Seoul mobile data costs rank among highest globally

A report by Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications reveals that mobile telecommunications costs in Seoul are among the highest in a comparison of six major global cities. The study, which analyzed 4G and 5G rates across cities including New York, Tokyo, London, Paris, and Dusseldorf, found that Seoul’s costs are comparable to those in New York.

For 4G services with a 20GB data limit, Seoul’s SK Telecom recorded the highest consumer expenditure at 6,916 yen, slightly ahead of New York’s Verizon at 6,684 yen. Seoul’s rates were more than double those found in Tokyo and Paris. Even when data limits were increased to 50GB, Seoul remained the most expensive city surveyed.

Regarding 5G services, Seoul ranked second highest for 20GB plans and third for 50GB plans. The study also examined the third and fourth largest market share holders in each country; in South Korea, LG Uplus users also faced high costs, ranking second in several 4G and 5G categories and recording the highest costs for unlimited data plans.