Research Triangle Park, NC — (press release excerpt) — Red Hat and multimedia software developer 3G LAB today announced that they are jointly designing and developing what the two companies describe as “the first open source, real-time operating system for next generation 2.5G (GPRS) and… 3G (UMTS) mobile devices.” The solution, called “eCos for 2.5/3G mobile devices”, will be based on Red Hat's open source embedded real-time operating system eCos (embedded configurable operating system).

eCos for 2.5/3G mobile devices will enable mobile network operators and mobile device manufacturers to create, deploy and deliver next generation mobile communications solutions faster, and at a significantly lower cost, than through the use of existing proprietary solutions. This platform adds value over existing proprietary operating systems because of the rapid pace of innovation and development stemming from the open source community, compared to the often restricted developer access available in a closed, proprietary environment.

“We are witnessing the transition from the mobile phone to the mobile multimedia device, a much more compelling device for consumers than today's WAP phones,” said Steve Ives, CEO, 3G LAB. “If mobile operators and mobile phone manufacturers are going to be able to customize these devices deeply to user needs, there needs to be much more openness, flexibility and modularity in the software platform. eCos for 2.5/3G mobile devices is a step towards this goal, providing the world's first open source RTOS capable of powering a mobile multimedia device.”

The Red Hat and 3G LAB partnership will deliver hardware, software, test environments, support, and new Internet-based services, providing manufacturers with a stable, reliable and cost effective base on which to develop mobile devices. The new platform will consist of hardware and software, supported by 3G LAB's consultancy services and test environment in Cambridge, UK. The new Internet services are intended to be delivered via the Red Hat Network at a future date. The partnership will help provide consumer and corporate users with a reliable platform that not only supports next generation audio visual applications, but will also support next generation high data rate networks.

 
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