Minister Yusangim: "Comprehensive Measures for 4th Telecom and Altteul Phone to be Announced in Early January Next Year"

Minister Yoo Sang-im of the Ministry of Science and ICT announced that a comprehensive plan to reduce communication fees, including the 4th mobile communication policy and measures to revitalize MVNOs, will be announced in early January next year.

Minister Yusang-im of the Ministry of Science and ICT is speaking at a year-end press conference held at a restaurant in Sejong City on the 23rd. Photo by Baek Jong-min

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On the 23rd, Minister Yoo held a year-end press briefing near the Government Complex Sejong and said, "If the MVNO market is dominated by subsidiaries, small operators will have no place to stand," adding, "We are focusing a lot on enhancing the technological capabilities and service abilities of small operators and creating a structure that allows them to make a profit."

He acknowledged, "It is true that MVNOs have played a significant role in reducing communication fees," but diagnosed, "While most MVNO operators are small businesses, subsidiaries of telecom companies operate MVNOs, causing technological and service gaps that make consumers reluctant to choose MVNOs."

He continued, "If the MVNO market is dominated by subsidiaries of telecom companies, small operators will have no place to stand, so eventually the telecom companies will have everything," adding, "We have been considering the issue of improving the quality and role of MVNOs alongside communication fee reduction, and will announce a comprehensive plan in early January."

Minister Yoo also said that measures to minimize potential problems arising after the abolition of the Device Distribution Structure Improvement Act (Device Distribution Act) will be announced at that time.

Furthermore, Minister Yoo expressed his position to resolve the issue through sufficient research to prevent a repeat of the past eight failed attempts to introduce a 4th mobile carrier. He said, "We have seriously considered the 4th mobile carrier issue and prepared guidelines through several meetings," adding, "Although the announcement was originally scheduled for the end of this year, it will be announced in detail early next year."

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