Local data analysis will get a major boost in Shanghai with the setting-up of an Internet Plus industry alliance focusing on Big Data, one of the strategic industries under the city's 12th Five-Year (2011-2015) Plan, Shanghai Daily learned on Wednesday.
An initial investment of more than 10 million yuan ($1.6 million) has been secured in the Shanghai Internet Plus Innovation Alliance, whose members include Nielsen, Microsoft and Fudan University.
The alliance, founded by China Telecom Shanghai branch and authorized by the Shanghai Commission of Economy and Information Technology Development, was formed during the China International Industry Fair, which will end on Saturday.
The commission and Shanghai Telecom will open parts of public data to startup firms to encourage them to develop new application and services.
Microsoft will provide cloud computing services through products like Windows Azure and Office.
Shanghai Telecom will offer servers and information resources to the alliance.
The alliance aims to create a city-level platform for enterprises and entrepreneurs. The alliance has signed over 200 research bodies and startup firms for Big Data applications in education, transport, entertainment and health care.
In 2015, the use of information products and services will grow 20 percent annually to 3.2 trillion yuan in China, the State Council said.
