Microsoft's latest target market: mobile carriers

Stuart Corner
Thursday, 03 April 2008 10:27

IT Industry - Strategy

Microsoft has unveiled new software products for mobile network operators designed to help them manage the growing number of Windows Mobile OS based devices on their networks and provide additional services to users of these devices

Announced at the CTIA Wireless show in Las Vegas were System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008 and plans for a Microsoft Mobile Services Plan (MMSP). Microsoft claims that, together with the just released update to Microsoft Windows Mobile, version 6.1, they "provide the best solution for midsize and large businesses to manage and help protect Windows Mobile phones."

Windows Mobile 6.1 is billed as an update that includes new time-saving features, easier phone navigation and management, and increased security safeguards. Microsoft says it includes "several key updates based on customer feedback, including the capability to make the most critical information readily available at a glance, quicker phone setup, and enhanced features adapted for the small screen."

Microsoft is in discussion with mobile operators AT&T, O2, Orange, Tata Teleservices and Verizon Wireless to provide Microsoft Mobile Services Plan (MMSP), billed as "a set of core software and services that provides a uniform experience across Windows Mobile 6.1 phones."

Microsoft says that, later in 2008, these operators plan to offer a subscription plan that will voice and data services, rights to use Mobile Device Manager and "the advanced mobile management features of Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 1 (SP1), Microsoft Services Premier Support and Software Assurance for Microsoft applications such as Microsoft Office Mobile running on Windows Mobile 6.1-based phones."CONTINUED