The Magician’s Memorial - Chapter 143



Only Krnovel

Episode 143 Cartel (2)

Lee Ju-young, president of Taewoong Communications, was called into the vice president’s office.

He was tired, probably because he was in charge of everything related to the launch of the iPhone.

“How is the iPhone launch going well?”

“There are no problems at all from supply to sales. However, other telecommunication companies are moving to impose restrictions.”

“KS Telecom, of course, wants to block it. “If the iPhone starts to be sold exclusively by Taewoong Communications, it is certain that our market share will fall further.”

“There is talk that telecommunications companies, including KS Telecom, and Samjin Electronics are joining hands. And there are rumors that the Korea Standard Mobile Platform (WIPI), which will be newly established in July, is trying to impose regulations to prevent foreign mobile phones from entering Korea.”

This is why I tried to accelerate the release of the iPhone.

As soon as the evil law called WIPI is implemented, it becomes impossible for the iPhone to be released in Korea.

WIPI was a single platform that was created to solve the problem of incompatibility as various telecommunication companies create and use various platforms.

And all mobile phones sold in Korea had to be equipped with WIPI.

Therefore, in my previous life, I was only able to release it three years after the iPhone was released.

“WIPI was a platform that only applied to portable terminals, right? “The iPhone can only be free from WIPI if it can be registered as a smartphone rather than a portable terminal.”

“It is expected that there will be strong opposition from other telecommunications companies. As you know, these are telecommunication companies that are making a lot of money from telecommunication fees. … The same goes for Taewoo Telecommunications. “As soon as wireless Internet mobile phones come in, profits will decrease significantly.”

The reason why carriers blocked the iPhone was simple.

This was because I could not pay for internet data usage fees.

With the advent of mobile phones capable of wireless Internet, who would want to use expensive Internet data?

Moreover, you will not be able to collect the fees.

Nowadays, if you download music, the telecommunication company can take a fee.

In the case of the iPhone, since it was downloaded through its own app, there was absolutely no need to charge a fee.

“Mobile phones after the iPhone will definitely be equipped with wireless Internet functionality. Because Korea cannot be the only country to ignore the global trend. So, if Taewoong Telecommunications first sells an iPhone with wireless internet, it can create a good image for customers. “We can also recruit customers from other telecommunications companies.”

“Telecom companies are also a problem, but Samjin Electronics and CL Electronics are also showing opposition.”

Samjin and CL Electronics also participated in CES held in January.

So, of course, I would have seen the iPhone that Steve was announcing.

They also sensed that their products would be pushed out the moment the iPhone arrived in Korea.

“It’s a situation where telecommunications companies and electronics companies are all weighing in.”

“Furthermore, they have been quiet until now, but are moving now with only a month left until the launch of the iPhone. “It is clear that they have an intention to prevent us from having time to react.”

Should we call it a telecommunications cartel?

Among the 10 largest conglomerates in Korea, all but us had formed an alliance.

Even if Taewo was number one in the business world, it was not enough for him to win against the alliance of large corporations.

“The mandatory WIPI installation regulation must be neutralized.”

“I will do my best in politics.”

“The Korea Broadcasting Commission oversees regulation, so target there. No, I will attend the meeting myself. “Please let me know when the telecommunications company meeting is held.”

“A meeting is scheduled for this Friday. Until then, I will try to contact people at the Korea Broadcasting Commission.”

I had prepared a banquet table, but it turned out that I couldn’t hold the banquet.

It would be nice if the problem could be resolved through a meeting.

There was a high possibility that the communications cartel would interfere until the end.

If they ended up not being able to hold a party, they had no choice but to resort to very extreme measures.

***

A meeting held by the Korea Broadcasting Commission.

The official name of this meeting was Meeting for the Mobile Platform Special Subcommittee.

It was a meeting held with the intention of promoting the development of the growing mobile market, but in reality, it was intended to protect the interests of telecommunication companies.

“There are so many faces I’m seeing today for the first time. Hehe, I’m just grateful that there’s so much interest in the mobile platform.”

Chairman Kang Dae-gi said with a satisfied smile.

The chairman of the Korea Broadcasting Commission was a position with ministerial-level power, and was also a position where he could abuse power over telecommunications companies.

That’s why everyone responded to his words with applause.

Vice President of Samjin Electronics, Vice President of CL Electronics, President of KS Telecom, etc.

Although they were all famous people in the business world, they were innocent in front of the chairman.

“As everyone knows, a new mobile platform division will be established in July. How inconvenient is it because your phones are not compatible? Moreover, since each telecommunication company has to create a platform, the development cost is several times higher. So, how great would it be if we could all create and use one platform?”

I guess I already took the medicine.

The chairman seemed very favorable to WIPI.

I felt like the meeting would end like this if I stayed still, so I had to step forward.

“It is impossible for WIPI to manage all mobile phones. “Why not allow only companies that want to mount it to use it?”

“The Vice Chairman of Taewoo Group attended the meeting in person. Very nice to meet you. But it looks like you have a negative stance on WIPI.”

“It is not a negative position. However, we are only opposed to mandatory loading regulations. “How about implementing restrictions on WIPI after its stability is confirmed?”

If you go out strong here, you will get ugly hairs.

Therefore, rather than opposing the WIPI installation regulation itself, they used a strategy to delay it.

“I am well aware of the position of telecommunication companies. Each side wants to give themselves an advantage. So, the government will take action. “It’s not like you don’t trust the government, right?”

“It’s not that I don’t trust the government, but I want to prevent confusion caused by sudden regulations.”

“I think they are against it because of the iPhone produced by Apple.”

Samjin Electronics Vice President intervened.

Vice President Lee Tae-gon was in charge of the mobile division at Samjin Electronics. He was also a legendary figure in the mobile phone industry.

If he stepped forward, everyone would take a step back.

What’s there for me to be upset about?

If Taewoo Group’s vice chairman was only pushed out to vice president, my grandfather would be furious.

“So Samjin Electronics supports the introduction of WIPI to keep the iPhone in check?”

“You can’t believe I’m keeping you in check! “I support the introduction of WIPI for the greater purpose of developing the Korean mobile market.”

It started with the vice president of Samjin Electronics.

Even representatives of CL Electronics and other telecommunication companies began to lend a helping hand.

[The introduction of WIPI is essential for the development of domestic mobile phones. The moment foreign mobile phones dominate the domestic market, electronics companies will face great difficulties.]

[It is still too early for wireless Internet.]

[Isn’t this a problem that only foreign phones can use WIPI?]

There seems to be a script.

It was a communications cartel that threw out each word as if it were speaking lines.

Even the chairman of the Korea Broadcasting Commission was on their side.

“Hmm, all the companies except Taewo are in favor. However, I have no intention of ignoring Taewoo’s position. “We will give you the opportunity to participate in the production of WIPI.”

He was a chairman who spoke patronizingly.

I am opposed to WIPI itself, but they say they will give me the opportunity to participate in the production.

I’m not kidding.

“I think the introduction of mandatory WIPI is premature. “It is not too late to proceed after discussing our opinions a little more.”

“Well, I guess the meeting won’t end like this. “We will confirm the pros and cons through a show of hands and conclude today’s meeting.”

What does voting mean?

Everyone except Taewu is in the same boat.

“Who supports mandatory WIPI?”

chuck! Everyone raised their hands except me.

There was no need to ask for opposing opinions.

In the end, the meeting ended without any results being achieved.

***

After the meeting, I returned to the company.

The planning manager was waiting for me at the door, and when he saw my face, he spoke softly.

“Things didn’t work out for you?”

“Perhaps because Samjin Electronics is taking the lead, the cartel is very strong.”

“I don’t think it will be easy to move the Broadcasting Commission. “There are no companies that take our side, so the Korea Broadcasting Commission seems to have no choice.”

Did you think it was too easy?

I just thought everything was ready for the launch of the iPhone.

It even acquired Taewo Telecommunications in case the telecommunications company cartel did not distribute iPhones.

And since we made Taewoo Telecommunications the number one company in terms of market share, we decided that most problems could be solved.

However, the telecommunications cartel was not even scratched to that extent.

Even Samjin Electronics and CL Electronics were keeping us in check, so there was no answer.

Korea’s political circles, Korea Broadcasting Commission, and even telecommunications companies.

It is no exaggeration to say that the telecommunications cartel has a tight grip on the domestic mobile phone distribution network.

“In the end, we will have to resort to extreme measures.”

“Is there a way?”

“It’s a way that could turn Korea upside down, but there’s nothing we can do about it.”

I left the company, leaving behind the curious planning manager.

The place I headed to was Captain Kang’s office, where Dimon and David were.

I told them the story of the telecom cartel and they were very horrified.

“I didn’t know Korea’s telecommunications industry worked like that. “You can’t purchase the cell phone itself without going through a telecommunications company.”

“This is unimaginable in the United States. “I only knew that cell phones could be bought at the supermarket.”

Most countries were implementing autarky.

Especially in the US and Europe, the system was to purchase mobile phones at supermarkets.

Only in Korea, where mobile carriers were strong, did this type of mobile phone sales structure exist.

“The telecommunications cartel is too tight. “If this continues, the launch of the iPhone in Korea will be overlooked.”

“Is there no way? “Introducing a self-sufficiency system.”

“Would the telecom cartel allow the introduction of autarky? “They get so freaked out about wireless internet.”

“I will meet with the people from the Korea Broadcasting Commission. “If we just appease half of them, wouldn’t we be able to find a way?”

David patted his chest and spoke confidently.

How many problems have you solved through him so far?

I was well aware of his abilities, but it was difficult to appease the Korea Broadcasting Commission as long as there was a telecommunications cartel.

“If you mess with the Korea Broadcasting Commission, you may face a counterattack.”

“Then what should I do? “Are you just going to suffer like this?”

“You can’t do that. If it is difficult to resolve a problem within the country, the solution must be sought externally. So that’s it. “David needs to visit America.”

“I am ready at any time. “Who can I meet?”

The telecom cartel is interfering with me, right?

Are you the only ones with a cartel? For a day like today, I created my own cartel!