Microsoft hasn't talked a lot about its upcoming Project xCloud streaming service - contrary to rival Google, which has been trying to hype up its Stadia offering on a regular basis. However, work is being done on Microsoft's end, too, and today, the company announced a partnership with SK Telecom, a cellular service provider in South Korea, to enable cloud gaming experiences on 5G.
The announcement was made jointly by the two companies during a press conference today, and it establishes SK Telecom as an exclusive operating partner for Microsoft's Project xCloud in Korea. The carrier has a solid infrastructure for both LTE and 5G, and it already has over one million 5G subscribers. South Korea is also the fourth largest gaming market in the world, thanks in no small part to mobile gaming, which makes this a pretty logical partnership for Microsoft. After all, the idea is to be able to play on any device at any time, so 5G is most likely a big part of that experience.
Previously, the two companies has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), establishing a cooperation in fields such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing and 5G. A second MOU, this time regarding a joint cloud gaming business, was signed in June of this year.
The two companies commented on the partnership. Ryu Young-sang, Vice President and the Head o SK Telecom's MNO business, said:
“SK Telecom is pleased to announce this meaningful business cooperation with Microsoft(...). We expect to take customers’ mobile gaming experience to the next level by combining SK Telecom’s 5G competitiveness and Microsoft’s strength in cloud and gaming.”
Microsoft's Phil Spencer also commented on the partnership, highlighting Microsoft's approach to cloud gaming and how it's been shaped by the company's experiences over the past 40 years:
“Microsoft’s approach to game streaming combines nearly 40 years of gaming experience with investments and resources from Azure, Microsoft Research, and other business groups across the company, allowing us to reach gamers around the world(...). Partnerships, like the one we announced with SK Telecom today, are critical to continuing that trajectory and moving the gaming industry forward, starting with the incredibly engaged gamers and game studios in South Korea.”
As a result of the partnership, Microsoft and SK Telecom plan to launch a public preview of Project xCloud in South Korea in October. The preview will initially only be available to select SK Telecom customers on 5G/LTE plans.
