Switzerland’s second largest operator Sunrise and Microsoft have struck what they are billing as an innovative deal to target small businesses with cloud-based services.

Sunrise is offering a cloud solution for Microsoft Office applications. Called OneDrive for Business, the service claims to be the first cloud solution for the self-employed and SMEs to be packaged with a mobile phone subscription. The service will launch on 18 May.

As a component of Office 365, OneDrive for Business is a storage location where working files are stored, synchronised and released. It enables users to update and release files from any location, as well as simultaneously edit documents with other users.

Sunrise Freedom, which is being offered in conjuction with OneDrive for Business, includes unlimited calls and text messages with no minimum contract durations.

The offer will also be available to other groups in the business sector. Each user will be able to install the package on up to five devices.

According to Sunrise, this marks the start of a strategic partnership with Microsoft while Yvonne Bettkober, director of small and midmarket solutions at Microsoft, said: “Microsoft has relied on close collaboration with powerful local partners. The innovative cooperative venture with Sunrise demonstrates that our partners continue to play a key role in the ‘cloud first – mobile first’ era.”

Sunrise annnounced the launch of its IPO in January, giving it a market value of $6.76 billion.