Socio-technical analysis of IPTV: a case study of Korean IPTV

Purpose – This paper seeks to investigate the prospects for internet protocol TV (IPTV) from the social, economic and regulatory perspective to gain a better understanding of how IPTV will evolve and stabilize in next generation network environments. Design/methodology/approach – Qualitative and quantitative data were collected from multiple data collection methods. The analysis is based on theoretical frameworks derived from socio-technical theories and web of stakeholder analyses. Findings – From the socio-technical analysis, the development of IPTV implies that IPTV has been through internally-driven change (more or less technology-driven and regulatory-constrained), but from now on it will likely be driven by external factors (market and user). The web of stakeholder analysis implies that the further development of IPTV in Korea is likely to comprise multiple stages, predicated by several significant events: the deployment of Broadband Convergence Network and FTTH, the resolving of content issues, establishing standards, and the introduction of new regulatory frameworks. Practical implications – The case of Korea offers implications for other countries that are pursuing IPTV development strategies. Originality/value – By looking at IPTV as a sociotechnical ensemble, this paper seeks a firm understanding of the interaction among IPTV technology, its market, industry, and regulation regarding IPTV. A stakeholder analysis helps this study to address such interactions.