CEO raps anti-market policy

By Kim Yoo-chul

JEJU ISLAND ― KT slammed the government Tuesday for pressuring mobile carriers to cut their charges.

KT Chairman Lee Suk-chae's comments came after the Korea Communications Commission (KCC) put pressure on telecom companies to lower their phone charges.

``KT should upgrade fixed- and mobile-converged networks by investing consistently. We want a fair return to secure room for investments and a better future,’’ he said in a meeting with reporters in the southernmost resort island of Jeju.

Lee was here to sign an alliance with the island’s authorities to complete an island-wide 4G WiBro service.

``KT’s wireless data traffic will exceed 6,000 terabytes. We need to make consistent investment,’’ the chairman said.

“Users who are consuming the data should pay,’’ he added.

Lee, who is also leading KT’s strategic shift, questioned the wisdom of a recent evaluation on call quality conducted by the KCC.

``Why doesn’t the KCC take the iPhone 4 for a review?’’ Lee said.