The number of Korean mobile subscribers in October reached a new high since the activation of the Mobile Device Distribution Improvement Act in 2014, thanks to the iPhone 6s. (Image : Yonhap)
SEOUL, Nov.30 (Korea Bizwire) – The number of Korean mobile subscribers in October reached a new high since the activation of the Mobile Device Distribution Improvement Act in 2014, thanks to the iPhone 6s.
According to the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning, the number of mobile subscribers last month was 2,409,200. This was the highest number of subscribers since the Mobile Device Distribution Improvement Act was implemented in October 2014.
The number of new subscribers was 578,460, and the number of those who switched service providers was 599,871. A total of 1,230,869 customers only changed their mobile devices, which was 51.1 percent of the total number of subscribers. It was the first time that the number of customers who changed their devices exceeded 50 percent of the total number of monthly mobile subscribers.
The number of customers at all three mobile service providers who changed their mobile devices in October also reached a peak since the Mobile Device Distribution Improvement Act was activated.
The number of SK Telecom subscribers totaled 598,784, almost reaching 600,000. The number of KT subscribers exceeded 300,000 at 307,268, and the number of LG U+ subscribers also exceeded 200,000, tallying 207,365.
Industry watchers say that the new subscriber record was the result of two separate influences.
The first was the launch of the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus. Loyal iPhone customers who were waiting for a new product release changed their devices once the new version became available.
Another reason was the fierce competition between KT and LG U+ when SK Telecom, the No.1 service provider in the market, had to suspend business operations for a week at the beginning of October.
Authorities from the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning say that SK Telecom, which was forced to suspend operations, concentrated on attracting users changing their mobile devices, while the other service providers fought to attract new subscribers and those wanting to change service providers. As a result, the whole market was revitalized.
By Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizewire.com)
