Microsoft Launches Communications Sector Alliance Program

Microsoft Corp. today announced the Communications Sector Alliance Program (CSAP), an initiative created to enable service providers to promote and develop new customer solutions.

The program, which is offered through the Microsoft® Partner Solutions Center (MPSC), is designed to help communications companies with a strong commitment to Microsoft technologies maintain their industry leadership and foster further innovation by taking advantage of the most advanced and up-to-date development and testing facilities at Microsoft.

CSAP is designed for service provider partners that are developing or offering Microsoft-based solutions or hosted service offerings. It gives CSAP partners a unique opportunity to work closely with key Microsoft teams to help accelerate solutions development.

The program builds upon the MPSC’s existing partner community and resources to create a communications-focused ecosystem of network equipment providers, independent software providers, carriers and systems integrators.

Bell Canada, Canada’s leading telecommunications provider, and Swisscom Mobile, Switzerland’s largest mobile operator, have already signed up to take advantage of the program.

Bell Canada is collaborating with Microsoft to develop integrated services designed to help Bell Canada’s small and midsize business (SMB) customers increase their productivity and have access to reliable and security-enhanced solutions.

“The Communications Sector Alliance Program has enabled and Microsoft to combine their strengths to help bring new value-added services to the SMB market,” said Howard Morton, vice president of Strategic Ventures and Alliances for Canada’s Small and Medium Business Group.

As a member of CSAP, Swisscom Mobile will take advantage of Microsoft resources to achieve the best user experience for mobile users of Microsoft-based products.

“Swisscom Mobile has the reputation of being at the forefront of the industry, offering the most up-to-date services and solutions to its customers in Switzerland. Our product, Mobile Unlimited, which was recently named the best mobile enterprise solution at the 3GSM Congress in Cannes, has been extensively tested in a Microsoft software environment,” said Christian Petit, head of product marketing at Swisscom Mobile.

“The goal of Microsoft Communications Sector Alliance Program and the Microsoft Partner Solutions Center is to help providers maintain a competitive edge and take full advantage of today’s business opportunities,” said Jarmo Paukkunen, director of the MPSC.

The Microsoft Partner Solutions Center is part of Microsoft’s Communications Sector business unit and is located in Redmond, Wash. The MPSC is a 21,000-square-foot facility showcasing Microsoft and partner solutions.