14 DAY TRIAL // Today, Redmond-based software giant Microsoft announced officially that all five mobile phone carriers in the UK will make Windows Phone 7 devices available for purchase on their networks as soon as the platform hits the market.
According to Microsoft, Orange, O2, Vodafone, T-Mobile and Three will be launch partners for the Windows Phone 7 devices than will arrive on shelves later during the ongoing year.
“Today, Microsoft has announced that all five of the mobile network operators in the UK – Orange, O2, Vodafone, T-Mobile and Three – will be ranging phones running Windows Phone 7 when it launches later this year,” the company stated in a press release.
On top of that, Microsoft announced that the Windows Phone 7 devices are set to become available for purchase via retailers in the UK too, including The Carphone Warehouse and Phones 4u.
For what it's worth, this announcement was somehow expected, given the fact that Microsoft already said that there will be no exclusivities when it comes to Windows Phone 7's availability.
Moreover, since the OS is expected to be released officially on October 11, it does make sense for Microsoft to announce various aspects of future deals that users would be able to benefit from.
“Following our announcement at Mobile World Congress that Orange will be our lead partner, it is wonderful now to have all of the UK's network operators supporting the launch of Windows Phone 7,” Alex Reeve, Director, Mobile Business Group, Microsoft UK, said.
“This means we can provide network choice and also a range of phones across networks for customers to choose from, all with the power of Windows Phone 7. We are thrilled to be working in partnership with these major industry players,” he continued.
The Windows Phone 7 operating system comes to the market as “a different kind of phone,” the company states.
The solution has been designed to offer an innovative and beautiful user interface, complemented by integrated experiences. Moreover, it will put together the Xbox LIVE games and the Zune music and video experience on mobile phones.