In a bold branding move, Microsoft has outlined new guidelines for its employee mobile phone reimbursement plan; a perk that reimburses employees for their smartphone data costs. The new plan will only reimburse employees for data costs tied to a Windows Mobile phone or handset. Essentially, if a Microsoft employee does not use a Windows Phone, no matter how extensively they use their smartphone for work purposes, the firm will not reimburse for data usage; there doesn’t appear to be a voice subsidy here by the Redmond, Washington firm.

While some may disagree with the choice, I find the move to be a positive sign of things to come from Microsoft. The firm is signaling its confidence in the mobile space against increasing competition from Palm and its new webOS, the iPhone platform, BlackBerry in the enterprise space, and Android and other Linux variants.

(via: MiPro Consulting)