Dell, Intel and Samsung, among others, Tuesday announced a new consortium aimed at developing a new standard for the so-called Internet of Things (IoT). 

According to a statement, the new Open Interconnect Consortium (OIC) will seek to define connectivity requirements to ensure the interoperability of billions of devices projected to come online by 2020- from PCs, smartphones and tablets to home and industrial appliances and new wearable form factors.

“Open source is about collaboration and about choice. The Open Interconnect Consortium is yet another proof point how open source helps to fuel innovation,” said Jim Zemlin, executive director of The Linux Foundation. “We look forward to the OIC’s contribution in fostering an open environment to support the billions of connected devices coming online.”

As a part of membership in the OIC, companies will contribute software and engineering resources to the development of a protocol specification, open source implementation, and a certification program, all with a view of accelerating the development of the IoT. According a press release, the OIC specification will encompass a range of connectivity solutions, utilizing existing and emerging wireless standards and will be designed to be compatible with a variety of operating systems.

The Consortium, which also includes Amtel, Broadcom and Wind River as founding members, goes up against Qualcomm’s AllSeen Alliance, which recently added Microsoft to its group of 51 companies, including big names in electronics like LG, Sharp and Panasonic. 

Besides consumer electronics manufacturers, AllSeen members include home appliance makers, automotive companies, IoT cloud providers, chipset manufacturers, service providers, retailers and software developers.