Eric: "Stinger was demonstrated Tuesday during a discussion headed by Microsoft's vice president Ben Waldman, vice president of the Mobile Devices Division. Microsoft won't build the device, but will license the underlying software technology such as the Windows CE operating system to manufacturers including Samsung (Nasdaq: SSNHY)."
"...we fully expect phones to overtake PCs as the way users will access the Internet," Ben Waldman, vice president of the Mobile Devices Division, said.
COMMENTS: We should make the connection, between MSFT, Korea Telecom, Stinger and then this starts becoming interesting.
Korea Telecom and Microsoft Announce Their Cooperation to Accelerate Development and Deployment of Wireless Data Services in Korea
REDMOND, Wash. - June 4, 1999 - Korea Telecom Freetel (KT Freetel) and Microsoft Corp. today announced a proposal to accelerate the development and deployment of wireless Internet and corporate data services for businesses and consumers in Korea. The companies entered this discussion based on their shared vision that affordable, wireless Internet access is necessary for information to be available any time, anywhere. The combination of wireless networking technology and facilities from KT Freetel and powerful client/server products and solutions from Microsoft can make information more accessible to more people through a variety of mobile devices, all of which have the potential to improve business processes while delivering on the vision of personalized computing in Korea.
As part of the proposal, Microsoft and Korea Telecom Freetel will discuss the development of a standards-based Internet and corporate service platform based on Microsoft® products such as the Windows NT® Server operating system, Microsoft Commercial Internet System and Microsoft Exchange. Korea Telecom Freetel, which operates a nationwide Personal Communications Services (PCS) phone service with approximately 3.5 million subscribers, will also discuss with Microsoft using Microsoft microbrowser technology for its handsets, possibly developing future Windows® CE operating system-based wireless products, and making available a customized, co-branded wireless portal based on mobile data service offerings from the MSNTM network of Internet services.
"Microsoft believes strongly in enabling people to access their information any time and anywhere, and wireless technologies are a key part of making this vision a reality," said Thomas Koll, vice president, Network Solutions Group, Microsoft. "Entering into this discussion with Korea Telecom Freetel is a tremendous step forward in helping to deliver new network services to a broad range of customers in Korea."
"Korea Telecom Freetel believes that wireless data services are key not only to helping people access information any time and anywhere, but also to retaining subscribers in this competitive arena, through our SMS-based data services, Handynet," said Kun Ho Chun, executive vice president, New Product Development Office, Korea Telecom Freetel. "Our next step is to expand the customer base and provide more standards-based, integrated wireless data services."
About the companies
Founded in 1997, Korea Telecom Freetel (Sang-Chul Lee, president) is a subsidiary of Korea Telecom and the biggest PCS provider not only in the domestic market but throughout the world. It broke the 3 million subscribers mark on March 24, 1999. Since the start of the service, a single telecom company gaining 3 million subscribers over one year and six months was the shortest recorded time for that in the world.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day. |
