SK Broadband

SK Broadband is a Seoul-based South Korean telecommunications company and a wholly owned subsidiary of SK Telecom. The business traces its corporate identity to Hanaro Telecom, a domestic fixed-line carrier that entered South Korea's broadband market in 1999. It subsequently expanded beyond basic local connectivity into a triple-play model combining broadband internet access, voice-over-IP services, and IPTV under the B TV brand. The company also serves business customers through leased lines, internet data-center services, and other enterprise network offerings. Before its acquisition by SK Telecom, Hanaro Telecom was an important challenger in South Korea's fixed-line market. The company helped introduce competition to a sector historically dominated by the state-owned or formerly state-controlled incumbent KT. Hanaro's position was strengthened by its acquisition of Korea Thrunet in March 2005. The transaction consolidated two significant broadband operations and gave Hanaro a larger customer and network base. At the time, Hanaro and Korea Thrunet together represented a substantial share of the country's broadband market. SK Telecom acquired Hanaro Telecom in February 2008 for approximately 1.09 trillion won. The company adopted the SK Broadband name in September of that year, aligning the fixed-line operation with the broader SK telecommunications portfolio. In 2015, SK Telecom completed a stock-swap transaction that transferred all remaining SK Broadband shares to SK Telecom, making SK Broadband a wholly owned subsidiary rather than an independently traded company. The brand's consumer proposition is built around fixed broadband access and bundled communications and entertainment. B TV provides IPTV services, while broadband infrastructure supports residential internet, voice, and media delivery. For corporate customers, SK Broadband supplies leased connectivity and internet data-center services. The company has also operated Broad &, a business associated with calling-card services in South Korea. SK Broadband has promoted network-performance innovation as part of its market positioning. In October 2014, it presented a 10 Gbit/s internet service at the International Telecommunication Union Plenipotentiary Conference, describing it as the world's first service of that speed. The announcement positioned the company as a participant in South Korea's high-speed connectivity race and as a developer of infrastructure beyond then-common 100 Mbit/s LAN services. The company remains strategically connected to SK Telecom's mobile, broadband, media, and technology businesses. Its history reflects the transformation of South Korea's fixed-line sector from a narrow local-carrier market into an integrated communications and entertainment ecosystem. The business also became involved in industry-wide debates over network costs and online-video traffic. In 2021, it brought legal action against Netflix, arguing that the streaming service should bear increased network expenses associated with rapidly rising traffic generated by popular programs including Squid Game.

SK Broadband's corporate history is rooted in Hanaro Telecom, a South Korean domestic fixed-line carrier. Hanaro entered the country's broadband market in 1999, during a period when high-speed internet access was expanding rapidly and competition was developing around the incumbent KT. The company broadened its service portfolio from fixed connectivity into a triple-play structure that combined broadband internet, VoIP telephony, and IPTV. Its television service was branded B TV. Hanaro also supplied leased lines and internet data-center services to corporate customers. From 2000, Hanaro participated in Cisco's Powered Network Program, a joint marketing initiative involving Cisco and network-service providers. The relationship associated Hanaro's public network services with Cisco-based infrastructure and supported the company's effort to establish itself as a credible broadband challenger. By 2002, Hanaro and Korea Thrunet together held approximately 45 percent of the broadband market according to contemporary industry descriptions, while Korea Telecom held roughly half. Hanaro strengthened its competitive position through the acquisition of Korea Thrunet in March 2005. The transaction was valued at approximately 471.4 billion won, or about US$460 million at the time, and followed competitive bidding in which Hanaro outbid Dacom. The deal combined two major broadband businesses and reduced the number of substantial independent challengers in the market. In February 2008, SK Telecom acquired Hanaro Telecom for approximately 1.09 trillion won. The purchase brought a major fixed-network operation under the ownership of South Korea's leading wireless telecommunications group. Hanaro adopted the SK Broadband name in September 2008, reflecting the strategic importance of combining mobile and fixed communications within the SK portfolio. In 2015, SK Telecom pursued full ownership through a stock-swap transaction. The deal was completed on July 1, 2015, after which SK Broadband became a wholly owned subsidiary of SK Telecom. The change ended its status as an independently traded company and placed its fixed broadband, IPTV, and enterprise-network activities more directly within SK Telecom's corporate structure. SK Broadband continued to develop high-capacity network services. In October 2014, it unveiled a 10 Gbit/s internet service at the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference. The company described the service as the world's first 10 Gbit/s internet offering and contrasted it with the 100 Mbit/s LAN services then available in South Korea. The announcement underscored the company's emphasis on network speed and infrastructure modernization. The company also maintained activities outside residential broadband. Its Broad & division was associated with a significant share of South Korea's calling-card market, while its business portfolio included leased lines and internet data-center services. Consumer communications and entertainment remained centered on broadband and B TV IPTV. A prominent later development concerned the economics of video streaming. In September 2021, SK Broadband sued Netflix, arguing that Netflix should contribute to increased network costs caused by the rapid growth of streaming traffic. The operator stated that traffic associated with Netflix had increased from approximately 50 Gbit/s in May 2018 to 1,200 Gbit/s in September 2021, attributing part of the increase to highly popular programs such as Squid Game. The dispute illustrated the broader tension between internet-service providers and large content platforms over traffic, infrastructure investment, and payment responsibility.

1. 2021Network-cost lawsuit against Netflix

   SK Broadband sued Netflix over increased network costs associated with the growth of streaming traffic.

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2. 2015Becomes wholly owned by SK Telecom

   SK Telecom's stock-swap transaction was finalized on July 1, making SK Broadband a wholly owned subsidiary.

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3. 201410 Gbit/s internet service unveiled

   SK Broadband presented a 10 Gbit/s internet service at the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference.

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4. 2008SK Telecom acquires Hanaro Telecom

   SK Telecom acquired Hanaro Telecom for approximately 1.09 trillion won.

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5. 2008Hanaro Telecom becomes SK Broadband

   The company adopted the SK Broadband name in September.

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6. 2005Acquisition of Korea Thrunet

   Hanaro acquired Korea Thrunet in March for approximately 471.4 billion won, consolidating a major broadband competitor.

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7. 2000Participation in Cisco Powered Network Program

   Hanaro joined Cisco's joint marketing program for network-service providers and public networks using Cisco equipment.

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8. 1999Hanaro enters the broadband market

   Hanaro Telecom expanded from domestic fixed-line operations into broadband internet access in South Korea.

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A major South Korean fixed-network operator positioned around high-speed broadband, bundled communications and IPTV, enterprise connectivity, and integration with SK Telecom's wider telecommunications ecosystem.

• SK Broadband broadband internetFixed broadband1999

  The company's core consumer connectivity business provides fixed broadband internet access in South Korea. It developed from Hanaro Telecom's 1999 entry into broadband and has been central to the operator's role as a challenger to the country's incumbent fixed-line provider. SK Broadband has also used high-capacity network demonstrations, including its 10 Gbit/s service announcement, to emphasize infrastructure performance.

• B TVIPTV

  B TV is SK Broadband's IPTV offering and a central part of its triple-play proposition. It combines television delivery with the company's fixed broadband and voice services, allowing SK Broadband to compete as an integrated communications and entertainment provider rather than only as an internet-access carrier.

• VoIP servicesVoice telecommunications

  Voice-over-IP services formed part of Hanaro Telecom's triple-play expansion and remain within the company's broader fixed communications portfolio. The service category complements broadband and IPTV by providing voice connectivity over the operator's fixed network.

• Enterprise leased lines and IDC servicesEnterprise telecommunications

  SK Broadband supplies leased-line connectivity and internet data-center services to corporate customers. These offerings extend the company beyond residential broadband into business networking, infrastructure hosting, and connectivity services for organizations requiring dedicated network capacity.

• Broad &Calling-card services

  Broad & is a division associated with SK Broadband's calling-card business. Reference material describes it as controlling a substantial portion of the South Korean calling-card market, distinguishing it from the company's broadband, IPTV, and enterprise-network operations.

• 10 Gbit/s internet serviceHigh-speed broadband2014

  In 2014, SK Broadband presented a 10 Gbit/s internet service at the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference. The service was promoted as a major speed increase over 100 Mbit/s LAN services then commonly available in South Korea and served as a showcase for the company's next-generation network capabilities.

• 2021Seek network-cost payments from NetflixOther

  SK Broadband argued that Netflix traffic had grown dramatically and was increasing the network capacity and operating costs borne by the internet-service provider.

  What changed. SK Broadband sued Netflix in September 2021, seeking payment for increased network costs.

  Aftermath. The case became part of the wider debate over whether major content platforms should compensate internet-service providers for traffic and infrastructure demands.

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• 2015SK Telecom takes full ownershipM&A

  SK Telecom sought to consolidate its ownership and corporate control of SK Broadband.

  What changed. A stock-swap transaction was finalized on July 1, 2015, transferring all SK Broadband stock to SK Telecom.

  Aftermath. SK Broadband became a wholly owned subsidiary of SK Telecom and ceased to operate as an independently traded company.

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• 2008SK Telecom acquires Hanaro TelecomM&A

  SK Telecom pursued ownership of a major fixed-line and broadband operator to expand its telecommunications portfolio.

  What changed. SK Telecom acquired Hanaro Telecom in February 2008.

  Aftermath. The company was renamed SK Broadband in September 2008 and became aligned with SK Telecom's broader communications businesses.

  Acquisition price. 1.09 trillion won (February 2008)

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• 2005Acquire Korea ThrunetM&A

  Hanaro Telecom sought to strengthen its position in South Korea's competitive broadband market and consolidate a major rival.

  What changed. Hanaro acquired Korea Thrunet in March 2005 for approximately 471.4 billion won after outbidding Dacom.

  Aftermath. The transaction combined two significant broadband operations and expanded Hanaro's market presence.

  Acquisition price. 471.4 billion won (March 2005)

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• 2021SK Broadband sues Netflix over network costs

  SK Broadband filed suit seeking payment from Netflix for increased network costs. The operator attributed a sharp rise in traffic on its network to the popularity of Netflix programming, including Squid Game.

  LawsuitRegulation
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• 2015SK Telecom completes full ownership of SK Broadband

  A stock-swap transaction completed on July 1, 2015, made SK Broadband a wholly owned subsidiary of SK Telecom.

  M&A
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• 2014SK Broadband presents 10 Gbit/s internet service

  SK Broadband unveiled a 10 Gbit/s internet service at the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference, presenting it as a major advance over the 100 Mbit/s LAN services then commonly available in South Korea.

  Product launchProduct generation
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1. SK Broadband