FORNEBU, Norway -- Microsoft and Telenor combine to launch the world's most popular instant messaging service, Windows Live Messenger, for mobile phones. Telenor is the first to offer this service to Norwegian mobile users.

For the first time in Norway it is now possible to use Windows Live Messenger on normal mobile phones. Telenor and djuice customers will receive free access to the service for six months.

"For young people this is the most important thing that has happened on the mobile phone since the introduction of SMS. Messenger allows much richer text based communication and now you don't need to sit at a PC to speak to your Internet friends, you can pick up your mobile and continue the conversation," says Jon Erik Haug, Director of Privat Mobil in Telenor.

Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT)

Telenor Group (Nasdaq: TELN)