SEOUL, Feb. 9 (Yonhap) -- KT Corp., South Korea's top fixed-line operator, said Thursday that it plans to limit access of some Internet-enabled TV applications to its high-speed network in a bid to prevent excessive traffic from slowing the network's overall speed.

   KT said it will restrict access of Internet-connected TV applications to its network starting Friday, claiming their "free-riding" on its network is feared to cause heavy traffic, hurting other users' right to access to the Internet.

   The move is likely to bring about tension between local mobile carriers and TV makers in a country where tech giants Samsung Electronics Co. and LG Electronics Inc. are ramping up efforts to increase sales of so-called smart TVs this year.

   "Unlike personal computers, high-resolution smart TVs are entertainment devices which just cause massive traffic," Kim Hyo-sil, an executive at KT, told reporters. "The move comes as increased use of smart TVs could hurt other Internet users."

   KT said that as the move only centers on limiting access of some smart TV applications to its Internet network, there will be no problems for customers wanting to watch TV or access high-speed Internet.

   KT and other mobile carriers like LG Uplus have requested smart TV producers pay money in return for using its Internet network since last June.

   Market watchers said that the move will likely hurt Samsung and other Internet-enabled TV makers' efforts to increase sales of such high-end televisions as they see the products as a new cash generator.

   According to analysts, around 1 million smart TV sets are estimated to have been sold in the country.

   The country's telecommunications watchdog called KT's move "inappropriate," saying that it may slap punishment on the company if the move violates related laws.

   "If KT pushes ahead with this action, the watchdog plans to take every measure to protect customers' rights," the Korea Communications Commission said in a statement.

   Samsung Electronics also criticized KT's decision as able to hurt customers' right to indiscriminately use the network and said KT's claim that the use of smart TVs sparks heavy traffics needs verification.

   Samsung Electronics said Wednesday it is seeking to sell around 50 million flat-screen TVs this year, with a goal that half of them be smart TVs.

   sooyeon@yna.co.kr
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