Becaue the Orange Messenger by Windows Live will allow users to be always connected to their contacts, on the PC and on the mobile, the companies expect the service adoption to be as widespread as e-mail and SMS in everyday life,
By using the Windows Live platform, the new Orange Messenger by Windows Live service will enable the 135 million France Telecom European customers (served by Orange or another brand) to interact with 240 million worldwide Windows Live Messenger users.
It will provide customers with a connection to all the Orange portal services: e-mails, blogs, ringtones, logos and "today's page", while continuing to have access to the Windows Live services. A wide range of consumer mobile devices will provide customers with access to instant messaging service.
Following its deployment in France, the UK and Spain, Orange and Microsoft will continue working to release new services in the coming months, including video over IP and multi-videoconferencing on PCs, and interoperability of Orange Messenger by Windows Live with other mobile operators, SMS service continuity and 3G videoconference on mobile phones.
In July 2005, France Telecom/Orange and Microsoft announced the signing of a strategic alliance agreement involving the co-development of multimedia products and services for the combined audiences of both companies.