Smartphones, which serve as a "core gateway to the digital ecosystem" by offering diverse media services, are integrated into our daily lives, supporting everything from information searches and financial transactions to identity verification and AI assistants. The conditions under which such essential devices are purchased are not merely a matter of personal choice but a critical issue directly tied to media accessibility and the media sovereignty of citizens.
As AI technology advances and more features are incorporated, device prices continue to rise, and it is true that user burdens increase proportionally. Taking these conditions into account, the "Act on Improving the Distribution Structure of Mobile Communication Terminal Devices," which had regulated smartphone subsidy caps for the past 11 years, was abolished in July last year.
The removal of regulatory locks does not immediately translate into increased benefits for users. On the contrary, there are concerns that side effects may arise, such as subsidy benefits being concentrated among a few through the exploitation of "information asymmetry," or users being forced to sign up for unnecessary high-priced plans or additional services.
In response, the Ministry of Science and ICT recently formulated and announced "Measures for Creating a Healthy Distribution Environment for Mobile Communication Terminal Devices." With the grand principle of the measures being "subsidies freely, information transparently," the goal is to activate subsidy competition among operators to maximize user benefits while thoroughly preventing deceptive practices and harm to users during the purchasing process.
The measures first significantly strengthen transparency from information search through usage. The method of providing information will be improved so that subsidy details are easily accessible, and false or exaggerated advertising that deceives users will be strictly punished. At the time of contract signing, the accuracy of subsidy information disclosure will be checked, and the responsibility of sellers will be clarified through real-name registration. When the "mandatory retention period for high-priced plans" expires, clear notifications will be provided to ensure that users can make decisions based on accurate information.
A multi-faceted monitoring system to eradicate unfair practices will also be activated. The government will conduct close monitoring of subsidy discrimination based on region and age, as well as the improper operation of incentives using high-priced plan subscriptions as bait. A "participatory reporting system" that provides a certain reward for reporting legal violations will be promoted among users. Additionally, through customized reporting systems tailored to increasingly complex sales types, such as bundled sales of mobile communication and internet services, the plan is to fill in blind spots in protecting user rights and interests.
The measures can be successfully implemented through continuous communication with the field. To this end, the Ministry of Science and ICT will launch a "Distribution Environment Improvement Council" involving broad participation from consumer groups, experts, telecommunications companies, manufacturers, and retail stores. Moving away from previous unilateral and one-off regulations, it will serve as a platform for so-called "co-regulation," where the government, operators, experts, and users pool their efforts to identify and improve market issues.
This initiative will not end with declarative phrases on paper; rather, it will be a starting point for returning tangible benefits to users by boldly removing unfair practices that have accumulated in the market. The Ministry of Science and ICT will focus its policy efforts on creating a telecommunications market where "subsidies flow freely and information is transparent," laying a solid cornerstone for a "basic media society" where users can enjoy diverse media.
in TECH
