SEOUL -- SK Telecom Co., South Korea's largest mobile carrier, added a staggering 342,000 customers through mobile number portability (MNP) in January, a surge of 184.7 percent or about 222,000 users compared to the previous month, fueled by rival KT Corp.'s waiver of early termination fees in the wake of a major data breach, industry data revealed Monday.
The figures, compiled by the Korean Telecommunications Operators Association, highlight a dramatic shift in the competitive telecom landscape. Of SK Telecom's total inflow, 221,000 users switched from KT -- a sharp increase from just 45,000 the month prior -- while another 73,000 came from LG Uplus Corp., the country's third-largest operator.
The exodus from KT appears directly linked to its decision to waive early termination fees, a move prompted by a significant data breach that eroded customer trust. This policy change made it easier for subscribers to port their numbers to competitors without financial penalties.
LG Uplus also capitalized on the turmoil, attracting 183,000 users from rivals last month, marking a 102.3 percent rise on a monthly basis. Among these, 80,000 originated from KT, underscoring the breadth of customer dissatisfaction with the second-largest carrier.
In contrast, KT managed to gain 121,000 users via MNP in January, a 53.2 percent increase from December, though this paled in comparison to the outflows it suffered to its competitors.
The data underscores the intense rivalry among South Korea's top mobile operators -- SK Telecom, KT, and LG Uplus -- where customer retention hinges on service reliability, pricing, and responses to crises like data breaches. January's numbers represent one of the most volatile months for MNP activity in recent memory.
