What Hanaro Telecom does

Hanaro Telecom, founded in 1996 in South Korea, was acquired by SK Telecom in 2008 and rebranded as SK Broadband (SK브로드밴드), under which it currently operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary within the SK Group. The company is one of Korea's leading wireline telecommunications and media operators, delivering ultra-high-speed fiber-optic internet and IPTV services to both residential and enterprise customers. Its flagship consumer platform is B tv, an IPTV service offering live TV, video-on-demand (including the B tv OCEAN monthly unlimited subscription tier), AI-powered content recommendations, voice search, and multi-screen viewing via mobile and tablet apps. Supporting products include the Anshim Giga Wings bundled internet + WiFi + security offering (KRW 29,700/month), the B tv air tablet viewing service, Share Internet for SMB/SoHo users, and Smart Home integration with SK Telecom.

On the enterprise side, SK Broadband operates a B2B portfolio spanning Business Voice (VoIP, VoIP Centrex, digital landline, international calling), Business Data, Managed/Security services, Internet Data Center (IDC), Content Delivery Network (CDN), and in-building communication services for buildings with high fixed-mobile convergence demand. Distribution combines the B Direct Shop online channel, customer center (106), nationwide offline stores and authorized agents, and a dedicated B2B consulting and sales team. The revenue model is overwhelmingly subscription-based and recurring across internet, IPTV, voice, and managed services. In 2024 the company publicly repositioned itself as an 'AI media company,' launching a Media Agent Service with multi-turn conversational AI via A.dot, an AI Golf service for KLPGA/KPGA broadcasts, AI-based content search and recommendations, and the B tv+ enhanced content offering, signaling a strategic shift from pure connectivity toward AI-mediated media experiences.

Name

Hanaro Telecom

Legal name

SK Broadband Co., Ltd. (SK브로드밴드 주식회사)

Website

https://skbroadband.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SK Broadband (formerly Hanaro Telecom) is a South Korean wireline telecom and IPTV operator, wholly-owned by SK Telecom, providing fiber-optic internet, B tv IPTV, and B2B voice/data/managed services to residential and enterprise customers across Korea, with a 2024 strategic pivot toward AI-mediated media.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Seoul

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Internet Services: High-speed broadband internet services for residential and business customers
2. IPTV (B tv): Subscription-based IPTV service with various content packages
3. Business Communication Services: VoIP, landline, international calling, and enterprise communication solutions
4. B tv OCEAN: Monthly subscription service (OCEAN) offering unlimited movies and overseas dramas

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Hanaro Telecom, now operating as SK Broadband, is a South Korean telecommunications and media company providing ultra-high-speed fiber-optic internet, IPTV services (B tv) with live TV, video-on-demand, and AI-powered content recommendations, as well as B2B communication solutions including VoIP, business data, managed/security services, IDC, CDN, and in-building communication services. The company also offers smart home integration and AI-driven media features such as voice search and conversational content discovery.

Product overview

SK Broadband operates as a leading South Korean media company offering a unified platform of telecommunications and media services. The core offerings include B tv (IPTV) and B tv+ as the primary video/entertainment platform, complemented by ultra-high-speed internet connectivity with add-on services like Share Internet and Anshim Giga Wings (bundled internet + WiFi + security). B tv OCEAN provides a monthly VOD subscription layer. For enterprise customers, the company offers Business Voice, Business Data, Managed/Security Services, IDC, CDN, and In-Building Communication Services. AI capabilities are being integrated across offerings through features like the Media Agent Service, B tv AI Golf, and voice search functionality, positioning SK Broadband as an 'AI media company.'

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• B tv: SK Broadband's IPTV service offering, featuring live TV, on-demand content, and AI-powered content recommendations.

Products and services

• B tv IPTV service offering live TV, video-on-demand, and interactive television features with voice search, AI-powered recommendations, and multi-screen viewing (mobile and tablet apps) for residential subscribers in South Korea.
• B tv OCEAN Monthly subscription VOD service within B tv offering unlimited access to movies and international dramas, featuring new releases and curated content collections for residential viewers.
• B tv+ Enhanced B tv service with richer content offerings and expanded multimedia capabilities for residential IPTV subscribers.
• Ultra-High-Speed Internet (초고속인터넷) Broadband internet service providing high-speed fiber-optic connectivity with offerings including 1G speeds, bundled with WiFi router equipment and triple-security services for residential and business customers.
• Anshim Giga Wings (안심 기가 윙즈) Bundle product offering ultra-high-speed internet (1G), two WiFi routers, and triple-layer security services at a monthly rate of KRW 29,700 for residential subscribers.
• Smart Home (스마트홈) Connected home services integrated with SK Telecom offerings, enabling home automation and connected device management for residential customers.
• Business Voice Voice communication services for businesses including VoIP, VoIP Centrex, digital landlines, DID/DOD, international telephone, intelligent network services, and value-added phone features for enterprise customers.
• Business Data Services Data services for businesses including managed data solutions and dedicated connectivity services for enterprise customers.
• Managed/Security Services Managed IT and security services for enterprise customers including network and infrastructure management.
• IDC (Internet Data Center) Data center services for enterprise infrastructure needs including colocation and hosting.
• CDN (Content Delivery Network) Content delivery network services for optimized media distribution to enterprise customers.
• In-Building Communication Services Comprehensive communication services for buildings with large communication demands, providing fixed-mobile convergence, data services, in-house phone, and in-house data at discounted rates.
• Media Agent Service (미디어 에이전트) AI-powered conversational search and content recommendation service using A.dot, integrated within B tv for residential subscribers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 14 consecutive years as #1 in National Customer Satisfaction (NCSI) for IPTV and broadband internet
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

AI capability8 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered strategic and core.

• Naver Pay and Hana BankstrategicGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023SK Broadband partnered with Naver Pay and Hana Bank for strategic collaboration to support small business owners and promote mutual growth.
• Dream Security (주식회사 드림시큐리티)coreTechnology or IntegrationDream Security provides authentication services for SK Broadband's easy authentication system, handling user verification and electronic signature processing for up to 5 years.
• KakaocoreTechnology or IntegrationKakao provides authentication services integrated into SK Broadband's login system for user identity verification.
• Naver, Samsung Pass, and Other Certificate ProviderscoreTechnology or IntegrationSK Broadband integrates with multiple certificate-based authentication providers including Naver and Samsung Pass for easy login functionality.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• BT Group (Openreach/BT TV): UK incumbent telco with fiber broadband, IPTV (BT TV), and enterprise communications — analogous converged consumer + B2B telecom model.
• Verizon Fios: U.S. fiber broadband + TV + wireless converged operator, comparable in delivering fiber-to-the-home with bundled TV and B2B telecom services.
• Deutsche Telekom: European telecom incumbent operating MagentaTV, fiber broadband, and enterprise services across multiple geographies; comparable in scale, converged offerings, and AI-driven product roadmap.
• SK Telecom: Parent company and Korea's largest mobile operator; owns SK Broadband and integrates mobile + fixed broadband + IPTV + Smart Home under one ecosystem, making it both owner and adjacent incumbent.
• Comcast: U.S. converged cable/broadband/IPTV operator (Xfinity) with comparable bundle strategy (broadband + TV + Smart Home + B2B services), useful for global benchmark.

Direct peers

• CJ HelloVision: One of Korea's largest cable TV and broadband operators (part of CJ ENM), directly competing with SK Broadband's IPTV and high-speed internet offerings in overlapping regions.
• KT Corporation: Korea's largest fixed-line telecom and IPTV (olleh tv) operator, directly competing with SK Broadband in broadband, IPTV, and converged telecom services for both consumers and enterprises.
• LG U+: Korean mobile carrier and IPTV/broadband provider competing head-to-head with SK Broadband on fiber, IPTV bundles, and B2B telecom services.
• Hyundai HCN / HCN: Korean cable TV and broadband operator providing IPTV and high-speed internet services, competing with SK Broadband in regional Korean markets.

Regional players

• T-Broad / KT Skylife group affiliates: Korean cable/broadband/IPTV operator competing with SK Broadband in specific regional markets; comparable product set and target customers.

Market position

Strengths3 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/skbroadbandBtv
• Facebookfacebook.com/skbworld
• Instagraminstagram.com/skbroadband_btv_official
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/skbroadband

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hanaro Telecom