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Lawmakers here said Friday they will continue efforts to cut mobile phone service rates in the upcoming session of the National Assembly.
Last year, Rep. Woo Sang-ho of the main opposition Minjoo Party and 14 party colleagues proposed legislation on eliminating basic fees, standing at around 10,000 won ($8.60) a month.
Chances are slim, however, the bill will pass the current parliament scheduled to finish at the end of May.
"I will first submit a bill on eliminating basic fees, returning to the National Assembly," said Woo, re-elected in Wednesday's general elections. The ruling Saenuri Party suffered a shocking defeat, paving the way for Woo's party to exert more influence on legislative affairs.
Major local mobile carriers--SK Telecom Co., KT Corp. and LG Uplus Corp.--have argued that charging basic fees is inevitable, given massive infrastructure investment.
Recently, however, a low-cost mobile phone service provider introduced a basic fee-free program in partnership with Korea Post.
The Saenuri Party acknowledges that high mobile service fees are adding to the financial burden of many households.
"Communication fees are one of the three biggest burdens for low- and middle-income people, along with housing and education costs," Rep. Bae Duk-kwang of the party said. "We will do our best to reduce their communication bill burden."
The lawmaker, also re-elected, offered to halve basic fees to 4,000-5,000 won.
Industry watchers said whether to cut mobile phone service fees will likely emerge as a main issue in the 20th National Assembly. (Yonhap)
Last year, Rep. Woo Sang-ho of the main opposition Minjoo Party and 14 party colleagues proposed legislation on eliminating basic fees, standing at around 10,000 won ($8.60) a month.
Chances are slim, however, the bill will pass the current parliament scheduled to finish at the end of May.
"I will first submit a bill on eliminating basic fees, returning to the National Assembly," said Woo, re-elected in Wednesday's general elections. The ruling Saenuri Party suffered a shocking defeat, paving the way for Woo's party to exert more influence on legislative affairs.
Major local mobile carriers--SK Telecom Co., KT Corp. and LG Uplus Corp.--have argued that charging basic fees is inevitable, given massive infrastructure investment.
Recently, however, a low-cost mobile phone service provider introduced a basic fee-free program in partnership with Korea Post.
The Saenuri Party acknowledges that high mobile service fees are adding to the financial burden of many households.
"Communication fees are one of the three biggest burdens for low- and middle-income people, along with housing and education costs," Rep. Bae Duk-kwang of the party said. "We will do our best to reduce their communication bill burden."
The lawmaker, also re-elected, offered to halve basic fees to 4,000-5,000 won.
Industry watchers said whether to cut mobile phone service fees will likely emerge as a main issue in the 20th National Assembly. (Yonhap)
