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PROUDXBOXOWNER
06-03-2002, 02:07 PM
Microsoft is understood to be in talks with T-Online over a deal that would mean the US giant buying a 25 per cent stake in the internet provider.

Microsoft's interest in the German group, 81 per cent owned by Deutsche Telekom, is part of its recently unveiled online gaming strategy. It is expected to result in games being sold with internet access as a "bundled" package.

"Microsoft is planning this because it needs access to Europe's biggest broadband network," one Frankfurt analyst said. "Its plans won't work without it."

Following the global launch of Bill Gates' Xbox console, his company made it clear at last week's video games conference in Los Angeles that it would be betting heavily on the potential of online gaming.

Its Xbox Live! subscription gaming service is expected to be launched globally this autumn and offer 50 online games by 2003. But because it will work using only broadband technology, Microsoft is keen to ensure it can make that available to all customers in Europe. The US company is also discussing possible joint Xbox ventures with BT and Telewest, in which it has a 22 per cent stake. Both companies confirmed they were in talks with Microsoft but refused to give details.

But it is understood that Microsoft could link with BT's internet arm, Openworld, to develop services on its computer games site, gamesdomain.com.

Knight
06-03-2002, 02:47 PM
Bump