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News > International
Gates: telecom is key
October 12, 1999: 6:15 a.m. ET

Microsoft boss compares telecom partners to hardware makers in the old days
By Staff Writer Rod Cant
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GENEVA (CNNfn) - Bill Gates outlined his vision for a networked future Tuesday, explaining that meshing Microsoft's technology with telecom providers is one his immediate goals.
     Drawing the biggest audience so far during Telecom 99, the global communications trade show, Gates emphasized the point that Microsoft has changed its mission statement for the first time in 25 years. The crucial change is that the company now intends to get people connected "anytime, anywhere."
     He likened the partnerships the company has signed with telecom companies to the early days of personal computing, when Microsoft's relationship with hardware suppliers such as Intel (INTC) was crucial to the phenomenal growth of the personal computer.
     Gates mentioned that the biggest challenge in creating the next generation of digital services is getting high-speed access to homes. He predicted that DSL technology, which compacts information through traditional phone lines, as well as cable modems will be the means to facilitate this.
     While he talked at length of new possibilities for accessing data and the Internet from mobile devices such as cellular phones, Gates issued a robust dismissal of fears for Microsoft's core PC business. "The PC continues to surprise the analysts," said Gates, "and it's not to be underestimated".
     Gates expanded on his vision of three stages of data access, with the desktop at the top, followed by intelligent devices with embedded (Microsoft) software such as hand-held devices and third-generation phones. The bottom rung will be made up of what he termed "smart objects", such as light switches and existing-style phones.
     Gates predicted that "demand will explode, without the need for marketing", aided by the standardization of cellular telephone protocols.Back to top

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Most stock quote data provided by BATS. Market indices are shown in real time, except for the DJIA, which is delayed by two minutes. All times are ET. Disclaimer. Morningstar: © 2018 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Factset: FactSet Research Systems Inc. 2018. All rights reserved. Chicago Mercantile Association: Certain market data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved. Dow Jones: The Dow Jones branded indices are proprietary to and are calculated, distributed and marketed by DJI Opco, a subsidiary of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and have been licensed for use to S&P Opco, LLC and CNN. Standard & Poor's and S&P are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC and Dow Jones is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC. All content of the Dow Jones branded indices © S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC 2018 and/or its affiliates.