Wireless WAN Strategy Takes Shape

Despite false starts, Microsoft continues to see a big business opportunity in wireless data products and services. The company has found major carriers to roll out “smarter” wireless devices (such as voice-enabled Pocket PCs) that use data services, and is promising them an end-to-end platform of development tools, server software, and online services needed to create mobile data services. However, Microsoft is depending on others to build compelling applications and services that can cover the cash-strapped carriers’ infrastructure investments, and competition from Symbian and Palm could be hard to overcome, especially since Microsoft’s mobile platform is still a work in progress.

Why Microsoft’s Wireless Strategy Matters

Many parties have a stake in the success of Microsoft’s strategy for wireless wide area networks (WWANs): organizations that might benefit from wireless data services, wireless carriers, ISVs, wireless OEMs and device manufacturers, and Microsoft itself.

(Ed. note: This article is confined to Microsoft’s strategy for WWANs only, and not to other wireless technologies: readers unfamiliar with WWAN terminology and technology should see the sidebar “Wireless Connectivity Options for the Pocket PC” on page 15 of the Apr. 2002 Update.)