Apple’s iPhone 5 will debut in 50 more countries this month, including South Korea where officials are warning telecom providers to not grant excessive subsidies to Apple’s new phone.
The Korea Communications Commission, the country’s telecom regulator, has threatened to punish SK Telecom and KT if they two companies attempt to attract more attention through illegal subsidies. Telecoms in other countries, including the U.S., have voiced their displeasure with the iPhone’s reportedly industry leading subsidy cost. The KCC actively attempts to curb these excessive subsidies, but telecoms like KT and SK Telecom pay little attention to the KCC’s threats as the lure of new subscribers is generally greater than the penalty they face.
The KCC will start a thorough investigation of the carriers from December 7 ― the date Apple’s latest iPhone comes onto the market ― as we believe chances are high that the carriers will offer illegal subsidies to attract more customers. That’s against the law. — Korea Times
There has been some speculation regard Samsung's influence on the Korean government, but the claims lack any evidence other than the influence of Samsung's business on South Korea's over economic health.
Source: Korea Times [via iDownloadblog]
Reply
