Ahead of the Launch of the 4th Mobile Carrier... Forum on Qualifications and Requirements for New Operators Held

On the Morning of the 15th, Representative Byeon Jae-il's Office Holds a Forum
Academic Experts Discuss Requirements and Obligations for the 4th Mobile Carrier

Experts gathered to discuss the qualifications and obligations that a new operator must fulfill ahead of the official launch of 'StageX,' the fourth mobile carrier assigned the 5G 28㎓ frequency.

At 10:30 a.m. on the 15th, Rep. Byeon Jae-il of the Democratic Party held an expert forum titled “Qualifications and Requirements for New 28㎓ Operators” at the National Assembly Members' Office Building Seminar Room 2. Rep. Byeon stated, “To prevent government financial input from becoming a waste of taxpayers' money, we must carefully examine the qualifications and requirements for new operators even at this stage,” adding, “It is necessary to objectively analyze what qualifications and obligations new operators must have and fulfill in terms of future information and communication industry development, fostering a fair competitive environment, and enhancing consumer welfare.”

In July, the Ministry of Science and ICT announced support measures for new entrants through the 'Telecommunications Market Competition Promotion Plan,' including ▲payment of 25% of the total frequency allocation fee in the first year reduced to 10%, ▲policy financing support up to 400 billion KRW, and ▲mandatory provision of the networks of the three existing telecom companies in areas without network infrastructure. Subsequently, from November last year, the ministry opened applications for new operators through a 5G 28㎓ frequency allocation announcement, and on January 31, StageX won the final frequency through an auction. If StageX pays 10% (43 billion KRW) of the allocation fee by February 4, it will register as a telecommunications carrier and officially begin building the 28GHz communication service.

Professor Jung Hoon of the Accounting Department at Cheongju University presented on the topic “Can the Fourth Mobile Carrier Contribute to Competition Activation?” Professor Jung questioned whether the currently known capital and facility investment costs of StageX are sufficient to contribute to competition activation. He emphasized that a minimum capital of 1 trillion KRW is necessary for competition activation and that confirmation of StageX’s capital increase and investment implementation is required.

Following Professor Jung’s presentation, a panel discussion chaired by Professor Shin Min-su of Hanyang University’s Business Administration Department took place. Panelists included Ahn Jung-sang, Senior Specialist at the Democratic Party Policy Committee; Professor Jung Hoon; Professor Mo Jung-hoon of Yonsei University’s Industrial Engineering Department; Professor Lee Kyung-won of Dongguk University’s Economics Department; and Han Seok-hyun, Director of the Seoul YMCA Citizen Broadcast Center. They focused intensively on discussing the qualifications and requirements for new operators.