The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_X_on_2023.svgbt_X_over_2023.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_X_on_2023.svgbt_X_over_2023.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
  • Login
  • Register
  • Login
  • Register
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
  • 1

    Methods to avoid YouTube, Netflix restrictions go viral

  • 3

    'Dune: Part Two': most challenging but proud work, says director Denis Villeneuve

  • 5

    Korea's exports of dried seaweed hit new record in 2023

  • 7

    Hunting 'crow thief' on Korea's east coast in 1930s

  • 9

    Skepticism mounts over shareholder activism at Samsung C&T

  • 11

    Le Sserafim makes waves with English single 'Perfect Night'

  • 13

    'New initiative on NK' lacks balanced strategy: experts

  • 15

    Gov't boosts reserves to appease public jitters over urea shortage

  • 17

    Monthly active users of Instagram, Facebook declining amid fake news, scams

  • 19

    Eximbank teams up with US counterpart on decarbonization

  • 2

    Anti-dog meat legislation looks doomed as Assembly session ends in vain

  • 4

    N. Korea's fear of external info grows after Seoul allows sending propaganda leaflets

  • 6

    Leaders of Samsung, SK to visit Netherlands for chip alliance

  • 8

    Calls grow for shift from two-party political system

  • 10

    INTERVIEWReform, foreign talent crucial to revitalizing Korean economy: McKinsey

  • 12

    Yoon heads to Netherlands to boost semiconductor cooperation

  • 14

    This year's four-character Chinese idiom chosen

  • 16

    Hana Bank hosts foreign exchange quiz for employees

  • 18

    BTS' RM, Jimin, V, Jungkook to enlist in military this week

  • 20

    Hwang Byung-kwan: Remembering unsung hero of Korea's wrestling

Close scrollclosebutton

Close for 24 hours

Open
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
Tue, December 12, 2023 | 03:08
Tech
KT CEO blasts big firms for 'free riding'
Posted : 2012-05-15 17:21
Updated : 2012-05-15 17:21
Print PreviewPrint Preview
Font Size UpFont Size Up
Font Size DownFont Size Down
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • kakaolink
  • whatsapp
  • reddit
  • mailto
  • link

KT CEO Lee Suk-chae delivers a speech at a technology exhibition at the COEX Convention Center in southern Seoul, Tuesday. / Courtesy of KT

By Kim Yoo-chul

KT Chief Executive Lee Suk-chae has urged the government and the nation’s leading technology companies LG and Samsung Electronics to pay for using its networks.

“Korea needs a new paradigm. The digital revolution has changed everything. Despite heavy data traffic amid rapid rises of data-intensive devices such as tablets and smartphones, no one is ready to pay in return for using networks,’’ said Lee in a technology forum held at the COEX Convention Center, southern Seoul, Tuesday.

``If the current situation continues, then Korea will see a big data blackout. This is an expected scenario. There’s no free lunch. It doesn’t make sense to ride free on networks,’’ stressed the CEO, who is outspoken on key pending issues,.

The remarks come as telecom companies KT and SK Telecom are being pressured to secure their bottom line amid explosive demand for wireless data. Analysts say Lee’s ``well-prepared’’ speech was aimed at warning the government and apparently Samsung and LG.

Earlier, Lee ordered his top confidants to limit access to certain TV applications that slowdown overall network speed in a move that may cause a clash with major TV makers aggressively marketing Web-connected TVs.

Growth in Internet-enabled devices is giving huge profits to set makers such as Samsung and LG, however, the trend is hurting telecom companies, ironically, as the firms should invest heavily to guarantee network stability without subsidies and support from manufacturers.

``Network traffic increased 153 times since smartphones came to Korea three years ago. Huge burdens over network investments are weighing on consumers as KT has no option but to collect money from customers to secure cash for the networks,’’ said the KT CEO, blasting the ``free-loading” scheme being pushed by manufacturers.

KT saw a decline in operating profit in the first quarter of this year as its latest decision to cut monthly charges for mobile phone plans dragged it down.

``How can KT earn money and how we can guarantee our corporate sustainability without policy changes? This is the right time for the government to do more,’’ the CEO said.

KT spokeswoman Kim Yoon-jeong said TV manufacturers are free-riding on its network, while its capacity to invest and upgrade it is shrinking due to worsening profitability.

The network-related issue could have wider global implications as search giant Google and Apple are also preparing Web-based TVs, allowing viewers to access social networking services, online games and music. Apple is to introduce its set from the latter half of this year, according to sources.

``It’s urgent telecom companies secure sources for network investment,’’ said KT’s top executive.

Samsung Electronics spokesman Song Cheol-gyu declined to comment, while LG Electronics was also quiet on the issue.

Both companies are negotiating with KT over paying for using KT’s network for their Web-connected televisions and smartphones. Samsung aims to sell 50 million TVs this year globally with half the shipments being Internet-enabled.

LG Electronics also aims to have around 60 percent of its TVs come with its own NetCast Internet platform installed.
Emailyckim@koreatimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
wooribank
LG group
Top 10 Stories
1[INTERVIEW] Reform, foreign talent crucial to revitalizing Korean economy: McKinsey INTERVIEWReform, foreign talent crucial to revitalizing Korean economy: McKinsey
2This year's four-character Chinese idiom chosen This year's four-character Chinese idiom chosen
3Digital Chosun Releases Enhanced TOEFL Practice Online (TPO) Digital Chosun Releases Enhanced TOEFL Practice Online (TPO)
4[INTERVIEW] Korea, Netherlands to sign multiple deals in chip, energy, defense on Yoon's state visit: Dutch ambassadorINTERVIEWKorea, Netherlands to sign multiple deals in chip, energy, defense on Yoon's state visit: Dutch ambassador
5[INTERVIEW] Allgot hits jackpot with frozen gimbap in US INTERVIEWAllgot hits jackpot with frozen gimbap in US
6Korea considers producing urea as China curbs exports Korea considers producing urea as China curbs exports
7A glimpse inside Boeing's P-8 manufacturing plant A glimpse inside Boeing's P-8 manufacturing plant
8Indian embassy showcases rich culinary traditions, flavors Indian embassy showcases rich culinary traditions, flavors
9Deadly cost of slips of the tongue in N. Korea Deadly cost of slips of the tongue in N. Korea
10Representative 'kimchi coin' Wemix makes comeback amid ongoing scandals Representative 'kimchi coin' Wemix makes comeback amid ongoing scandals
Top 5 Entertainment News
1Le Sserafim makes waves with English single 'Perfect Night' Le Sserafim makes waves with English single 'Perfect Night'
2All BTS members begin military service, talk of group reunion in 2025 All BTS members begin military service, talk of group reunion in 2025
3'Dune: Part Two': most challenging but proud work, says director Denis Villeneuve 'Dune: Part Two': most challenging but proud work, says director Denis Villeneuve
4Kohei Nawa goes 'cosmic' in his disturbingly mesmerizing world Kohei Nawa goes 'cosmic' in his disturbingly mesmerizing world
5[INTERVIEW] How AmazeVR revolutionizes aespa's LYNK-POP concert INTERVIEWHow AmazeVR revolutionizes aespa's LYNK-POP concert
DARKROOM
  • It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

    It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

  • 2023 Thanksgiving parade in NYC

    2023 Thanksgiving parade in NYC

  • Appreciation of autumn colors

    Appreciation of autumn colors

  • Our children deserve better

    Our children deserve better

  • Israel-Gaza conflict erupts into war

    Israel-Gaza conflict erupts into war

  • Turkey-Syria earthquake

    Turkey-Syria earthquake

  • Nepal plane crash

    Nepal plane crash

  • Brazil capital uprising

    Brazil capital uprising

  • Happy New Year 2023

    Happy New Year 2023

  • World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

    World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

CEO & Publisher: Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email: webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel: 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No: 서울,아52844
Date of registration: 2020.02.05
Masthead: The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Services
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Site Map
  • Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Ombudsman
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group