Robert Levy
10-13-2003, 08:20 PM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=109817' target='_blank'>http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=109817</a><br /><br /></div>The ITU Telecom World conference is going on in Geneva today and Bill Gates has given a keynote address about Microsoft's plans and expectations for the future of the telecommunications industry. <br /><br />"During his keynote address to more than 3,000 delegates at ITU Telecom World 2003, Gates showcased Microsoft's technology applications and opportunities for telecommunications companies worldwide and announced a new initiative with Vodafone Group plc to develop enabling technology specifications for mobile Web services.<br /><br />Voicing optimism about the future of telecommunications, Gates offered a glimpse of the software-powered services that he said would help empower customers by allowing them to connect to information and services, when and where they want. The Microsoft leader said that developers, technology providers and service providers can harness the power of Web services to create productivity tools for IT workers as well as communications tools that help connect people's lives.<br /><br />As such, Microsoft's work and involvement in the many standards initiatives throughout the telecommunications industry is significant, Gates said, to help increase ease of use and near-term profitability for the millions of developers worldwide.<br /><br />"Microsoft continues to play an active role in supporting open standards and interoperability in the telecommunications industry. This, combined with our push for unified developer tools and an open execution environment, will enable Web services to flourish," Gates said.<br /><br />He elaborated on the need for industry standards, suggesting that they would do the following: Foster a larger ecosystem for companies to participate in industry opportunities Improve time to market for products that interoperate Drive higher volumes faster, thereby reducing costs and stimulating greater adoption Allow innovation to differentiate and enhance features and performance while ensuring interoperability"