Microsoft has quietly introduced MSN Internet Access for the Mac to customers in the 14 states that get local phone service through Qwest Communications International.
The service, which has been running for about two weeks, is part of a deal Microsoft struck with Qwest a year ago to transition Qwest"s dial-up and broadband customers from the Qwest.net service to Microsoft"s MSN service.
The MSN for the Mac program, as it consists now, is little more than a dialer application that connects Macs to the Internet. Microsoft said it would study whether to add features similar to those on the PC version as well as whether to expand the Mac service beyond customers in the areas served by Qwest.
Unlike the Mac version, PC versions come with MSN Explorer, which is a modified IE browser that links directly to MSN services.
"It"s absolutely a great opportunity to begin a relationship with Mac customers and evaluate what opportunities there might be going forward," Gurry said.
Qwest is the local phone provider in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington state and Wyoming.