Korea’s No. 2 telecom carrier KT said Tuesday that KDB Infra IP Capital Fund, an investment arm of KDB Financial Group, has decided to invest 10 billion won ($8.4 million) into its video coding technology patent.

KT has been trying to obtain patents for telecommunications and next-generation media technologies in recent years. 


The latest funding will be made for the company’s highly efficient video coding technology, called H.265, which is used for data transmission for IPTV and mobile services.

More than 30 global tech giants, including Samsung Electronics and Apple, have secured H.265 technology, charging royalty fees from users.

KT said it is also hoping to increase its royalty revenue.

“The latest investment decision by KDB Infra IP Fund will encourage Korean firms to look for more patent filings and more actively make use of the patents in their businesses,” Lee Dong-myun, chief technology officer of the network operator said.

By Kim Young-won (wone0102@heraldcorp.com)