KPN Launches Lync Online Trial with Microsoft

By Ashok Bindra TMCnet Contributor

Dutch telecom operator KPN said it will conduct a pilot with Microsoft (News - Alert), making and receiving calls using Microsoft Lync Online. KPN has expanded its functionalities, adding the ability to make and receive calls to landline and mobile numbers in the Netherlands.

The Microsoft Business Office 365 Cloud service was introduced by KPN last year.

Lync Online is a derivative service of the Office 365 Suite, Microsoft’s collaboration and productivity tools offered through the cloud. Supported by Microsoft Lync Online Server, it offers features such as presence and instant messaging, sharing and collaboration, peer-to-peer voice and video calling, and online meetings.

In short, it is a unified communications platform for the enterprise.

Until now, according to KPN (News - Alert), customers of corporate Office 365 could only communicate computer to computer. Users will now be able to test communications from all Lync compatible devices, including PCs, laptops, tablets or smartphones, to fixed or mobile numbers, said the Dutch telecom operator.

Users will also be able to receive calls on Lync-compatible devices.

The new functionality is currently only available within the pilot Lync & Call. During the three-month pilot, customers will be able to use the new function for free. Registration for the pilot starts on March 1 and is open to all KPN business customers, although the number of available places is limited.

Meanwhile, during the recent first Lync Conference in San Dieg, Microsoft provided an updated roadmap for its Lync unified-communications platform, reported Zdnet.com. The Lync-Skype (News - Alert) connectivity – sharing of presence, instant messaging (IM) and voice across the two services – will be available to all Lync users by June 2013.

However, video connectivity between Skype and Lync is reportedly further down the road.

Edited by Braden Becker