Microsoft Helps Telecommunications Market 'Get Connected' at GLOBALCOMM 2006

Microsoft Helps Telecommunications Market 'Get Connected' at GLOBALCOMM 2006

Microsoft Activities at GLOBALCOMM Include New Customer, Partner and Product Announcements, Innovative Solution Demos at the Microsoft Booth, and Executive Speaking Sessions on Topics Such as IMS, VoIP and IPTV

CHICAGO, June 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- At GLOBALCOMM 2006, the next-generation communications marketplace and summit, Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:MSFT) will showcase its portfolio of solutions that allow service providers to deliver a wide range of integrated voice, video and data services to consumers, enterprises, and small and medium-sized businesses. Solutions featured in the Microsoft exhibit include Microsoft(R) Connected Services Framework, Microsoft TV IPTV Edition, Microsoft Solution for Hosted Messaging and Collaboration, Microsoft Solution for Enhanced VoIP Services, Microsoft Office Live Communications Server, Microsoft Office Communicator and Microsoft Office Live Meeting.

(Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO )

"As a strategic partner to service providers, we are committed to developing the software-based solutions and the infrastructure to support them," said Michael O'Hara, general manager of marketing for the Communications Sector at Microsoft. "Our innovative solutions enable service providers to deliver services that create differentiation, enhance the customer experience and, ultimately, drive new revenue streams."

Among the solutions Microsoft is highlighting at GLOBALCOMM is Connected Services Framework, a software product that allows telecommunications operators to aggregate, provision and manage converged communications services for their subscribers, regardless of network or device. Since it was launched last year, Connected Services Framework has been selected by more than a dozen major operators around the world as the foundation for delivering a variety of Microsoft, operator-developed and third-party applications and services.

Microsoft continues to enhance Connected Services Framework and is scheduled to release version 3.0 of the Connected Services Framework solution this month. The latest version offers new operational features, including enhanced integration with operations support systems and business support systems, troubleshooting capabilities, and tools, as well as upgrades to supporting technologies and products.

Microsoft, in conjunction with Tatara Systems Inc., will highlight a "Continuity" service to demonstrate the cross-network connection management capabilities of Connected Services Framework. In this scenario, a service provider would implement Connected Services Framework and the Tatara Subscriber Gateway to offer a service that enables video content to intelligently and seamlessly roam between different types of devices and across multiple networks.

Microsoft also announced that TELUS has deployed Microsoft Solution for Hosted Messaging and Collaboration version 3.5 to deliver new hosted service offerings, including push e-mail to mobile devices, to business customers in Canada. In addition, Microsoft announced an alliance with Ubiquity Software Corp., whereby the companies will develop and market converged communications solutions to telecommunications service providers worldwide. Through the alliance, the companies will deliver solutions that bring together Microsoft Connected Services Framework and Ubiquity's award-winning SIP Application Server (SIP A/S), enabling service providers to quickly and cost-effectively bring to market new revenue-generating services for businesses and consumers.

In demonstrations at GLOBALCOMM, Microsoft and Ubiquity will showcase the advanced capabilities of the combined platforms with a service that integrates IMS and Web services and is designed to help "lost" mobile subscribers receive directions to their destinations.

Microsoft TV Expands IPTV Ecosystem

Microsoft TV and Juniper Networks Inc. today announced a global agreement to deliver high-performance security solutions that protect Internet protocol (IP) networks, services and applications. Following recent agreements with IBM Corp. and HP to provide server solutions to support Microsoft TV IPTV Edition, this announcement further underscores Microsoft's commitment to strengthening the IPTV ecosystem on the eve of commercial deployments by top-tier service providers worldwide.

Microsoft Executives Featured at GLOBALCOMM

Microsoft executives will be participating in the following educational sessions at the conference:

-- Monday, June 5, 2006
-- IP Summit keynote address, "TV Gets Connected," Christine Heckart,
general manager of marketing, Microsoft TV, noon
-- IEC panel, "Developing and Integrating the IPTV Ecosystem,"
Ed Graczyk, director of marketing and communications, Microsoft TV,
2:15 p.m.
-- Telecom U panel, "Web Services and IMS," Michel Burger, CTO,
Microsoft Communications Sector, 3 p.m.
-- IEC keynote address, "IPTV," Christine Heckart, general manager of
marketing, Microsoft TV, 3:45 p.m.

-- Tuesday, June 6, 2006
-- TIA panel, "Distributing Entertainment to the Whole Home and
Beyond," Ed Graczyk, director of marketing and communications,
Microsoft TV, 11 a.m.
-- Telecom U panel, "Delivering the Value of VoIP," Michael Finn,
senior product manager, Microsoft Communications Sector, noon
-- Telecom U panel, "Answers on IMS Applications," Michel Burger, CTO,
Microsoft Communications Sector, 1 p.m.
-- IEC panel, "IPTV Services & Markets," Christine Heckart, general
manager of marketing, Microsoft TV, 2:30 p.m.

-- Wednesday, June 7, 2006
-- IEC panel, "The Future of Integrated Communications,"
Michael O'Hara, general manager of marketing, Microsoft
Communications Sector, 11 a.m.

Attendees who would like additional information can visit Microsoft booth number 34031 at GLOBALCOMM in Chicago.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

NOTE: Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Microsoft Corp.

CONTACT: Rose Tucker of Weber Shandwick, +1-425-452-5463, or
rtucker@webershandwick.com, for Microsoft

Web site: http://www.microsoft.com/

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