Korea Consumer Agency Survey of 1,500 People
LG Uplus Scores Highest in Fee Satisfaction
17.0% Report Complaints or Damages in Telecom Services
The average monthly communication fee per person in South Korea was found to be approximately 66,000 KRW. Three out of ten citizens spent more than 80,000 KRW per month. The overall satisfaction with the three major mobile carriers was ranked as SK Telecom, LG Uplus, and KT.
The Korea Consumer Agency disclosed on the 13th the results of an online survey conducted in June with 1,500 subscribers aged 20 and over nationwide from the three major mobile carriers (SK Telecom, KT, LG Uplus).
The survey results showed that the average monthly communication fee per person, including device installment payments and fees for content and additional services, was 65,867 KRW.
By price range, 40,000 to 60,000 KRW was the most common at 27.2% (408 people). Less than 40,000 KRW accounted for 23.9% (358 people), 60,000 to 80,000 KRW 20.1% (302 people), 80,000 to 100,000 KRW 11.7% (175 people), and over 100,000 KRW 17.1% (257 people).
Overall satisfaction with mobile carriers was highest for SK Telecom with a score of 3.51 out of 5. LG Uplus ranked second with 3.38 points, and KT received the lowest score of 3.28 points.
By category, call quality satisfaction was highest in the order of SK Telecom (3.80 points) - KT (3.59 points) - LG Uplus (3.56 points), and data quality satisfaction was SK Telecom (3.50 points) - LG Uplus (3.24 points) - KT (3.19 points).
Fee satisfaction was ranked LG Uplus (3.21 points) - SK Telecom (3.10 points) - KT (3.03 points).
Service areas such as call quality, additional services, and membership benefits generally had high satisfaction, but usage fees scored relatively low.
Responses indicating dissatisfaction or harm experienced while using mobile communication services were also significant at 17.0% (256 people).
Regarding types of harm (multiple responses allowed), unfair subscription inducement was the most common at 37.5% (96 people), followed by insufficient explanation or notification at subscription 35.2% (90 people), penalty fees imposed for contract cancellation or changes 31.3% (80 people), and poor service quality 27.3% (70 people).
The Consumer Agency shared these survey results at a recent meeting with the three major mobile carriers. They also urged the operators to ▲ operate reasonable plans that allow consumers to feel the benefits of reduced communication fees ▲ provide useful additional services and benefits with high satisfaction.
A representative from the Korea Consumer Agency stated, "We will continue to monitor consumer satisfaction trends for universal services such as mobile communication and develop and promote projects to improve the quality of related services and support the rational consumption life of the public."
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