LG Uplus, which benefited from subscriber gains after security incidents at rivals, now faces controversy over its subscriber identity module number (IMSI) design and growing calls to waive contract termination fees. The company is accused of discarding and reinstalling a server suspected of being hacked, hampering forensic probes, and police have escalated their investigation. LG Uplus is expanding security measures, while civic groups and lawmakers press for user protections.

Stage Five is pushing for an initial public offering by shifting to an AI-based telecommunications platform and converting into a full MVNO, it said. Its digital MVNO service Findairect is sustaining net subscriber growth in the mobile number portability market, and the company said applying AI agents cut customer acquisition and service costs by 10 percent. Stage Five posted 2025 sales of 111.2 billion won, up 282 percent, while operating loss narrowed to about 500 million won.