Microsoft Cites Gains for its Connected Services Framework

More than a dozen communications companies, including Bell Canada, BT Retail and Celcom Malaysia, have now adopted Microsoft's Connected Services Framework, a software product that allows operators to aggregate, provision and manage converged communications services for their subscribers, regardless of network or device. In addition, France Telecom is currently trialing this solution. Microsoft first launched Connected Services Framework a year ago at 3GSM World Congress 2005.



BT Retail is using the solution to provide a packaged broadband access and hosted e-mail service to small and medium-sized businesses.



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.



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.

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