Carphone Warehouse, O2 with Nokia, T-Mobile and TeliaSonera Sign with Microsoft to Deploy Windows 7 Netbooks

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The growth of Windows on netbooks over the last year has been phenomenal. We've seen Windows adoption on these devices in the U.S. alone go from 10% in early 2008 to 98% as of February 2009, according to the latest NPD data.

Beyond retail and online options, more and more telcos have become a key pipeline for this Windows netbook distribution. This trend with telcos demonstrates that the way consumers are buying Windows PCs is changing, but also showcases the telcos' successes in becoming an alternative consumer PC sourcing channel.

 
TODAY'S WINDOWS 7 NEWS!

 

Timed with today's Windows 7 launch, we are announcing that more than 50 telecommunications operators around the world will offer their customers Windows 7 based netbooks this quarter. Some will be shipping these devices from today, others will be launching over the coming quarter. Significantly, this is the first major launch of Windows in which telco operators will participate as a channel partner - and as such represents a key milestone in the deepening relationship between Microsoft and operators.

Those who have announced their intentions to offer their customers Windows 7 netbooks include:

Details on each of these respective offerings are below.

These operators have chosen Windows 7 for many reasons. In addition to the fact that the operating system improves the user experience over older generation of Windows, telcos see synergies with the technologies they already support today. In the same way that Windows XP made Wi-Fi mainstream for the first time, Windows 7 has the potential to do the same to 3G and at the same time redefine what people come to expect from their PCs large and small while on the go.

We're also hearing from our telco partners that Windows 7 addresses many challenges they and their customers are facing today:

  • Ensures compatibility between applications and online services
  • Includes strong security features to prevent viral attacks on operating system and applications
  • Reduces costs of operations, deployment, and online service investments
  • Reduces total cost of operations (TCO) by maintaining and managing products from multiple vendors

For consumers, buying netbooks with Windows 7 through their telco providers provides a level of convenience and cost saving (e.g. lower upfront investments, affordable data plans.). First, customers see cost reductions from being able to bundle their data and voice services. Second, customers like the lower cost of PCs bought through telcos due to carrier subsidization. And third, 40% of customers see the service and support offered by telcos as a primary selling point.

Telcos are a very important channel for Microsoft. Today's news represents an immense opportunity to grow the market share of Windows 7, while at the same time laying the foundation for offering additional consumer and business services (both third party and Microsoft services) to complement the telcos' growing range of value-added services.

We see a tremendous long-term potential in the telco channel becoming a key pipeline for Microsoft. When you combine the assets of the telcos (e.g. vast retail presence, long-term billing relationships) with Microsoft assets (e.g. software + services to deliver connected experiences), we are incredibly excited by our collective ability to innovate, compete and succeed.

 

Details on Our Telco Channel Partners for Windows 7

Carphone Warehouse (UK)
This article in Mobile News Online which details Carphone Warehouse's plans to offer Windows 7 pre-installed on 12 laptops and netbooks starting today, includes the company's CEO Andrew Harrison speaking about the company's offering. Graham Stapleton, COO, also told us "We're really excited about the launch of Windows 7 and delighted we are deepening our partnership with Microsoft to ensure our entire range of laptops and netbooks have the latest and best pre-installed operating system available.  The Windows 7 platform raises the technological bar, giving customers the opportunity to maximise the capabilities of their new devices"
 
O2 with Nokia Booklet 3G (Germany) The Nokia Booklet 3G with Windows 7 became available to O2 customers in Germany today. It is available online and in retail stores. Additionally the Nokia Booklet 3G is available at the Nokia Online Store and the Nokia Stores in Hamburg, Cologne, Hannover and Stuttgart.

The Nokia Booklet 3G will be offered as "O2 My Handy."  When buying the device, customers will be charged an initial fee of 249 Euros followed by a monthly basic rate of 20 Euros for the next 24 months. At the Nokia Online Store the Nokia Booklet 3G will be available for 729 Euros.

It is the first mobile internet mini notebook brought to the market by Nokia. With the various features, Nokia Booklet 3G users are able to manage their digital applications from wherever they happen to be and to integrate them for maximum utility into the mobile daily routine. The device includes many other Ovi services, e.g. access to millions of music tracks at the Nokia Music Store or synchronization with Nokia mobile phones via Ovi Suite.

The devices will be hitting U.S. soil in mid-November, so stay tuned for additional updates.

TeliaSonera
TeliaSonera will offer Windows 7 Netbooks fom all major OEMs, first in Sweden before rolling out across multiple markets in Europe. Claes Bidemar, Vice President Strategic Business Development Mobility Services at TeliaSonera explained, "We believe that Windows 7 is a key enabler for mobility and do support our strategic efforts as a telco and thereby further expansion in the area of mobile broadband and the use of devices on-the-go. "

T-Mobile
T-Mobile has announced that all new net- and notebook models will come pre-loaded with Windows 7 as of October 22. These will soon be available to buy from T-Mobile as well as online and through customer care services across the T-Mobile footprint as specified by Microsoft roll out plans. The existing portfolio based on XP technology will be phased out step-by-step. T-Mobile in Germany will offer Windows 7-based notebooks to its customers in November this year.