Microsoft will give its 20 million email users in Europe access to messages via their mobile phones, the company said day in unveiling a new alliance with European mobile operators.
The initiative involving a joint venture between Danish mobile operator TDC Mobile International, and Anglo-Dutch CMG Wireless Data Solutions, is the latest step in Microsoft's strategy to bring its software products and Web offerings to mobile devices, including phones, pagers and handheld devices.
Hotmail is one of the most commonly accessed features on MSN, Europe's leading Web portal. In the future, Microsoft intends to give mobile users greater access to the MSN portal whether it be to read news headlines or scan parts of the Web, the company said.
Users will be able to access their Hotmail account and send email messages via short messaging service, commonly known as SMS, Microsoft said.
Internet-ready phones, introduced by the Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) and the faster General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) technologies, can perform this function. But take-up by consumers has been gradual.
On the other hand, SMS usage has exploded in Europe with millions and millions of users regularly tapping messages from their phone pad, at an average cost of 10 to 20 pence per message.
Microsoft said that as part of the initiative more than 40 mobile operators across Europe will have access to the Web-based Hotmail service.
The first trials will be with Sunrise, a Swiss mobile service owned by TDC, and TDC Mobile in Denmark, Microsoft said. Microsoft could not immediately say when the start date for the trials would be.