BT's Internet Director Resigns Amidst Collaboration with Microsoft

John Swingewood, the architect of BT's internet strategy, has resigned from his position as director of internet and multimedia services at British Telecommunications. Swingewood, a 42-year-old BT veteran, was responsible for introducing notable online services, including BT Click, and partnering with Yahoo! and Excite. His departure comes as BT and Microsoft unveil a trial of wireless internet access, involving 1,000 mobile phone users, in collaboration with Telenor Mobil and several international companies.

Key Takeaways:

• John Swingewood, 42, has resigned as director of internet and multimedia services at British Telecommunications after 18 months in the role.
• Swingewood was responsible for BT's internet strategy, including the introduction of BT Click and partnerships with Yahoo! and Excite.
• BT and Microsoft have launched a trial of wireless internet access, involving 1,000 mobile phone users, in conjunction with Telenor Mobil and several international companies.
• The trial aims to test whether customers can send and receive email, access calendars and address lists, and use online information services over radio networks.
• Sagem and Samsung have developed mobile phones for the trial, and customers will be able to use mobile handsets connected to office computers via radio.
• The global mobile data market has a 75% compound annual growth rate and is expected to be worth over $80bn by 2005.

Statistics:

• The trial involves 1,000 mobile phone users from four customers: the BBC, Credit Suisse First Boston, KPMG, and Nortel Networks.
• The trial is being carried out in conjunction with Telenor Mobil, the mobile arm of the Norwegian telephone operator.
• The mobile data market has a 75% compound annual growth rate.
• The global mobile data market is expected to be worth over $80bn by 2005.

Sources:

• Financial Times Limited (1999). 'BT's Internet Director Resigns Amidst Collaboration with Microsoft'