TALLINN - The Economy and Commun-ications Ministry said on Aug. 23 it had prepared a cooperation agreement with Microsoft, according to which the U.S. company will allow its software to be used in Estonia's broadband Internet project.
As a result of the planned agreement, home users will soon have the opportunity to lease necessary software along with Internet connection, said Andrus Aaslaid, IT adviser to the ministry.
At the same time the agreement does not rule out the entry of new partners, but rather eases it as a precedent. "The door to cooperation is open to all," Aaslaid said.
Economy and Communications Minister Meelis Atonen presented the draft agreement to members of the Cabinet on Aug. 23.
The government will decide whether or not to sign the agreement in the coming weeks.
Atonen met with Microsoft leader Bill Gates in Bratislava earlier this year and proposed, among other things, to allow software license rental in Estonia. The draft framework agreement is the first concrete result of the cooperation discussed during the meeting.
Microsoft said it would do all it could for the offer to be available by this fall.
