Bell Canada and Microsoft Enter Strategic Alliance to Deliver Next Generation of Internet Services
Toronto, Canada (June 16, 2003) — Bell Canada and Microsoft Corporation today announced a strategic alliance to bring Canadians Internet services that are easier to use, more secure, more entertaining and that will feature the "next generation" of enhanced communications services for dial-up and high-speed (broadband) Internet connections.
|
Through their alliance the companies will deliver to customers a unique package of powerful and easy-to-use services that will include the next version of MSN's recently launched premium services, MSN® 8. They will also combine the best of Sympatico.ca and MSN.ca to create a new co-branded portal for all Canadian Internet consumers.
"Bell offers a uniquely Canadian perspective to the world-leading services it is committed to delivering to its customers," said Michael Sabia, Chief Executive Officer of Bell Canada and BCE. "To get real value from the Internet customers need the services and tools that let them simplify and better manage their on-line activities, all within a secure environment. Bell is a proven leader in the development, packaging and delivery of Internet content and services to Canadians. In co-operation with Microsoft, we're going to expand the tools available to make the Internet a stronger resource for Canadians."
"We're pleased to be working with Bell Canada to deliver further innovation to the Canadian market and to enhance consumers' on-line experience with rich and useful services," said Steve Ballmer, Chief Executive Officer, Microsoft Corporation. "This alliance will accelerate the adoption of broadband in Canada by offering consumers a powerful combination of our award-winning MSN services and expert Canadian content and services from Bell Canada."
Bell and Microsoft will also work together to develop innovative Internet services in the areas of home networking, mobile computing, interactive entertainment, security and enhanced communications tools such as unified voice and e-mail, video conferencing and multimedia messaging.
Sympatico's Canadian content and MSN's popular software will be available to all Canadians through a new co-branded portal scheduled to be launched in the Spring of 2004. Unique services will also be made directly available to Bell's more than two million access customers.
"We're committed to work with Bell to offer the best Internet experience in Canada," said Frank Clegg, President, Microsoft Canada Co. "Canadians will have access to a wide range of compelling on-line experiences that enable them to share, create and learn in one trusted place."
Bell and Microsoft will share the day-to-day operations of the new portal and manage the delivery of new subscription services. Bell will manage the development and delivery of Canadian content for both English and French-Canadian markets, technical and customer support, billing, pricing and marketing of services. Microsoft will provide access to its world-class portal infrastructure and popular on-line services such as MSN Hotmail® web-based e-mail service and MSN Messenger.
Services will include tools, applications and content to make the Internet more useful and deliver:
Better Communications: Integrated mail, messaging and calendaring services that give customers easy access to friends and family while working from virtually any where.
Better Security: Software that enables parents to manage how their children use the Internet as well as tools that can help make the Internet safer, enabling consumers to filter unwanted messages and help protect their data from others.
Easier Use: Tools that enable customers to share photos, learn, access information and personalize their own content services to match their preferences. Each member of the family can create their own "version" of the Internet experience.
More Entertainment: Providing consumers access to a broad choice of interesting content, information and services from one, easy-to-use entry point. Canadian consumers will have access to music, games, travel, learning, content and information services from a wide range of Bell's and Microsoft's business customers.
Alliance benefits
Through this five-year agreement Bell will have access to Microsoft's global product and content development, benefit from Microsoft's significant investment in next generation technologies, and work more closely with Microsoft's large community of independent software developers and global content providers working on broadband applications.
Microsoft will benefit from Bell's national presence in the Canadian market, its leadership position in building customer relationships and the company's proven experience in providing Internet access services and content to Canadians.
"The companies that will succeed in providing broadband services to the home are those that can provide functionality and simplicity in a single offering to a solid customer base and possess the capacity for innovation. The Bell-Microsoft alliance clearly brings those attributes to the table," concluded Mr. Sabia.
Media Call
A teleconference media briefing with a question and answer session is scheduled for today from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. EST. To participate, please dial 1-888-575-8227 (toll-free) or 416-406-2391 between 1:50 p.m. and 1:58 p.m.
Executives participating on the call include:
| • | Charlotte Burke, senior vice-president, Consumer Internet Services, Bell Canada |
| • | Owen Sagness, director, Enterprise Commercial Sales, Microsoft Canada |
| • | Gerri Sinclair, general manager, MSN.ca |
For those unable to participate, a replay facility of the call will be available until June 18, 2003 at 11:59 p.m. EST. To access the replay facility, call 1-800-408-3053; access code 1435907#.
About Bell Canada
Bell Canada, Canada's national leader in communications, provides connectivity to residential and business customers through wired and wireless voice and data communications, local and long distance phone services, high speed and wireless Internet access, IP-broadband services, e-business solutions and satellite television services. Bell Canada is wholly owned by BCE Inc. For more information please visit www.bell.ca
About Microsoft Canada Co.
Established in 1985, Microsoft Canada Co. is the Canadian subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation (Nasdaq "MSFT"), the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. Microsoft Canada provides nationwide sales, marketing, consulting and local support services in both French and English. Headquartered in Mississauga, Microsoft Canada has regional offices in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Montréal, Québec and Halifax dedicated to empowering people through great software - any time, any place and on any device. Visit Microsoft Canada's web site at www.microsoft.ca.
Microsoft, Hotmail and MSN are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
