MformationThe mobile device management software company

GSM Handset Configuration

GSM Handset Configuration and Provisioning Over the Air

Consumers often acquire GSM mobile devices independently of their mobile operator—and often they cannot gain full access to the operator’s service portfolio without configuration and provisioning support. Operators are thus implementing solutions that automatically detect and configure the handsets that use their network, regardless of their source. However, detecting a subscriber on a GSM network is not trivial. Because GSM was not designed to automatically find devices on the network, a range of solutions have emerged, each with benefits and drawbacks. Subscribers, not operators, may have to set defaults manually, which can be complicated and painful. It becomes even more painful when they find they cannot access the services they have paid for.

Today, automated device detection technologies that integrate with Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions can detect all GSM handsets as they get on the network and then optimize the handset for the network by triggering immediate actions in the management system. Subscribers do not need to manually configure their devices for services, and services work correctly first time, every time.

Mobile operators that employ an MDM solution with automatic device detection for GSM handsets realize several benefits:

• Calls to customer care are reduced significantly
• Automatic configuration ensures users have the services they want, when they want them
• Automatic provisioning of optional services—particularly data services—drives up adoption and increases revenues

Configuration of GSM handsets is enabled by the GSM Configuration Manager product, part of Mformation’s integrated MDM solution, MFORMATION SERVICE MANAGER™.