After getting Sprint on board, Microsoft is now after Cricket and MetroPCS

Microsoft finally managed to get Windows Phone on all 4 major US carriers, but what is next – apparently the second tier carriers?

Speaking at CES 2013 Microsoft’s senior product manager of Windows Phone Greg Sullivan said the company is working to spread Windows Phone to smaller operators, like Leap Wireless’  Cricket and MetroPCS on board with windows phone.

“We have teams of folks that are working with literally all of the mobile operates to help pair them with OEMs and deliver phone-operator pairings that meet specific needs," he said.

He acknowledged that there may still be some reticence on the part of smaller carriers to commit to the platform, but he saw Sprint’s commitment and the end of their wait and see attitude as a clear sign that the platform has gathered enough momentum to get smaller carriers interested also.

Sullivan said that Microsoft knew when it reset its mobile strategy in 2010 that "this was going to be a long-term investment for us." He said there is no one factor that will spark Microsoft to get more momentum in the market, and some things have needed to happen in sequence. He added that the company needed to build a unique software platform, get developer support, pair the software with top-notch hardware and secure more carrier support.

"There has been a strong and concerted focus on this narrow area," he said. "But it’s intentional because we clearly wanted to put a stake in the ground that there’s a better way to do a smartphone."

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