BT and Microsoft are on close to announcing their latest venture together to bring broadband access and content to the UK.

One half of the equation will be BT's frill-less, access-only product, BT Broadband, while Microsoft is expected to bring its MSN 8 content service to the table. According to the Sunday Times the deal will be backed by a multi-million pound advertising deal.

The announcement, which could come as early as today, should also confirm the key point of this alliance - price.

It's understood MSN 8 could cost punters more than £5 a month. On top of the £27 a month subscription currently being charged for BT broadband, it would surely make such an offer top-heavy for price.

Then again, it's possible there could be some discount for those who take-up both packages.

Last month The Register reported that MSN 8 would be launched in the UK as a content-only service and cost around £5 a month, although it's now understood that could be at the lower end of the price range.

Three weeks ago BT and Microsoft formally announced a strategic alliance to bring "dynamic broadband applications" to home and business users. ®

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