Microsoft, MCI Partner on IM Calling

Microsoft and MCI on Tuesday announced the formation of a multiyear partnership to bring VoIP calling to Redmond's next generation messaging client. Called Windows Live Call, the feature will be tested as part of a limited beta of Windows Live Messenger, which is set to begin this week.

Details of a possible partnership came to the surface last week when news first broke on Yahoo's VoIP plans. Several Web logs reported on a possible deal in the works, and sources later confirmed to BetaNews that MCI had been selected for Microsoft's VoIP offerings.

At first, the service would only be available to testers in the United States, but the company has plans to expand the service to France, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom in the coming weeks.

Testers would pay $0.023 per minute to the U.S., Canada, and the U.K and Western Europe during the beta period. MCI will also award new customers with one hour of free calling at signup. Pricing will be finalized when Windows Live Messenger launches in 2006, Microsoft said.

"We are thrilled to work with a proven global technology provider like MCI to provide the bridge between PCs and phones with high-quality voice services that enable people to communicate more easily, conveniently and inexpensively," MSN Communication Services vice president Blake Irving said in the announcement. "Our customers are going to love this."

To place calls from the client, users would either click on a contact, or dial directly using a softphone to be provided within Windows Live Messenger. To refill minutes, customers will be able to buy time in $5, $10 or $25 increments from MCI.

MCI senior vice president Patty Proferes hinted that more could come out of the Microsoft partnership in the future. "This is a terrific example of the expanded MCI and Microsoft strategic relationship as the two companies continue to develop and deliver next-generation services for our customers."