LONDON, February 11 /PRNewswire/ --
-- Operator Announces the Samsung i800, the First Open Linux Handset From Orange
Orange today announced its entrance to the LiMo Foundation, a landmark move that marks a new era for mobile Linux, fostering unprecedented industry collaboration and a new future of exciting mobile services for customers. A leader in mobile open source development, Orange is underlining this significant move with the launch of the Samsung i800, the fully open, Linux-powered handset, which will be available to customers later this year.
"Orange was one of the first mobile operators to make significant strides in open source innovation," says Yves Maitre, senior vice president, devices, Orange. "Together with our LiMo Foundation membership, today's launch of the Samsung i800 shows that we are truly delivering on our commitment to mobilising Linux technology."
In recognition of the company's pioneering role in mobile Linux innovation, Orange has been invited to join the LiMo Foundation as a Founder Member; an honour reserved for very few new entrants. In this governing role, Orange will bring a wealth of mobile Linux experience to the organisation, alongside companies such as Motorola, NTT DoCoMo and Samsung, which share the common goal of accelerating the delivery of the first truly open, Linux-based operating system for mobile devices.
Yves Maitre says, "Our vision is for a truly open mobile community which delivers richer mobile services, more affordable devices and a better experience for our customers. We have already achieved part of this vision through the foundation of the LiPS Forum. Today, we are taking great strides forward, firstly by joining LiMo as a Founder member and unifying the mobile Linux industry and secondly, collaborating with Samsung and ACCESS to provide our customers with the first fully open Linux-powered device from Orange," he adds.
ChulHwan Lee, Senior Vice President of Mobile Device Division, Samsung Electronics, says, "At Samsung, it is our highest priority to understand our consumers' needs and to cater for these needs through continuous innovation. We also believe that collaboration within the industries for open mobile Linux will enable us to achieve these goals faster." ChulHwan adds, "We are pleased that we share this vision with Orange to deliver this Linux-powered handset to market."
Toru Arakawa, CEO, president and co-founder of ACCESS says, "ACCESS has a longstanding dedication to mobile Linux innovation and we are thrilled to offer the first handset to be powered by ACCESS Linux Platform together with Orange and Samsung. Toru concludes, "Being the first to deliver a Linux-powered platform for the Samsung i800 illustrates our commitment and vision to the best mobile Linux innovations for the best end-user experience."
Yves Maitre says, "The key benefit of Linux technology is openness - the openness for partners and developers to launch more exciting products and applications than ever before." Yves concludes, "To deliver the kind of services our customers want, both now and in the future, we believe it is essential that operators, vendors and developers work together closely to establish a consistent, fully open Linux environment that positively encourages new ideas and reduces fragmentation."
About Orange
Orange is the key brand of France Telecom, one of the world's leading telecommunications operators. France Telecom serves more than 170 million customers in five continents as of December 31, 2007, of which two thirds are Orange customers. The Group had consolidated sales of 52.9 billion euros in 2007. As of December 31, 2007, the Group had 109.6 million mobile customers and 11.6 million broadband internet (ADSL) customers.
Launched in June 2005, the NExT program (New Experience in Telecommunications) will enable the Group to pursue its transformation as an integrated operator and make France Telecom the benchmark for new telecommunications services in Europe. In 2006, Orange became the Group's single brand for Internet, television and mobile services in the majority of countries where the company operates, and Orange Business Services the banner for services offered to businesses worldwide. France Telecom is the number three mobile operator and the number one provider of broadband internet services in Europe and one of the world leaders in providing telecommunication services to multinational companies.
France Telecom (NYSE:FTE) is listed on Euronext Paris and on the New York Stock Exchange.
For more information: http://www.orange.com, http://www.francetelecom.com, http://www.orange-business.com
Orange and any other Orange product or service names included in this material are trade marks of Orange Personal Communications Services Limited.
For press information, please contact: Carolyn Owen, +44-7891-641-008, carolyn.owen@orange-ftgroup.com; Georgina Hart, +44-7730-989-693, georgina.hart@orange-ftgroup.com; Tom Jennings, +44-20-7344-1512, tom.jennings@edelman.com
