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"Not content with a simple Deutsche Telecom announcement, Mozilla's using Mobile World Congress as a platform to launch its mobile operating system in a slew of markets. Rolling out in waves, the first round of devices featuring Firefox OS include the likes of Brazil, Colombia, Hungary, Mexico, Montenegro, Poland, Serbia, Spain and Venezuela, with more markets soon, according to the company. The first round of handsets include devices by Alcatel, LG and ZTE. Mozilla also let slip news of a forthcoming handset from Huawei, who just capped up their own MWC press conference. As you'd expect, there's a whole slew of carriers on board. You can find the list in the release after the break.Show full PR text      Mozilla Announces Global Expansion for Firefox OS     Mozilla today previewed the first commercial build of its Firefox OS open mobile   ecosystem and announced new operator rollout plans at a press conference before the   start of Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. The first wave of Firefox OS devices will be   available to consumers in Brazil, Colombia, Hungary, Mexico, Montenegro, Poland,   Serbia, Spain and Venezuela. Additional markets will be announced soon.        To date, 17 key operators spanning the globe have committed to the open web device   initiative: Am&amp;eacute;rica M&amp;oacute;vil, China Unicom, Deutsche Telekom, Etisalat, Hutchison Three   Group, KDDI, KT, MegaFon, Qtel, SingTel, Smart, Sprint, Telecom Italia Group,   Telef&amp;oacute;nica, Telenor, TMN and VimpelCom. Telstra is welcoming the Mozilla initiative as   an opportunity to deliver an innovative mobile Web experience to their customers. The   breadth of operators now backing Mozilla's Firefox OS demonstrates significant industry   support for a fully-adaptable, unconstrained mobile platform.        Firefox OS smartphones are the first built entirely to open Web standards, enabling   every feature to be developed as an HTML5 application. Web apps access every   underlying capability of the device, bypassing the typical hindrances of HTML5 on   mobile to deliver substantial performance. The platform's flexibility allows carriers to   easily tailor the interface and develop localized services that match the unique needs of   their customer base.        Mozilla is working with manufacturers Alcatel (TCL), LG and ZTE to build the first   Firefox OS devices, with Huawei to follow later in the year, all powered by the   Qualcomm Snapdragon&amp;trade; mobile processors. In addition, Mozilla has signed strategic   relationships with key content and service partners (see separate release). Consumers   will get a dynamic, rich and open smartphone experience that provides easy access to   everything they love on the Web, including Facebook and Twitter integration, with a   simple, fast interface and built-in cost controls.        \"Firefox OS brings the freedom and unbounded innovation of the open Web to mobile   users everywhere,\" said Gary Kovacs, CEO, 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.\"Initial, \"first wave\" launch plans were announced by Am&amp;eacute;rica M&amp;oacute;vil, Deutsche Telekom, Telef&amp;oacute;nica and Telenor, most seeing starts mid-year. More information on the rollout plans for individual operators is included below.      Am&amp;eacute;rica M&amp;oacute;vil        \"Am&amp;eacute;rica M&amp;oacute;vil supports the launch of the new operating system by Mozilla since it   represents an excellent alternative to its customers, especially in emerging markets. An   open platform based on Web standards provides a favorable ecosystem for the   development of innumerable applications,\" said Marco Quatorze, CMO of Am&amp;eacute;rica M&amp;oacute;vil.   \"The company is committed to launch Firefox OS phones in Mexico and all possible   markets during 2013.\"        Deutsche Telekom        \"Partnerships are an important method in paving the way for innovations. We rely on   open platforms because we want to create freedom of choice on behalf of our   customers,\" said Ren&amp;eacute; Obermann, Chairman of the Board of Deutsche Telekom at the   Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. \"That's why we support Mozilla in developing an   innovative and open standard for mobile terminals. The launch of the first smartphone   in Europe with the new Firefox operating system is an important step on the way to   more competition between the different ecosystems.\"        Etisalat        Ahmad Abdulkarim Julfar, Chief Executive Officer at the Etisalat Group said: \"We are   happy to be part of this innovation and to support Mozilla in the launch of this new   operating system. Firefox OS smartphones will make a valuable addition to our portfolio   and grant our customers a rich and personalized experience. We welcome this   development and congratulate Mozilla on their progress.\"        Hutchison Three Group        \"Hutchison Three Group is supportive of the Mozilla initiative to provide an open   approach to services for operators and to provide devices for entry-level smartphone   users at a more affordable price,\" said Christian Salbaing, Deputy Chairman of   Hutchison Whampoa Europe. \"We believe the introduction of Firefox to mobile devices   will increase competition in operating systems, improve consumer choice and hopefully   lower overall device costs, bringing smartphones and advanced services within the   reach of more of our customers.\"        KDDI        \"We are pleased to announce the introduction of Firefox OS smartphones into the Japan   market in one or two years' time,\" said Takashi Tanaka, CEO of KDDI. \"It is expected to   provide better experience and diverse choice to our customers, since an open standard   Web platform will bring sustainable innovation and fair competition to its ecosystem.   The idea totally fits to our strategy. To support the achievement of it, KDDI group is   working closely with Mozilla for the sake of contribution to Firefox OS development,   especially on network and security parts.\"KT Dr. Suk-Chae Lee, CEO of KT, stated that \"with the transformation of existing network to All-IP, all kinds of information and services such as voice, data, and media will be provided through the All-IP network. Firefox OS includes HTML5, which enables much easier and simpler support for All-IP based services via multiple devices and platforms. KT fully supports the Firefox OS initiative which will accelerate the distribution of virtual goods - the future growth engine of our global economy.\"        MegaFon        \"We see a positive sign for the whole industry when it comes to a new player guided by   the principles of openness, cross-platform possibility and supported by market players,\"   said Vitaly Starodubov, COO of MegaLabs.        SingTel   Paul O'Sullivan, CEO Group Consumer, SingTel, said: \"SingTel is a firm believer in giving   our customers choice and encouraging innovation and so are excited about the   capabilities that can arise from an open mobile ecosystem using HTML5.\"        Smart        Orlando B. Vea, Chief Wireless Advisor of Smart said, \"We're 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.\""^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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