"5G Not Available but Subscribers Increasing... Rural Consumers Suffering Losses"

(Source: Office of Kim Young-sik, People Power Party)

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] The proportion of 5G subscribers in rural fishing and farming areas, where 5G networks are not properly established, was found to be higher than in Seoul and the metropolitan area. This is analyzed to be because a significant number of subscribers in rural areas purchase 5G phones and are required to subscribe to 5G communication plans by receiving official subsidies for devices.

On the 29th, an analysis of data submitted by the Ministry of Science and ICT by Rep. Kim Young-sik's office showed that the number of 5G subscribers in Seoul, where the 5G base station construction rate is high, accounted for only 13.6% of all service subscribers. In contrast, Jeonnam, which has the lowest 5G base station construction rate, had 5G subscribers reaching 15.2%.

In particular, Chungnam, Jeonnam, Gangwon, and Gyeongbuk regions were found to have more than 90 subscribers per 5G base station. The high number of 5G subscribers despite the lack of network infrastructure indicates the urgent need to build base stations in these areas. It also implies that many consumers might choose to forgo 5G phone subsidies and switch to LTE.

Rep. Kim Young-sik stated, “Most mobile communication devices recently released support 5G service, and for these 5G-supported devices, receiving subsidies from the three major mobile carriers restricts LTE subscription. For areas where the 5G network is not properly established, selective subscription to LTE and 5G should be allowed even for 5G-supported devices that have received subsidies from the three carriers.”

Rep. Kim particularly pointed out, “As the nationwide 5G network deployment is delayed, users of mobile communication services in rural fishing and farming areas and small local cities who trusted the government and mobile carriers and purchased 5G phones are suffering damages by paying expensive 5G plan fees without receiving proper service,” urging the government and the three major mobile carriers to promptly build a nationwide 5G network.