MADRID, Spain-Telefonica Moviles and Microsoft Corp. extended their current agreement to deploy next-generation mobile Internet services for corporate and consumer customers. The companies are establishing a joint executive advisory team to assess and plan new mobile products and services for Telefonica Moviles customers.
The joint team will evaluate market potential and obtain detailed information on user profiles, the companies said. The team’s results and recommendations will help determine which mobile products and services Microsoft develops for trial on Telefonica Moviles networks before the commercial launch planned for second-quarter 2001.
“For the first time, an operator can influence priorities in R&D to ensure that the new products are the ones most in demand and of greatest use for our users,” said Luis Lada, president of Telefonica Moviles.
The announcement builds on a partnership between the two companies announced in March to collaborate on the deployment of new products, services and applications for mobile users. In June, the companies began trials of new wireless Internet services.