Korean regulator bans large business groups from owning IPTV services

June 27, 2008 - The Korean Communications Commission (KCC) has banned business groups with assets worth more than ten trillion won (US$9.59bn) from holding and operating IPTV services in the country.

The KCC's five decision-making members met to finalise an ordinance governing the provision of IPTV in the country, and the ordinance is expected to take effect next month, following administrative processes and approval from the Cabinet.  Under the ban, the country's top 23 business groups will not be able to operate or own shares in IPTV services.

Korea has a well developed IPTV market, with local operator KT reporting 567,000 subscribers at the end of the first quarter of this year and Hanaro Telecom passing 900,000 at the end of the period.