Korea Telecom plans to launch an Internet protocol television service (IPTV) in Russia before doing so at home.

In a news conference in Vladivostok on Sunday, KT President Nam Joong-soo said "Trial service will begin August in Russia's Maritime Province ahead of a full launch next year."

KT currently offers an Internet TV service in Korea called Mega TV, but it's considered only a halfway service as legal limitations bar real-time broadcasting.

The Sunday news conference was a presentation of KT's business plan in the Maritime Province. KT works through an affiliate NTC which has an 80 percent stake in the service in the Russian province.

Nam said, "We received overseas offers to launch IPTV services which we delayed in order to launch it first in Korea, but we couldn't wait anymore."

NTC has secured 30 Russian broadcast channels and plans to air real-time broadcasts over the Internet. It will also provide movies, TV programs and sports content via video on demand (VOD).

Related legislation in Korea is pending at the National Assembly. The service can begin only when the legal restrictions are lifted.

"Korea must also swiftly institutionalize IPTV for consumer choice of media outlets and to boost the industry as the country has the world's best communications infrastructure," Nam said.

(englishnews@chosun.com )