KT M Mobile said on March 19 it has launched new rate plans exclusively for welfare beneficiaries to ease the telecommunications cost burden for vulnerable groups.

KT M Mobile launched four dedicated plans so that MVNO users can also receive telecommunications welfare benefits.

The welfare plans feature unlimited voice calls, text messages and data for monthly fees below 10,000 won. They are designed to be up to about 20 percent cheaper than general plans with similar data allowances.

The four newly introduced "Welfare Relief" plans comprise 1GB+ (5,500 won), 3GB+ (6,500 won), 5GB+ (8,500 won) and 7GB+ (9,500 won). All plans offer unlimited voice calls and text messages, plus 30 minutes of video calls and additional calls. Users can continue to use the service at speeds of up to 400Kbps even after exhausting their base data, allowing use without additional charges.

Eligible subscribers include disabled people, national merit recipients, basic livelihood security recipients and near-poverty groups. Corporate customers, including welfare facilities for disabled people, groups for national merit recipients and special schools, can also subscribe.

Bun Seok-ju (변석주), head of the Business Innovation Office at KT M Mobile, said, "Through this plan expansion, we enabled welfare-eligible customers to consider MVNOs as a reasonable option." He said, "We will continue to think about and expand dedicated products and benefits for vulnerable groups."