Phones distributed by mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) displayed in a Seoul store. (image: Yonhap)
SEOUL, March 31 (Korea Bizwire) – Those aged over 40 are the primary clients for handsets provided by low-cost mobile carriers, industry data showed Friday.
The budget mobile carriers called “thrift phone operators” refer to mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) that rent networks from the country’s three carriers: SK Telecom Co., KT Corp. and LG Uplus Corp. to provide cheaper services.
A total of 705,872 smartphones were sold by the thrift phone operators affiliated with Korea Post since September 2013, according to the figures released by the postal service.
Those in their 40s accounted for 21.6 percent of the total buyers, followed by those in 60s at 17.6 percent, and people in their 50s at 16.6 percent of the total. The tally also showed 13.9 percent of buyers were in their 70s.
The comparable figures for teens and those in their 20s, 30s and 80s were 7.8 percent, 5.6 percent, 11.8 percent and 5.2 percent, respectively.
By region, 28.7 percent or 202,335 handsets were sold in Gyeonggi Province and Incheon. Seoul came in second with 22.7 percent or 160,375 units.
By provider, EG Mobile topped the list with 21.6 percent, followed by Inscobee at 16.1 percent and EyesVision at 15.5 percent.
(Yonhap)
