The year 2023 marks the 10th anniversary of the implementation of the Mobile Device Distribution ImprovementAct. The penetration rate of mobile devices and mobile communication services has already exceeded 100, and mobilecommunication services are now considered a universal service and part of everyday life. However, householdcommunication costs are exceeding KRW 100,000 per month, which is considered a burden for consumers, and mostconsumers are forced to subscribe to a service that combines mobile communication services and devices that onlyexist in Korea. From the perspective of the telecommunications service industry, which involves many stakeholders, includinghandset manufacturers, telecommunications service providers, distributors and agents, and consumers, this studysystematically analyzes research articles published in KCI-listed journals from 2014 to 2023. Each of the 45 articlesis examined in terms of research methodology, researcher affiliation, academic theories, and research subjects. Then,we derive research clusters through keyword analysis and briefly present the core contents of each study. Afterward,it summarizes the major changes before and after the Mobile Device Distribution Improvement Act, and suggests theneed for re-discussion and phased abolition of the Act.
The year 2023 marks the 10th anniversary of the implementation of the Mobile Device Distribution Improvement Act. The penetration rate of mobile devices and mobile communication services has already exceeded 100, and mobile communication services are now considered a universal service and part of everyday life. However, household ommunication costs are exceeding KRW 100,000 per month, which is considered a burden for consumers, and most consumers are forced to subscribe to a service that combines mobile communication services and devices that only exist in Korea. From the perspective of the telecommunications service industry, which involves many stakeholders, including handset manufacturers, telecommunications service providers, distributors and agents, and consumers, this study systematically analyzes research articles published in KCI-listed journals from 2014 to 2023. Each of the 45 articles is examined in terms of research methodology, researcher affiliation, academic theories, and research subjects. Then, we derive research clusters through keyword analysis and briefly present the core contents of each study. Afterward, it summarizes the major changes before and after the Mobile Device Distribution Improvement Act, and suggests the need for re-discussion and phased abolition of the Act.