Vice Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission Visits Phone Retailers... "Fostering Marketing Competition Activation"

Sangin Lee Confirms Procedures for Transition Support Payment
Urges Smooth Operation of Number Portability Centers
"Abolish the Mobile Subsidy Law... Make It Tangible for the Public"

Lee Sang-in, Vice Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, visited a mobile phone store on the 21st to observe the site of the transition subsidy payment and listen to the difficulties faced on the ground.

On the same day, Vice Chairman Lee personally checked the procedures and methods for paying transition subsidies through number portability at a mobile phone store located in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. He verified whether there were any inconveniences experienced by the public due to the payment of transition subsidies and listened to the preparations and difficulties of the stores.

The Korea Communications Commission is working to repeal the "Act on the Improvement of Distribution Structure of Mobile Communication Terminals (DanTongLaw)." Recently, to activate marketing competition among mobile carriers before the repeal of the DanTongLaw, the enforcement decree of the DanTongLaw was amended. Through the revision and establishment of notifications, mobile carriers are now allowed to pay up to 500,000 KRW in transition subsidies to customers who switch their numbers.

Lee Sang-in, Vice Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission [Photo by Yonhap News]

Vice Chairman Lee stated, "We have a firm stance to promptly repeal the DanTongLaw, and through this, we plan to activate competition among carriers so that the public can feel the benefits of reduced device purchase costs," adding, "Even before the law is repealed, we will continuously strive to create conditions that enable active marketing competition."

After visiting the retail stores, Vice Chairman Lee also visited the Korea Telecommunications Operators Association (KTOA) to inspect the Number Portability Management Center. He urged them to ensure that the system operates flawlessly, as the number of number portabilities may increase due to the payment of transition subsidies.