Cellular Phone Basic Monthly Charge to Be Lowered by 1,000 Won

The cellular phone basic monthly charge is to be lowered by 1000 won and the usage charge by 1 won per 10 minutes than they are now.

In addition, the basic monthly charge will include 5-minute free usage.

Ministry of Information and Communication announced on Oct. 29 at the deliberative council on telecommunication policies held in the afternoon that the cellular phone charge adjustment plan had been finalized as such after collecting opinions from civil groups and long-distance telephone service providers and consulting at the ruling party-government talk.

Accordingly, SK Telecom that ranks first in the cellular phone market will lower the basic monthly charge from 16,000 won at present to 15,000, and the usage charge from 22 won per 10 minutes to 21 won.

Ministry of Information and Communication said that the basic service charge and the usage charge would decreased by 10.4 percent and 4.5 percent respectively, thus 7.5 percent on the whole when the newly applied 5 minute free service (a reduction of 630 won).

Ministry of Information and Communication had also considered a proposal to reduce the basic charge by 1,800 won and the usage charge by 2 won per 10 minutes, but provided with another moderate proposal considering the business circles` capability of new investment.

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