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The move is the latest development in the company's campaign to force AOL to make public its instant-messaging service, Instant Messenger, to non-AOL subscribers.

AOL has rejected overtures to make its messaging service specifications available until a common approach is agreed by the Internet Engineering Task Force, an industry-standards group. Microsoft, however, argues that it is in users' interests to exchange messages freely among competing providers and hopes to speed up the task force's work by publishing its own protocols.

Microsoft

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has persuaded three other instant-messaging service providers - Prodigy, Tribal Voice and PeopleLink - to allow their users to instantly exchange messages with MSN users.

Meanwhile, AOL has sided with three Internet service providers to allow their users to access Instant Messenger. But Microsoft rejected AOL's offer to allow its subscribers access to AOL's service.

Since its launch three weeks ago, the MSN messaging service has attracted 1.3 million users - a fraction of the 43 million subscribers to AOL's Instant Messenger service.

Instant messaging allows users to "chat" online in real time, via notes that instantly pop up on the recipient's screen, without having to wait for email.

¥ Microsoft is giving MSN subscribers the option of combining their Internet access and phone charges on one bill. The deal with online payment company, eCharge, will allow subscribers to add their ISP bill to their home phone bill simply by clicking on eCharge during the installation process. Microsoft will market eCharge's services on MSN through advertising, direct mail and email.