14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has been a notable presence at this year's Mobile World Congress and their latest announcement was that the Redmond-based company teamed up with Qatar Telecom (Qtel) in an attempt to offer cloud-based services, software solutions and mobile services, as well as devices over Qtel's network. The goal of the new alliance is to expand the converged network's service portfolio, by leveraging the user experience for all subscribers.
The new association will offer the companies involved the possibility to join their specific assets and strengths to provide a wide range of services and products that would not only increase productivity, but also help users manage their technology requirements with ease. Furthermore, they will also join efforts to produce several innovative digital entertainment experiences that can be enjoyed while at home or on the move.
The chief executive officer of Qtel, Dr. Nasser Marafih, declared that Microsoft and Qtel would deliver their new communications services to both businesses and consumers. “This is an important alliance that will deliver world-leading services and applications from Microsoft over Qtel’s world-class networks to make a real difference in people’s lives - all made available through a seamless one-click, one-touch user experience,” said Marafih. “Qtel’s efforts will add a distinct element of mobility and connectivity to enrich the overall experience for people, to make the technology truly come alive.”
Marafih added that the new alliance would bring to the business market new opportunities and potential throughout the land, due to various combined solutions, which would integrate “telephony, e-mail, mobility, conferencing, collaboration and tools like ‘presence’.”
Moreover, the corporate vice president for the Communications Sector at Microsoft, Austen Mulinder, stated that both Qtel and Microsoft would have a framework that would permit them to collaborate, build and innovate on a continuous basis, all in order to offer optimized services to consumers and corporations. “Together we’re building a road map to deliver rich, connected experiences,” Mulinder revealed. “Spanning TV, PC and mobile devices, these new services will bring differentiation for Qtel and deliver compelling new scenarios for consumers and businesses.”
It appears that the new products launched due to this alliance will get to the public by the middle of the ongoing year. The two companies will reportedly engage in multiple directions, such as joint sales and marketing, collaboration on several products, but also corporate citizenship initiatives. The purpose of the alliance is to develop new technologies that would help produce attractive solutions for the customers of Qatar Telecom.
The first step would be to launch mobile e-learning pilot projects in Qatar, Kuwait and Oman, in order to encourage both students and teachers to communicate, work together and use numerous educational services, including Windows Phone and the Windows Live platform. The official announcement of the alliance between Qtel and Microsoft also implies that they plan to deliver leveraged services on desktops, handsets, television sets and game platforms, the sole goal being to provide users with high value digital entertainment within the many sides of their lives.