Mobile phones are the most common digital devices in the world, and they're about to get more popular. Mobile phone sales in 2004 are expected to exceed 600 million units worldwide, according to projections in June from Gartner, Inc., meaning that one person in 10 worldwide will acquire a new mobile phone this year (see Related Links, right).

Beyond the brisk sales of mobile phones in emerging markets, the Gartner report also finds robust growth in established markets in Europe and North America, where consumers are replacing aging handsets with new mobile phones with increased functionality and the latest features.

The apparent ease with which new mobile phone capabilities such as text messaging, and the ability to take and send digital photos can be seamlessly deployed across the earth, are largely due to the behind-the-scenes dedication of dozens of mobile standards organizations. These standards bodies work to establish specifications to ensure that the world's 1.5 billion mobile phones are able to connect with each other and provide consistent levels of service around the globe.

PressPass asked Mike Wehrs, Microsoft's director of Technology and Standards, to provide an introduction to mobile standards, and to explain the importance and value of standards and the role they play in the development of new mobile services and devices.