LG Uplus

LG Uplus Corp. is a South Korean telecommunications operator owned by LG Corporation and one of the country's three principal nationwide telecom providers. Its business spans mobile communications, broadband internet, IPTV, fixed-line connectivity, enterprise networking, data services, electronic payments and media content. The company serves consumers, households, businesses and public-sector customers primarily in South Korea. The company originated from LG's entry into South Korean wireless communications during the liberalization of the country's cellular market. After acquiring a CDMA license in June 1996, LG established LG Telecom and began commercial PCS service in October 1997. In March 1998 it introduced a commercial cdmaOne data service using PCS technology, seeking to differentiate itself from larger incumbent competitors through mobile data capabilities. LG Telecom initially concentrated on wireless communications, but its long-term strategy expanded toward bundled connectivity. It acquired or combined with LG-affiliated fixed-line and internet businesses, including LG Dacom and LG Powercom. These transactions gave the group capabilities in fixed networks, broadband, corporate communications and internet access, allowing it to compete beyond the mobile market. On July 1, 2010, LG Telecom adopted the LG Uplus name following the integration of the telecommunications subsidiaries. LG Uplus subsequently invested in successive mobile network generations. It launched LTE service in July 2011 and introduced LTE-Advanced service in July 2013 with the Samsung Galaxy S4 LTE-A. The company promoted the concept of “100% LTE” devices, designed to use LTE for data, voice and messaging rather than falling back to older CDMA networks. It later became a 5G operator and continued expanding mobile and household connectivity products. Its household portfolio includes U+Home optical LAN broadband and U+TV IPTV, which offers interactive television, terrestrial programming and high-definition content. Its mobile-media activities have included U+ Mobile TV, while the Studio X+U division was established in October 2022 to develop original content and strengthen the company’s media business. The company has also distributed cloud-gaming services such as GeForce Now through its 5G offering and has participated in partnerships involving navigation and digital services. LG Uplus also maintains a substantial business-to-business operation inherited in part from LG Dacom. Enterprise services include network connectivity, data communications, information and communication technology solutions and electronic-payment-related services. B2B operations have been an important diversification area alongside consumer mobile and home services. The company has faced regulatory, technological and operational challenges typical of a major network operator. In 2006, the government cancelled LG Telecom’s 2.1 GHz W-CDMA license after the company chose not to develop the technology, instead continuing investment in CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev. A. In 2023, a series of distributed-denial-of-service attacks disrupted data services and raised concerns about cybersecurity and personal-information protection. LG Uplus acknowledged shortcomings in its security infrastructure and announced an increase in annual cybersecurity spending. LG Uplus remains an active, publicly traded South Korean telecom company. The reference material reports 18.411 million subscribers at the end of the fourth quarter of 2023 and approximately 25.1 million combined MNO and MVNO subscribers in 2023, although these figures use different subscriber definitions. Its strategic direction combines mobile and 5G connectivity with broadband, IPTV, enterprise services, digital platforms and original media content.

LG’s telecommunications presence developed during the opening of South Korea’s cellular market to private competition. After the government decided in 1994 to sell Korea Telecom’s cellular business to private investors, the sector became more competitive. LG entered wireless communications in 1996 by obtaining a CDMA license in June and establishing LG Telecom. The new operator launched PCS cellular service in October 1997. In March 1998, LG Telecom introduced a commercial cdmaOne data service using PCS technology. The service was intended to distinguish LG from larger established competitors and demonstrated the company’s early emphasis on mobile data. The operator later continued developing CDMA-based services. In July 2006, the government cancelled its 2.1 GHz W-CDMA license after LG Telecom decided not to develop that technology. The company instead concentrated its investment on the CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev. A network. LG Telecom gradually expanded beyond wireless service. To compete in bundled communications and to obtain fixed-network capabilities, it acquired or integrated LG Dacom, a provider of network and internet services, and LG Powercom, a major South Korean internet service provider. LG Dacom also operated fixed-line network assets, helping LG establish a stronger position in landline and enterprise communications. The combined capabilities broadened the business from mobile service to broadband, fixed connectivity, corporate networking and related digital services. The company launched U+Home optical LAN broadband in September 2005, with advertised speeds reaching 100 Mbit/s. U+TV IPTV followed in December 2007, offering interactive functions, terrestrial channels and high-definition programming. These products formed the foundation of a household-services portfolio combining internet access, television and mobile communications. On July 1, 2010, LG Telecom changed its name to LG Uplus after the integration of LG Telecom, LG Dacom and LG Powercom. The new identity represented the group’s shift toward a unified telecommunications provider. The company launched LTE service in July 2011 and worked toward nationwide coverage. In July 2013, it introduced LTE-Advanced service with the Samsung Galaxy S4 LTE-A. LG Uplus described the device as a “100% LTE” smartphone because it could use LTE for data, voice and text without reverting to CDMA for those functions. From 2014, the company planned to emphasize phones supporting this approach. During the following decade, LG Uplus expanded its 5G, broadband, IPTV, mobile-media and enterprise activities. Its B2B operations, strengthened by the LG Dacom integration, included traditional communications as well as electronic-payment-related services. The operator also distributed GeForce Now through its 5G service and operated U+ Mobile TV. A dispute over content-use fees led CJ ENM-affiliated channels to stop transmitting on U+ Mobile TV in June 2021. In October 2022, LG Uplus established Studio X+U to produce original content for its media platforms. The company’s recent development has included both financial growth and heightened cybersecurity scrutiny. Reference material states that LG Uplus reached one trillion won in annual operating profit in 2022. In 2023, higher capital expenditure was reported alongside revenue growth, while the company continued increasing its 5G and broader mobile subscriber base. At the beginning of 2023, DDoS attacks interrupted services and raised concerns about information security. CEO Hwang Hyeon-sik apologized and announced a substantial increase in annual cybersecurity expenditure. LG Uplus continues to operate as a listed member of LG Group and as one of South Korea’s major integrated telecom providers.

1. 2023Cybersecurity response follows DDoS attacks

   Following attacks that disrupted services, the company acknowledged security weaknesses and announced increased cybersecurity spending.

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2. 2022Studio X+U is established

   LG Uplus created a division focused on original content for its media businesses.

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3. 2021CJ ENM channels leave U+ Mobile TV

   CJ ENM-affiliated channels stopped transmission after a disagreement over service-use fees.

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4. 2013LTE-Advanced service launches

   The company introduced LTE-Advanced service alongside a device marketed as a 100% LTE smartphone.

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5. 2011LTE service launches

   LG Uplus launched LTE mobile service and began expanding its coverage.

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6. 2010LG Uplus name adopted

   LG Telecom adopted the LG Uplus name after the integration of LG Telecom, LG Dacom and LG Powercom.

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7. 2007U+TV launches

   The company introduced an IPTV service with interactive functions and high-definition programming.

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8. 2005U+Home broadband launches

   LG launched an optical LAN broadband service with advertised speeds of up to 100 Mbit/s.

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9. 1998Commercial cdmaOne data service launches

   The operator introduced a commercial mobile-data service using PCS-based cdmaOne technology.

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10. 1997PCS service begins

    LG Telecom launched commercial PCS cellular service in South Korea.

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11. 1996LG enters wireless communications

    LG acquired a CDMA license and established LG Telecom as a new wireless operator.

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Integrated telecommunications and digital-services provider serving South Korean consumers, households and enterprises.

• Mobile communicationsMobile telecommunications1997

  LG Uplus operates mobile communications services in South Korea across successive network generations. Its wireless business began with CDMA and PCS service, later moved through LTE and LTE-Advanced, and expanded into 5G. The portfolio includes voice, messaging, mobile data, smartphone connectivity and related digital services. The company has also offered mobile virtual network operator connectivity and reported substantial combined MNO and MVNO subscriber numbers.

• U+ 5G5G mobile service

  U+ 5G is LG Uplus’s fifth-generation mobile network and service portfolio. It provides high-speed mobile connectivity and supports consumer applications including mobile media and cloud gaming. The company has distributed GeForce Now through its 5G offering and has used 5G as a central part of its mobile-network positioning.

• U+HomeBroadband internet2005

  U+Home is an optical LAN broadband service introduced in 2005. It was designed to provide high-speed fixed internet access to households, with reference material describing advertised speeds of up to 100 Mbit/s at launch. The service forms part of LG Uplus’s broader household connectivity bundle alongside mobile communications and IPTV.

• U+TVIPTV2007

  U+TV is LG Uplus’s IPTV service, launched in 2007. It provides television programming through a broadband connection and has included interactive features, terrestrial channels and high-definition broadcasting. U+TV is positioned as a household media service that can be combined with LG Uplus broadband and mobile offerings.

• U+ Mobile TVMobile media

  U+ Mobile TV is a mobile television and video service associated with LG Uplus. It carried live channels, including programming from CJ ENM affiliates until those channels stopped transmission in June 2021 after a fee dispute. The company later supported the platform’s original-content strategy through Studio X+U.

• Studio X+UOriginal content2022

  Studio X+U is LG Uplus’s original-content division, established in October 2022. It develops and distributes entertainment programming connected with the company’s digital-media activities. Listed productions associated with the division include High Cookie, Night Has Come, Branding in Seongsu, Tarot and No Way Out: The Roulette.

• Enterprise telecommunications servicesBusiness telecommunications

  LG Uplus inherited and expanded a significant business-to-business operation through the integration of LG Dacom and LG Powercom. Enterprise activities include fixed-line networks, corporate connectivity, data communications, internet-related services and electronic-payment-related operations. This business broadens the company beyond consumer mobile and household services.

• 2023Cybersecurity investment increaseStrategy

  DDoS attacks disrupted LG Uplus data services and prompted criticism of the company’s security preparedness.

  What changed. The chief executive apologized and announced an increase of 100 billion won in annual cybersecurity spending.

  Aftermath. The company’s security infrastructure and personal-information protection became prominent operational priorities.

  Additional annual cybersecurity spending. 100 billion won increase (Announced February 2023)

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• 2022Creation of Studio X+UStrategy

  LG Uplus aimed to strengthen its digital-media and original-content capabilities.

  What changed. The company established Studio X+U as an original-content provider connected with U+ Mobile TV and its wider media activities.

  Aftermath. The division became associated with a growing slate of Korean drama and entertainment productions.

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• 2021Resolution of U+ Mobile TV content-fee disputeOther

  LG Uplus and CJ ENM could not reach agreement on the fee for carrying CJ ENM-affiliated channels on U+ Mobile TV.

  What changed. The CJ ENM-affiliated channels stopped transmission on U+ Mobile TV on June 11, 2021.

  Aftermath. The dispute reduced the service’s available channel lineup and was followed by a stronger emphasis on LG Uplus-developed original content.

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• 2013LTE-Advanced and 100% LTE strategyGeneration change

  LG Uplus sought to differentiate its network and devices as LTE adoption accelerated.

  What changed. It launched LTE-Advanced service with the Galaxy S4 LTE-A and promoted smartphones capable of using LTE for data, voice and messaging.

  Aftermath. The strategy reinforced LG Uplus’s positioning as a network operator pursuing an LTE-centered mobile experience.

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• 2011LTE network launchGeneration change

  The company needed to move beyond its earlier CDMA-based mobile network as LTE became the next major wireless standard.

  What changed. LG Uplus launched LTE service and began a nationwide coverage expansion.

  Aftermath. LTE became the foundation for subsequent LTE-Advanced and 5G service development.

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• 2010Integration of LG Dacom and LG PowercomM&A

  LG sought greater scale and a broader service portfolio for bundled telecommunications and enterprise communications.

  What changed. LG Telecom integrated with the LG-affiliated fixed-line and internet businesses and adopted the LG Uplus name.

  Aftermath. The combination expanded LG Uplus into fixed-line, broadband, enterprise networking and related digital services.

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• 2006Continued CDMA investment instead of W-CDMA developmentStrategy

  LG Telecom chose not to develop the 2.1 GHz W-CDMA technology for which it had held a license.

  What changed. The government cancelled the license, while LG Telecom continued investing in its CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev. A network.

  Aftermath. The decision kept the operator focused on its existing CDMA technology path until its later transition to LTE.

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• 2023DDoS attacks and cybersecurity concernsControversy

  LG Uplus was hit by a series of distributed-denial-of-service attacks in January and February 2023. The incidents disrupted data services and led to concerns about personal-information leakage. Chief executive Hwang Hyeon-sik apologized for insufficient cybersecurity infrastructure and announced that annual cybersecurity spending would increase by 100 billion won.

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• 2022LG Uplus establishes Studio X+U

  The company created Studio X+U as an original-content division supporting its mobile and digital-media activities.

  Product launch
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• 2022LG Uplus reports first annual operating profit of one trillion won

  Reference material reports that LG Uplus reached an annual operating profit of one trillion won for the first time.

  Other
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• 2021CJ ENM channels stop transmission on U+ Mobile TV

  CJ ENM-affiliated channels were removed from U+ Mobile TV after the companies failed to agree on usage fees.

  OtherPricing
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• 2013LG Uplus introduces LTE-Advanced and promotes 100% LTE devices

  The company launched LTE-Advanced service with the Galaxy S4 LTE-A and promoted devices capable of using LTE for data, voice and messaging.

  Product launchProduct generation
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• 2011LG Uplus launches LTE network

  The operator began LTE service and subsequently worked toward nationwide coverage.

  Product launchProduct generation
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• 2010LG Uplus changes its corporate name after telecommunications subsidiary integration

  LG Telecom adopted the LG Uplus name following the integration of LG Telecom, LG Dacom and LG Powercom.

  M&A
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1. LG Uplus
2. LG Uplus official website