[DigitalToday reporter Jin-ho Lee (이진호)] Following LG Uplus and SK Telecom, KT is also launching integrated 5G and LTE plans. With all three telecom carriers introducing integrated plans that include a data QoS option, the pace of cutting household telecom bills is expected to accelerate.

KT said on June 5 it will launch new plans on July 1 that integrate its pricing structure, which had been split between 5G and LTE. The overhaul was 추진됐다 to address customer inconvenience caused by a variety of plans and a complex product structure.

LG Uplus earlier launched an integrated plan system, cutting its 53 plans to 18. SKT is also set to introduce integrated plans starting next month. With KT joining, customers of all three carriers will be able to choose integrated plans regardless of their smartphone device type or network type.

◆ QoS applied across all tiers... age-based benefits also tailored automatically

KT overhauled its existing plan system and streamlined it to a total of 18 plans. The new plans are made up of two lines: 'Choice', which provides fully unlimited data, and 'Basic', which offers optimal choices by data allowance.

It introduced QoS across all tiers of the plans. The Basic 110GB plan provides up to 5 Mbps, tiers of Basic 14GB and above provide up to 1 Mbps, and the low-priced Basic tiers of 10GB and below provide 400 Kbps. The top-tier Choice plans provide fully unlimited data with no speed limits.

It will also provide tailored benefits based on age and usage patterns. If customers meet age requirements, benefits are applied automatically without a separate application process. When child customers turn 13, the 'School Dum' benefit, which doubles data, is applied automatically. From age 18, the 'Y Dum' benefit is linked and the double-data benefit continues. Customers aged 65 and above receive '65+ Dum', and customers aged 75 and above receive '75+ Dum', with additional data provided automatically under each benefit.

From July 1, when the new integrated plans are launched, new sign-ups for 105 existing 5G and LTE plans will be suspended. Existing subscribers, however, can keep their current plans without changes.

◆ Realising universal telecom welfare... expanding tailored benefits

Benefits for customers on existing plans will also be improved. It enhanced convenience for senior customers aged 65 and above using low-priced LTE plans that had limited voice and text allowances. Plans priced at 20,000 won a month and above will include voice and text as standard. Plans priced at 10,000 won a month and above will provide 30 minutes of voice calls and 50 text messages.

Subscribers on existing plans whose service was cut off after they used up their included data will also be able to use QoS without extra charges going forward. It will provide additional data to active-duty soldiers during their service period. For welfare-eligible customers such as people with disabilities, it will expand video and additional calling to up to 600 minutes. KT will also provide 100GB of data through its "Customer Reward Programme" until the end of July.

Kim Young-geol (김영걸), head of KT's Customer Business Division, said, "This integrated plan redesigns the plan structure from the customer's perspective." He added, "We will continue to strengthen the customer experience through tailored benefits that reflect life stages and usage patterns."