The bill includes a provision that requires applicants for a new mobile operator license to do so only after the government comes up with detailed plans for a fourth mobile telecom service provider. (image:OiMax/flickr)
SEOUL, Oct. 2 (Korea Bizwire) – The government will change the procedure for applying for a new mobile telecom service operator as there have been many instances in which fly-by-night operators formed consortiums with like-minded business enterprises and made repeated applications.
The Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning said on October 1 that a new electric and communications business bill has passed the National Assembly on the previous day. The revised bill is a compilation of 19 related proposals including ones submitted by the government in September 2012 and Congressman Cho Hae-jin (New Frontier Party).
The bill includes a provision that requires applicants for a new mobile operator license to do so only after the government comes up with detailed plans for a fourth mobile telecom service provider.
Currently there are three service operators in the market including SK Telecom, KT, and LG Uplus. The applicants from now on will have to apply for the license after the government announces plans including those for bandwidth allotment.
Earlier on September 23, the Korea Freedom Foundation, a right-wing organization, announced its intention to create a consortium of a 100 or so small and large electronic parts suppliers and other companies to apply for the business license.
If the revised bill is approved in the Cabinet meeting, it will be published by mid-October and take effect in mid-March next year.
By Sean Chung (schung10@koreabizwire.com)
