South Korea introduces universal basic mobile data access

jl6

> the scheme will provide over seven million subscribers with unlimited downloads at just 400 kbps after their data allowances expire. Does this mean it’s not a universal entitlement as such, because you presumably first have to pay for a plan with an allowance? (Not to mention having to pay for a device).

Leomuck

Crazy, I've never heard of such a plan anywhere. But given how essential the internet is to everything we do on a daily basis, that makes a lot of sense. However, I would like to see the existing situation that lead to this decision. Were there many people who couldn't do things anymore due to lacking internet access? Was there public pressure to do this or did they just think it a good idea? My assumption so far was that there are those who use the internet, they're usually fine, and those that don't - they won't benefit much. But no idea about South Korea. Anyway, cheaper and unlimited access is always a good idea!

everdrive

Seems nice but is actually a terrible move. It's another step towards the presumption that everyone should have a smartphone.

Leftium

> unlimited downloads at just 400 kbps after their data allowances expire This is not new. Many Korean mobile plans actually offer even higher unlimited throttled speeds (up to 10 Mbps!) - You can filter plans by the unlimited throttled speed on this site. The plans are usually titled by `{data amount} + {throttled speed}`: https://www.moyoplan.com/plans - Even if not throttled, I think data overage charges were capped at about $13 (20K KRW) So perhaps unlimited 400 kbps will become standard: i.e. no plans will ever charge data overage fees? --- The linked statement didn't seem to specifically mention the 400 kbps thing at all.

anthk

I'd perfectly live with a forever free connection with about 16/32 KBPS. It can do lots of stuff in text mode. Not for video or big files, but enough to fill some pages. That would mean accesible web pages, and forget about JS based captchas and the like.

shevy-java

This is actually a really great idea. There should also be universal terminals that people can access on public places or so, even without having a smartphone ready. Now here in Germany we'll wait for decades for this to happen. For some reason Merz gave up on Germany.

flowerthoughts

This would be huge for IoT. It'll obviously be abused to send "metrics" (a.k.a. private data to be sold) by companies, but still. I hope there's no limit on SIM cards.

Terr_

To quote something from a favorite fiction-series, where someone is visiting a relatively backwards planet: > "Poor?" said Cordelia, bewildered. "No electricity? How can it be on the comm network?" > "It's not, of course," answered Vorkosigan. > "Then how can anybody get their schooling?" > "They don't." > Cordelia stared. "I don't understand. How do they get their jobs?" > "A few escape to the Service. The rest prey on each other, mostly." Vorkosigan regarded her face uneasily. "Have you no poverty on Beta Colony?" > "Poverty? Well, some people have more money than others, of course, but... no comconsoles?" > Vorkosigan was diverted from his interrogation. "Is not owning a comconsole the lowest standard of living you can imagine?" he said in wonder. > "It's the first article in the constitution. 'Access to information shall not be abridged.' " -- Shards of Honor (1986) by Lois McMaster Bujold

classified

Every country should do that.

emilfihlman

As a Finn this data allowance is pretty funny to me (though of course not unknown). Here most subscriptions are unlimited.

hsbauauvhabzb

Part of me is all for this but I also get the knee jerk reaction of ‘if something is free, you’re the product’ What’s in this for the for profit companies? wouldn’t this cannibalize sales to the demographics that would be buying a cheap prepaid plan if it doesn’t already exist? Maybe i live less chronically online (but still on my phone) than most, but having spent a few weeks in Japan. I’ll assume prices are similar due to localities, similar-enough cultures and densities. My partner and I shared a 3gb SIM and wifi tethering because of the pricing and lack of need for on demand data (we download movies to our devices when on a high speed networks). I would be fine on 400kpbs while away from hotels and public wifi, and I imagine many tourists will be in the same boat, killing a lucrative segment of the market.