South Korea’s government has expanded unlimited voice call and text message plans for individuals aged 65 and older, aiming to bolster their basic communication rights. However, experts and civic groups argue that these measures fall short of fundamentally addressing the digital divide experienced by the elderly. They advocate for a policy shift from merely increasing service allowances to empowering seniors with the skills and accessibility needed to independently utilize digital services.
Government Initiatives and Criticisms
In April, the government mandated that telecom providers offer unlimited voice and text services to all individuals aged 65 and above. This initiative also extended increased allowances to seniors who were previously on plans with limited call and text quotas. Following this announcement, major carriers like LG Uplus, KT, and SK Telecom began implementing related benefits in June and August.
Despite these efforts, the primary focus of this policy appears to be reducing the financial burden of communication costs for seniors. Critics contend that it does little to alleviate the difficulties seniors face in using digital devices or accessing communication services. A significant concern is that simply increasing voice and text allowances does not resolve the core issues of the digital divide, especially when seniors are vulnerable to incomplete smartphone usage, difficulties navigating customer service centers, and are frequent targets of fraudulent schemes like voice phishing.
Han Suk-hyun, Director of the Seoul YMCA Civic Engagement Department, questioned the effectiveness of simply increasing call and text allowances. “Will the phenomenon of communication inequality among the elderly be overcome just by increasing calls and texts?” he asked. “Seniors are still directly exposed to issues like incomplete smartphone sales and voice phishing, and there are no proper countermeasures.”
Efforts to Enhance Digital Literacy
Recognizing the need to improve digital capabilities, the government is also expanding digital literacy education programs for seniors. In May, the Ministry of Science and ICT established 32 new “AI Digital Learning Centers” to support the enhancement of AI and digital literacy among vulnerable groups, including the elderly. This initiative builds upon the government’s digital education program for seniors, which began in 2020 and is now in its seventh year.
The Korea Communications Commission (KCC) also plans to offer tiered and phased education programs for seniors this year, focusing on improving their ability to use media devices such as smartphones and kiosks.
Stagnant Progress in Digital Proficiency
However, despite these ongoing policy efforts, the improvement in seniors’ digital literacy remains limited. According to the “2025 Digital Information Divide Status Survey” published in March by the Korea Information Society Development Institute, the “digital information literacy” score for seniors (aged 55 and above) was 55.3% in 2023. This figure saw a marginal increase to 55.9% in 2024 and 56.2% in 2025, representing a mere 0.9 percentage point rise over three years.
Accessibility Challenges in Welfare Policies
The issue of digital accessibility also surfaces in the implementation of existing communication welfare policies. A prime example is the communication fee reduction program for vulnerable groups. Currently, the government and telecommunication companies offer discounts on monthly communication fees for low-income households, the disabled, and other vulnerable groups, including seniors aged 65 and above who are also basic pension recipients.
The critical barrier, however, is that beneficiaries must apply for these reductions themselves. The application process typically requires visiting a telecom store, a community center, or using the internet or a carrier’s customer service center. For seniors who struggle with digital services or find them inconvenient, the application process itself can become another significant hurdle.
Data revealed by Representative Hwang Un-ha from the Democratic Party, based on information from the Ministry of Science and ICT, showed that out of 10,238,384 individuals eligible for communication fee reductions in the first half of 2025, only 8,189,073 had actually received the benefit. This means 2,049,311 eligible individuals did not receive the discount. This figure encompasses all vulnerable groups, not just seniors.
Last October, Representative Hwang urged, “It is a reality that it is not easy for vulnerable groups, such as severely disabled individuals and seniors over 65, to visit an agent or community center or apply directly online.” She proposed, “The government and telecommunication companies should consider automatically renewing communication fee reductions by receiving consent for personal information sharing.”
Nearly a year later, an automatic reduction system has yet to be implemented.
Shifting Policy Focus: From Quantity to Usability
Experts emphasize that policy should shift from merely increasing the quantity of communication services to enhancing seniors’ actual ability to use digital services. They suggest the need for a sustainable system that supports seniors’ digital service utilization at the community level, moving beyond one-off educational programs.
Ahn Jung-sang, a professor at Chung-Ang University’s Graduate School of Communication, stated, “Giving more data has little practical meaning.” He added, “There has been a long-standing suggestion to establish IT welfare officers at the district level, similar to social welfare officers in community centers, to provide educational opportunities for seniors, but it has not been implemented.”
Professor Ahn believes that the most pressing need for seniors is to improve their deficient digital skills. “If such policies are implemented, we can expect some positive effects,” he remarked.
To reduce the communication gap for seniors, the criteria for support policies must evolve from ‘how much more is provided’ to ‘can it actually be used.’ This requires policies that focus on increasing accessibility throughout the entire process of using communication services—including consultations, smartphone setup, and fee reductions—not just increasing the volume of voice calls, texts, or data.
