[Digital Times, Kang Eun-song] The number of mobile phone market numbers in August dropped by 11.3% from the previous month. It is expected that the discount rate to increase to 25% from August 15 and the demand for premium phones such as the Galaxy Note 8 and LG V30 will be released on September 21.

According to KTOA, the total number of mobile phone users in August dropped by 11.3% from 667,177 in July to 591,562. The number portability figure for the same period last year was 619,743, a 4.2 % decrease from the same month last year.

SK Telecom lost 35%, LG U Plus 24.4%, KT 23.8% and MVNO 16.8% respectively including SK Telecom, LG U Plus, and KT, respectively. The industry analysts say users are delaying purchases due to various issues scheduled for this month.

Actually, according to administrative measures of Ministry of Science, Technology and Ministry of Ministry of Science and Technology, on September 20, the discount rate of 20% will be raised to 25%. The data-centric plan for the month of June 5890 received a discount of KRW 13,378 in the past, but if it is re-arranged after September 15, it will receive a discount of KRW 25,400. Users can get an extra discount of KRW 3286 per month.

As a result, consumers whose contracts have expired or are shortly in the market are seeing a need to wait for a new subscription after an increase in the discount rate.

Premium handsets, which are expected to be released on September 21, are also the main driver of user demand. Samsung Electronics `Galaxy Note 8 and LG Electronics` V30 are expected to be released on September 21. Apple`s iPhone 8 is about to be released, and users who want to purchase premium handsets are delaying their subscription.

The ‘ceiling on the subsidy’, which was in the law for improving the handset distribution structure, will also be abolished on October 1. The three mobile carriers plan to inject strategic subsidies because of the abolition of the ceiling on subsidies in conjunction with the launch of premium handsets. As a result, users can delay the purchase period later than October 1.

According to an expert of the telecommunication industry, "Considering all the points, the large-scale subsidies can be released and the demand for number portability and device change can be explosively increased during the Chuseok holidays."


By Kang Eun Seong esther@


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