Mozilla Brings Firefox OS-Powered Smartphones In Bangladesh

Staff Writer | The Daily Star | September 22, 2014

GP & Symphony partners with Mozilla to bring these super affordable devices

Mozilla, a pioneer in Web platforms, introduces the Firefox operating system for smartphones in Bangladesh, in cooperation with Grameenphone and device partner Symphony. Customers of Bondhu, Grameenphone’s youth offer, will be able to enjoy range of benefits on Firefox OS, including 20MB of free Internet per day.  Through the launch of Firefox OS, named Symphony GoFox F15, Mozilla, Grameenphone and device partner Symphony aim to rally the developer community in Bangladesh, stimulate growth and lower the barriers to smartphone use for customers.

“As part of our ambition to bring Internet for all, we want to simulate the experience of smartphones and creation of local content. This offer is the first offer of its kind in Bangladesh, and we believe this will serve as a strong stimulus for increased internet usage across the country,” said Vivek Sood, CEO of Grameenphone.  The cooperation with Mozilla has originated through Telenor Digital Services, part of Grameenphone’s parent company Telenor ASA. Telenor, along with the Mozilla community and more than a dozen global operators, is an active participant in the development of the Firefox OS through the sharing of its engineering resources.

“Through this initiative the Telenor Group is truly embracing our Internet for all ambition, providing not only the Bangladeshi market with low-cost smart phones, but also an easy and affordable experience to the benefits of the mobile Internet,” said Rolv-Erik Spilling, EVP of Telenor Group and head of Digital Services.  Under the tagline Fun ways to earn free internet, customers using Grameenphone’s youth offer, Bondhu, will be able to unlock the unique Wowbox, including an attractive selection of offers. Just by entering the Wowbox, which has been developed by Telenor Digital Services, users will avail 20 MB internet free to the device (applies on daily basis). Popular applications such as Facebook, Twitter and Youtube will be available on the new phones...