SKT to Launch Mid-Tier 5G Plan Early Next Month... CEO Yoo Young-sang Calls It the "Optimal Timing"

Mention of the Need for Additional 3.7GHz Allocation

Yu Young-sang, CEO of SK Telecom, is listening to Minister Lee Jong-ho's greeting at the meeting between the Minister of Science and ICT and the CEOs of the three major telecommunications companies held on the 11th at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Jung-gu, Seoul.

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] SK Telecom will launch a mid-tier 5G plan in early next month.

Yu Young-sang, CEO of SK Telecom, said in a meeting with reporters after a discussion with Lee Jong-ho, Minister of Science and ICT, on the afternoon of the 11th, "As it has been four years since the commercialization of 5G services and the penetration rate has reached 40%, I believe this is the most appropriate timing to introduce a mid-tier plan as 5G is becoming a common service." He added, "We have set the plans to not only include mid-tier plans but also various lineups to enhance customer choice and convenience. We submitted the notification today, and once it is approved through consultations with the government soon, we expect to launch the plan in early August." SK Telecom plans to offer a plan with 24GB of data for 59,000 KRW per month.

He also mentioned the necessity of additional allocation of the 3.7GHz frequency. Yu said, "In January, we requested an additional 40MHz allocation for 3.7GHz, but we respect the government's decision to pre-allocate only 20MHz," and added, "We are requesting prompt additional frequency allocation." He continued, "There is a greater cause of public benefit and investment activation," and said, "We have sufficient intention to invest."

Regarding investments to improve quality in remote areas, he said, "There are difficulties, but there was a consensus among the three companies to invest more diligently so that customers do not experience inconvenience by early nationwide network deployment, carrying out the rural joint network as planned, and maximizing indoor investments." He added, "The scale of investment will not be less than now."

On the utilization of the 28GHz frequency, he said, "As you know, there are many debates," and added, "Now, the atmosphere is to create a working group between the government and telecom operators to reach a conclusion on this matter."

He emphasized urban air mobility (UAM) as "a new business that Korea can do best." SK Telecom will hold a UAM-related exhibition at the Busan International Motor Show. Yu explained, "UAM is a business that can create new demand, develop technology, and generate employment. Although there are several operators, we, as a telecom operator, have the ambition to lead this sector by pioneering technology and services and to take the lead in this industry."