S. Korea's 5G users reject compensation over network quality

Most of the 18 5G users offered between 50,000 won to 350,000 won by South Korea's three major telecom operators for their mediocre 5G services rejected the compensation, demanding that more users be indemnified.

According to the People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy (PSPD), which negotiated with SK Telecom Co., LG Uplus Corp., and KT Corp., on behalf of the users revealed that only three have accepted the settlement.

Consumer watchdog Korea National Council of Consumer Organizations (KNCCO) made the recommendation on the compensation.

Since last December, 21 5G subscribers had filed for mediation, taking issue with the accessibility of the 5G network provided by LG Uplus Corp., SK Telecom Co., and KT Corp.

Of the 21, three have dropped out.

Cho Hyung-soo, a lawyer and PSPD activist, noted that the telecom operators have only compensated consumers who filed for dispute settlement, despite having a responsibility to all users.

According to a government report, the average coverage of the 5G network provided by the three service providers was at around 70 percent in Seoul. In subways, more than 19 percent of 5G users experienced a network change to 4G.

The mediation proposal noted that under the Act on the Regulation of Terms and Conditions, mobile carriers are obliged to notify customers about blind spots in the 5G service.

It added that the carriers' contracts offered insufficient explanation and information on the 5G coverage.