Telefónica pledges to promote Windows devices

Spanish operator group Telefónica has established a partnership with Microsoft to “promote and foster sales” of Windows Phone 8 devices in six of the markets it operates in.

The operator said the move reinforces its commitment to encourage the operating platform landscape to become more diverse and less of a duopoly dominated by Google and Apple.

For an initial period of one year, Telefónica has pledged to step up marketing activities in support of its Windows Phone 8 devices in the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Mexico, Brazil and Chile.

The Spanish group said that its promotion of  Windows Phone 8 devices will benefit customers, as there will be “more options to choose from while diluting the polarisation of installed base in operating platforms”.

The firm plans to offer clients enterprise-class business features such as Office 365 and SharePoint, as well as consumer features such as Skydrive and Xbox for mobile.

Telefónica added that it will also work with suppliers and leading manufacturers of Windows Phone 8 devices to ensure their availability throughout the duration of the enhanced marketing effort.

“An associate partner such as Microsoft is chosen as a result of its operator-focused business approach,” said José María Álvarez Pallete, COO of Telefónica. “The Microsoft business culture is based on a model of value creation through its partner associates, which fits in perfectly with our culture and also with our way of doing business.”