It is reported that Microsoft will sign an MOU (Memorandum
of Understanding) with Taiwan's Chunghwa Telecom for strategic alliance in
cloud computing, the Commercial Times of Taiwan reported on October 19. During Microsoft
Chief Executive Steve Ballmer's scheduled visit to Taiwan in November, Ballmer
is expected to meet Chunghwa Telecom Chairman Shyue-Ching Lu and discuss
cooperation on cloud computing-based applications across diverse platforms,
including PC, mobile phone, and e-book reader.
It is understood that both sides have decided to
collaborate on the three aspects of basic, platform, and application services.
In terms of basic service, as both companies have their own data centers, it is
expected that Microsoft and Chunghwa Telecom will mainly exchange ideas on technical
issues in this respect. Collaboration on the platform service is projected to
be based on Microsoft's Azure platform, with Microsoft providing the
development tools and Chunghwa developing value-added services for various
terminal devices. As for application service development, it is expected that
the collaboration will focus on Microsoft's SaaS (Software as a Service)
platform as well as the Three Screens and the Cloud strategy: namely PC, TV,
portable device, and mobile Internet.