New MS strategy?
Seems the South African equivalent of the OU, Unisa, did a deal with Microsoft such that students were forced to sign up with Microsoft if they wanted to study - http://www.tectonic.co.za/?p=3736
In that case, it seems students had to sign up or they couldn't use email to communicate with the Uni. Might as well add a requirement for an ID card before you can study and go the whole hog.