NetworkWorld confirmed that 89,000 Microsoft employees will get Windows Phone 7 handsets, thereby forcing MS employees to eat their own dog food.

Gilbert and his colleague, Paul Bryan, acknowledged that Windows Mobile 6.5 and other previous versions of Windows mobile OS had some serious problems that hampered Microsoft’s attempts to gain market share. Even among Microsoft employees, not everyone had a Windows Mobile 6.5 device.

When asked if every Microsoft employee uses a Windows-based phone, Gilbert said “I wouldn’t go so far as to say that. But a lot of people use Windows phones, prior or current. Everybody’s very excited about the fact that they’re going to get a Windows Phone 7.”

I’m surprised more companies don’t require this. For example, BP employees could have delicious BP oil piped right into their water systems at home.