Mozilla, KDDI, LG U+, Telefónica and Verizon Wireless Collaborate to Create New Category of Firefox OS Phones

New range of intuitive and easy-to-use phones to be powered by Firefox OS

Barcelona, Spain – Mobile World Congress – March 1, 2015
Mozilla, the mission based organization dedicated to keeping the power of the Web in people’s hands, together with KDDI, LG U+, Telefónica and Verizon Wireless, today 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 results 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, said Li Gong, President of Mozilla. “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.”

Yasuhide Yamamoto, Vice President, Product Sector at KDDI said “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.”

“Telefónica 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, Telefónica Group Devices Unit.

Rosemary McNally, Vice President, Device Technology at Verizon said “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.”
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About Mozilla
Mozilla has been a pioneer and advocate for the Web for more than 15 years. 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 experience the Web on computers, tablets and mobile devices. With Firefox OS and Firefox Marketplace, Mozilla is driving a mobile ecosystem that is built entirely on open Web standards, freeing mobile providers, developers and end users from the limitations and restrictions imposed by proprietary platforms. For more information, visit www.mozilla.org.

About KDDI Corporation
KDDI, a comprehensive communications company offering fixed-line and mobile communications services, strives to be a leading company for changing times. For individual customers, KDDI offers its mobile communications (mobile phone) and fixed-line communications (broadband Internet/telephone) services under the brand name au, helping to realize Fixed Mobile and Broadcasting Convergence (FMBC). For business clients, KDDI provides comprehensive Information and Communications services, from Fixed Mobile Convergence (FMC) networks to data centers, applications, and security strategies, which helps clients strengthen their businesses. For more information please visit http://www.kddi.com/english.

About Telefónica
Telefónica is one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world in terms of market capitalisation and number of customers. With its best in class mobile, fixed and broadband networks, and innovative portfolio of digital solutions, Telefónica is transforming itself into a ‘Digital Telco’, a company that will be even better placed to meet the needs of its customers and capture new revenue growth. The company has a significant presence in 21 countries and a customer base of 341 million accesses around the world. Telefónica has a strong presence in Spain, Europe and Latin America, where the company focuses an important part of its growth strategy. Telefónica is a 100% listed company, with more than 1.5 million direct shareholders. Its share capital currently comprises 4,657,204,330 ordinary shares traded on the Spanish Stock Market  and on those in London, New York, Lima, and Buenos Aires.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s largest and most reliable 4G LTE network.  As the largest wireless company in the U.S., Verizon Wireless serves 108.2 million retail customers, including 102.1 million retail postpaid customers.  Verizon Wireless is wholly owned by Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ).  For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com.  For the latest news and updates about Verizon Wireless, visit our News Center at http://www.verizonwireless.com/news or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/VZWNews.