Under the partnership, France Telecom will use Microsoft software to develop VoIP phones. Devices announced so far include:
- LivePhone -- a relatively simple WiFi broadband phone for home users that connects to a LiveBox home gateway
- Homezone -- a dual-radio GSM / WiFi mobile VoIP device that can be used as a home VoIP phone or a mobile phone, and will evolve to run Windows Mobile Smartphone, the partners say
Additionally, the partners will cooperate on a service offering that aggregates and distributes digital content. The offering will use Microsoft Connected Services Framework, and feature a service-oriented architecture (SOA) and Web service interfaces. France Telecom will aggregate, provision, and manage the service, targeting both consumers and business customers.
France Telecom CEO Didier Lombard said, "With the NExT program (New Experience of Telecommunications), France Telecom aims to [harness] the potential of information technologies on integrated fixed, mobile, and internet networks," said Lombard.
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer adds, "This is about accelerating convergence to provide consumers and enterprises with much richer and simpler experiences."
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