toclair@ittimes.co.kr
Microsoft (MS), the world's largest software company in America, is tip-toeing into the Korean communication market in collaboration with KT, Hanaro Telecom, and KTF. The collaboration with South Korea's top leading telecom operators via Korea MS is to develop next generation communication service.
On July 2, Microsoft Korea made a strategic alliance with Hanaro Telecom to deploy the business subjects in partnership, covering some areas on Unified Communication (UC) and Media Convergence. Last May, MS already started on UC service development with KT, the country's number one fixed line operator. MS has eagerly been looking for a way to enter the communication market on the base of unified communication, seeing that UC is the next generation industrial communication service.
It is being analyzed that the reason for MS going after the partnership with Korea's top leading telecom operators is to expand its share of the industrial communication market. UC is the concept that provides various communication services such as messengers, e mail, high-speed internet, fixed line services, and mobile line services on the base of Internet Protocol (IP). Under the UC base, the same service can be used through desktops, laptops, PDAs, and smart phones. Video conferences and all kinds of business solutions can also be provided under the customization to increase the working efficiency. There is no space restriction with UC because it allows one to work in anywhere that offers IP network.
KT and Hanaro Telecom, therefore, will converge their communication service with MS solutions to provide various communication services on the UC base. This defines true partnership because it benefits both to create a win-win situation. MS is known for business application software. KT and Hanaro Telecom are strong in communication services. They need each other's strength to combine Internet based private telephone operator (IP-PBX) and internet based private telephone service (IP SentRex) to MS Office and its exchange servers. By doing so, MS will be able to expand the influence power of exchange server and converge various software with communication.
MS is also planning to develop a next generation PC service called Managed PC with KT and Hanaro Telecom. Managed PC installs only the basic programs like the OS while saving the rest on the servers to use online. By all means, users can save important documents online on certain servers and access them with any PCs or laptops without having to worry about losing the documents due to computer lock ups or any other technical difficulties. Managed PCs are very affordable because they doesn't require additional hardware or software. KT already has shown managed PC products last year with MS, and Hanaro Telecom is planning to display ones next year.
MS is expanding its influencing power in the mobile communication market as well. Windows Mobile is the MS product that is currently on a spotlight of Smart Phone Operating systems. MS currently holds hands with KTF to start the Win World Project, which allows content to be used in various platforms. This will lead MS to provide digital convergence services where fixed line and the wireless services can be converged.
Korea MS last month launched IPTV service in five star hotels in partnership with Korean Internet TV(IPTV) company EGC&C and Japanese high-speed internet company MPT. The communication industry is expecting MS to expand its business areas under the ubiquitous on areas starting with IPTV and home network.
