S.Korea KT to offer unlimited data services

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA: KT, South Korea's No.2 mobile carrier, said on Thursday it would offer unlimited data services for some smartphone users as it seeks to better compete with bigger rival SK Telecom in the lucrative market.

The unlimited data services will begin Friday, when KT plans to launch Apple's iPhone 4 in Korea to compete with Samsung Electronics' Galaxy S, provided by SK Telecom.

KT will join SK Telecom in providing unlimited data services for smartphone users paying 55,000 won ($46.95) or more in monthly service charges.

The carrier downplayed concerns about unlimited services overloading its wireless networks, saying they were being expanded.

SK Telecom said in July that it would provide next-generation, Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks from next year to meet surging demand for high-speed Internet while on the go.