•First devices featuring Firefox OS to be
manufactured by TCL Communication Technology (Alcatel) and ZTE
• Leading
global network operators back initiative, including Deutsche Telekom, Etisalat, Smart, Sprint, Telecom Italia, Telefónica
and Telenor
Industry support is growing behind Mozilla’s plans to launch a
new fully open mobile ecosystem based on HTML5. The operating system, which
Mozilla confirmed will use its Firefox brand, will power the launch of
smartphones built entirely to open Web standards, where all of the device’s
capabilities can be developed as HTML5 applications.
Mapping to key Firefox footprints around the globe, leading
operators Deutsche Telekom, Etisalat, Smart, Sprint, Telecom Italia, Telefónica
and Telenor are backing the open Firefox OS as an exciting new entrant to
the smartphone marketplace. They have also identified the potential of the
technology to deliver compelling smartphone experiences at attainable prices.
The Firefox OS for mobile devices is built on Mozilla’s “Boot toGecko project” which unlocks many of the current limitations of web development
on mobile, allowing HTML5 applications to access the underlying capabilities of
a phone, previously only available to native applications. Telefónica’s Digital
unit joined forces with Mozilla earlier this year to take this work and
showcase a new phone architecture where every phone feature (calling,
messaging, games, etc.) is an HTML5 application.
Due to the optimization of the platform for entry-level
smartphones and the removal of unnecessary middleware layers, mobile operators
will have the ability to offer richer experiences at a range of price points
including at the low end of the smartphone price range, helping to drive
adoption across developing markets.
Mozilla and all other participants are committed to ensuring the
project is fully open and the reference implementation of the required Web APIs
is being submitted to W3C for standardization.
“The introduction of the open mobile OS continues the Mozilla
mission to promote openness, innovation and opportunity on the Web for users
and developers. As billions of users are expected to come online for the
first time in the coming years, it is important to deliver a compelling
smartphone experience that anyone can use,” said Gary Kovacs, CEO, Mozilla.
“The large number of operators and manufacturers now supporting this effort
will bring additional resources and diversity to our global offerings.”
About Mozilla
Mozilla has been a pioneer and advocate for the Web for more than a decade. We
create and promote open standards that enable innovation and advance the Web as
a platform for all. Today, hundreds of millions of people worldwide use
Mozilla Firefox to discover, experience and connect to the Web on computers,
tablets and mobile phones. For more information please visit
https://www.mozilla.org/
Supporting Quotes from Operators
Matthew Key, Chairman & CEO of Telefónica Digital commented, “Firefox OS will bring a better smartphone experience
to a higher proportion of the population at a lower cost. This is crucial for
us to accelerate the adoption of smartphones in developing markets. The breadth
of support for this initiative across the industry makes it clear that there is
an opportunity in the market for a new, open mobile ecosystem.”
Fared Adib, Product Chief at Sprint said, “Sprint continues to support an open mobile ecosystem that
enables choice for Sprint customers and a healthy competitive ecosystem for the
technical community. Firefox Mobile OS can help us drive an HTML 5-based
platform for creating lower cost smartphone options for prepaid, postpaid and
wholesale customers.”
Thomas Kiessling, Chief Product and Innovation Officer at
Deutsche Telekom said, “Deutsche Telekom’s
objective is to provide our customers a choice from a variety of attractive,
and best of breed, products and services – from DT as well as from our
partners. Partnering is key for Deutsche Telekom and our cooperation with
Mozilla is one important initiative for us. We support Mozilla’s Firefox OS
project since we really believe that it embodies openness, innovation, and competition,
and it is part of a growing cloud and HTML5-based ecosystem. As a function of
our commitment, our Innovation Laboratory’s Silicon Valley Center is working
closely with Mozilla’s development team and e.g. is contributing NFC enabling
software to Boot to Gecko Platform.”
Orlando B. Vea, Chief Wireless Advisor of Smart said, “We welcome the introduction of the Firefox OS, and we
recognize the exciting potentials of an HTML5-based, fully open mobile
ecosystem. As the leading wireless services provider in the Philippines, we are
keen to work with industry players like Mozilla to create relevant and
delightful mobile Internet experiences for Filipino mobile users as we make
data connectivity even more pervasive in the country.”
“Firefox entering the smartphone market is a welcome development
and we look forward to seeing HTML5 bring mobile technology to new levels not
thought possible before,” Vea added.
Cesare Sironi, Head of Innovation and Industry Relations,
Telecom Italia commented, “Mobile operating systems natively based on HTML5
will lower the barriers to provide our customers with performing and innovative
mobile applications and services. Open web technologies are the key for the
development of a sustainable and valuable application ecosystem.”
Kristin Skogen Lund, CEO Telenor Digital Services commented, “We are pleased to be part of the coalition
supporting the launch of the new open mobile ecosystem. This will enable free
and open service distribution to our customers, in addition to providing attractive
smartphones at attainable prices, which is especially important for the
adoption in emerging markets”.
Essa Al Haddad, Chief Commercial Officer at Etisalat Group said: “Etisalat aim to enrich the user experience and improve
the life of its customers by providing enhanced services across a complete
portfolio of devices and operating systems. Firefox OS will provide an open
source platform to our customers and various ecosystem players, such as
application developers, to experience innovative services. Thanks to this
strategic initiative, the industry will benefit from a sustained growth in
mobile data and the development of cutting edge applications, as well as the
promise of affordable smartphone devices that provide an enriched customer
experience.”
