Trend Fixed voice keeps shrinking while broadband and 5G and IoT mobile services keep growing

Summary

KISDI sees diverging paths within Korea's telecommunications services. Because more than 90 percent of mobile subscribers reportedly use unlimited voice plans, the decline in fixed-line telephone subscribers and retail revenue is expected to continue. Broadband internet, by contrast, is expected to keep a medium to long-term growth trend as demand for digital transformation and large-volume content rises, with subscriber numbers edging up as households split, small office and home office businesses increase and internet-based services spread. In mobile, the institute expects several years of growth from the transition to 5G and the spread of the Internet of Things. Accelerating digital transformation should raise demand for high-quality services such as 5G, and rising business demand should keep increasing IoT lines.