South Korea Telecom Market Size (2024 - 2029)

The South Korean telecom market is poised for growth, driven by strong government support and the country's leadership in telecommunications. The market's expansion is fueled by the widespread adoption of 5G services, with significant contributions from major telecom operators. Despite challenges in increasing revenue from core communications services due to high market saturation, operators are focusing on enterprise growth and global expansion through partnerships with IT and cloud service providers. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated digital transformation within the sector, highlighting the essential role of telecommunications in adapting to new work and study paradigms.

Market Size of South Korea Telecom Industry

South Korea Telecom Market Summary
Study Period 2019 - 2029
Base Year For Estimation 2023
Forecast Data Period 2024 - 2029
Historical Data Period 2019 - 2022
CAGR 3.23 %
Market Concentration Low

Major Players

South Korea Telecom Market Major Players

*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order

South Korea Telecom Market Analysis

The South Korean telecom market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.23% over the next five years. South Korea is one of the leaders in telecommunication across the globe. This performance is driven by robust support from the government. The country's leading telecom players are SK Telecom Co. Ltd, LG Uplus Corp., Korea Telecommunications Authority, and Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

  • South Korean 5G receives great accolades in terms of speed and coverage. According to data from the Ministry of Science and ICT, there are close to 24 million 5G customers in South Korea. SK Telecom, the largest cellular carrier in South Korea, came first internationally in terms of download speed for 5G networks. Meanwhile, the third-largest mobile provider in the nation, LG Uplus, came in second with 429.6 Mbps, followed by Tele2 AB of Sweden, KT Corp. of South Korea, Bulgaria's Vivacom Inc., and LG Uplus.
  • The South Korean government has long been confident in becoming the global leader in 5G. Since the launch, the South Korean government's support for 5G has only increased. According to a report from Business Today, the South Korean government allocated WON 165 billion (USD 140 million) to expand 5G coverage across the nation last year. Since the initial stage of the 5G rollout, South Korea's 5G ecosystem has brought together government ministries, legislative bodies, carriers, private sector vendors, research institutes, and other players like trade unions and civil society organizations.
  • In South Korea, fiber internet is practically universal, mobile penetration is high, and many companies have already embraced 5G services. Due to this, despite rising corporate demand for high-bandwidth services to assist cloud migration, the ability of operators to increase income from core communications services is constrained. However, major South Korean operators reported significant enterprise revenue growth and have high growth goals for the coming years. Telecom operators are partnering with IT experts and public cloud service providers to accomplish these aims. These developments are anticipated to drive their market share in ICT, create new services for local enterprises, and extend their operations globally.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the South Korean telecom sector. Lockdowns and strict social segregation laws gave businesses a task and a chance to modify their organization for remote work while developing innovation that might fulfill South Korea's quickly evolving telecommunications demands. When COVID-19 initially broke out in South Korea in early 2020, SK Telecom and other market-leading firms were in charge of the country's transition to the new generation of wireless network technology. Telecommunications remained an essential service during this period as many people sought to upgrade their services and plan to suit a transition to working and studying from home. During this time, most telecom firms in South Korea accelerated digital transformation and expected competitiveness and workforce resilience as the benefit of these transformations.

South Korea Telecom Industry Segmentation

Telecom or Telecommunication is the long-range transmission of information by electromagnetic means.
The study on the South Korean telecom market includes an in-depth trend analysis based on connectivity like Fixed Networks, Mobile Networks, and Telecom Towers. The telecom services are divided into Voice Services (Wired and Wireless), Data and Messaging Services, OTT, and PayTV Services. The adoption of telecom services is likely driven by several factors, including an increasing demand for 5G.

The market sizes and forecasts are provided in terms of value (USD million) for all the above segments.

Segmentation by Services (Coverage to Include Average Revenue Per User for the Overall Services Segment, Market Size, Estimates for Each Segment, and In-depth Trend Analysis)
Voice Services
Wired
Wireless
Data and Messaging Services (Coverage to Include Internet and Handset Data Packages and Package Discounts)
OTT and Pay-TV Services
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South Korea Telecom Market Size Summary

The South Korean telecom market is a global leader, driven by strong government support and the presence of major players like SK Telecom, LG Uplus, and Samsung Electronics. The market is characterized by high mobile penetration, universal fiber internet, and early adoption of 5G services, which have set benchmarks in speed and coverage. The government's strategic initiatives and financial investments have been pivotal in expanding the 5G ecosystem, integrating various sectors such as private vendors, research institutes, and civil society. Despite challenges in monetizing core communication services, telecom operators are experiencing significant growth in enterprise revenue by partnering with IT and cloud service providers, aiming to enhance their market share and global presence.

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated digital transformation within the sector, as telecom companies adapted to increased demand for remote connectivity solutions. South Korea's early commercial rollout of 5G networks has positioned it as a benchmark for global 5G deployment, with extensive coverage and high-speed connectivity. The telecom market is moderately fragmented, with key players also engaging in international collaborations and technological advancements, such as private 5G networks and AI-driven services. The streaming market, fueled by the globalization of Korean culture and the convenience of OTT services, is rapidly expanding, with platforms like Netflix leading the charge. This dynamic landscape underscores South Korea's role as a bellwether in telecommunications and digital media.

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South Korea Telecom Market Size - Table of Contents

  1. 1. MARKET INSIGHTS

    1. 1.1 Market Overview

    2. 1.2 Industry Ecosystem Analysis

    3. 1.3 Industry Attractiveness - Porter's Five Force Analysis

      1. 1.3.1 Bargaining Power of Suppliers

      2. 1.3.2 Bargaining Power of Consumers

      3. 1.3.3 Threat of New Entrants

      4. 1.3.4 Threat of Substitute Products

      5. 1.3.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry

    4. 1.4 COVID-19 Impact on the Industry Ecosystem

    5. 1.5 Regulatory Landscape in the Country

  2. 2. MARKET SEGMENTATION

    1. 2.1 Segmentation by Services (Coverage to Include Average Revenue Per User for the Overall Services Segment, Market Size, Estimates for Each Segment, and In-depth Trend Analysis)

      1. 2.1.1 Voice Services

        1. 2.1.1.1 Wired

        2. 2.1.1.2 Wireless

      2. 2.1.2 Data and Messaging Services (Coverage to Include Internet and Handset Data Packages and Package Discounts)

      3. 2.1.3 OTT and Pay-TV Services

South Korea Telecom Market Size FAQs

The South Korea Telecom Market is projected to register a CAGR of 3.23% during the forecast period (2024-2029)

SK Telecom Co., Ltd, LG Uplus Corp., Korea Telecommunications Authority, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. and DASAN Network Solutions, Inc. are the major companies operating in the South Korea Telecom Market.

South Korea Telecom Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2024 - 2029)