Microsoft search deal with China Telecom

[bill]

Microsoft opens search market with China Telecom [english.people.com.cn]

Microsoft will provide China Telecom's 25 million broadband customers with a web search, 'Live Search' service, in an agreement reached yesterday.
...
China Telecom is China's largest immobile network operator and internet provider, providng 210 million customers with voice service and 25 million customers with broadband service. It has more than 80 million internet users and over 400 city portal webs.

[azimao529]

Because of this cooperation, Microsoft can compete with Google and Baidu much more strongly.

[bill]

Does this come across as a big and impressive entry into the China SE market? As we have heard recently China Telecom is one of only two main telecommunications companies in China. I don't get the impression that this is considered a forceful entry into this market that will truly challenge Baidu and Yahoo.