Vodafone and Microsoft in mobiles link-up

Two communications giants collaborating to develop mobile Internet services

LONDON -- The British-based telecoms giant, Vodafone, is joining forces with the world's biggest software company, Microsoft, to develop mobile Internet services.

The aim is to bring the functionality of Microsoft's Outlook package to wireless mobile devices.

The two companies will begin testing the technology next month and, if the trials are successful, plan to launch the products commercially from next spring.

Those taking part in the trials will be able to use Outlook to send and receive e-mails from a range of mobile devices and access other software, such as calendar and contacts information.

Vodafone's chief executive Peter Bamford says the move is in response to changing work patterns.

He said: "Bringing additional functionality to mobile devices further enhances Vodafone's capabilities in the corporate market, as more workforces conduct their business away from the traditional office.

Senior Microsoft executive Paul Gross said the service will "enable users to access customised corporate services at any time, any place and from any device."

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