AT&T vows to become 'premier carrier for Windows Phone 7'

AT&T (NYSE:T) pledged strong support for Microsoft's forthcoming mobile operating system revamp, with a spokesperson promising "We will be the premier carrier for Windows Phone 7" in an email sent to Computerworld. "We haven't given guidance on timing," the email added, nor did the spokesperson elaborate on AT&T's plans to promote Windows Phone 7. AT&T's comments follow a week after Altimeter Group analyst Michael Gartenberg tweeted news the operator had signed up to purchase 8 million WP7 devices, citing an e-mail from a "trusted source."

Microsoft unveiled Windows Phone 7 during the Mobile World Congress event in February 2010--at that time, it indicated its U.S. partners would include AT&T as well as Verizon Wireless, Sprint and T-Mobile USA. Computerworld notes that both Verizon and Sprint declined to comment on their WP7 efforts, with T-Mobile not responding to questions about its plans.

The first Windows Phone 7 devices are expected to ship this fall. The upgraded OS is widely regarded as Microsoft's last legitimate stab at mobile relevance, promising an experience distinguished by a more user-friendly design as well as close integration with applications and the web. Chief among the new features in Windows Phone 7 is a series of "hubs" integrating related content from the Internet, applications and services; the hubs include Games, which transports Microsoft's Xbox Live gaming platform to mobile devices, as well as Music + Video, which integrates the company's Zune media player to offer content from the user's PC as well as online music services and built-in FM radio.

For more on AT&T's WP7 commitment:
- read this Computerworld article

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