Tesla Korea Reports Key Telecommunications Business to Ministry of Science and ICT
First time since the relaxation of entry regulations for key telecommunications businesses


Competition in the domestic connected car market is expected to intensify.

The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on the 28th that Tesla Korea, an electric vehicle (EV) importer and seller, has filed for a telecommunications business in order to operate a telecommunications business.

Tesla Korea provides connectivity services, such as real-time traffic information and music and video streaming services, by embedding LTE modems in EVs sold in Korea.

The Ministry of Science and ICT determined that Tesla Korea had satisfied all the reporting requirements stipulated in the Telecommunications Business Act.

There are four reporting requirements: △ using telecommunications services incidentally while providing one's own goods or services; △ being able to provide goods or services even after removing the incidentally used functions; △ being unable to make voice calls except for the use of special number telephone services such as 112 and 119; and △ charging usage fees.

Last June, the Ministry of Science and ICT eased entry regulations by requiring businesses in non-telecommunications industries, such as automobiles and home appliances, to report instead of register when selling products or services that incidentally include telecommunications services.

Tesla Korea's entry as a key telecommunications carrier marks the first such notification since the enforcement of the law easing entry regulations.

Currently, Hyundai-Kia, SsangYong, and Renault SamsungAutomobile companies such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi Volkswagen, and Porsche are providing services through registration as specialized telecommunications businesses prior to the deregulation of entry laws.

An official from the Ministry of Science and ICT stated, “We will strengthen promotion of the telecommunications business registration system to expand the entry of convergence services into the telecommunications market that incidentally utilize telecommunications services in other industrial sectors, such as wearables, bicycles, and sneakers.”