On the afternoon of September 30, the Ministry of Science and ICT held an on-site meeting at Seoul’s MVNO Square, chaired by Choi Woo-hyuk, Director General of the Information Security and Network Policy Bureau, with representatives from major MVNO companies to share the follow-up implementation plan for the “Plan to Revitalize the MVNO Market,” announced on July 31. The Ministry stated that it would promptly move forward with the plan by issuing administrative and legislative notices for the relevant amendments to enforcement decrees and ministerial ordinances in October.
The meeting was attended by representatives from 10 companies—including Smatel, the chair company of the MVNO Association; Kookmin Bank; Stage Five; Eyes Vision; Woori Bank; Unicoms; Keunsaram Connect; Toss Mobile; Free Telecom (Inscobi); Korea Cable Telecom (KCT), as well as officials from the MVNO Association.
The plan to revitalize the MVNO market was announced at the Meeting of Ministers in Charge of Economic Affairs, which also served as a special task force on managing living expenses and consumer prices. Its goal is to create a sustainable MVNO ecosystem that reduces the public’s burden of telecommunications costs while fostering the growth of innovative operators. In particular, the plan aims to move away from a structure where operators simply resell services using mobile carriers’ networks and instead foster competitive operators—such as partial MVNOs and full MVNOs with their own infrastructure—to broaden competition in rates and services, while simultaneously strengthening support for small and medium-sized operators and enhancing consumer protection.
On that day, the Ministry of Science and ICT outlined three follow-up measures. First, it introduced proposed amendments to the Enforcement Decree and Notifications of the Telecommunications Business Act, as well as support plans linked to policy-based financing, to facilitate market entry and growth for MVNOs with their own infrastructure. Next, the ministry explained a proposed amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the Radio Wave Act that would expand reductions in radio wave usage fees to alleviate the cost burden on small, medium, and mid-sized operators and enable them to lower rates, while applying differential reductions to operators who violate laws and regulations. Along with this, the ministry shared plans to raise standards for customer service personnel and strengthen consumer protection measures when operators suspend or cease operations.
Participants discussed ways to continue enhancing the price competitiveness of MVNOs relative to the three major mobile carriers, as well as directions for expanding investment and business innovation to move beyond simple resale and establish their own infrastructure along with differentiated rates and services. They also exchanged views on measures to strengthen customer service quality and user protection systems so that users can use MVNOs with confidence. The Ministry urged the industry to actively pursue investments in infrastructure and services, drive innovation, and enhance customer service.
Director Choi Woo-hyuk stated, “These measures to revitalize the MVNO market serve as a starting point for improving the market’s fundamentals by reducing operators’ cost burdens and expanding their capacity for service differentiation and innovation,” adding “The government will implement follow-up measures without delay and maintain ongoing communication with the industry to faithfully reflect on-the-ground feedback in policies and regulations. We will actively support efforts so that the public can tangibly experience the changes in the MVNO market, including lower rates, innovative services, and enhanced user protection,” he added.
