Microsoft eyes cloud, data center in SKorea

Software giant Microsoft is considering setting up new businesses in Korea, including building a data center, Korea's Yonhap News reported.

 

Yonhap said a Microsoft senior executive met South Korea‘s telecommunications regulator Thursday to discuss the "new businesses."

 

It said Microsoft is currently reviewing several options as a way to expand its presence in Korea and to step up a cloud business in the fledgling market that is considered to have good potential.

 

Cloud business covers services such as data processing and online data storage by mobile devices and computers.

 

Yonhap quoted Microsoft as saying it is positively considering building and operating a data center in South Korea.

 

At Thursday's meeting in Seoul were Jean Philippe Courtois, president of Microsoft’s international business, and Choi See-joong, chairman of the Korea Communications Commission (KCC).

 

Yonhap said the two talked about Microsoft's investment opportunities in the country and measures to forge collaborations with Korean companies.

 

Courtois, who leads the U.S. computer software giant’s sales, marketing and services in global markets, also paid visits to Samsung Electronics Co. and leading steelmaker POSCO during his visit to Seoul.

 

He is among a string of high-level business leaders from U.S. technology companies who have visited South Korea in recent weeks, Yonhap said.

 

Earlier, Eric Schmidt, chairman and former CEO of Google, and Paul Jacobs, chairman of Qualcomm Inc., met local government and business officials earlier this month. — TJD, GMA News