Main points
- South Korea will become the first country to provide free internet for all mobile subscribers after their tariff traffic is exhausted, at a speed of 400 kilobits per second.
- The government has reached an agreement with the three largest operators to implement this system, which will increase digital accessibility and social equality.
South Korea is introducing free internet / Collage by Channel 24 (Photo by Canva)
South Korea will become the first country in the world to guarantee all mobile subscribers free internet access even after their data allowance is exhausted. This will be a basic speed of 400 kilobits per second that will allow them to stay online in any situation.
The authorities explain the decision by their desire to make access to the Internet a basic digital right, The Korea Herald reports, citing a government press release.
What is known about free internet for all?
South Korea is introducing a new mobile network that will offer free internet access to all users after using up their basic data plan, making the country the first in the world to offer such a model of digital access for all subscribers.
South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT has reached an agreement with the country's three largest mobile operators – SK Telecom, KT and LG Uplus – to introduce basic internet access for all users.
After the paid gigabytes are exhausted or if there are no funds on the account, subscribers will automatically receive access to the network at a speed of 400 kilobits per second. This speed level does not allow for comfortable viewing of videos or use of “heavy” web services, but is sufficient for the operation of messengers, navigation applications and basic online services.
The South Korean government explains the decision by saying that internet access is now a basic necessity for everyday life. The ministry emphasizes that in the context of the development of digital technologies and artificial intelligence, it is important to ensure that citizens have a minimum level of network connectivity at all times.
According to the initiators, the innovation should prevent situations of complete “information blackout”, when the user is left without communication after the tariff is exhausted. The authorities believe that this will increase digital accessibility and social equality among the population.
At the same time, the new system could be one of the first steps towards rethinking mobile internet as a basic infrastructure service, similar to water supply or electricity.
Meanwhile, Russia is blocking the internet
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In Russia, the blocking of the Internet, in particular the restriction of access to certain services and messengers, caused an unexpected public reaction and the first protests in Moscow. The Russian authorities explain such steps as the need to “protect against drone attacks”, but in fact it leads to a rise in domestic discontent.
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According to Serhiy Kuzan, head of the Ukrainian Center for Security and Cooperation, such restrictions can only intensify protest sentiments in Russian society. He notes that people taking to the streets indicates the accumulation of social tension and the gradual formation of a demand for change.
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The expert suggests that in the future the number of such actions may increase, although some of them will not enter the public space due to censorship. At the same time, according to him, the Kremlin is trying to control the information field in order to prevent the protests from scaling up. The blocking of the Internet especially affects the younger generation and the business environment, which are most dependent on digital services. Against this background, irritation and distrust of the authorities are increasing in society.