NTL Teams Up With Microsoft

The Microsoft Corporation, the giant software company owned by Bill Gates, has struck a deal with cable company NTL to jointly develop new, broadband services for delivery to customers in the U.K. and Ireland.

Microsoft announced yesterday that it was to buy a 5% stake in NTL for $500 million (£300 million), to accelerate deployment of high-speed voice, video, and data services over its national fiber-optic telecommunications networks.

NTL, which recently bought a share in Newcastle United Football Club (see Newsline), operates a national network offering digital and analogue services to both TV and radio stations throughout the UK. The group also recently announced a partnership with 3Com, the US telecoms group, and the launch of its first interactive television service (see Newsline).

“NTL and Microsoft share a common vision for the delivery of new and exciting digital technologies and services to NTL cable customers in the UK and Ireland,” said Craig Mundie, Microsoft’s senior vice president for consumer strategy. “We are very excited by the opportunities we will have for expanding customer choice and control of their future TV experience.”

NTL: 01252 402 000 Microsoft: 0181 242 4100