2010-06-08 14:45

The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) has grabbed exclusive control over content of Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) - a system through which digital television service is delivered via the Internet, the 21st Century Business Herald reported Tuesday.

The move marks a new phase in the turf war between SARFT and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) in China’s three-system convergence - telecom, Internet and TV broadcasting.

With SARFT taking control of IPTV content, telecom carriers overseen by MIIT will be responsible for data transmission.

SARFT has also been granted permission to enter the telecommunication business, "to operate access to Internet, data transmission and Internet Protocol phone business through its cable network," according to the paper.

The paper said the two agencies would compete for control over mobile television content, and cable network’s international reach.