Korea Telecom has announced that it will buy Olive9 for $21.9 million. Olive9 is a digital media company specialised in next-generation delivery of entertainment services. The company produces and supplies media content for DMB, portable internet and IP-TV. This is another step in the value chain integration started by the Korean carriers. In the past, SK Telecom has invested in TU Media, started up a joint venture in Warner Music and purchased a share in the media company IHQ. Korean operators believe that content ownership benefits the uptake of wireless data services, since carriers can offer better prices and reduce conflicts of interest.