Open source push e-mail provider Funambol released a new position paper, titled “Open MobileWe for the Rest of Us,” playing off Apple’s MobileMe service.

The white paper discusses how the MobileMe service has greatly publicized the utility of mobile sync for mass market users and illustrates that large numbers of people are willing to pay for sync. At the same time, MobileMe’s initial “teething problems” demonstrated that while it might look easy, mobile sync is not.

The paper describes how mobile operators, service providers, portals and device manufacturers have an opportunity to differentiate their offerings by enabling users to sync a range of mobile content, including PIM data (contacts, calendars, tasks and notes), push e-mail, photos, files and other content. The paper notes that the keys are broad device compatibility enabled by open source and standards, as well as ease-of-use and service packaging.

“Since MobileMe’s debut, we have had many inquiries from mobile operators, service providers, portals and device manufacturers who are sensing the urgency to provide a comparable service to MobileMe,” said Funambol CEO Fabrizio Capobianco in a press release. “This new position paper explains the capabilities and benefits of an open MobileWe service for the rest of us.”