The Linux Foundation (LF), the nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating the growth of Linux, announced that Nokia Siemens Networks has become a member. Nokia Siemens Networks will work with the LF and its members to continue improving Carrier Grade Linux.

"Linux has become a very natural fit for telecom network and device manufacturers who are looking for an operating system from which they can easily and cost-effectively build differentiated services and value," said Jim Zemlin, executive director of The Linux Foundation. "There is no question that the massive success of Linux in telecom is key in today's new stage of Linux growth. Nokia Siemens Networks will add another level of expertise as we transition into this stage of increasing open development, and we welcome their participation."

Nokia Siemens Networks, a world leading enabler of communications services, will be working with the LF specifically on Linux-based technologies for use in User Plane and Control Plane Network Elements, as well as embedded applications. This is expected to lead to further integration of mobile and carrier grade Linux specification with the Linux Standard Base (LSB) to deliver a standard that works for these expanding Linux markets.

"Nokia Siemens Networks will play an active role as a Linux Foundation member by contributing both financial and technical resources to the Linux ecosystem to make sure it remains state of the art," said Stephan Scholz, chief technology officer of Nokia Siemens Networks. "In Linux, the most important things for us are certified carrier grade interfaces as well as the interoperability between various Linux distributions. We look forward to working with the Linux Foundation and continue to use Linux in our commercially available products."