Ministry of Science and ICT Grants Reauthorization to KT Skylife

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] The Ministry of Science and ICT has decided to grant re-authorization with conditions to KT Skylife Co., Ltd. for 18 satellite broadcasting stations.

KT Skylife scored 711.09 points out of a total of 1000 points in the re-authorization evaluation by the review committee, meeting the re-authorization criteria (650 points or higher).

On the 29th, the Ministry of Science and ICT comprehensively reviewed the license application, wireless equipment facility overview, business plan, and other documents submitted by KT Skylife for re-authorization in accordance with relevant laws (Broadcasting Act, Radio Waves Act). To ensure objectivity and fairness in the broadcasting business field evaluation, a review committee consisting of seven experts from five fields?broadcasting (2), law (1), management/accounting (2), technology (1), and viewers (1)?was formed, and a closed evaluation was conducted over three days and two nights from November 17 to 19.

Additionally, regarding the broadcasting technology field, an inspection was conducted through document review and on-site investigation to check for frequency interference and compliance with wireless equipment technical standards, confirming adherence to regulations related to the Radio Waves Act.

The Ministry of Science and ICT combined the evaluation results from the broadcasting business and broadcasting technology fields and, after obtaining prior consent for re-authorization from the Korea Communications Commission, decided to grant re-authorization to KT Skylife with conditions.

Accordingly, KT Skylife will be subject to the same conditions as other paid broadcasting operators, including △ensuring fair competition, △operating a viewer committee, and △establishing win-win plans with partner companies, while additional conditions will be imposed to strengthen the public nature of satellite broadcasting.

Furthermore, to substantially enhance management transparency, KT Skylife is required to ① disclose non-financial company operations such as board operation regulations, ② expand the formation of subcommittees within the board, ③ appoint outside directors without conflicts of interest, and ④ increase the number of outside directors to a majority.

In addition, considering the characteristics of satellite broadcasting, KT Skylife must establish and implement specific action plans for expanding social contributions such as ‘resolving poor reception’ and ‘providing broadcasting services in preparation for unification.’ The Ministry of Science and ICT plans to conduct regular annual compliance inspections to ensure KT Skylife faithfully adheres to the re-authorization conditions and fulfills its public responsibilities as a satellite broadcasting operator.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.