Verizon Wireless, Microsoft Team To Provide Enterprise Services

The agreement, which is expected to be backed by a multimillion-dollar advertising campaign starting Friday, calls for Verizon to use ISVs, developers and integrators in the Microsoft Mobility Partner Program to help Verizon roll out .Net-based services aimed at enterprise customers.

Although a rollout date and specifics for business services have yet to be unveiled, Lisa Gurry, a Microsoft MSN product manager, said the collaboration will produce access to mobile messaging for the enterprise, as well as some other services "that go beyond what's available today."

Verizon, which is operating its next-generation Express Network based on CDMA 1xRTT technology in major cities across the United States, is gearing up for a push in wireless data services. The carrier earlier this week said it would offer $99-per-month flat-fee pricing for unlimited data transfers over the network.

The carrier also has been working with Accenture since February to provide a hosted solution for corporate e-mail and access to back-end data.

Scott Ellison, a wireless and mobile analyst at IDC, said Verizon's recent moves mean the carrier has the capability to handle a heavy load across the new network, which should provide data transfer equivalent to what's available on a typical 56-Kbps dial-up connection.

"They are pretty confident of their 1x capacity level in major markets," he said.

Encouraging increased data services on the network also is an opportunity for Verizon to track the usage patterns of its users while the next-generation life cycle is still maturing.

Although it may be some time before Verizon is ready to roll out corporate solutions, the company plans Friday to launch a series of services for the consumer market, branded as VZW with MSN, said Gurry. The services include MSN messaging, e-mail, news, weather and stock alerts accessible through Verizon phones and portable devices. Pricing for the service will start at $6.95 per month.

Verizon and Microsoft also plan to collaborate on the development of SmartPhones and Pocket PC devices, Gurry added. Under the agreement, wireless devices that use Microsoft operating systems will be given preferred-product status by Verizon and will be advertised prominently by the carrier.