SEOUL, KOREA - Korea's per-household communication expenses are third highest among Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development member countries. According to the biennial OECD Communications Outlook 2013, Koreans' monthly average spending on communications needs, including bills for mobile phones, fixed-line phones, and broadband Internet connections, was US$148.39 (based on purchasing power parity terms), ranking third among OECD members.

 

Korea's ranking in the 2011 survey had been No. 2. Of the 34 OECD countries, Japan took the No. 1 spot ($160.52), followed by the United States ($153.13). Other countries such as Mexico ($143.17), Ireland ($142.11), Luxembourg ($142.10), Austria ($136.39), Finland ($133.47), Canada ($129.83), and Spain ($124.03) were ranked from 4th to 10th. China was ranked lowest in terms of communications expense at $30.

 

Included in the communication expenses are mobile phone, fixed phone, and high-speed Internet service charges, as well as payments for new phone devices. The reason for Korea's high burden for communications expenses has to do with the spread of smartphones. The fact that most users prefer high-spec smartphone devices with frequent model changes may have affected in raising the average spending amount.