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Microsoft and Benefon Partner to Bring Mobile Internet to Wireless Phones

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Microsoft Corp. and Benefon have partnered to integrate Microsoft Mobile Explorer into Benefon's new wireless communication products. This move marks a significant step towards making mobile internet services accessible to a broader audience. The new product, scheduled to be introduced in early February, is expected to be a game-changer in the wireless industry.

Key Takeaways:

  • Microsoft Mobile Explorer is a comprehensive, open software platform designed to power internet-enabled mobile telephones, providing wireless carriers with a choice of applications and services.
  • Benefon will adopt MME on selected GSM products to enable wireless data services such as the internet, e-mail, location-based services, electronic commerce, and corporate data access.
  • The partnership between Microsoft and Benefon is an important milestone in Benefon's mission to provide innovative, high-performance wireless communication products with professional quality and contemporary Finnish design.
  • Microsoft Mobile Explorer includes the first dual-mode microbrowser displaying both HTML and WAP 1.1-compliant content, allowing for seamless access to information and services based on either standard.
  • Benefon is one of the first manufacturers to announce plans to bring products with Microsoft Mobile Explorer to the market.
  • The partnership is a key component of Microsoft's end-to-end wireless strategy to provide mobile internet solutions that utilize additional technologies such as Microsoft Exchange Server, the BackOffice family, and MSN Mobile Services.

Statistics:

  • 9 European Cities of Culture will be promoting the new product in February 2000: Avignon (France), Bergen (Norway), Bologna (Italy), Brussels (Belgium), Helsinki (Finland), Krakow (Poland), Prague (Czech Republic), Reykjavik (Iceland), and Santiago de Compostela (Spain).
  • 33 companies are participating in the FIND initiative, which aims to encourage companies to create new products with simultaneous shows in the 9 European Cities of Culture.

Sources:

  • Microsoft Corp.
  • Benefon
  • FIND initiative (http://www.2000.hel.fi/find/)
  • Microsoft Exchange Server
  • BackOffice family
  • MSN Mobile Services
  • Benefon Esc! personal navigation phone

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