Korea Telecom (KT) is planning to launch a more "open" version of its IPTV service 'Qook TV' this March, according to reports in The Korea Times, which add that it plans to provide a platform for content developers to create and market their products over its broadcast network.

The telco reportedly hopes that establishing a stronger developer network for television content available on the service will help it to cement its IPTV leadership and create new revenue models.  KT is also believed to be planning to hold a conference for content developers sometime this month to help flesh out the idea.

KT officials are reported as saying that there will be a focus on openness for the project, allowing any company or content developer to sell their programmes on Qook TV, although the telco will also strengthen the monitoring of the content available and establish a reviewing process to restrict the distribution of violent and sexually explicit content.

"Building a viable content ecosystem will be critical for IPTV to realise its full potential as an interactive, next-generation source of entertainment and information," commented an official from the Korea Communication Commission's (KCC) convergence policy bureau.  "So what KT decides to do will be worth watching."

Korea Telecom had more than 1mn subscribers for its IPTV service 'Qook TV' by the end of 2009, up 89% from one year previously, with the company currently dominating South Korea's IPTV market.