Cable TV Also Broadcasts via IPTV Method... Amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the Broadcasting Act

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Su-yeon] From now on, cable TV will be able to broadcast using IP signals like Internet Protocol TV (IPTV).

The Ministry of Science and ICT announced that the amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the Broadcasting Act, which sets standards for the acceptance of reports on technology-neutral services in paid broadcasting following the amendment of the Broadcasting Act in June, passed the Cabinet meeting on the 6th. The amended Enforcement Decree of the Broadcasting Act is scheduled to take effect on the 11th.

With this amendment, a basis for providing technology-neutral services allowing paid broadcasting operators to autonomously choose the transmission method by simply reporting was newly established in the Broadcasting Act.

Before the amendment, IPTV operators could only transmit via IP methods, and cable TV operators could only transmit via wired radio frequency (RF) methods.

The technology-neutral service report acceptance standards set in this amended "Enforcement Decree of the Broadcasting Act" require that the technology-neutral service to be provided aligns with the direction of technological development and improvement of broadcasting service quality, and that it does not restrict viewers' choice or infringe on their rights by imposing significantly advantageous or disadvantageous conditions depending on a specific provision method of the technology-neutral service.

This relaxes the partitioned transmission technology regulations, which were pointed out as factors hindering the development of the paid broadcasting industry. It is an innovation of regulations across the media industry to realize the national agenda of becoming a global media powerhouse.

The Ministry of Science and ICT stated, "Through this amendment, autonomy in choosing transmission methods has been granted to paid broadcasting operators. This allows operators to select rapidly developing and converging transmission technologies themselves, promoting competition among operators and ultimately enhancing user benefits."

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Science and ICT plans to process technology-neutral service reports within 7 days and, if necessary, prepare guidelines regarding report acceptance to provide clear standards to paid broadcasting operators.