Trial run for dish-free satellite TV service

Hanaro Telecom Inc. announced that the UbiNet Consortium started testing its satellite cable network yesterday. The service allows subscribers to get broadcasts from satellite TV networks and high-speed Internet connections with only one network cable ― no satellite dish is necessary. Led by Hanaro Telecom and SK Telecom Co., the UbiNet Consortium is one of four consortiums taking part in a broadband convergence network pilot project overseen by the Ministry of Information and Communication. The project is designed to provide much faster data transmission than regular high-speed Internet connections, enabling higher quality broadcasting, video on demand and phone calls. “The satellite cable service is a starting stage of the broadband convergence network era,” said an official at SK Telecom. During the trial period, Hanaro Telecom is offering the service free to 50 subscribers in Seongbuk-dong, northern Seoul. They can watch Skylife, a satellite broadcaster, and enjoy high-speed Internet service. by Park Sung-ha