[GLOBAL ECONOMIC TIMES] KT is pursuing a plan to integrate LTE and 5G rate plans into one. KT CEO Kim Young-seop made this statement while attending the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information, Broadcasting and Communications Committee comprehensive audit on the 25th.
While executives from the three mobile communication companies promised to improve their rate systems during the previous National Assembly audit, CEO Kim presented the integration of LTE and 5G rate plans as a specific implementation plan. This is a measure that has been taken amid constant criticism that LTE plans are more expensive than 5G plans, and is expected to ease the burden of fees on consumers.
Meanwhile, People Power Party lawmaker Choi Soo-jin asked Representative Kim why he does not collect network usage fees from Google. CEO Kim responded that it is natural to charge network usage fees, but expressed that he was experiencing difficulties due to the difference in power with large companies such as Google.
Rep. Choi said that in other countries, the government leaves room for intervention if the contract between telecommunication companies and content providers is broken, and emphasized that the government in Korea must also actively intervene to resolve the network usage fee issue.
Through this government audit, the issue of network usage fees between telecommunication companies and content providers is receiving attention again. Telecommunications companies argue that content providers should pay network usage fees to the extent that they generate revenue using their networks. On the other hand, content providers are fighting back, saying that payment of network usage fees is unfair.
The network usage fee issue is expected to have a significant impact on the competitive environment and consumer fees in the future telecommunications market. It appears that the government and the National Assembly should continue efforts to mediate conflicts between telecommunications companies and content providers and establish a reasonable network usage fee system.
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