MANILA, Philippines - Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) is partnering with Mozilla to introduce affordable smartphones running on Firefox operating system in the Philippines. 

Smart is the only Philippine operator that has committed to distribute mobile devices running Firefox OS. 

On Sunday, Mozilla Foundation announced it will launch in mid-2013 its widely anticipated Firefox OS for smartphones, as it challenges Apple's iOS and Google's Android.

The Firefox OS will allow carriers to tailor the phones’ interface and to develop services that address the specific needs of their customers.

Other leading operators that will distribute the first Firefox devices are América Móvil, China Unicom, Deutsche Telekom, Etisalat, Hutchison Three Group, KDDI, KT, MegaFon, Qtel, SingTel, Sprint, Telecom Italia Group, Telefónica, Telenor, Telstra, TMN and VimpelCom.

Mozilla is working with manufacturers LG, TCL (Alcatel), and ZTE to build the first Firefox OS devices, with Huawei to follow later in the year. The smartphones will run with Qualcomm Snapdragon application processors.

"Firefox OS brings the freedom and unbounded innovation of the open Web to mobile users everywhere," said Gary Kovacs, chief executive officer of Mozilla.

For his part, Smart chief wireless advisor Orlando Vea said Filipinos will be among the first to enjoy Firefox OS devices.

"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," he said.