KT, South Korea’s largest telecom company, said Monday that it would offer high-quality, expanded services and benefits to customers next month in line with the country’s revised law governing the market distribution of devices such as smartphones.
KT said that it would launch an application, called Olleh Family Box, that allows members of the same family who use KT mobile services to freely share monthly data and membership reward points. Leftover data will be rolled over to the following month.
For instance, children who use a lot of mobile data can get more data from their parents via KT’s Family Box app, while parents who often use the reward points for shopping can obtain more of them from their children.
Also, the mobile carrier said its subscribers would be able to enjoy faster Internet connections at over 4,500 stores, restaurants and theaters nationwide.
KT has expanded partnerships with businesses such as Starbucks, CJ CGV and Outback Steakhouse to provide users its GiGA Wi-Fi service, which is three times faster than existing Wi-Fi connections.
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Models pose with smartphones and placards introducing KT’s new services, including GiGA Wi-Fi and the Olleh Family Box. (KT) |
Its customers can also use the service at major bus stops in six cities, including Seoul, the company said.
The word GiGA comes from gigabyte, but KT explained that in Chinese characters, “gi” means energy and “ga” refers to households, technology and leaping forward, comparing it with Germany’s autobahn, which has no speed limit.
KT will also offer benefits such as frequent-flyer miles and discounts on phone bills via KB Kookmin Card. For instance, those who spent more than 300,000 won ($284) with their KB credit card will get a 7,000 won discount on their bills. Also, those who use KT’s LTE service and pay more than 67,000 won a month will receive up to 5,000 air miles a year from Asiana Airlines.
KT said that the company’s marketing spending was not likely to decrease following the implementation of the revised law, which will ban discriminatory subsidies starting Oct. 1 this year.
It added that it would come up with an effective telecom billing system along with products more tailored to consumers.
By Park Hyong-ki (
hkp@heraldcorp.com)
