Microsoft announces partnership with SKT to explore new business opportunities

According to the Korea Times, South Korea's largest mobile operator SK Telecom said on Monday that it has partnered with Microsoft to combine 5G networks with cloud computing and artificial intelligence technologies to explore new business opportunities.

The company recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Microsoft to implement the Joint Innovation Initiative, its comprehensive strategic partnership program aimed at exploring sustainable and innovative business opportunities with partners in various fields.

According to the memorandum of understanding, the two companies plan to jointly promote IoT-related businesses, such as smart factories. The two sides will also work together to improve their competitiveness in areas such as artificial intelligence technology and related services, media and entertainment services, etc.

The mobile operator said it will create synergies by combining its new information and communications technologies, including 5G and artificial intelligence, with Microsoft's advanced cloud computing and AI technologies.

SK Telecom CEO Park Jung-ho said: "In order to take the lead in the fiercely competitive 5G market, it is crucial to form collaboration with global companies such as Microsoft. We will do our utmost to create new value by integrating the capabilities of both companies."

SK Telecom and Microsoft signed a smart factory business partnership in February this year. Under the partnership, the former's big data system Metatron will be developed and updated on the latter's cloud platform Azure.

The two companies will continue to expand their cooperation to more diversified IoT fields. In order to enhance their competitive advantages in the field of artificial intelligence, the two companies will work together with SK Telecom's NUGU AI platform and Microsoft's Cortana AI platform to develop excellent products and services.

The two companies will continue discussions to jointly promote innovation in the media and entertainment sectors. They will also join forces to innovate the way employees work. SK Telecom said it will adopt the US company's cloud platform Microsoft 365, which "empowers everyone to be creative and collaborate securely."