The Japanese telecom operator NTT Docomo cooperated with Samsung to jointly develop an alternative OS (Operating System) for Smartphones, according to a report by the Japanese Yomiuri Shimbun on 31 December 2012. The new OS, dubbed Tizen, is a Linux-based open source platform, which enables telecom operators to provide their own services while increasing the safety of subscriber's personal information. Besides Docomo, Britain's Vodafone, France Telecom, and other European telecom operators also have participated in the development of Tizen, with an aim to form an alliance that can vie with Apple and Google, which have accounted for around 90% of the total Smartphone OS market. Tizen-based Smartphones are expected to hit the market later in 2013. Detailed information regarding product specifications, price, and time-to-market, however, were not yet revealed.