Internet TV remains as distant as ever

The implementation of Internet Portal television, or IP-TV, is being delayed because fixed-line operators and cable TV service providers are squabbling over whether the service is in the telecommunications or broadcasting realm. And the government isn’t sure which side to take. IP-TV converges telecommunications and broadcasting, providing multimedia content to television sets through high-speed Internet network systems. It has different names in different countries ― IP-TV in the United States, ADSL TV in Europe and broadband broadcasting in Japan. The main characteristic of IP-TV is that users can participate in what is called “two-way” communication, such as video-on-demand services. A basic example of IP-TV applications is incorporating online shopping with TV home shopping. For each of the first two years the service is delayed, losses could top 1 trillion won ($1 billion), according to a report released yesterday by the KT Management Research Institute. After that period, the losses would be even greater, the report added. The figures were based on forecasts of future earnings calculated by the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute. Losses included those suffered by both service providers and producers of content, such as broadcasters. The report pointed out that such delays mirror the experiences that other new technology companies have had. In the case of satellite digital multimedia broadcasting, for instance, it took a special government 10 years to formulate and implement relevant laws and actually launch the service. The report said that if relevant groups were unable to reach an agreement, the Blue House or the prime minister’s office should actively intervene to forge a consensus, or it would be impossible to form a policy within a designated schedule. The report also suggested that in order to prevent any parties from reneging on promises, the government should allow the people involved in drafting the policies to be named publicly. by Suh Kyoung-ho