Microsoft Talks To Major Cellphone Makers On Software

Microsoft

The U.S. software behemoth, which is betting heavily on the emerging market for so-called smartphones, aims to have its software on 100 million mobile phones in a "few years time", said Ben Waldman, vice president for Microsoft's Mobile Devices Division.

He told Reuters the time frame was three to five years.

Currently this target would represent a market share of some 25 percent, compared with zero market share today.

Although Microsoft is feared for its strength in computer operating and word-processing software, many of the big handset makers are equally wary of mobile market leader Nokia tightening its grip on the cellphone market, Waldman told Reuters in an interview.

"A lot of the big manufacturers have approached us. They are looking to get an alternative to Nokia," he said on the fringes of the 3GSM World Congress here, Europe's largest wireless trade show.

Microsoft earlier this week launched new software for smartphones that can download email, display calendars and play games such as pinball on bright colour screens.

However, the company has not yet announced major new customers for its software apart from Samsung, Mitsubishi and Sendo, which were named as launching partners a year ago.

Waldman acknowledged Microsoft's ambitions would not work unless it caught some big cellphone producers, such as Motorola and Sony Ericsson, meanwhile suggesting talks were already on their way but declining to mention names.

Copyright 2002 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.

Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters.

Reuters shall be not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.