Digital Landscape in South Korea

PROSPECTS

Digital connectivity

As South Korea ranks second following Australia in the 2018 digital consumer index published by Euromonitor, the country remains one of the most important digital consumer markets in the world. Infrastructure for the internet and its broadband penetration in South Korea is already well developed and mature.

Home connectivity

South Korea’s home connectivity index ranks it first with a 23.9 score in 2018.

Mobile connectivity

South Korean consumers heavily use mobile devices in their daily lives on the back of well-developed mobile connectivity infrastructure. It is very common for South Koreans to use their smartphones everywhere and whenever they have spare time, as many public places such as public transportation, government entities and private institutions including banks and retail stores provide free Wi-Fi zones.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

5G set to commercialise in South Korea

The South Korean government is aiming to commercialise 5G for the first time in the world on 5 April 2019. Samsung Electronics’s Galaxy S10 5G model is waiting for the government green light along with the three major telecommunications companies, SK Telecom, KT and LG UPlus.

Major electronics companies lead the trend

Two major electronics companies, Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics, are leading the market trend in South Korea by actively introducing various types of connected appliances. Samsung Electronics is planning to launch AI speakers, named Galaxy Home in April 2019, which can control all Samsung’s home appliances including air conditioners, refrigerators, TVs etc.

LG UPlus to acquire CJ Hello

One of the major telecommunications companies, LG UPlus, announced its intention to acquire CJ Hello, which is a cable TV provider via the internet. Since LG UPlus also has an internet-based TV service based on fixed broadband with the third largest mobile telecommunications business, the company is expected to enjoy synergies to expand its market share in the telecommunications industry, which makes the market more competitive.

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