NEWS - Sunday, June 2, 2002
Xbox Live Plans In Europe
Microsoft is in talks with Deutsche Telekom AG’s T-Online International AG unit aimed at purchasing a 25 percent stake in the Internet service provider, the Independent on Sunday newspaper said, citing an unnamed analyst. Microsoft’s interest in T-Online, Europe’s biggest Internet service provider, is part of its recently unveiled online gaming strategy, the newspaper said. It’s expected to lead to games being sold together with Internet access, the Independent said. Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft is expected to introduce it’s Xbox Live! subscription gaming service worldwide this fall and offer 50 online games by 2003, the newspaper said. The U.S. company is discussing possible Xbox ventures with BT Group Plc and Telewest Communications Plc. Both BT and Telewest confirmed they’re in talks with Microsoft but refused to give details, the Independent said. Last month Deutsche Telekom Chief Executive Ron Sommer denied a German magazine report that Europe’s largest phone company had offered to sell Microsoft a 24.9 percent stake in T-Online. Sommer described as ``nonsense’’ the report that Microsoft may pay between 3 billion and 4 billion euros ($2.8 billion to $3.7 billion) for the stake.Source: http://www.bloomberg.com/
