Mozilla and its partner handset makers have recently been giving us a peek at the first set of smartphones running Mozilla’s own operating system called Firefox OS, a web-based mobile platform built entirely using open Web standards that can run HTML5-based apps. Before the opening of the 2013 Mobile World Congress (MWC) today in Barcelona, the company announced that it will be partnering with various operators around the world to bring the device to different countries. The Philippines is lucky enough to be included in the first wave of distribution of Firefox OS devices, and the network that will be bringing them to our shores is no other than Smart.
Smart is the sole network that has committed to distributing Firefox OS devices in the country. In other countries, the list of partners include América Móvil, China Unicom, Deutsche Telekom, Etisalat, Hutchison Three Group, KDDI, KT, MegaFon, Qtel, SingTel, Sprint, Telecom Italia Group, Telefónica, Telenor, Telstra, TMN and VimpelCom.
“Firefox’s entry to the mobile phone market will bring customer experience to another level with lower cost barrier to ownership and more choices in terms of devices and mobile apps,” says Smart executive vice president and wireless consumer division head Emmanuel Lorenzana, who, along with other Smart executives, is in Barcelona to support the event. He adds, “This will also foster a healthier and more competitive developer community. We’re very keen to see a vibrant ecosystem based on HTML5 technology such as Firefox OS.”
The first Firefox OS mobile devices will be from LG, Alcatel and ZTE, and each will be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor.