South Korea's ICT Ministry launches 'Alteulfon 2.0' plan adding data‑reassurance option for budget mobile users

The Ministry of Science and ICT announced a comprehensive "Alteulfon 2.0" plan to strengthen South Korea’s budget mobile‑phone (MVNO) market. From August, a data‑reassurance QoS option will allow users to continue accessing the internet at a reduced speed after their data allowance is exhausted, and the option will be offered on the three major carriers’ new tariffs.

The policy includes wholesale price cuts for 5G low‑price plans (reductions of up to 3 percentage points), an expansion of the spectrum‑usage fee exemption from 50 % to 90 % for small‑ and mid‑size MVNOs, and an estimated industry‑wide cost saving of about 25 billion KRW per year. It also creates a legal framework for service‑type (partial MVNO) and full‑MVNO models, expands mandatory network‑sharing obligations to the three carriers, and permits MVNE arrangements to encourage non‑telecom entrants. Additional measures aim to improve consumer trust, such as higher standards for call‑center staffing, stricter operator licensing, promotion of eSIM adoption, and support for low‑cost devices.