Microsoft targets Nokia territory
C|Net | at | by Mike
Microsoft's deal with AT&T Wireless on Wednesday shows that it is making some strides in the war for the wireless business user, but it isn't a knockout blow, analysts said. The battle is for sales executives and other professionals needing to fire up laptops anywhere and any place. The classic "road warrior" is among the largest set of users targeted for the new mobile Web networks that U.S. carriers are now building. This small but growing class of users represents the earliest, and biggest, potential sources of new revenue that wireless carriers are desperately trying to find.
The two Redmond, Wash.-based companies on Wednesday said they will be introducing new products primarily for the laptop-, PDA- and cell phone-carrying mobile professionals who need to be connected to the office mainframe at any time. But the deal to develop new service is non-exclusive, meaning AT&T Wireless can turn to other companies such as Nokia for products and services, analysts point out. Financial terms were also not disclosed.