Apple Inc to set up high-speed network to compete with Amazon, Google and others

Apple Inc is setting up a high-speed network and upgrading how it built data centres, to better challenge Amazon, Google and Microsoft Corp in cloud services, according to Bloomberg which cited people familiar with the plans.

Under the plan, Apple's data centres in California, Nevada, North Carolina and Oregon, and other states would be connected to get content closer to internet hubs in a number of densely populated markets, Bloomberg reported.

Apple aims to handle more traffic on its own, without renting server space from cloud providers such as Amazon and Microsoft.

While Apple did not reveal total costs, investments are likely to run into billions, the report said.

Apple would stick with most of its existing vendors, and was looking to bolster its current infrastructure with the move, according to the report.