Vodafone to launch IM services with Microsoft and Yahoo!

Vodafone has announced partnerships with Microsoft and Yahoo! that will seamless instant messaging (IM) between PC and mobile phones.

Microsoft will provide Vodafone with access to the Windows Live Messenger platform through a co-branded service. With Yahoo! Vodafone will work on an integrated communications service that will be based on a co-branded application that can work on both PCs and mobile devices.

The new IM services will provide millions of customers with enhanced IM communication opportunities and will be launched in select European markets later this year.

The co-branded Instant Messenger experience will be available on a wide range of Vodafone consumer handsets, including those on the Windows Mobile platform, bringing together customers of other Mobile Network Operator IM network.

In June 2005, Vodafone and Microsoft announced the signing of a strategic alliance agreement involving the interconnection of existing instant messaging services from both companies. The announcement made now is of a new, co-branded and converged instant messaging offering.

Vodafone and Yahoo! intend to further develop their partnership by exploring the creation of next generation communication services. The companies first established their partnership in November 2006 when Vodafone named Yahoo! their exclusive display advertising partner in the UK. Together the companies are creating an innovative mobile advertising business to enhance the customer experience on mobile phones while providing both companies with a new revenue stream.