Symantec will begin offering an online storage service targeted at consumers by the end of next month.
The product is based on technology the company acquired with SwapDrive Inc. in June for US$124 million.
A Symantec spokeswoman would not provide any additional detail other than saying that the service will be a “stand alone, cloud-based, online back-up offering.”
Symantec already offers 2GB of online storage for free with its Norton 360 security suite; additional allotments of 5GB, 10GB and 25GB per year can be purchased for $29.99, $49.99 and $69.99, respectively.
Symantec joins EMC on the consumer cloud storage front. EMC acquired Mozy in 2007 and released its first software-as-a-service storage application in January 2008. Privately-held Carbonite Inc. also offers online storage , charging $49.95 for a 12-month subscription.