Qwest Is First Communications Company to Announce Plans to Offer Co-Branded Windows Live Services in the U.S. Providing Personalized Internet Experiences for Customers
Qwest Communications International Inc. will offer Windows Live antivirus software to high-speed Internet access customers, switching from McAfee Inc. as Microsoft Corp. introduces expanded online programs this year.
When Qwest Communications International first came on the telecommunications scene a decade ago; it would have been hard to imagine that a telephone company would end up working in partnership with a computer software giant like Microsoft. Yet it seems broadband has today become fertile soil for cultivating cross-industry partnerships such as these, particularly as telcos find themselves hard pressed to offer customers ever more enticing Internet-based package deals.
Qwest also will use Microsoft’s e-mail and instant-messaging software for its 1.7 million consumer high-speed customers, said Scott Russell, a director of product management for Qwest.
Microsoft is revamping its MSN Internet services under the Windows Live brand to compete better with Google Inc., the top Internet search engine, Yahoo Inc. and Time Warner Inc.’s AOL. Microsoft, the world’s largest software maker, also is targeting customers of McAfee and Symantec Corp., the two leading makers of antivirus software, with a new program to protect computers.
Having now cottoned onto the value that consumers place on keeping their computers free of bugs, Qwest is offering Microsoft’s latest Internet security software along with its high-speed Internet service. Windows Live OneCare, which aims to protect users from Internet attacks and keep PCs running smoothly, is being added at no extra cost for customers and will be included with Windows Live-branded e-mail, the companies said.
According to ‘The Associated Press’ this will mark the first such partnership for Microsoft’s new online security product. A launch date has not been set.
Windows Live is designed to help people get the most out of their time online by bringing together their relationships, information and interests all in one place, said Martin Taylor, corporate vice president of Windows Live and MSN marketing at Microsoft. We are thrilled that by working with a leader like Qwest, we can deliver these services to customers in the seamless way they expect.
Qwest, the fourth-largest U.S. local-telephone company, becomes the first to distribute Windows Live services. Qwest considered “all the leaders” in Internet services before deciding on Microsoft, Russell said.
The deal expands a relationship that began in 2001 between Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft and Denver-based Qwest. Eighty percent of Qwest’s consumer high-speed access customers already use MSN software and services; they include e-mail accounts, junk mail filters and Microsoft rival McAfee Inc.’s Internet virus scanning. The companies declined to comment on terms.
But it is by far not the first time Microsoft and Qwest, led by Chief Executive Richard C. Notebaert, have worked together. In September last year the companies announced a partnership to provide an Internet telephony, or VoIP, service for small- to medium-sized businesses.
As part of the new agreement, the companies will expand their current relationship for MSN services and offer custom, co-branded Windows Live services to customers, making Qwest the first U.S. communications company to announce plans to offer Internet service provider (ISP) services with Windows Live services.
Qwest spokeswoman Kate Varden said customers will have the choice of sticking with the MSN and McAfee offering or switching to Windows Live when it launches.
The companies plan to develop new and improved integrated communications and personalized services on the new Windows Live services platform. The companies plan to offer the following benefits to customers:
- Safety: With Windows Live OneCare, customers who are on Windows XP-based computers will get not only automated anti-virus, anti-spyware and firewall security features, but a comprehensive and updated PC care service to help keep their PCs healthy and running well.
- Flexibility: Customers will be able to make the Internet their own by personalizing their Qwest and Windows Live home page experience much more quickly using Microsoft tools and gadgets that make it easy to customize content for their individual needs.
- Connectivity: With co-branded Windows Live Messenger and Windows Live Mail services, customers will be able to manage rich communications and stay in touch with people.
Qwest High-Speed Internet Service provides great value for customers with super-fast performance (up to 5 Mbps) and MSN Premium included at no additional charge with Windows Live services in the future. The availability of new options for wireless home networking available and speeds up to 89 times faster than a dial-up connection make this a great time to upgrade to Qwest High-Speed Internet Service with MSN Premium. “Qwest is currently offering 1.5Mbps high-speed Internet service starting as low as $26.99.”
Instant Messenger
The new services will be offered to Qwest customers later this year and will include co-branded versions of instant messaging software and customized homepages, as well as Qwest e- mail accounts that run on Microsoft’s Windows Live mail technology.
Yahoo, based in Sunnyvale, California, leads the U.S. market for Web-based e-mail, followed by AOL, Microsoft and Google, according to Nielsen//NetRatings data. AOL, a unit of New York- based Time Warner inc., runs the most popular instant messenger service, followed by MSN and Yahoo. Mountain View, California- based Google is No. 8.
Qwest trails San Antonio-based AT&T Inc., New York-based Verizon and Atlanta-based BellSouth Corp. among U.S. telephone carriers.
Qwest is dedicated to providing customers with the best total high-speed Internet experience. Qwest will offer its customers improved, more personalized Internet experiences through Windows Live services, said Dan Yost, executive vice president, product and marketing for Qwest.
"By working with Microsoft, an established pre-eminent leader in Internet solutions, Qwest has further solidified that commitment."