The Korea Information Society Development Institute (KISDI) held, sponsored by the Korea Communications Commission, ‘Forum on Redefined Communications fee and Communications Benefit Index’ at Korea Press Center on December 07, 2011.

This conference was designed to analyze consumer benefits of communications services and to redefine communications fees in a data-centered communications environment.

Dr. Deuk-Won Kim, KISDI, stressed that communications fees should be redefined beyond voice call rates as expenses to cover a comprehensive culture service platform on which social, economic and cultural benefits are provided. Communications Benefit Indexes for mobile phone and the Internet, which were compiled from surveys, were also presented.

In a discussion session moderated by Prof. Myung-Bae Yum (Chungnam University), insightful views and ideas were exchanges by experts from academia, consumer interest groups, industries and government: Prof. Yong-Je Choi (Hankuk University of Foreign Studies), Prof. Hyung-Taek An (Dongguk University), Dr. Chang-Hui Hyun (ETRI), General Manager Jung-Hwa Kang (Consumers Union of Korea), General Manager Tae-Chul Jung (SK Telecom), and Officer Sang-Hak Lee (KCC).

Based on studies and ideas presented at this conference, KCC plans to come up with communications policies to enhance consumer benefits and start its efforts to redefine communications fees.

Contact: Researcher Yoo-Lee Kang of Telecommunications Policy Research Division (Tel. 02-570-4257)