Microsoft To Launch Indian Portal

Microsoft is all set to launch MSN.co.in, the company’s long-awaited
India-specific portal, and a beta version of the portal is currently
available online.

The beta site will be modified based on the feedback and suggestions
that Microsoft receives.

The company is looking at acquiring portals that are India-specific
and rich in content. It had followed the acquisition path to set up
some other Microsoft Web sites as well.

The company is understood to be in advanced stages of talks with
various portal firms for acquisitions and strategic alliances for
content, and sources say some alliances have already been lined up.

“Content is going to be the driving factor for the site, and we will
be sourcing it from outside,” said a spokesman, explaining that MSN
will tie up with content providers for each section of the site.

MSN India, which would have a look and feel similar to that of other
MSN Web sites, will provide news, information, and the Web-based
Hotmail.

Microsoft has MSN Web sites customized for about 30 countries around
the world.