[2021 National Audit] Kim Young-sik: "Subsidiary Market Share of the 3 Major Carriers Should Be Limited in the Budget Phone Market"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Eunmo Koo] There has been a call to limit the market share of the subsidiaries of the three major mobile carriers in the budget phone market.

At the comprehensive audit of the Ministry of Science and ICT held on the 20th by the Science, Technology, Information and Communications Committee (STICC) of the National Assembly, Kim Young-sik, a member of the People Power Party, stated, “The dominance of the three major carriers' subsidiaries in the budget phone market has increased,” and suggested, “We should consider a plan to appropriately allocate the share that the three major carriers and small businesses can hold.”

On that day, Rep. Kim pointed out, “The subsidiaries of the three major carriers are recruiting subscribers with giveaways and promotions at a level that small businesses cannot match, leveraging their enormous capital, causing difficulties for small businesses,” and emphasized, “Appropriate regulation is necessary.”

In response, Minister Lim Hye-sook of the Ministry of Science and ICT said, “I agree with the intention to promote fair competition,” and added, “Since there is a concern that it may infringe on the benefits of users who have already subscribed to the budget phones of the three major carriers' subsidiaries, we will review this comprehensively.”