Seattle, Aug 28: Microsoft on Wednesday unveiled early upgrades to its MSN Internet service that the No. 1 software maker hopes will attract more high-speed broadband Internet subscribers. The new versions, called MSN Premium and MSN Plus, extend Microsoft's strategy of offering the MSN Internet browser and associated services separately from Internet access.
Microsoft's money-losing MSN unit has long competed against AOL Time Warner unit America Online for dial-up subscribers, but has shifted its strategy over the past year to get customers to pay for MSN's features and services separately as more people sign up for broadband access.

"We see that this is where the future of our MSN service lies," said Lisa Gurry, MSN's lead product manager.
Microsoft isn't providing broadband access directly, leaving that up to cable and telephone companies. The aim is for users to pay for enhanced MSN services in addition to services offered by their high-speed access provider. Bureau Report