Korean telecommunication rates for poor, disabled
2009/03/26 08:21With the high number of Korean mobile phone and Internet users, the telecom rates for services like text messages are a common focus for consumer groups and politicians.
Last October, the Korea Communications Commission (KCC) posted a report on how much Koreans households were spending on phone (landline and mobile) and broadband Internet services:
Total telecommunication fees as a proportion of average living expenses declined, recording 5.9 percent last year compared to 6.1 percent in 2006 and 6.3 percent in 2005.
However, spending on mobile calls is increasing. Last year, mobile calls cost the average household 91,894 won, a 6,000 won increase from a year ago. It was 81,477 won in 2005 and 78,644 won in 2004.
The KCC announced last month plans to simplify a low-cost mobile phone rate program. The chairman of the KCC also promised to look at providing further discounts to Koreans with a disability:
Currently, disabled people are receiving a discount of 35 percent on both the basic monthly rate as well as voice data call charges.
KCC plans to lower fees charged for third generation (3G) visual services and Short Message Services (SMS) for disabled people.
Korea Times: How Much Will Telecom Rates Go Down? (June 25, 2007)
