Following SKT in March, LG U+ launched a new 5G rate plan.

The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on the 12th that LG Uplus had filed a report on the 10th to establish 23 new 5G rate plans.

The 5G rate plans reported this time include: △4 new mid-range general rate plans, △3 new senior rate plans for users over 65 years old, and △14 new youth rate plans. Except for the fact that SKT previously divided the 5G youth rate plans for users under 34 years old into 11 types and 5G youth online rate plans into 7 types, the number of senior and general mid-range rate plans is the same.

Meanwhile, this report by LG U+ appears to be a response by SKT and LG U+ to the Ministry of Science and ICT's continued request to launch additional 5G intermediate rate plans. KT is also expected to launch a 5G intermediate rate plan within the near future.

■ Establishment of 4 new 5G intermediate rate plans

Like SKT, LG U+ also did not have a rate plan in the 31 to 150 GB range, limiting users' choices.

This time, LG U+ is adding 4 new plans offering 50GB, 80GB, 95GB, and 125GB. Subscriptions will be available starting April 12. In addition, the speed limit (QoS) has been upgraded compared to the previous plan.

For example, LG U+'s '5G Data Super (KRW 68,000 per month)' plan allows data usage at a maximum speed of 3 Mbps after using up the basic data provided of 95 GB. SKT's 'Basic Plus 75 GB UP (KRW 68,000 per month, KRW 51,000 with a 25% discount)' plan of the same price allows data usage at a speed of 1 Mbps after using up the basic data provided. However, the sharing and tethering limits in the same plan are 5 GB each for LG U+ and 24 GB combined for SKT.

In addition, an online plan offering 80GB (46,000 won) and 95GB (47,500 won) per month will be newly introduced. The online plan is said to be about 30% cheaper than the no-contract and general plan. Registration is available from May 15th.

LG U+ will also provide this new rate plan wholesale to LG U+ budget phone service providers, so that users will be able to enjoy the plan for 30,000-40,000 won per month starting from the end of April.

■ Establishment of 3 new 5G senior rate plans
The 5G senior rate plan to be launched on May 1st is divided into three categories: 65 years of age or older, 70 years of age or older, and 80 years of age or older.

There are three types of rate plans: △ '5G Senior Type A (65 years old and over)' which provides 10 GB of data for 45,000 won per month, △ '5G Senior Type B (70 years old and over)' which provides 10 GB of data for 43,000 won per month, and △ '5G Senior Type C (80 years old and over)' which provides 10 GB of data for 39,000 won.

The newly introduced rate plan provides the same amount of data and additional calls, but the monthly fee will be lowered by 2,000 to 6,000 won depending on age group, which is the same as or slightly cheaper than SKT.

■ 14 new 5G youth rate plans

The 5G Youth Rate Plan has the same monthly rate as the 5G General Rate Plan and 5G Online Rate Plan, but the data provided has been increased by 25-66%. A new '5G Youth Rate Plan' will be established for customers aged 29 or younger. There are 8 types each and 6 types online, and you can sign up sequentially starting July 3rd.

The rate plans are as follows: △47,000 won (10GB) △61,000 won (41GB) △63,000 won (70GB) △66,000 won (110GB) △68,000 won (135GB) △75,000 won (210GB), etc., and the online rate plans are as follows: △34,000 won (10GB) △44,000 won (41GB) △46,000 won (110GB) △47,500 won (135GB).

Among the 5G youth plans, if you use an unlimited data plan costing 85,000 won or more per month, you can use up to an additional 30 GB of tethering and shared data for secondary devices such as laptops. In addition, there are also youth-targeting benefits.

In addition, LG U+ provides 'zero rating' as a life cycle-tailored additional benefit for young people (ages 19-29), such as job seekers and childcare workers. LG U+ subscribers will be exempt from data usage fees when accessing 10 job search sites, including Worknet, from May 15, 2023 to April 30, 2024.

Starting in the second half of this year, households raising children under 24 months will be able to receive a data voucher worth 5GB per month for up to 24 months for one parent, regardless of the parent's age.

The Ministry of Science and ICT stated, “With the introduction of new rate plans segmented by section and age group, users’ choice of rate plans has expanded,” and “We plan to strengthen publicity in consultation with service providers so that users can change their rate plans and this can lead to actual reductions in telecommunication costs.”