Mobile phones based on Linux operating systems are set for strong growth over the next few years, according to a report from market watcher Strategy Analytics.

“Linux has begun to open doors for handset manufacturers, developers and mobile operators. We predict that the development of a single standard will eventually position Linux to shape the mobile industry, expanding its global ecosystem of developers,” said Mehar Zulfikar, analyst for handset component technologies.

But the lack of a single standard implementation of the Linux OS could ultimately hold back wide-spread adoption in the short-term.

“Although Linux may be in the future, Symbian and Microsoft currently maintain the edge over Linux. The vision of a single standard Linux OS is still a long way off,” said Stuart Robinson, director, handset component technologies at Strategy Analytics.

Zulfikar said that Linux will provide opportunities for mobile operators “to influence the handset market by giving them significant control on development”.