Firm determined to become global media content provider, eying live video streaming, cloud computing


KT is showcasing the firm’s next generation media content and IT solutions at the COEX Convention Center as it is prepping to go beyond its role as one of the country’s three telecoms.

The country’s biggest fixed-line service operator showed its commitment to futuristic media content at the four-day World IT Show with an array of services such as video content service Ustream and the paperless work space solution.

The firm’s Ustream service, which allows users to view selected video in real time, was unveiled in March through the joint efforts of KT and Japan’s Softbank.

KT chairman Lee Suk-chae and Softbank’s chief Masayoshi Son signed an agreement to work together on bringing such services to people during their meeting.

Through the service, people can look at videos uploaded by individuals through their smart devices ― smartphones, tablet PCs and personal computers ― without regard to location and time, according to KT officials.

“Even those who were not able to go to the event themselves can watch what is happening in real time by making use of the service,” said Song Young-hee, executive vice president of contents and media business unit at KT. “Various events taking place at the KT booth during the show will be broadcasted live globally through Ustream.”

The work space solution enables people to hold paperless meetings on the basis that they use smart pads. All records such as handwriting, documents, voice recordings and photos are stored and shared by the meeting participants with cloud computing.

“The work space solution demonstrates how a meeting could be arranged with the use of smart devices even though they don’t meet up in a single space and the solution is tested at the exhibition hall,” said Song.

The two features, however, are only part of KT’s efforts to transform into a global media contents distributor.

Another interesting feature is a service called the “olleh pub editor,” which allows people to make their own online magazines.

For instance, people can edit personal photos, postings and videos with the service ― whether it is through the use of a personal computer or smart device ― and simultaneously share the magazines with their colleagues and friends on social networking sites.

“The application service makes it possible for bloggers or internet users to immediately upload their material online when running into a recommendable travel location or a good restaurant,” according to Song.

People can also choose to subscribe to a certain magazine and receive the updated magazine as it is published, she said.

“Image-based social networking services are getting good responses in a global sense nowadays,” said Song. “KT is planning to move onto other services focusing on one-person manufactured content in the fields of publishing, video, games and music on top of the olleh pub for talented content creators to utilize their skills.”

Olleh e-book, another feature promoted by KT, is a service where people can read books on electronic devices like PCs, smartphones, e-book readers and internet protocol televisions.

The firm also added the “text to speech” feature last month so that the users can listen to a complete reading of the book. Those making use of the service can also send portions of the book through SNS and search the dictionary on the Web, its officials said.

Going a step further, the firm showcased a rental service application for Harley-Davidson bikes ― the most popular item at the KT exhibition hall during the four-day show.

Billed as the first premium bike rental service, KT Rental and Harley-Davidson Korea teamed up on the project to end the stigma surrounding rentals, KT officials said.

In the meantime, the firm also showed the public its latest robot friend for kids called “kibot” and fourth generation network technology Long Term Evolution WARP as well as its smart home pad solution.

By Cho Ji-hyun (sharon@heraldcorp.com)