"Now, after talking up and praying for speedy adoption of broadband seemingly for ages and getting no response, Microsoft (MSFT) is trying a more direct approach. It's offering its MSN.com content to providers of high-speed Internet access to spice up their offerings. The Colossus of Redmond is also building out Xbox Live, an online gaming network with supercool graphics and interactivity, to lure gamers into going broadband. Finally, it's striking more deals with Internet service providers, perhaps in an attempt to help them financially -- essentially subsidizing broadband access for consumers. "

Microsoft's Booster Shots for Broadband