Microsoft 'Zune Phone' tested in Philippines?

(Update: Hold the phone. Asked if it's the mysterious "Zune Phone" his company is handling, Global Sky CEO James Stinson tells me in an e-mail exchange: "This may be. But for us they call it the ‘One Follow Me' service."

See this story for details.

Stinson continues: "We provide customer support - if people call in and need help with their phone. We also call these customers and ask about their experience. We also call local participants to go to the seminars where the local banks are showing off the phones. It's a combination of inbound and outbound phone calls.")

(March 5 update from Stinson: "This release had nothing to do with the Zune phone. Your editors have twisted the story and my response. At the time I thought you were asking me the brand of the phone. (I had not even heard of "Zune" at the time) You may want to get your story straight. We are working on a simple project for Microsoft in the pilot phase and are not even connected with the Zune phone.")

Initial post: Although Microsoft has yet to make any official announcement regarding all the rumors swirling about its "Zune phone," an outsourcing center in the Philippines this morning is grabbing credit for "providing customer service and research support" to Microsoft for what appears to be the gadget in question.

The press release from Global Sky does not mention Zune by name, but here's what it says:

Microsoft recently awarded Global Sky - a Manila-based call center outsourcing company, the task of providing customer service and research support for their latest project: the launching of a mobile phone device that operates anywhere users can get Wi-Fi access. ...

Microsoft has selected Global Sky, one of only two approved Microsoft call center vendors in the Philippines to spearhead the customer support and product researching efforts. Global Sky must answer customer queries and get detailed information that will help Microsoft further evolve this concept. If the concept works, Microsoft may make it accessible to the 95 million+ overseas workers worldwide and even make it available to businesses worldwide as a way to cut cell phone bills or ensure reliable & private communications. Microsoft partners are pleased with the way the project has been handled so far and have assured Global Sky of ongoing relations as they evolve this concept.

Questions are in to Global Sky and Microsoft.

• Microsoft
• Wireless / Mobile
• zune