The article discusses new measures introduced by South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) regarding participation in frequency auctions. These measures include:
1. **Capital Requirement**: Companies wishing to participate in frequency auctions must possess capital exceeding the minimum competitive price set by the government. This change comes after the cancellation of StageX’s designation as the fourth mobile carrier due to non-compliance with capital requirements, marking the eighth failure to establish a fourth mobile carrier.
2. **Payment Method**: The principle of full lump-sum payment for frequency allocation fees is established. If a company wishes to pay in installments, it must provide legally binding documents guaranteeing payment from participating shareholders or investors.
3. **Participation Restrictions**: Companies with reason for cancellation of frequency allocation will face restricted participation in future frequency allocations within the same band.
4. **Encouraging Market Demand**: The policy shift aims to keep market participation open and driven by demand, allowing businesses to propose frequency allocation notices for desired frequency bands within available ranges, rather than using a predetermined government allotment.
5. **Public Feedback and Future Steps**: The MSIT plans to disclose the detailed improvement plans for public feedback before proceeding with legislative amendments.
Overall, these measures aim to ensure financial accountability and adherence to public obligations by bidders, while facilitating a dynamic and market-driven approach to frequency allocation.