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According to Mozilla, LiMo represents the best way to "promote an open, accessible and secure web experience."

Alongside Mozilla, the other big name to join the group is Verizon Wireless which expects to sell its first phones based on the LiMo operating system

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in 2009.

"We'll start with a few simpler devices and work our way up," says Verizon Wireless network vice president Kyle Malady, adding that he expects to eventually have an array of LiMo handsets ranging from the high end to the low end.

Malady said that while Verizon would continue to support other operating systems, LiMo would become the company's operating system of choice. A statement it's backing with financial and personnel support, though he would not confirm numbers.

He claims the company is putting its weight behind LiMo rather than Android because of LiMo's inclusive governing structure as well as its diverse set of members. But he would not rule out selling phones based on Android.

"If devices come along that are interesting to us and our customers we'd absolutely look at that."

The announcement follows signals last month that AT&T is ready to back Android, the Linux operating system being developed by Google and about 30 partners.