Microsoft launched its “Connected Services Accelerator Program” to commercialize new, advanced mobile services through the support of independent software vendors, developers and operators.

These projects will be operated on the Connected Services Sandbox platform to develop and test the new services which are compatible with Windows Mobile-based devices as well as Windows Vista-enabled mobile broadband PCs, said the company.

To kick start this initiative Microsoft has tied up with SingTel which will provide the network infrastructure as well as technical and commercial guidance to support project development teams.

To qualify for the programme, software developers should have revenues not exceeding $20 million as well as be privately held. The programme will run from July1 to Sep 30.