September 4, 2007

KT launches IPTV service in South Korea

by Lin Freestone

KT, the largest telephone and broadband line operator in South Korea, is launching its video-on-demand service Mega TV, which is set to rival Hanaro Telecom’s Hana TV service.

KT will begin to offer IPTV to its Megapass broadband Internet service users across South Korea. It has been offering test services in Seoul and nearby areas only. KT expects to draw 300,000 subscribers in 2007, and to increase the number to one million in 2008.

Hanaro Telecom’s Hana TV service has secured more then 500,000 users and aims to double the number by early next year.

There are 6.5 million Megapass customers all around the country and, now the product is ready, KT will launch promotion campaigns so customers can distinguish it from traditional TV. Research conducted during the Mega TV pilot phase revealed that 84% of target customers want to acquire the service when it becomes available.

Hanaro Telecom has pioneered the IPTV field in South Korea since last year. The firm is expecting its IPTV service to make profits from the first quarter of next year.

Both companies also offer discounts for subscribing to the multiple package of broadband Internet, IPTV and telephone. KT estimates that each household can save 48,000 won when purchasing the Internet-IPTV package.

The new Mega TV service will offer a multitude of video-on-demand programming services, and a range of interactive TV services, including an electronic program guide. Many programme genres are available, including movies, sports, culture, animation, documentaries, drama and educational content.

 

Add to Bookmarks:

ADD TO DEL.ICIO.US     ADD TO DIGG     ADD TO FURL

ADD TO STUMBLEUPON     ADD TO YAHOO MYWEB     ADD TO GOOGLE     ADD TO SPURL

Related posts for KT launches IPTV service in South Korea:


South Korea set for IPTV service
A bill has been passed in South Korea allowing for the launch of IPTV. The legislation creates a regulatory framework for the new technology, which is...

Microsoft embarks on IPTV joint venture in South Korea
Microsoft has signed agreements with two South Korean firms for a joint venture into the country's emerging Internet TV market. Despite being one of t...

Abacast and FutureStream go to China
Abacast, Hybrid Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Technologies and Services provider, has announced a widening of the companies relationship with FutureStream Networ...

IPTV gains momentum in South Korea
IPTV is gaining momentum in South Korea, where some 90% of households already have pay TV boxes, either as a cable box or a satellite dish. Hanaro Tel...

Millinet Chooses Intellon’s HomePlug® Powerline Solutions
Millinet will use the INT5500 and INT6300 ICs, within South Korea for home distribution of KT’s MegaTV-branded IPTV services. The ICs will be...




Previous: « Telecom leaders to speak at IPTV World Forum
Next: More than 60 European IPTV services currently available »

Leave a Reply






Visited 2078 times, 1 so far today