Microsoft and Hutchison 3G are to work together to make it easier for 3G users to access MSN Messenger and Hotmail. In the type of partnership we will likely be seeing increase in this day and age, the mobile telco will make both services available on its portal. 3G mobile phones from 3 will come with MSN Messenger clients preinstalled.
Initially, the services will be available to the 5m customers of 3 in the UK, Republic of Ireland, Hong Kong, Sweden, Denmark, Austria and Australia (via ninemsn). 3 Group plans to expand the service to 7m subscribers in other 3 markets over an unspecified time frame. Later this year, 3 plans to offer access to Windows Live Messenger and Windows Live Mail, the next versions of MSN Messenger and Hotmail respectively.