SK Telecom Co., KT Corp., and LG Uplus Corp. are considering legal action against the government for its pricing based on the level of installation of the 5G network by 2022, which could push the redistribution price to 3.9 trillion won.
The carriers found the offer 'unrealistic' and overpriced.
Earlier this week, the government demanded at least 3.2 trillion won from the carriers for the 2G, 3G, 4G frequency bands to be redistributed next year, nearly double their 1.65 trillion won proposal.
But since sales of 4G LTE bands have increased, the Ministry of Science and ICT said there's a need for optional pricing based on the level of installation of the 5G network.
4G LTE users consist of 77 percent of South Korea's total 70 million mobile subscriptions as of September.
As of August, the three carriers had each installed around 40,000 to 50,000 5G base stations over the past two years. At that installation rate, carriers will likely have about 100,000 base stations by 2022.
Hana Financial Investment analyst Kim Hong-sik said that the total capital expenditure by the three mobile carriers will likely reach over 8 trillion won next year.
The government will finalize the price by the end of this month and start taking applications for redistribution next month.


Meta CEO Zuckerberg Opposes U.S. Ban on Chinese AI Models, Warns Against Overregulation
AstraZeneca Q2 Earnings Beat Forecasts as Oncology Growth Supports 2026 Outlook
X Challenges Australia’s Expanded Social Media Ban Enforcement Powers
Seagate Stock Jumps as AI-Fueled Earnings Beat and Strong FY2027 Outlook Impress Investors
Unilever Raises 2026 Sales Outlook After Strong Q2 Volume Growth
CATL Shares Jump as $5.6 Billion Buyback Signals Confidence in Long-Term Growth
Air Liquide Q2 Sales Growth Tops Forecast as Electronics Business Drives Strong Performance
BHP, Port Hedland Unions Fail to Reach Wage Deal as Negotiations Continue
SK Hynix Q2 Profit Hits Record as AI Memory Chip Demand Fuels Growth
Johnson & Johnson Proposes $5.5 Billion Talc Settlement to Resolve U.S. Ovarian Cancer Lawsuits
Philips Shares Slide 10% Despite Earnings Beat as Weak Orders Raise Growth Concerns
GSK Unveils $2.52 Billion Cost-Cutting Plan to Accelerate Drug Pipeline
Tech Stock Positioning Nears Neutral as Investor Rotation Enters Final Phase, Deutsche Bank Says
Sika Raises 2026 Sales Outlook After Strong First-Half Results Beat Expectations
Standard Chartered Beats Profit Forecasts as First-Half Earnings Rise 9%
Zhongji Innolight Raises $6.8 Billion in Hong Kong IPO as AI Demand Fuels Growth
Rio Tinto Stock Jumps as Strong Earnings, Higher Dividend and AI Metal Demand Boost Outlook 



