Six mobile companies said Thursday that they were joining together to work towards an open source Linux-based platform for mobile devices. The group said the effort would benefit the industry overall through lower development costs, increased flexibility, and a richer mobile ecosystem.

It will also push for the use of Linux as a platform on phones. Founding members include Motorola, NEC, NTT DoCoMo, Panasonic Mobile Communications, Samsung Electronics, and Vodafone. The new organization would be tasked with marketing and development of the product.

"Motorola is a firm believer in the power of open platforms and the promise of Linux for mobile," said Greg Besio, Motorola Corporate Vice President, Mobile Devices Software.

"As such, we are very pleased to be part of this new, coordinated group effort to accelerate the creation of a universal, mobile Linux platform which we believe will unleash the tremendous innovation opportunities for developers, device makers, operators and consumers alike."

So far, Linux-based smart phones have not seen much success in the market. Devices based on Symbian OS and Nokia's Series 60, 80, and 90 platforms have dominated. Windows Mobile has also seen increasing share as Microsoft puts a bigger focus on its mobile efforts.

An organization like the one created Thursday could help solve that problem. Linux as a platform on mobile phones lacked structure, and the organization intends to provide needed discipline. Development will be centralized and coordinated, and interested manufacturers would be able to work together to advance the platform.

The group plans to provide an API specification, as well as source code to manufacturers. Additionally, a test suite will be offered to ensure compliance with an as-yet determined set of standards. While the founding members would create this initial release, the group invited others to participate as well.

"We expect the foundation activities will accelerate further expansion of mobile Linux application developer participation as well as global market growth of 3G mobile handsets," NEC mobile business unit general manager Yoshiharu Tamura said in a statement.

Further details on the participation process will be released at a later date, the group said.