MCI and Microsoft announced they are partnering to jointly develop Web collaboration tools and that MCI will be offering Microsoft’s Office Live Meeting as part of its Net Conferencing Services.

The companies said the partnership commits the two to developing a variety of new real-time communication applications in the future, such as access to presence-based services for voice over Internet protocol (VoIP). Currently, MCI is working with Microsoft on integrating a PC and telephony solution to enable information workers to set up conference calls from within their most utilized Microsoft Office applications, the companies said.

For now, MCI is integrating Office Live Meeting with its own audio conferencing capabilities and packaging the offering for small and midsize businesses within MCI’s Net Conferencing Services. The offering, called MCI Net Conferencing powered by Microsoft Office Live Meeting, is available immediately. Pricing is available on a per named-user license, shared seat license and per participant minute basis. For more information or to sign up for a free 14-day trial, visit MCI here.