Verizon Wireless chooses Linux Platform; Is competition getting skewed towards Linux?

Sun. May 18, 2008; Posted: 11:24 AM

(RTTNews) - The efforts being pursued by LiMo Foundation, developer of the Linux platform, received a boost with Verizon Wireless, the builder and operator of wireless network in the US, announcing its decision on Wednesday, May 14, 2008 to concentrate its future operating system on the Linux Platform. Verizon Wireless, thus becomes the first carrier in the US to patronize the Linux Platform after its rival, AT&T (T | news | PowerRating | PR Charts ) decided to go with the Android platform being developed by Google.

The Basking Ridge, N.J. headquartered company said it expects the Linux platform to become the "preferred " software on its network. With this move, Verizon also hopes to help LiMo to unify the mobile industry around openness and Linux as the key enablers to lowering development costs. Verizon Wireless is planning to sell its first phones based on the LiMo operating system in 2009.

LiMo Foundation, which works to deliver a consistent software platform, based upon Mobile Linux for the entire mobile industry, announced the inclusion of Infineon Technologies (IFX | news | PowerRating | PR Charts ), Kvaleberg AS, Mozilla Corporation, Red Bend Software, Sagem Mobiles, SFR, SK Telecom and Verizon Wireless as new member companies.

LiMo, a global consortium of mobile leaders, said mobile carrier Verizon would become a core member of the 40-member consortium, which includes Motorola (MOT | news | PowerRating | PR Charts ), NEC, NTT DoCoMo, Panasonic Mobile Communications, Samsung and Vodafone (VOD | news | PowerRating | PR Charts ). Verizon would be the first U.S. company to join the coalition

The LiMo Foundation will develop a Linux-based mobile phone platform that is pledged to be totally open. Major wireless service providers from across North America, Asia and Europe are now engaged in committed collaboration through LiMo.

A Linux coalition developed in January 2007 didn't achieve backing in the United States. That has now changed as Verizon Wireless has shown its support for the LiMo Foundation, possibly preferred in favor to supporting Google's Android

The news will be a setback to Google, whose Android platform has failed to get many supporters despite initial interest. Google received a lot of attention last fall when it revealed the creation of the Open Handset Alliance, a consortium of companies committed to supporting open standards for mobile devices particularly Google's Android.

Analysts are of the opinion that Android now faces the prospect of being squeezed out of a mobile market dominated by Symbian and Microsoft. Linux, however, is gaining supporters fast, with Verizon Wireless being the notable supporter of the Linux Platform.

Verizon said assuming that Android does well in the market it might also sell Android-based phones. However, the company's support of LiMo suggests that that there is continuing uncertainty with Google.

VZ declined $0.13 and closed Friday's regular trading session at $38.77. GOOG declined $0.93 or 0.16% and closed at $580.07. In extended trading, GOOG advanced $0.68 or 0.12% and traded at $580.75.

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