Mobile network carriers will be obliged to warn consumers about a potential “bill shock” from July as part of a revision to telecommunication law that took effect on Tuesday.
With the rapid adoption of data-heavy smartphones here, consumers have complained about damages from expensive data rates in excess of their fixed-bill plans.
Even though local telecom operators have carried out safety measures voluntarily to prevent consumer damages, now such efforts have become legally binding from July 18, the Korea Communication Commission said.
In November, the nation’s smartphone users exceeded 21 million. After the high-end handsets were introduced to Korea two years ago, wireless data use surged 53.6 times while its overseas use also becomes easier.
Telecom companies will send alarming messages or stop services when a user’s allowable data use nears the limit, the state-run telecom regulator said.
Other countries have also come with their own measure to prevent bill shock, with the U.S. government releasing a guideline in October.
By Lee Ji-yoon (
jylee@heraldcorp.com)
