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Microsoft and Verizon Wireless Form Groundbreaking Alliance to Offer Superior Wireless Data Services
Microsoft and Verizon Wireless Form Groundbreaking Alliance to Offer Superior Wireless Data Services and
Applications to Consumers and Enterprise Customers -- Companies Launch Nationwide Mobile Service Featuring Popular MSN Services Friday
BEDMINSTER, N.J., and REDMOND, Wash., May 23, 2002 - Verizon Wireless and Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq:
MSFT) today announced a groundbreaking strategic alliance to deliver co-developed and jointly marketed wireless data services featuring MSN(R) services
and content, Windows(R) Powered devices, and enterprise solutions. As a result of the agreement, the MSN network and Verizon Wireless will deliver the
most compelling wireless data services to consumers in the United States through a new joint service offering, while also collaborating on future
next-generation offerings. Together, Verizon Wireless and Microsoft will also develop, co-brand and offer technology and services to consumers and
enterprise customers across a range of devices.
The joint VZW with MSN service will launch Friday via a multimillion- dollar joint marketing and branding program, and will be available for Verizon
Wireless customers who have a digital Web-enabled wireless device as well as future digital Verizon Wireless customers.
"Today's groundbreaking agreement between Verizon Wireless and Microsoft ushers in the next generation of wireless data services and devices for
consumers and enterprise customers," said Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft. "With the launch of the joint VZW with MSN service, the companies are
combining Internet communication services and content services from MSN, the world's most popular portal destination, with No. 1 carrier Verizon Wireless'
expertise to deliver highly relevant mobile services to consumers."
"The combination of our expertise and experience in developing superior wireless services with Microsoft's proven MSN services makes for a compelling
combination that wireless customers can take advantage of beginning Friday," said Denny Strigl, president and CEO of Verizon Wireless. "We are confident
that the Verizon Wireless and Microsoft joint offers will be a catalyst for wireless data services growth. We're live on Friday. Customers who sign up for the
VZW with MSN service will enjoy a robust mobile experience that truly meets their needs."
Verizon Wireless is the broadest and most reliable wireless network service provider in the nation and MSN is the No. 1 portal destination on the World
Wide Web. Together, the companies present a compelling choice for wireless consumers by offering the best mobile products and services. The VZW with
MSN service enables consumers to easily access popular MSN services from any Web-enabled Verizon Wireless digital phone, including MSN Messenger
Service instant messaging, which will be available for the first time in the United States as a mobile service. By combining other favorite MSN services, such as
the MSN Hotmail(R) Web-based e-mail service, Microsoft(R) .NET alerts and MSN information services, with wireless network technology from Verizon
Wireless, the new service will enable consumers to stay in touch with the people they care about and get timely access to personalized services and
information easier than ever, coast-to-coast. This co-branded service will be the default service for new digital Verizon Wireless customers who subscribe to
the wireless Web service.
Together, MSN and Verizon Wireless have committed to aggressive joint marketing efforts that include a nationwide advertising campaign, unprecedented
promotion on the MSN network of services, promotions in more than 1,200 Verizon Wireless Communications Stores nationwide and thousands of retail
outlets operated by Verizon Wireless and its retail partners, and direct marketing to more than 100 million consumers annually.
This strategic alliance further allows for the two industry leaders to co-develop new mobile applications in the future, such as access to location- based services
and other innovative technology that will empower consumers to communicate with friends and family even more effectively.
An important component of the alliance is the shared commitment the two companies have toward the future, including the development and deployment of
consumer and enterprise services. Verizon Wireless will offer groundbreaking wireless devices that include Microsoft software and wireless technology,
such as Windows Powered Pocket PCs and Smartphones, to Verizon Wireless customers. Verizon Wireless will take advantage of the functionality and
scalability of the Microsoft .NET Enterprise Server family and its set of Mobility Partners to become the gateway to inventive and useful mobile business
productivity applications, such as mobile messaging, for wireless users in the enterprise. By mobilizing the Microsoft business desktop, users will be able to
take the functionality of the Outlook(R) messaging and collaboration client on the road.
"The launch of the VZW with MSN service will enable consumers to easily communicate and access personalized information through MSN services they
know and love while on the go," said Yusuf Mehdi, vice president of MSN. "In the future, MSN and Verizon Wireless will work together to deliver the most
innovative and industry-defining mobile services ever available to consumers."
John Stratton, chief marketing officer at Verizon Wireless, said, "Today's announcement is a milestone, but just the beginning of an alignment of two of the
most powerful brands today with incredible reach into the consumer space. As consumers increasingly rely on their wireless devices to manage their life, the
services beginning tomorrow, as well as those products and services available to them in the future through this alliance, make Verizon Wireless and Microsoft
the only choice."
About MSN
MSN attracts more than 270 million unique users worldwide per month. Globally available in 34 markets and 18 languages, MSN is a world leader in
delivering Web services to consumers and digital marketing solutions to businesses worldwide. The most useful and innovative online service today, MSN
brings consumers everything they need from the Web to make the most of their time online. MSN is located on the Web at http://www.msn.com/ . MSN
worldwide sites are located at http://www.msn.com/worldwide.ashx .
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless is the nation's leading provider of wireless communications. The company has the largest nationwide wireless voice and data network and
30 million customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, N.J., Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone
(NYSE: VOD; London). More information is available on the Web at http://www.verizonwireless.com .
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