VARs could be set for a fixed mobile convergence (FMC) windfall as research reveals businesses are not managing their mobile costs, despite the growth in smartphone ownership.

Research published by Gartner earlier this month finds worldwide third-quarter smartphone sales rose 13 per cent year on year to 41.07 million. Total mobile phone sales rose just 0.1 per cent to 308.87 million.

Gartner research director Carolina Milanesi said: “Mobile phone vendors must invest in their smartphone portfolios to benefit from the fastest-growing segment of the market and that which is most resistant to low average selling prices.”

Figures published last week by integrator Damovo and research firm Vanson Bourne claimed UK Plc wastes up to £264m a year on mobile calls. IT chiefs at 1,000-plus-employee firms estimated 42 per cent of mobile calls are made within the office.

Just 14 per cent of firms use a WiFi network for voice calls.

Damovo UK’s portfolio manager Glyn Owen said: “The lack of visibility organisations have of their mobile spend is surprising. In the UK, mobile operators have slowed [FMC adoption] as it reduces their revenue. But we are now at a point where FMC is practical and viable.”