Microsoft piloting Premium version of Outlook.com email service

Microsoft is currently conducting a limited test of a Premium version of its Outlook.com web email service. While information about this service is currently limited, one of its features will allow users to create new custom domain accounts.

Microsoft actually removed this feature from Outlook.com in 2014 which let users register their own domain names for email accounts, similar to registering a website URL, such as "forename@surname.com". The Premium service that is now in testing will allow users to set up custom email domain accounts again. ZDNET got a statement from a Microsoft spokesperson on this service.

"Outlook.com Premium is not an existing offering, it is an experiment that we are piloting. We're always investigating new features based on the wants and needs of our users, and we have nothing more to share at this time."

Microsoft also says it is testing the addition of custom domain accounts for Outlook.com, but with the company handling the management of getting those domains instead of the user. There's no word on when, or even if, Outlook.com Premium will become available to the general public or how much it will cost. Outlook.com already has an option for users to turn off banner ads on the site, along with technical support, for $19.95 a year.

Source: ZDNet

John Callaham