? Salz explains: "User demand is not the bottleneck. Cost has been the primary barrier, which is why it is crucial for companies to offer this service free supported by advertising. Research confirms that consumers will accept mobile advertising in return for free content services, provided that advertising is targeted and tailored to their needs. Anything else is spam."

The white paper points out that a business model which is powered by open source and funded by mobile advertising is the most effective way to deliver mobile email and PIM (Personal Information Management) sync services -- services that allow users to maintain and update personal information such as address books, calendars and other content -- to a mass market.

The open source approach is ideal to address the market for mobile email because, in contrast to proprietary software, it enables increased reach at reduced cost. Put simply, open source unites teams of developers working together who share a common goal to constantly improve the software and deliver the most up-to-date capabilities. This means service providers and mobile operators -- even those with the most limited resources -- have the capability to manage mobile email services across myriad devices without making huge investments in support. "Using open source allows mobile operators and service providers to compete successfully against proprietary solutions, and drive differentiation where it matters most -- providing compelling new mobile services to a mass market," Salz says.

The ad-funded business model is the only approach that gives people the service they want at minimal or no cost, while allowing mobile operators and service providers to generate significant revenue.

To download the free white paper from the Funambol product library, please visit http://www.funambol.com/solutions/library.php (registration required).

About Funambol

Funambol provides mobile 2.0 messaging software powered by open source. The company is the leading provider of open source push email and PIM sync solutions for the mass market. Funambol open source has been downloaded more than two million times by 50,000 developers and project participants in 200 countries. The commercial version of Funambol has been deployed at service providers, mobile operators, portals, device manufacturers and ISVs including customers such as 1&1, Earthlink and CA, Inc. Funambol is headquartered in Redwood City, CA with an R&D center in Italy. For more information, please visit http://www.funambol.com.

About Peggy Anne Salz and MSearchGroove

Peggy Anne Salz is the founder and chief analyst of MSearchGroove, an online source of analysis and commentary on mobile search, mobile advertising and social media. Her report, Mobile Search & Content Discovery, was regarded as the first in-depth study of its kind, establishing Peggy as a leading authority on mobile search and content discovery technologies enabling media companies and mobile operators to monetize content and services. Her drive to spark debate about issues impacting the industry at all levels has won her international recognition as a brave new voice in the mobile content market. She has established a successful consulting career based on vision, insight, versatility, and over 15 years of industry experience.

MSearchGroove.com provides analysis and commentary on mobile search, mobile advertising, and social media. Through primary research and interviews with c-level executives and industry luminaries, MSG is the essential read for companies seeking ways to monetize their digital assets, drive mobile advertising revenues, and harness the power of empowered consumers.

Media Contact: Shelly Milam, Page One PR +1-415-875-7491, shelly@pageonepr.com

Web site: http://www.funambol.com

Shelly Milam of Page One PR, +1-415­-875-7491, shelly@pageonepr.com, for Funambol, Inc.