South Korea’s leading mobile carrier KT Corp. has partnered with Amazon Web Services Inc. (AWS) to enhance its artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud capabilities.

KT announced Wednesday it has entered into a strategic partnership with AWS to pursue joint research on AI solutions, as well as cloud and media technologies to apply on business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) servicing.

To cement new identity as a digital platform operator, KT has been busy on the AI and cloud front. The company has formed AI coalition with Hyundai Heavy Industries & Construction, LG Electronics, Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST) and Seoul National University. The Amazon unit is its first foreign partner on the field.

KT has built up its own AI capabilities, with its AI Connect Center (AICC) commanding 2.9 million customer base in the country. It plans to further diversify its portfolio for B2B customers by launching hybrid cloud services, which combine AWS’s Omni-channel cloud contact center service ‘Amazon Connect.’

The two companies will also collaborate to release integrated cloud management services by the second half of this year to support digital transformation of B2B customers of various industries and sizes.

The partnership is expected to serve as a bridge between local and foreign clients. If a local company expands business to overseas markets, it will be able to establish infrastructure better suited to global market conditions by employing AWS cloud solutions, and vice versa for AWS clients seeking to enter the Korean market, where they will be able to tap KT’s cloud services, according to the companies.

They will also work together in media sector by establishing a taskforce to explore new business models such as over-the-top (OTT) channels.

“We expect the partnership with AWS will boost our corporate value and global competitiveness as digital platform operator,” said Ku Hyun-mo, CEO of KT.

By Lee Seung-yoon and Lee Soo-min

[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business Newspaper & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]