South Korea is the first country in the world to deploy a full-fledged fifth-generation (5G) commercial communications network. At the moment, two smartphones are sold in the country that support work in 5G networks. We are talking about the Samsung Galaxy S10 5G and LG V50 ThinQ 5G, which not everyone can afford to buy.
Network sources report that in order to increase the volume of consumers of 5G services, the largest South Korean telecom operators SK Telekom, KT Corporation and LG Uplus intend to subsidize the purchase of smartphones with 5G support. It is noted that the amount of the subsidy can be more than 50% of the initial cost of the device.
It is also known that the Korea Communications Commission (KCC) intends to prevent such behavior of telecom operators by fining companies that provide illegal subsidies to 5G users. Not so long ago, a meeting was held, which was attended by representatives of the largest telecom operators. It was announced that operators have no right to provide users with smartphones Samsung Galaxy S10 5G and LG V50 ThinQ 5G at unreasonably low prices, as this violates applicable law. According to local media reports, officials from the KCC confirmed that the 5G smartphone market is under close surveillance, and if necessary, appropriate measures will be taken against telecom operators.
The law regulating illegal subsidies prevents telecom operators from increasing consumer mass. The fact is that the cost of a smartphone with 5G support is currently approximately $ 1000, which is significantly higher than the cost of many smartphones with 4G. Whether South Korean telecom operators will subsidize the purchase of 5G smartphones, violating the law, is not yet clear. If this does not happen, then the growth rate of the user mass interacting with the fifth generation communication networks will certainly decrease.
Source: 3dnews.ru