2 Posts about 'Korean Mobile'

SKT’s breakthrough for data business leadership :: 2010/07/17 18:18

On 14th July, SK Telecom announced new policies regarding unlimited data plans and mobile VoIP.

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SKT’s CEO is announcing several changes regarding their service at SKT's headquarter building.

Many smart-phone users have complained SKT’s operational directions for several years and praised KT by the reason that KT tries a lot of innovations, including launch of iPhone in Korea and offering of their Wi-Fi network to KT’s users. In order to break the prejudice, SK Telecom tried to change many small things. For instance, in January 2010, SK Telecom announced that they would install Wi-Fi network and open the netwok to all people, including SK Telecom’s subscribers and competitors’ subscribers. However, these small tries were not able to change the negative atmosphere surrounding SK Telecom among smart-phone users.

This time, SK Telecom made a big decision. SK Telecom decided to allow customers use their 3G mobile network (WCDMA) in case that customers subscribe price plans which monthly fee are over 55,000 won - around 50 USD. SKT’s new decision created a sensation among Korean smart-phone users. At many online communities regarding smart-phone, many people acclaimed SK Telecom’s new decision.

Globally, most of mobile operators are reluctant to provide unlimited data plans because this plans might cause severe overloads on their mobile networks. Before SKT’s decision, all Korean mobile operators also had policies that make customers use mobile data services within limited network traffics. LG U+ (former LG Telecom) has provided monthly amount of data traffic the most aggressively. KT has supplemented customers’ data usages with their Wi-Fi network and is maintaining a policy to use both 3G mobile network and Wi-Fi network in order to meet their customers’ data usage needs. In early this year, SK Telecom also seemed to pursue a similar strategy to utilize both 3G network and Wi-Fi network.

However, SK Telecom seems to turn their direction of strategy completely with this week’s announcement. I think that SKT’s new strategic direction will make its competitors such as KT and LG U+ be worried about their strategies about mobile data services. I think that it is very hard for KT to make similar strategies, because KT does not have sufficient network capacity to cover their all subscribers’ usage. Reactions of KT and LG U+ will be very interesting point in the half of this year.

As well as unlimited usage of 3G mobile network, SK Telecom allowed mobile VoIP on WCDMA network. This change is evaluated as an innovative decision. Because allowing mobile VoIP might cause cannibalization to SK Telecom’s voice revenue. Since KT launched their new brand for 3G service in March of 2007, SK Telecom has maintained defensive stances regarding disruptive services. Many people criticized SKT’s defensive strategies. However, I think SK Telecom might get out of the passive images by this new plan about mobile VoIP. In addition, Korean people seem to be able to use Skype or Google Voice on their smart-phones and save their communication costs.

I hope SK Telecom’s changes can become an inflection point of evolution and development of Korean mobile industry. As many people use mobile data services freely, more innovative mobile data services can appear in this dynamic market.

2010/07/17 18:18 2010/07/17 18:18


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Introduction of Myself :: 2007/10/20 11:46

  Hello, everyone!!

   10 months have already passed after opening this blog, 'Mobile in Korea'. I have worked in SK Telecom, the biggest mobile operator in Korea. Before joining this company, I had worked in a consulting firm where I was specialized in High Tech & Communication and conducted various business consulting projects for telecommunication companies such as SK Telecom and KT.

   Korean mobile services are the most innovative in the world. I was fascinated by the innovative mobile services of Korea. However, most of the services are focusing on the domestic market, Korean market. Because I could not be satisfied with the domestic mobile services. I opened this blog and want to introduce the Korean innovative services, helping the services to be globalized beyond only Korean market.

   Even if I am familar with various Korean mobile services and can introduce the services to you guys, I do not know how to globallize the services. However, I believe that, if I introduce the innovative stuff steadily and many people visit this blog, I could find the method for realization of my dream.

   I would like to get your contact. If you guys are interested in something about Korean mobile services, feel free to contact with me(my2pac@gmail.com).

2007/10/20 11:46 2007/10/20 11:46


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  • Anja | 2008/08/13 00:48 | PERMALINK | EDIT/DEL | REPLY

    hi, I noticed your blog when I was researching for new ideas about mobile service. So, let me assure you, I highly appreciate your effort on spreading news about developments on the Korean mobile market.
    Quite interesting, especially your gifticons story. best regards, and keep on doing the good work...

    • my2pac | 2008/08/13 09:31 | PERMALINK | EDIT/DEL

      Thank you. I also think Gificon service is very interesting. The service currently focus on both personal customers and corporate customers. Personal customers can exchange presents with their friends using Gifticon. In addition, corporate customers can use the service in order to send a promotion coupon to their customers. I expect that similar services appear in other countries.

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