AsiaMedia :: KOREA: Transition team confirms compulsory telecom fee cut

AsiaMedia :: KOREA: Transition team confirms compulsory telecom fee cut: "Basic mobile service fees expected to be cut or eliminated in return for government's continued refusal to allow new competitors in telecom market

The Korea Times
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
By Cho Jin-seo

The transition team of President-elect Lee Myung-bak has confirmed that it will force the country's three mobile service operators to lower their basic subscription fees, instead guaranteeing exclusive positions in the market.

The plan will force the firms to cut or abolish the registration fee (30,000 to 55,000 won) and the monthly basic fee (around 15,000 won), while not allowing new players to enter the mobile service industry. The decision is in line with the 'I scratch your back, you scratch mine' relationship that has lasted between the Ministry of Information and Communication and the three telecom firms -- SK Telecom, KTF and LG Telecom -- over the past 10 years."