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Korea Telecom expects to launch IPTV in 2006
(Total Telecom Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)Korean incumbent fixed-line operator KT Corp expects to launch IPTV (Internet Protocol television) services by the second half of next year a company official said following a service demonstration in Seoul.
KT has been ready to launch IPTV for some time but has been prevented from doing so by a turf war between telecoms and broadcasting regulators.
The Korea Broadcasting Commission says IPTV should be subject to broadcasting regulations and the launch of any IPTV service should be determined by the needs of cable television operators.
The Ministry of Information and Communication argues IPTV is a form of telecommunication service and earlier this year Communications Minister Chin Dae-je requested reporters to refer to IPTV as "internet content on-demand (ICOD).
However KT expects the regulatory issues to be taken care of during the first part of 2006.
"Of course, legal frameworks should be put in place before we run out web-based television services. But we expect regulation issues to be resolved in the first half of next year, and commercialize the services in the latter half," Lee Sang-hoon, senior executive vice-president of KT's Business Development Group, was quoted as saying by the Korea Herald newspaper.
At its demonstration, KT showcased 12 services accessed through touch-icons. These were live television, pay-per-view, information, learning, communication, commerce, multi-angle, audio, high-definition, entertainment, video-on-demand and set-up according to the report.
"Internet-based television services will deliver super-definition, high-definition multimedia contents, providing a more advanced version of the existing cable television services. Various internet-enabled services will be offered via television set-top boxes, Lee said.
IPTV is a convergence service that distributes television content over IP allowing a more customised and interactive user experience. The viewer must have a broadband connection and a set-top box to enjoy the service.
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