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The avowed intent of Deutsche Telekom (DT) is to advance the deployment of advanced XML-based services across Germany and Europe. Serving as the base for communications to its customers, DT will enable third-party application service providers (ASPs) to access the framework.

A UK angle on this is that the mobile network operator One 2 One is a wholly-owned subsidiary of T-Mobil, the mobile arm of DT.

Under the terms of the agreement between the two companies, DT and Microsoft will create a 'T. NET' system and work on the development of suitable devices and services. The idea is to deliver services - ideally accessible any time, on any device - such as messaging and collaboration applications. These

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will be centred on the MSN network of Internet services.

T-Mobile and Microsoft will also collaborate on next generation mobile devices (apparently including Microsoft's Windows-based Smartphone and Pocket PC 2002 Phone Edition powered devices).

The better to become a fully .NET company, DT has also signed up to 'upgrade its internal infrastructure with selected .NET products to enhance its reliability, scalability and interoperability.' What's source for the goose should be source for the gander after all - DT is buying into .NET and running with it.

'We are excited about collaborating with Deutsche Telekom to enable the delivery of next-generation XML Web services to customers any time, anywhere, on any device,' said Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft. 'Deutsche Telekom's broad adoption of Microsoft .NET underscores its industry leadership and commitment to providing customers with cutting-edge technologies.'

The main rival to Microsoft in this 'intelligent mobile devices' field is Symbian with its platform for next generation devices - we reported yesterday that Nokia is committed to using the UK-based company's platform for all its 2.5G and 3G devices.