Mozilla, the non-profit organisation behind the Firefox web browser, has said it’ll use the ‘Firefox’ brand for its forthcoming HTML5-based mobile operating system. A number of mobile network operators, including Deutsche Telekom, Etisalat, Smart, Sprint, Telecom Italia, Telefónica and Telenor, have already expressed their support for the project.
TCL Communication Technology (which uses the Alcatel One Touch brand) and ZTE plan to produce the first Firefox OS devices. The new phones, which will use Qualcomm processors, are expected to launch early next year in Brazil via Telefonica’s Vivo brand.
The Firefox open mobile OS is built on Mozilla’s ‘Boot to Gecko’ project. Telefónica’s Digital unit started working with Mozilla earlier this year on the new mobile platform.
Gary Kovacs, CEO of Mozilla, said “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. The large number of operators and manufacturers now supporting this effort will bring additional resources and diversity to our global offerings.”