Smart partners with Mozilla for Firefox OS smartphones

MANILA, Philippines - In line with its goal of putting the Internet in the hands of every Filipino, Smart Communications Inc. has committed to support Web pioneer Mozilla’s efforts to introduce affordable Firefox OS smartphones that run on a flexible and open mobile platform.

Smart is the only Philippine operator that has committed to distribute mobile devices running Firefox OS, which will allow carriers to tailor the phones’ interface and to develop services that address the specific needs of their customers.

Other leading operators that will distribute the first wave of Firefox devices are 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. 

Mozilla is working with manufacturers LG, TCL (Alcatel), and ZTE to build the first Firefox OS devices, with Huawei to follow later in the year — all powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon mobile processors.

Firefox OS smartphones are the world’s first open Web devices which are free from the rules and restrictions of existing proprietary platforms. Firefox OS phones can run apps developed using HTML5 with the same flexibility as “native apps” on other platforms.

“Firefox OS brings the freedom and unbounded innovation of the open Web to mobile users everywhere,” said Gary Kovacs, chief executive officer of Mozilla. “With the support of our vibrant community and dedicated partners, our goal is to level the playing field and usher in an explosion of content and services that will meet the diverse needs of the next two billion people online.”

Smart chief wireless advisor Orlando Vea said he is happy that Filipinos will be among the first to enjoy Firefox OS devices.

“We are excited to see Firefox OS in the market because this will help bridge the digital divide. Its HTML5-based technology will make available affordable mobile devices with an open mobile ecosystem. This is aligned with our inclusive vision of putting mobile Internet in the hands of every customer,” he said.

For his part, Smart executive vice president and wireless consumer division head Emmanuel Lorenzana said, “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. This will also foster a healthier and more competitive developer community. We are very keen to see a vibrant ecosystem based on HTML5 technology such as Firefox OS.”

Mozilla announced operator rollout plans for Firefox OS smartphones before the opening of the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. Smart executives led by Lorenzana are in Barcelona to support the event.