Mozilla, together with KDDI, LG U+, Telefonica and Verizon Wireless, on Monday announced at Mobile World Congress a new initiative to create devices based on Firefox OS. The goal of this initiative is to create a more intuitive and easy-to-use experience (powered by Firefox OS) for consumers around the world.
 
The companies are collaborating to contribute to the Mozilla community and create a new range of Firefox OS phones for a 2016 launch in various form factors - flips, sliders and slates - that balance the simplicity of a basic phone (calls, texts) with the more advanced features of a smartphone such as fun applications, content, navigation, music players, camera, video, LTE, VoLTE, email and Web browsing.
 
Firefox OS was chosen as the platform for this initiative because it unlocks the mobile ecosystem and enables independence and innovation. This result in more flexibility for network operators and hardware manufacturers to provide a differentiated experience and explore new business ventures, while users get the performance, personalization and affordability they want packaged in a beautiful, clean and easy-to-use experience.
 
"By leveraging Firefox OS and the power of the Web, we are re-imagining and providing a modern platform for entry-level phones. We're excited to work with operator partners like KDDI, LG U+, Telefonica and Verizon Wireless to reach new audiences in both emerging and developed markets and offer customers differentiated services," said Li Gong , President of Mozilla.
 
"We have been gaining high attention from the market with Fx0, a high tier LTE based Firefox OS smartphone launched last December, and we have faith in the unlimited potential of Firefox OS. KDDI has been very competitive in the Japanese mature mobile phone market for decades, so we are confident that we can contribute to the Mozilla community in developing this new concept product," said Yasuhide Yamamoto , Vice President, Product Sector at KDDI.
 
"Telefonica is actively supporting Firefox OS, aligned with our strategy of bringing more options and more openness to our customers. Firefox OS smartphones are currently offered in 14 markets across our footprint and are helping to bring connectivity to more people who are looking for a reliable and simple user experience at affordable prices," said Francisco Montalvo , Director, Telefonica Group Devices Unit.
 
"Verizon aims to deliver innovative new products to its customers, and this initiative is about creating a modern, simple and smart platform for basic phones. We're looking forward to continuing to work with Mozilla and other service providers to leverage the power of Firefox OS and the Web community," said Rosemary McNally , Vice President, Device Technology at Verizon.