3 IPTV Service Providers Selected

KT, Hanaro Telecom and LG Dacom were selected yesterday as the country`s three Internet protocol TV service providers.

The decision came after the Korea Communications Commission assessed four applicants including the three companies and Open IPTV in a general meeting.

On a scale of 500 points, KT ranked first with 421.3 followed by LG Dacom (414.8), Hanaro Telecom (406.73) and Open IPTV (374.5).

Launched by Daum Communications, Open IPTV was eliminated for failing to meet the financial requirement among the set evaluation criteria.

The commission will hand out permits this month and the three service providers will begin next month delivering programs from free-to-air channels including KBS and MBC in real time.