Regulators in China are expected to issue licences for internet protocol television, unblocking a barrier that prevents telcos from offering television services.

Although many telecom operators are currently evaluating broadband television, traditional telecom operators such as China Telecom and China Netcom are currently not allowed to operate radio and TV services.

However, China’s State Administration of Film, Radio and Television SARFT is likely to issue IPTV licences, according to news agency Interfax.

Du Baichuan, Deputy Chief Engineer of SARFT, said at the International Forum of Digital TV and Wireless Multimedia Communication in Shanghai that telecom carriers were able to test IPTV services but currently not allowed to operate them commercially “but this does not mean that this rule will not be changed in the future.”