Banks are launching a race to introduce 'zero-won tariff plans' in line with the government's 'MVP 2.0' policy. The approach involves expanding discounts on tariffs for young people and bank customers, while also partnering with other MVNO operators to offer services that compare and sign up for tariff plans. In the case of KB Kookmin Bank, it is anticipated that the bank may be selected as an operator capable of not only leasing mobile networks from telecommunications carriers but also directly owning major communication-related facilities.
According to financial sector reports on the 12th, Woori Bank's MVNO service 'Woori WON Mobile' is running a promotion that reduces the perceived cost of its 'Youth Dream Tariff Plan' for young people aged 19 to 39 to zero won for up to six months during August. The bank will provide Naver Pay points worth 30,000 won to new subscribers and an additional 5,000 won if they activate the service via eSIM. Furthermore, customers will receive a monthly tariff discount of up to 4,400 won for 36 months and points usable like cash for six months, making the total cost borne by the customer zero won.
KB Kookmin Bank is also offering its MVNO brand KB Live Mobile's '5G Secure Unlimited 150GB+' plan with a maximum perceived price of zero won for four months to subscribers who sign up in August. Although the base fee is 48,900 won per month, the bank provides points usable like cash worth 44,500 won monthly for four months. Additionally, based on transaction performance at KB Kookmin Bank, customers can receive an extra tariff discount of up to 4,400 won per month for more than four months.
KB Kookmin Bank has also reduced the communication cost burden for its LTE products. For new customers signing up for the 'Star Banking LTE 10GB' plan in August, the bank will provide points worth 8,800 won monthly for seven months, lowering the fee burden to zero won.
K Bank, which does not operate MVNO services directly, is seeking to secure customers through partnerships. On the 6th, K Bank launched a service that allows users to compare and sign up for 28 MVNO tariff plans within its app by partnering with an MVNO operator. If customers register their automatic payment account for communication fees at K Bank after signing up, they will receive Naver Pay points worth 30,000 won for six months.
The background behind banks continuously strengthening MVNO benefits is the expectation that the market itself may expand due to the 'MVP 2.0' policy announced by the Ministry of Science and ICT on the 31st of last month. In particular, the government has decided to establish legal definitions and facility requirements for 'Service-type MVNO (Partial MVNO)' operators that own their own facilities and 'Standalone MVNO (Full MVNO)' operators that directly build and operate core communication facilities.
Becoming a Partial or Full MVNO will enable operators to possess their own facilities necessary for communication services, such as various certification systems and traffic management, allowing them to build independent business models. KB Kookmin Bank is being mentioned as a candidate for either a Partial MVNO or a Full MVNO.
The competitiveness of tariff plans that users can perceive has also increased. This is because the 'Data Peace of Mind Option,' which allows data to be used continuously at a speed of 400 kilobits per second (Kbps) without additional fees even after all provided data has been consumed, is being applied to MVNOs as well.
A bank official stated, "We expect that through MVP 2.0, an environment will be created where MVNO operators can compete not only in tariff plans but also in terms of services," and added, "From the banks' perspective, there will be greater potential to utilize communication as a customer touchpoint that combines finance."
in FINANCE
