MCI PC-to-Phone Service for Windows Live

MCI (in the midst of being acquired by Verizon) has signed a multiyear deal with Microsoft to provide PC-to-phone Voice-over-IP (VoIP) capabilities for the upcoming Windows Live Messenger (formerly MSN Messenger) service and client software. Live Messenger, a completely revamped version of its predecessor, has just gone into beta and will launch in mid-2006. This marks Microsoft’s second attempt to offer PC-to-phone services to consumers; Microsoft had partnered in the past with Callserve, Deltathree, and Net2Phone to allow MSN Messenger users to make PC-to-phone voice calls, but these services were later dropped.

MCI Web Calling for Windows Live Call

When it goes into full service under the unwieldy name of “MCI Web Calling for Windows Live Call,” Live Messenger can be used to place VoIP calls from Internet-connected PCs to conventional and cellular phone networks in more than 220 countries. Callers will pay per-minute charges that are deducted from prepaid accounts with MCI, which will manage customer registration, account management, support, and billing. At this stage, MCI and Microsoft intend to offer PC-to-phone calling only, although both companies are evaluating the market demand for phone-to-PC service (which is more complex because each PC user needs to be assigned a dedicated phone number).