Proposed center would develop new wireless and broadband services Microsoft and South Korean telecommunications operator KT Corp. are considering plans to establish a joint research and business development center in South Korea, the two companies said Wednesday.The proposed center would be charged with the mission of developing new business models and new technologies that are related to KT’s core businesses, which include wireless and broadband services, Microsoft said in a statement. In addition, the two companies will consider setting up a joint fund that would allow the center to access third-party content and technologies, it said.Microsoft did not specify when a decision would be made on whether or not to proceed with the establishment of the joint research and business development center. For now, the proposed center is just an option under consideration by the two companies. “We don’t have any specific plans at this time,” said Book Il Ma, the KT executive charged with overseeing the company’s relationship with Microsoft.The proposed center is part of a memorandum of understanding signed by Microsoft and KT on Wednesday. The agreement expands on the existing strategic partnership agreement signed by the two companies in 2001, Microsoft said. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.In addition to the proposed research and business development center and the joint fund, Wednesday’s agreement includes plans for employee exchanges to be conducted between the two companies, Microsoft said. Technology Industry