'Data safety option' wholesale supply extended to MVNOs (알뜰폰) — Ministry of Science and ICT's MVNO revitalization plan
Source material is a Korean government announcement (in Korean).
On July 31, 2026 the Ministry of Science and ICT announced an MVNO (알뜰폰) revitalization plan, stating that the 'data safety option (QoS)' plans of the 3 mobile carriers will be introduced to MVNOs in stages from next month and applied to the existing 90 wholesale supply plans without additional cost sharing.
Key facts
| Announcement date | July 31, 2026 (meeting of economy-related ministers held jointly with the ministerial task force on special management of household prices) |
|---|---|
| Data safety option | Introduced to MVNOs (알뜰폰) in stages from next month; applied to the existing 90 wholesale supply plans (RS) without additional cost sharing |
| 5G wholesale rates | Cut in part |
| Radio wave usage fees | Reduction rate for small and medium-sized MVNO operators expanded from 50% to 90% |
| Sign-up convenience | Revision of the interconnection notice to promote eSIM use; expansion of MyData-based plan comparison and recommendation to major MVNOs |
| User protection | Raising the staffing standard for customer service centers and conducting regular evaluations; establishing a management and exit system for underperforming operators |
| Follow-up schedule | Plan to begin follow-up steps such as revising the enforcement decree and notices from next month |
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On July 31, 2026 the Ministry of Science and ICT announced an 'MVNO (알뜰폰) revitalization plan' at a meeting of economy-related ministers held jointly with the ministerial task force on special management of household prices. The 'data safety option (QoS)' plans of the 3 mobile carriers, which let users keep using the internet at a set speed after their data allowance runs out, will be introduced to MVNOs in stages from next month. For the existing 90 wholesale supply plans (RS), the safety option will be applied without additional cost sharing, and wholesale rates for 5G plans will also be cut in part. The radio wave usage fee reduction rate for small and medium-sized MVNO operators will be expanded from 50% to 90%.
Background — why this change
The domestic MVNO market has centered on a model of reselling mobile carriers' plans without operators' own facilities; 59 operators have entered the market and subscribers have passed 10 million. However, because they have no facilities of their own, it has been difficult for them to independently design and differentiate plans and services beyond price discounts, and problems such as inadequate customer service centers and vulnerability to voice phishing have also appeared, the Ministry of Science and ICT explained.
Summaries below are factual notes based on government announcements and primary sources — not evaluations or opinions.
FAQ
What is the data safety option?
It is a plan option (QoS) from the 3 mobile carriers that lets users keep using the internet at a set speed after their data allowance runs out, and it will be introduced to MVNOs (알뜰폰) in stages from next month.
How does the MVNO cost burden change?
The safety option will be applied to the existing 90 wholesale supply plans (RS) without additional cost sharing, wholesale rates for 5G plans will be cut in part, and the radio wave usage fee reduction rate for small and medium-sized MVNO operators will be expanded from 50% to 90%.