LG Uplus Also Nearing End... Top 3 Carriers Say 'Goodbye 2G'

[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgina Jo] Following KT and SK Telecom, LG Uplus is also considering ending its 2G mobile communication service.

According to industry sources on the 16th, LG Uplus is internally reviewing the option of not reassigning the 2G service frequency band ahead of the Ministry of Science and ICT's frequency reassignment announcement scheduled for this month. Considering the transition to 5G and the cost burden of maintaining the 2G network, the company has determined that service termination is inevitable.

An official stated, "We will soon formalize our position to the Ministry of Science and ICT," adding, "After that, we will begin consultations for the termination of the 2G service." Currently, LG Uplus uses a total of 20MHz bidirectionally in the 1770?1780MHz (transmission) and 1860?1870MHz (reception) bands, with the frequency allocation set to expire in June 2021. They must apply for reassignment to the Ministry of Science and ICT by the end of this month, one year prior.

A senior official from the Ministry of Science and ICT said, "We plan to announce the frequency reassignment within a few days," and added, "Although we have not yet received any specific position, we expect LG Uplus to make a separate announcement regarding the termination."

As of April, the number of remaining 2G subscribers of LG Uplus stands at 475,500. This is even larger than SK Telecom, which recently received government approval to terminate 2G services. As the last of the three major carriers to remain, LG Uplus joining the termination alongside SK Telecom could be a way to reduce backlash from existing users. However, unlike SK Telecom, LG Uplus is reported to have relatively less severe issues with equipment aging.

Another Ministry of Science and ICT official said, "If LG Uplus also terminates 2G services, there is concern that backlash from existing 2G users could increase."

Previously, KT was the first among the three major carriers to end 2G services in 2012. SK Telecom received approval from the Ministry of Science and ICT last week and will begin phased termination starting July 6.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.