KT, a major Korean telecom service provider, has provided multiple benefits for its subscribers in all services including data, membership, content, media and roaming services since July, in return for a constant rise in the number of its LTE users.

The company said that 177 billion won ($159 million) in benefits, or some 35,500 won per subscriber a month, have been awarded to more than 10 million users. 

Doubled data allowance is the biggest benefit for users as they can enjoy twice as much content such as music, videos and games. According to company data, more than 70 percent of its LTE subscribers, or 1.7 million, enjoyed the benefit as of end-July. Data usage jumped 41 percent compared to the previous month.

“The sharp rise in monthly data usage shows that the double benefits have satisfied user needs,” said Chae Jung-ho, head of KT’s telecom and convergence division.

Its long-term subscribers can also earn up to 100,000 points in double mileage benefits. They can use the mileage points as cash at select restaurants, theme parks, resorts and convenience stores.

The service has much appealed to its users.

“Using the mileage, I visited a theme park last week with my children at half price. This seems to be a real benefit especially when money is tight,” said a mother of two children.

KT’s new subscribers can enjoy LTE WARP entertainment services at half price as well. Music and video content is provided by its Geniepack and “olleh TV now” pack, respectively. Users of olleh TV, the nation’s top IPTV provider, can earn 20,000 points toward the service, twice as much as normal, when they spend 10,000 won every Wednesday.

Recently, the roaming and “olleh SIMple” services also have been included in the benefit services. Users can now use 10-megabyte international roaming services in 85 countries including the United States, China and Japan at 5,000 won, down by 50 percent, for 14 days.

The olleh SIMple subscribers can also receive the benefits. SIMple is a service plan in which users can charge as much money as they want to call, just like a transportation card, without the need of membership fees or basic charges. The users who newly subscribe to the service by the end of October can get 10,000 additional points, worth a 10,000 won rebate, and KT users get 100 minutes of free calls.

“For better services, we have included international roaming and the SIMple service in the double benefits. We will continue to step up our efforts to provide diverse benefits to improve customer satisfaction,” said Kim Seok-joon, head of KT’s roaming and data business division.

By Shin Ji-hye (shinjh@heraldcorp.com)