Microsoft, AT&T; in VOIP Partnership

AT&T; Corp. and Microsoft Corp. will work together to create Internet-based telephone products to gain corporate customers, while Internet-access provider EarthLink Inc. said it would sell phone service to consumers.

AT&T; will integrate Microsoft products into its voice over Internet protocol, or VOIP, network. Customers will be able to forward calls, check messages and launch Web conferences using Microsoft Office software, a spokeswoman said.

EarthLink said it plans to offer VOIP service that lets customers make phone calls without a high-speed Internet connection.