Is 5G network slicing a managed service? The timing for recognition is expected to begin no later than the end of this year… Opinions were presented that zero-rating should be approached through ex-post regulation rather than ex-post regulation, applied only when unfair competition or user harm occurs.

The Ministry of Science and ICT announced the key results discussed at the '5G Communication Policy Consultation' on the 24th.

The 5G telecommunications policy consultative body, composed of a total of 28 members including experts from industry and academia, consumer and civic groups, and government officials, was launched last September and is currently operating in two subcommittees for efficient discussion.

The 1st Subcommittee held seven meetings regarding net neutrality and zero-rating, and the 2nd Subcommittee held five meetings regarding terms of service, number resources, provision of facilities, etc.

Regarding the principle of net neutrality, it was determined that existing principles should be maintained while adhering to a direction that does not hinder 5G development, and that it is premature to uniformly decide at this point whether 5G network slicing is recognized as a managed service.

It was concluded that it is appropriate to discuss whether network slicing will be recognized as a managed service (e.g., IPTV, VoIP) while observing the progress of 3GPP standardization (detailed standards finalized in December 2019) and service development trends.

The Ministry of Science and ICT, as soon as possible, through a separate research team composed of experts and others, will consider overseas cases and the current It was decided to discuss measures to supplement and review the recognition criteria for managed services. To enhance transparency, a suggestion was made to collectively post traffic-related information from telecommunications operators, which is currently scattered, on their websites and other platforms.

Regarding zero-rating , where telecommunication companies waive data charges for the use of specific services, it was suggested that the approach should be ex post regulation—as seen in overseas cases—rather than ex post regulation, in cases where unfair competition or user harm occurs. It was determined that the necessity of further specifying the provisions on prohibited acts under the Telecommunications Business Act should be discussed after monitoring the current situation.

Regarding service terms and conditions , it was suggested that it is desirable for the government to continuously encourage price competition among telecommunication operators as various devices are released and coverage expands through the spread of 5G, and that the approval system for terms and conditions needs to be improved to promote the activation of various new services that will emerge in the future, while also reviewing user protection measures.

Regarding the utilization of number resources , it was predicted that while the demand for number resources would increase with the increase in terminals connected to 5G, the likelihood of a shortage in the short term was low considering technical conditions. However, it was suggested that it is necessary to establish medium- and long-term plans for number resources through continuous monitoring of usage status.

Regarding the provision of facilities , it was suggested that thorough monitoring is necessary to ensure that the measures for facility provision and joint construction established last April are properly implemented on-site, and that discussions should be held on the procedures and methods for calculating compensation when telecommunication operators use local government private networks.

The Ministry of Science and ICT announced that it plans to form a network neutrality research team based on the discussions at the council to carry out follow-up work, such as recognition standards for managed services, while also continuously reviewing terms of service, number resources, and provision of facilities.