South Korean Telecommunications Market Embarks on a New Era with AI Integration, MVNO Expansion, and 6G Development

NEWS PROVIDED BY
Idem Est Research & Advisory
10 October 2023, 16:00 AEST
South Korea Telecom Industry Market Report forecasts 120m mobile and fixed broadband subscribers by 2030
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

South Korean Telecommunications Market Embarks on a New Era with AI Integration, MVNO Expansion, and 6G Development

Key Highlights from the South Korea Telecoms Industry Report:

Significant Investments and Innovations Mark the Future of Connectivity in South Korea

The South Korean telecommunications market, a perennial leader in the global telecom sector, is launching ground-breaking developments that will profoundly reshape the communication landscape in the country: integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), expansion of Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs), and the pioneering development of 6G technology supported by the K-Network 2030 initiative.

AI: The New Frontier in Connectivity

With a commitment to driving innovation and enhancing user experience, South Korea's telecom giants are aggressively integrating AI into their networks and services. SK Telecom, KT, LG Uplus are investing heavily with; USD100 million for Anthropic by SK Telecom; KT investing in Upstage and Qanda, two local AI start-ups and; LG Uplus investing USD67 million in AI and other startups as well since 2022.

MVNOs: Bridging Gaps, Expanding Access

The expansion of MVNOs in the market is another milestone with 14m subscribers by June 2023, providing consumers with a wider range of choices, competitive pricing, and specialized services. Snowman, Toss Mobile, LiivM, Eyes Mobile, among others, are offering affordable and flexible plans that are particularly attractive to niche markets and price-sensitive consumers. The regulatory support and favourable policies have catalysed the growth of MVNOs, further democratizing access to mobile services and contributing to the vibrancy and diversity of the telecom market.

6G: Navigating the Future of Telecommunications

South Korea is not just stopping at 5G with 40% of mobile subscribers now using 5G. With an eye firmly fixed on the future, the country is making significant strides in the development of 6G technology. The government announced the K-Network 2030 strategy aiming to double its optical communication speed by 2026 and quadrupling it by 2030. The government is also promoting artificial intelligence (AI) R&D with purposed designed AI chips and energy efficiency solutions.

Conclusion: A Future-Ready Telecommunications Landscape

These innovative undertakings in AI, MVNOs, and 6G collectively signify South Korea's unwavering commitment to leading the world in telecommunications technology. With a vision that is future-ready, inclusive, and ground-breaking, the South Korean telecommunications market is set to offer unparalleled connectivity solutions that meet the dynamic needs of consumers and industries alike, marking a new chapter in the nation's illustrious history of technological leadership.

"Idem Est Research forecasts that mobile subscribers will reach 94 million by 2030, while the fixed broadband market will continue to increase fibre penetration into more households, with over 88% of households using fibre infrastructure. The telecommunications industry is expected to maintain revenue growth momentum, with an average growth rate of 1.5% from 2023 to 2030," says Landry Fevre, Director of Idem Est Research & Advisory.

Idem Est Research and Advisory's report on the South Korea telecom market serves as a valuable resource for industry stakeholders, investors, and policymakers looking to gain a comprehensive understanding of the sector. The analysis highlights the immense potential and opportunities for both local and international players to contribute to the development and innovation of the telecom industry in South Korea.

KEY COMPANIES MENTIONED IN THIS AUSTRALIA TELECOMS INDUSTRY REPORT:
CMB, D'Live, Dreamline, Hyundai CNS, KT, LG Uplus, SK Telecom

Download the full report: https://idemest.com/reports/south-korea-telecoms-report-mobile-broadband-market-industry-analysis/

South Korea Telecoms Industry Report - Table of Contents

1 Key Statistics
1.1 South Korea Population
1.2 South Korea Households
1.3 South Korea's GDP

2 Overall Telecommunications Market, 2016-2030
2.1 Market Overview
2.2 South Korea's Race to Lead in 5G and Beyond
2.3 Historical Telecommunications Market Revenue, 2016-2022
2.4 Overall Telecommunications Market Forecast, 2022-2030
2.5 Telecommunications Market Capital Expenditure, 2016-2030
2.5.1 Historical Telecommunications Capex Spend, 2016-2022
2.5.2 Capex to Revenue Benchmark
2.5.3 Capex to GDP Benchmark
2.5.4 Telecommunications Capex Spend Forecast, 2022-2030

3 Telecommunications Operators Profile
3.1 SK Telecom Profile
3.1.1 SK Telecom Revenue, EBITDA and Capex Mix
3.2 KT Profile
3.2.1 KT Revenue, EBITDA and Capex Mix
3.3 LG Uplus Profile
3.3.1 LG Uplus Corporation Revenue, EBITDA and Capex Mix

4 Mobile Market
4.1 Mobile Subscribers Historical and Forecast, 2016-2030
4.1.1 Mobile Subscribers Historical, 2016-2023
4.1.2 Mobile Subscribers Market Share, 2016-2023
4.1.3 South Korea Smartphone Share, 2023
4.1.4 South Korea Mobile Subscribers Forecast, 2022-2030
4.1.5 South Korea Mobile Subscribers by Generation (2G, 3G, 4G & 5G) Forecast, 2022-2030
4.2 Mobile Revenue Historical and Forecast, 2016-2030
4.2.1 Historical South Korea Mobile Service Revenue, 2016-2022
4.2.2 Mobile Service Revenue Forecast, 2022-2030
4.2.3 Mobile Subscribers ARPU, 2016-2023
4.3 Spectrum Holdings
4.3.1 Spectrum Pricing and Regulation
4.3.2 5G Development and Launches
4.3.3 Mobile Frequencies Portfolios Analysis
4.3.1 Spectrum Depth Benchmark by Country
4.4 Mobile Download Data and Pricing Trends
4.5 Mobile Speed Tests
4.5.1 Ookla Mobile Speed Tests
4.5.2 OpenSignal
4.6 Internet of Things (IoT)

5 Broadband Market
5.1 Fixed Broadband Subscribers Historical, 2016-2022
5.2 Fixed Broadband Subscribers Forecast, 2022-2030

6 Telecommunications Infrastructure Investments
6.1 The Success of Korea ICT Policies
6.1.1 Government ICT Plans
6.1.2 Submarine Cables

7 South Korea Telecom Towers Infrastructure Landscape
7.1.1 Tower Density Benchmark
7.2 Telco Infrastructure Comparative

8 Thematics / Opportunities
8.1 Consolidation Opportunities
8.2 Diversification Opportunities
8.2.1 e-Commerce
8.2.2 Content and IPTV
8.2.3 Artificial Intelligence (AI)
8.3 New Telecoms Operating Model
8.3.1 The Attraction of Infrastructure Multiples
8.4 5G Developments
8.4.1 5G Overview
8.4.2 5G - Relative Capex Investments and Frequency Range
8.4.3 5G OpenRAN
8.4.4 Beyond 5G and Towards 6G

9 Telco M&A Transaction Database

10 Methodology

11 Copyright Notice

South Korea Telecoms Industry Report - List of Figures

Figure 1 - Telco sector revenue as % of GDP in South Korea
Figure 2 -Revenue Profile Historical Mix (KRW bn), 2016 - 2022
Figure 3 - Telecommunications Market Revenue Pool, 2022
Figure 4 - Telecommunications Market EBITDA Pool, 2022
Figure 5 - Telecommunications Revenue & EBITDA Share Estimates, 2022
Figure 6 - Total Telecoms Market Revenue and Growth Rate (KRW bn), 2022-2030
Figure 7 - Capex to Revenue Benchmark, 2016-2022
Figure 8 - Capex to GDP Ratio Benchmark, 2016-2022
Figure 9 - Telecommunications Capital Expenditure Spend, 2000-2030
Figure 10 - SK Telecom Service Revenue Mix, 2016-2022
Figure 11 - SK Telecom Historical Revenue Mix, 2016 - 2022 (KRW bn)
Figure 12 - KT Revenue Mix, 2016-2022
Figure 13 - KT Historical Revenue Mix, 2016 - 2022 (KRW m)
Figure 14 - LG Uplus Service Revenue Mix, 2016-2022
Figure 15 - LG Uplus Historical Revenue Mix, 2016 - 2022 (KRW bn)
Figure 16 - Mobile Subscribers Share Comparison, 2016-2023
Figure 17 - Mobile Subscriber Share Comparison, 2016-2023
Figure 18 - Mobile Net Adds (000's) Comparison, 2016-2023
Figure 19 - Mobile Subscribers Forecast, 2016-2030
Figure 20 - South Korea Mobile Subscribers by Generation (3G, 4G, 5G, & 6G) Forecast, 2022-2030
Figure 20 - Mobile Service Revenue Forecast (KRW bn), 2022-2030
Figure 21 - Mobile Subscribers ARPU (KRW), 2016-2030
Figure 22 - Mobile Frequencies by Operators and by Band (MHz)
Figure 23 - Subscriptions per MHz of Spectrum, Select Asia-Pacific Countries, 2023
Figure 24 - Mobile Handsets Monthly Download Data, 2017-2022
Figure 25 - Data Pricing Trends in Asia-Pacific (US$ per GB per month), 2017-2022
Figure 26 - Spectrum available and IoT Landscape in South Korea
Figure 27 - Broadband Subscribers Share Comparison, 2016-2023
Figure 28 - South Korea Net-Adds (000's) by Operators, 2016-2023
Figure 29 - Broadband Subscribers Forecast, 2016-2030
Figure 30 - Development History of ICT in Korea
Figure 31 - South Korea Telecom Towers Market Share, 2023
Figure 32 - Subscribers per Tower, 2023
Figure 33 - Telecoms Providers EV/EBITDA Ranges
Figure 34 - 5G Network Slices Structure
Figure 35 - Effect of Frequency on Range
Figure 36 - 5G Capacity and Coverage Layers
Figure 37 - Relative Capex Required for 5G Network Infrastructure Investment
Figure 38 - Telecom Infra Project - OpenRAN Vision

South Korea Telecoms Industry Report - List of Tables

Table 1 - South Korea - Key Statistics
Table 2 - Telecommunications Market Revenue by Operators, 2016-2022
Table 3 - Total Telecommunications Market Revenue, 2022-2030
Table 4 - Historical Telecommunications Capex Spend, 2016-2022
Table 5 - Total Telecommunications Capex Investments Forecast, 2022-2030
Table 6 - Historical SK Telecom Revenue, EBITDA and Capex Mix, 2016-2022
Table 7 - Historical KT Revenue, EBITDA and Capex Mix, 2016-2022
Table 8 - Historical LG Uplus Revenue, EBITDA and Capex Mix, 2016-2022
Table 9 - Historical Mobile Subscribers, 2016-2022
Table 9 - Examples of South Korean MVNOs:
Table 10 - South Korea Mobile Subscribers Forecast, 2022-2030
Table 11 - South Korea Mobile Subscribers by Generation (2G, 3G, 4G & 5G) Forecast, 2022-2030
Table 11 - Historical Mobile Service Revenue, 2016-2022
Table 12 - Mobile Service Revenue Forecast, 2022-2030
Table 13 - Historical Mobile Market Blended Mobile ARPU, 2016-2023
Table 14 - Spectrum Holdings by Operators and by Bands (MHz)
Table 15 - Historical Broadband Subscribers by Service Providers and by Technology, 2016-2023
Table 16 - South Korea Broadband Subscribers Forecast, 2022-2030
Table 17 - International Submarine Cable Systems with Landing Stations in South Korea
Table 18 - SK Telecom, KT, LG Uplus Infrastructure Landscape
Table 19 - Technology Specifications (ADSL, FTTN, Fibre, 4G/LTE, 4G/LTE-A and 5G)
Table 20 - Telco Transaction Database, 2008-2023

Landry Fevre
Woonona Rd
Northbridge, NSW 2063
Australia
landry@idemest.com

About Idem Est Research Advisory
Idem Est Research and Advisory is a boutique telecommunications and digital infrastructure market research and advisory. Idem Est Research provides leading telecoms research helping our clients stay updated on the latest telecoms sector and digital infrastructure developments. The reports provide analyses of mobile and broadband markets, capital expenditure, forecasts, key telecom trends and thematic such as 5G and telecoms digital infrastructure, as well as other statistics of the telco industry.
Our independent approach allows us to place the trends and drivers fully into context and analyse the industry from different, unbiased perspectives. Alongside the facts and figures, Idem Est Research draws on three decades of experience to provide incisive commentary and analysis. This brings visibility to the business drivers, challenges, decision-making and future direction of the telecoms sector.
To learn more, visit www.idemest.com.

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