Microsoft Reportedly Considering Waiving Windows Phone And Windows RT Licensing Fees

Microsoft has obviously been putting in a lot of time and resources into its mobile operating systems, Windows RT and particularly Windows Phone. It is up against behemoths like Android and iOS which already rule the globe mobile device market. Microsoft has seen its market share increase this year, and its acquisition of Nokia’s devices and services division is likely to aid the increase as well in the coming year. As per a new report by The Verge, Microsoft is considering waiving licensing fees for Windows Phone and Windows RT, which means that device manufacturers won’t have to pay to run these operating systems on their devices.

This plan is said to be under “serious consideration” by OS chief Terry Myerson, however it is believed that nothing has been decided upon at this point in time. Such a move will mean that Microsoft will lose out on licensing revenues from other OEMs as well. Nokia’s made some of the best selling Windows Phone devices, but now that its division is under Microsoft, the company will lose out on those licensing revenues as well. It is expected that Microsoft will try to make up for the revenue loss through apps and services, the company has experimented with running ads in Windows 8 apps so something along the same lines can be implemented in those operating systems as well. The aim is to combat Android, but it remains to be seen if free versions of its mobile operating systems will entice OEMs to develop more Windows Phone and Windows RT powered devices.

Adnan Farooqui
Categories: Cellphones, Tablets
Tags: Microsoft, Windows Phone, windows rt