KT Skylife Launches Full-Scale MVNO Business (Comprehensive)

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] KT Skylife is launching the budget phone service skylife Mobile. Following the conditional registration approval by the Ministry of Science and ICT, the company plans to fully enter the budget phone business.

On the 29th, KT Skylife announced that starting from the 30th, it will begin the budget phone service skylife Mobile and implement a "half-price plan" using the KT network. The service offers no contract, no penalty fees, and lifetime discounts. Additionally, it is designed as a USIM-only product, allowing customers to simply swap the USIM into their existing phones without needing to purchase expensive new devices.

The plans are diversified into 10 types, including cost-effective LTE and 5G options. Four selectable plans based on voice call usage are available from 4,400 KRW to 21,800 KRW per month. There is also one unlimited voice plan (20,900 KRW/month) and one unlimited data plan (27,300 KRW/month). Fully unlimited voice and data plans are offered in four types ranging from 17,600 KRW to 42,600 KRW per month, depending on the data provision method.

Moreover, through mobile self-activation, customers can purchase USIMs non-face-to-face, and conveniently buy 14 types of unlocked phones, 13 types of used phones, and mobile accessories at affordable prices via the mobile shop. In addition, Skylife is preparing to launch early this year special discount plans targeting users aged 65 and older, who are major satellite broadcast customers, as well as exclusive plans that allow free use of OTT content on both satellite broadcast and mobile phones.

Skylife is the first budget phone operator to simultaneously introduce the ‘Nationwide Broadcasting and Telecommunications Budget Bundle.’ While other budget phone operators offer bundle benefits to customers in specific regions, Skylife provides benefits nationwide based on the wide coverage of satellite broadcasting. In addition to the combination of skylife Mobile and satellite broadcasting (DPS), even greater discounts are offered when bundling three services including internet (TPS), enabling economical wired and wireless bundle services. For example, combining a fully unlimited mobile plan with satellite broadcasting and 100M internet home bundle with a 30% discount is possible for 36,300 KRW per month.

Kim Cheol-soo, CEO of KT Skylife, stated, “With the launch of skylife Mobile, we have completed the final piece of the puzzle for Skylife’s wired and wireless services, including existing satellite broadcasting and internet.” He added, “In particular, we will apply the lifetime discount benefits of the 30% discounted home bundle, which combines satellite broadcasting and internet, to mobile services as well, aiming to become a practical wired and wireless service provider.”