The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on the 21st that it will conduct a survey of local government demand to promote the 'support project for affordable phone fees for elderly individuals living alone' in collaboration with local governments, telecommunications companies, and the post office.
This project is designed as a public-private partnership model where the government, local governments, and the private sector share roles in an organized manner. The Ministry of Science and ICT oversees the entire project, while local governments are responsible for selecting beneficiaries and providing fee support. Affordable phone companies will design and offer a low-cost dedicated plan that elderly individuals living alone can subscribe to, and Korea Post will assist elderly individuals with their subscriptions on-site through the post office network.
The Ministry of Science and ICT plans to conduct a demand survey for local governments that can support the financial burden of elderly individuals living alone and participate in this project until August 8. Once participating local governments are confirmed, the project will be advanced after consultation with local governments.
When the project starts, elderly individuals will be selected according to the criteria set by each local government, and selected beneficiaries will be offered a monthly fee plan of around 10,000 won, which includes a data assurance option (QoS), effectively resulting in a burden of about 5,000 to 6,000 won for two years. This fee plan has been designed to be affordable through subsidies from mobile carriers and reductions in post office fees, with costs to be borne by the participating local governments.
Minister Bae Gyeong-hun noted, 'This support project is closely tied to the new government's commitment to ensuring basic telecommunications rights,' adding, 'We plan to continue support so that all citizens can enjoy telecommunication services at a reasonable expense through comprehensive policies aimed at bridging the digital divide.'