Microsoft, Sun charge into mobile billing
C|Net | at | by Mike
Microsoft and Sun Microsystems have strengthened their lineup of products that allow cell phone companies to bill for downloads such as games or ring tones. The moves signal a new battle brewing between the two software heavyweights to win a dwindling share of spending by cell phone service providers.
Microsoft has begun working with Portal Software to make Portal's billing software available to any service provider that uses Microsoft's .NET platform, not just cell phone companies. But cell phone companies will be the first targeted for the goods when they arrive on the market later this year, Dickey said.