Microsoft, Partners Play in the Sandbox

Microsoft Corp. on Monday launched the Connected Services Sandbox program that brings together ISVs, developers, systems integrators (SIs), network equipment providers and telecommunications service providers, each of which develops and tests new communications services that ultimately will be brought to market.

Sandbox participants will combine Web services with traditional telecommunications offerings to create software that can be delivered across nearly any type of network or device.

Microsoft is working with European services provider BT to launch competitions that will choose which connected services to roll out to consumers. The contests begin in January.

The challenge will be open to more than 6 million participants, who must build functional prototypes of their designs and use Microsoft platforms.

“The goal of the Sandbox is to facilitate the rapid development and market deployment of scores of new service offerings, creating new opportunities for Sandbox participants and delivering new options for consumers and businesses,” said Michael O Hara, general manager for the Communications Sector at Microsoft.

The Connected Services Sandbox is available on the Internet.

A number of companies – including Bell Canada, Ensim and Nortel Networks – have signed on to the project.

BT www.bt.com  

Bell Canada www.bell.ca  

Ensim www.ensim.com  

Microsoft Corp. www.microsoft.com  

Nortel Networks www.nortel.com

Share this article: Email, Slashdot, Digg, Del.icio.us, Yahoo!MyWeb, Windows Live Favorites, Furl
Add this article feed to: RSS, My Yahoo, Newsgator, Bloglines