Broadcasting Commission to Process Cancellation and Activation of Wired Internet and IPTV Services Simultaneously

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Hye-seon] Comprehensive cable TV operators will also introduce one-stop switching services. The one-stop switching service allows users of bundled services combining high-speed internet and paid broadcasting (IPTV·satellite broadcasting) to switch providers by simply applying for service subscription with the new provider, without separately requesting cancellation from the existing provider, enabling cancellation and activation to be processed simultaneously.

The Korea Communications Commission announced on the 5th that it will expand the one-stop switching service, introduced in July 2020 for KT·KT Skylife, SK Telecom·SK Broadband, and LG Uplus, to comprehensive cable TV operators including LG HelloVision, SK Broadband (formerly T-Broad), D'Live, HCN, and CMB.

With the expansion of service providers offering the one-stop switching service, the proportion of subscribers eligible for one-stop switching among wired bundled service users has increased to about 98% of the entire high-speed internet market. When users want to switch their service from a telecommunications carrier to a comprehensive cable TV operator or vice versa, they can conveniently change providers by simply applying for the one-stop switching service at customer centers, online stores, or nearby agencies and sales points.

Since the one-stop switching service, previously applied to mobile phone services, was expanded to internet and paid broadcasting services in July 2020, the number of service uses has increased annually: 26,886 cases in 2020, 87,552 cases last year, and 96,943 cases as of July this year. The Korea Communications Commission has identified that this trend reflects the resolution of user inconveniences and double billing issues caused by cancellation defenses, a chronic problem in the wired telecommunications market, thereby enhancing user benefits.