Opposition lawmaker Cho Kyung-tae: "MVNOs offering 500,000 won in benefits for a 10,000 won plan… Investigation into support from major corporations needed"

People Power Party lawmaker Cho Kyung-tae called for a fact-finding investigation into the mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) market, where three major telecommunications companies and subsidiaries of large conglomerates hold a majority market share.

Jo Gyeong-tae (Rep.) attended the National Audit of the Science and Technology Information Korea Communications Commission held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 6th, questioning Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT Bae Kyung-hoon about the structure of the MVNO market.

Jo (Rep.) stated, "Currently, the market share of MVNOs operated by major corporations and the three telecom carriers exceeds 52%," adding, "Major corporate parent companies are providing unfair support, such as offering benefits worth over 500,000 won for a 10,000 won rate plan. How can small and medium-sized operators survive?" He further argued, "The government has established conditions restricting unfair support from parent companies or marketing expenses for telecom subsidiaries, yet it has never even conducted a fact-check on actual unfair support," asserting, "An investigation must be conducted to determine whether unfair support existed."

Deputy Prime Minister Bae Kyung-hoon said, "That part should be investigated by the Broadcasting Media and Communications Commission rather than the Ministry of Science and ICT," while adding, "We will consult with the Broadcasting Media and Communications Commission and review the matters you mentioned. We will prepare and report on substantive fair economic measures."