Windows Messenger Update for Windows XP to Enable PC-to-Phone Calls

Telecommunication Providers Line Up to Provide Next-Generation Communication Experience for Windows Messenger Users Oct. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- With the widespread availability of the Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP operating system just two weeks away, Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) today announced an update of Windows Messenger, available Oct. 25. The new Windows Messenger includes numerous design enhancements and enables consumers to use their PCs to make voice calls to telephones virtually anywhere in the world via a choice of participating providers within local regulations.

"The new Windows Messenger is an easy way for people to communicate with friends, family and co-workers anywhere," said John Frederiksen, general manager of Windows at Microsoft. "This enhancement to Windows Messenger, which incorporates customer feedback and underscores our commitment to continue to innovate and to ensure that Windows XP enables the best, easiest, most exciting computing experience for consumers. It also underscores our commitment to work with the industry to make Windows XP a great platform for third-party solutions."

Depending on their location, Windows XP users will have the option of choosing amongst different IP telephony service providers to complete their PC-to-phone calls. Callserve Corp., deltathree Inc., Dialpad Communications Inc., Net2Phone and TELUS Corp., Canada's second-largest telecommunications company, will offer high-quality phone calls within their own service areas and to other locations in the world. Further, these companies will maintain the account relationship with their respective end-user customers while enabling users to track their current call account balances all from within Messenger.

"As the leading Internet telephony provider across Europe, Callserve is excited to provide Windows Messenger users with a high-quality option for PC- to-phone service," said Paul Duffy, CEO of Callserve. "Callserve shares Microsoft's product vision for an integrated communications platform that enables a new generation of personal communications services fulfilling our promise of Internet-based telephony for users around the world."

"We believe that the inclusion of an easy-to-use PC-to-phone client in Windows XP will help move PC-based voice communication closer to the mainstream and will provide a technological building block for our next-generation SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) applications," said Noam Bardin, CEO and president of deltathree.

"We're pleased that Dialpad will be able to make its PC-to-phone offering available within the Windows Messenger feature," said Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Dialpad. "Our 14 million users have already discovered the value of making their phone calls using Internet telephony. Now, with Microsoft giving its users the tools they need to more easily make phone calls through their PCs, we believe a significant step has been taken in advancing IP telephony."

The new Windows Messenger capability is one example of how Microsoft is working to make Windows XP a great platform upon which independent companies can build innovative solutions for customers and develop new business opportunities. A broad range of companies, including Cisco Systems Inc., CommWorks Corp. and dynamicsoft Inc. are also supporting the Windows XP platform by providing some of the PC-to-phone infrastructure needed by the Internet telephony service providers to deliver the new services.

The new PC-to-phone calling options, along with other enhancements, are included in a downloadable update to the Windows Messenger feature within Windows XP. In addition, an update to the MSN(R) Messenger client software will enable the new PC-to-phone support for users of previous versions of Windows. Consumers will be invited to download the update -- which is less than 1 MB for users of Windows XP -- from the Web when they use their Windows or MSN Messenger client software on or after the Oct. 25 launch of the new Windows XP operating system. The update will enable users of Windows XP with Windows Messenger to make PC-to-PC voice calls to the more than 42 million MSN Messenger users as well as to other users of Windows Messenger. http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/evaluation/overviews/communication.asp.

Microsoft is also working with additional PC-to-phone service providers in the United States and worldwide to increase the choice of providers available to consumers. Internet telephone service providers can find information on this program at http://www.microsoft.com/serviceproviders/voiceservices/ .

About Windows XP
Windows XP -- the new standard for efficient, dependable computing -- gives users the freedom to experience the digital world by building on the momentum of the Internet and digital media with improvements that increase productivity and provide both business and home users with an easy-to-use and exciting PC experience. Windows XP puts the exciting experiences of the digital age at users' fingertips by uniting PCs, devices and services and brings the solid foundation of Windows 2000 to home PC users, enhancing reliability, security and performance.

Customers interested in more information about Windows XP should visit the Microsoft Web site at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/ .

About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software -- any time, any place and on any device.

For online information: Visit the Microsoft Web site at http://www.microsoft.com/.

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SOURCE Microsoft Corp.