BARCELONA, Spain — Feb. 13, 2006 — Microsoft Corp. today announced that its service delivery solution, Microsoft® Connected Services Framework, has been adopted by more than a dozen of the world’s leading communications companies, including Bell Canada, BT Retail and Celcom Malaysia. In addition, France Telecom is currently trialing this solution. Introduced in February 2005, Connected Services Framework is a software product that allows operators to aggregate, provision and manage converged communications services for their subscribers, regardless of network or device.
“Operators continue to face new threats to their businesses, both from traditional competitors and from new market entrants outside the telecommunications industry,” said Michael O’Hara, general manager of marketing for the Communications Sector at Microsoft. “With Connected Services Framework, operators have finally found a platform that addresses these challenges head-on, enabling them to create and combine profitable services offerings, expand their subscriber base, and gain a critical time-to-market advantage. It’s a highly compelling value proposition, one that has been embraced by wireless, wireline and cable operators alike.”
Since Connected Services Framework was launched at 3GSM World Congress 2005, major operators around the world have selected it as the foundation for delivering a variety of services and applications. For example, BT Retail is using the solution to provide a packaged broadband access and hosted e-mail service to small and medium-sized businesses, while France Telecom is implementing Connected Services Framework to provide combined voice, video and data services to consumers and businesses. Applications being implemented by other operators range from metro Wi-Fi access and content services, messaging and conferencing capabilities, and gaming service activation.
In addition to operator-developed services and third-party offerings, Microsoft Connected Services Framework can be used to easily and seamlessly combine a variety of Microsoft applications. New service-provider-hosted applications from Microsoft include the latest version of the Microsoft Solution for Hosted Messaging and Collaboration, which provides important new mobility features, and the Microsoft Solution for Enhanced VoIP Services, which enables carriers to offer integrated voice, e-mail, messaging, presence and collaboration capabilities.
Microsoft Connected Services Framework Extends IMS Capabilities
A key industry trend is the adoption of IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) as the standard architecture for converged wireless and wireline infrastructure. IMS provides core functions within a network that help drive a diverse range of compelling Web services. Connected Services Framework complements IMS, enabling operators to create, aggregate, deploy and manage those services.
At 3GSM World Congress 2006, Microsoft, in conjunction with Ubiquity Software Corp. PLC, will demonstrate how Connected Services Framework allows operators to extend the capabilities of IMS to build integrated, real-time applications that access multiple Web services and can be dynamically re-aggregated based on user preferences. The companies’ “I’m lost” service demonstration integrates IMS services including telephony and locations with Web services such as mapping and e-mail, and is designed to help “lost” mobile subscribers get directions to their destinations.
Microsoft at 3GSM
Underscoring growing industry recognition, Microsoft Connected Services Framework has been selected as a finalist for the GSM Association Awards, which will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 14. Connected Services Framework has been nominated as the Best Service Delivery Platform in the Network Products and Solutions category. Further information can be found by visiting Microsoft at 3GSM in Barcelona, in Hall 1, stand C41.
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