LG Uplus is replacing SIM cards for all customers due to an issue with the design of its International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI). As of April 12, 185,060 customers had booked advance visits.
LG Uplus said the number of customers who booked store visits related to SIM updates and replacements stood at 21,719,000 for its mobile network operator business as of 8 p.m. on April 12. The cumulative figure was 169,873, or 1.4 percent of all customers. For MVNO customers, 1,030 booked store visits, taking the cumulative total to 10,687. That was 0.2 percent of eligible customers.
LG Uplus earlier faced concerns over its IMSI design method. It became known that the company had reflected part of a customer’s actual mobile phone number in the process of generating an IMSI. It is not illegal, but customers’ concerns grew because there could be a security threat if combined with other information. SK Telecom and KT apply randomisation measures to IMSIs.
LG Uplus has operated a store visit reservation system through the U+one app and its website since April 8 so customers can conveniently receive SIM updates and free replacements. SIM updates and replacements will be carried out sequentially from today through stores or online.