The OTA Flash Forum is a group of leading companies within the wireless industry that are involved in the development and/or deployment of over-the-air (OTA) firmware update solutions for mobile phones. The goals of the Forum are to simplify the management of mobile handsets, and to accelerate the adoption of commercial quality software for OTA flash updates.

The OTA Flash Forum is not a standards organization. It is a special interest group that will address operational, technical and business issues associated with OTA firmware update technologies, and their relationship to other device management initiatives. The Forum Charter is to:

• Identify operational and technical challenges in OTA firmware update of mobile devices.
• Specify associated use-cases and propose solutions based on market requirements.
• Define and develop reference standard interfaces between client and server components, leveraging and enhancing industry standards where appropriate.
• Deliver recommendations to industry standards bodies for consideration, with the objective of seeking certification and broad adoption of solutions.

The OTA Flash Forum encourages industry participation and open collaboration to achieve consensus on best practices for OTA firmware update capabilities. The OTA Flash Forum provides wireless carriers, manufacturers and technology providers with an informal environment to:

• Collate information from several different sources.
• Exchange ideas on what works for them individually.
• Express concerns and insight on emerging trends.
• Exchange notes on tactical decisions.
• Learn from each other.