Microsoft outlines Office subscription plan

By Shaun Nichols

Jul 3 2008 6:45AM

Microsoft has unveiled a new subscription service for Office which will be aimed at consumers..

The Equipt service will combine the Student versions of Word, Excel Power Point and OneNote in a single package. Additionally, the bundle will include Microsoft's OneCare security suite and a range of Windows Live web services, including webmail, instant messaging and photo hosting.

In total, users will pay $69.99 for a one year subscription to the service, which will also include free updates to all applications. Each subscription will include licenses for up to three computers.

The company hopes to roll out the service by the middle of the month in the US. The Equipt package will initially only be available through US electronics retailer Circuit City, which runs some 700 stores nationwide.

"We are improving our customers’ computing experience by giving them essential software in a package that offers an easy install and setup experience, as well as a convenient and affordable way to stay updated," said Bryson Gordon, Microsoft's group product manager for Office.