Openwave Systems and McAfee today announced they intend to collaborate to help Operators secure their networks and protect the experience of their mobile subscribers. The two companies will enable operators to provide an anti-virus offering to mobile subscribers across the highest risk messaging and data services, as one of the first steps in offering a secure content management solution.

Openwave and McAfee intend to deliver an anti-virus engine designed specifically for the mobile environment. This ensures that core mobile service requirements are met, while also providing an enhanced value of virus protection for downloads, messaging and other applications. McAfee continues to work with market leaders to develop solutions and products to protect both consumer and enterprise users from potential malicious applications and viral threats brought on by the growth of wireless and mobile communication platforms. Openwave and McAfee have worked together over the past few years to help secure some of the world's largest networks, and have recently engaged in software compatibility testing and joint sales initiatives.

"When a PC user receives a virus, it can be incredibly disruptive, but when a mobile subscriber receives a virus it can be completely debilitating--unfortunately, the problem is not solved by simply utilizing an existing broadband solution," says Rich Wong, general manager, messaging products group at Openwave. "In our ongoing effort to provide secure mobile data services, we are delighted to work with McAfee to ensure the sustained growth of an operator's mobile data business."