British Telecommunications plc and Microsoft Corp. announced they have agreed to work together in developing mobile Internet and multimedia applications and equipment.
Specifically, the two said they intend to develop handheld interactive wireless devices based on Microsoft’s Windows CE platform, create a mobile multimedia service allowing users to access and display personalized information on handheld wireless devices, and establish an open industry forum to develop third-generation mobile Internet applications.
The two companies have collaborated in the mobile Internet space for some time. They teamed to create Project Nomad, designed to allow mobile phone users to read, send and receive e-mail and calendar information on their devices. The solution is based on accessing Microsoft Exchange-based information on mobile devices.
BT and Microsoft signed development agreements with Sagem SA of France and Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. of Korea, which developed the Internet browser mobile-phone equipment used in the trial. Essentially, the manufacturers have integrated Microsoft’s microbrowser into their mobile handsets. Microsoft’s browser provides access to Microsoft Exchange information.
On Oct. 6, the two began testing the service, with about 1,000 users in the United Kingdom and Norway. Four corporate customers-BBC, Credit Suisse First Boston, KPMG L.L.P. and Nortel Networks-and carrier partner Telenor Mobile also are involved.
This most recent agreement broadens the relationship between the two, combining Microsoft’s platforms and services with BT’s networks. In particular, it calls for the creation of wireless handsets running Windows CE. It also focuses on wireless Internet uses other than e-mail and calendaring functions-such as the ability to play interactive games and music, as well as receive personalized information on the new devices.
The new announcement targets consumers, while the Nomad service is mostly business-user based.
Microsoft is under increased pressure to develop a viable Windows CE-based wireless product, now that Palm Computing Inc. and Microsoft rival Symbian have agreed to discuss combining their respective technologies (see related story page 29).
