70% Of South Korea Has Broadband Internet.

[HolyMoly]

Korea's high-speed Internet market may have reached the saturation mark.

The nation's combined broadband subscribers fell by more than 10,000 in December, marking the second slide in the last three months.

The Minister of Information and Communication (MIC) on Thursday said the number of broadband subscribers reached 11.18 million last month, off 12,324 from November.

In October, the broadband penetration rate of the world's most wired nation fell for the first time as 167,492 customers suspended their subscription, although the figure inched up slightly in November.

The MIC said new 773,013 customers were added last year but the growth rate has clearly slowed.

``With more than 70 percent of households hooked to the always-on Internet network, there remains little leeway for Korean broadband operators to expand their customers base,'' said Kang Lok-hee, a telecom analyst of Daishin Securities.

He expected the local high-speed Internet market to be stagnant for the time being.

KT, the nation's largest fixed-line telecom operator, newly recruited 12,669 users last month and 666,663 in total for 2003, closing the year with 5.59 million and strengthening its dominant status in the local market.

Regional cable broadcasters, which jumped onto the broadband competition in a full-fledged manner from 2002, added 20,030 users last month, and 251,968 for the year to give them a total of 619,103.

Hanaro Telecom suffered the biggest setback in 2003 as 146,788 subscribers cancelled service.

For the past three months to December, its subscription fell. The American International Group and Newbridge Capital took over the company late last year.

Thrunet and Onse Telecom, both of whom are under court receivership, also saw a steep fall in subscription.

Thrunet gave up 8,256 customers last year and Onse Telecom relinquished 29,047 subscribers.

http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/biz/200401...18060511900.htm

edit - I just changed the header info - CP