KCC Requests the Three Major Telecom Companies to Expand Public Subsidies Instead of Discriminatory Incentives

Discussing Measures to Reduce Communication Costs and Protect Users
Follow-up Actions after Chairman-Representative Meeting
"Even Small Inconveniences Must Be Improved"

The Korea Communications Commission (KCC) met with the three major mobile carriers to request an expansion of publicly announced subsidies to reduce communication costs.

On the morning of the 20th, the KCC held a meeting with senior officials from SK Telecom, KT, and LG Uplus, the three major mobile carriers, to discuss measures to reduce household communication expenses and protect communication service users.

Lee Dong-kwan, Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, is reporting on his duties at the recent National Assembly Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee audit. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

The meeting was held to discuss follow-up measures from the previous month's meeting between Chairman Lee Dong-gwan of the KCC and the representatives of the three carriers, as well as to address issues of inconvenience in communication services raised during the National Assembly audit.

At the meeting, chaired by the Acting Director of the User Policy Bureau, the KCC requested ▲ improvement of discriminatory payment cases of retailer incentives and expansion of publicly announced subsidies to provide benefits for reducing communication costs ▲ establishment of voluntary regulatory measures to eradicate illegal spam ▲ cooperation in promptly communicating and checking the implementation results of damage relief when user harm occurs due to communication failures.

Additionally, the KCC asked for ▲ the establishment of a reporting center for billing damages caused by identity theft of mobile phone users ▲ the creation of regular communication channels with the Telecommunications Dispute Mediation Committee ▲ and measures to prevent incomplete sales targeting vulnerable groups such as the elderly.

Chairman Lee visited the Telecommunications Dispute Mediation Counseling Center the day before and held a meeting with the committee members to listen to the public’s opinions on inconveniences experienced in communication services.

Chairman Lee stated, "Since telecommunications is an essential service used by all citizens, it is directly connected to people's livelihoods," adding, "Efforts to improve even the smallest inconveniences one by one are necessary."

He also said, "Such efforts will greatly help telecommunications companies, which generate profits by holding monopolistic positions, to enhance their corporate image through social contributions and to take the lead in practicing ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) management that promotes user rights and interests."