[Digital Today reporter Lee Jin-ho] Just in time for Family Month, South Korea’s three big carriers are rolling out a string of family-friendly events — and shoring up networks to handle the uptick in outings.
On May 4, industry sources said SK Telecom, KT and LG Uplus unveiled a lineup of promotions targeting families. Think guided forest retreats for long-term subscribers, campaigns that let customers send heartfelt notes to relatives, and immersive exhibits. The goal: deepen connections with family customers and boost brand affinity as spring outing season heats up.
SKT is inviting customers with more than a decade of loyalty to enter its Forest-cation Day, a nature retreat designed for family bonding. Hosted at Everland’s Forest Camp, the program includes guided forest walks, kids’ forest activities and family recreation. After four earlier sessions this year, SKT will hold its fifth and sixth events on the 17th and 18th. Interested customers should apply via the T Membership app by the 5th.
If you’re an SKT customer planning to gift a phone to your child for Children’s Day, check out the free add-on service Family Phone Sharing. Parents who are legal guardians can sign up when handing down a device to a child aged 13 or younger. For one year, subscribers get a monthly 2GB data coupon, unlimited free family roaming and up to six 50% discounts on the T Universe Pass subscription.
KT opened a banner event for anyone who wants to send a thank-you message to family. Through the end of the month, customers who sign up for a phone, SIM, internet or TV service on KT.com will be entered to win one of 50 spots to display a personal message banner; winning banners will be posted on KT.com in July. KT is also offering a 30,000 KRW (approximately $22.50) Naver Pay credit or a Daiso mobile voucher to customers who continue using a phone that a family member used on KT for at least 30 days within the past three years.
If you’d rather plan an exhibit outing, check out KT Onmaru in Gwanghwamun, Seoul — a free space that traces 140 years of telecom innovation. KT Onmaru will be open on Children’s Day (the 5th) and Buddha’s Birthday (the 25th). Visitors can choose a guided docent tour or wander on their own; docent tours are bookable via Naver.
KT is also beefing up network checks. The company ran call-quality optimizations and wireless inspections at about 500 locations expected to see higher visitor traffic. Jeong Seon-il, executive director of KT’s Network Operations Innovation Division, said, "We’ll continuously monitor the network to minimize customer inconvenience."
LG Uplus rolled out U+tv Mobile, a dedicated app that puts its U+tv IPTV service on your phone. The app combines content search, viewing and TV-sync features, making it easier and more intuitive to discover and watch shows on the go.
On the 16th, LG Uplus will host a Lego Run: a fun 5-kilometer (about 3.1-mile) lakeside marathon around Jungdo in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, with participants dressed as Lego characters. LG Uplus says it will keep expanding customer touchpoints through cultural and leisure content.
