Carrier IQ rings in $20M to gather mobile intelligence

Carrier IQ, provider of software that collects data on cell phone use and performance from individual handsets, just brought in $20 million in a third round of funding to fuel product development and attract more clients. The Mountain View, Calif. company’s goal is to offer the intelligence it gathers to mobile operators and handset makers so they can adapt their products.

Specifically, the embedded software gauges how people use voice and data services, music players, cameras and smartphone applications. The company says it is already deployed on 35 million cell phones through seven mobile vendors.

The recent investment round came from Intel Capital, Presidio Ventures, Sumitomo Corp., and existing backers Accel Partners, Charles River Ventures and Mohr Davidow Ventures. Previously, Carrier IQ raised $23 million in venture capital.