It hasn't said exactly how it might do that. One analyst suggests SK Telecom could trim away lower-margin customers like teenagers by hiking prices and eliminating subsidies for them. One thing everyone agrees on is that more consolidation is sure to come. The PCS companies know that the cost of business is too high for small players. Two of them are going to have to pair up.
Trouble is, no one wants to be left standing alone.
LG and KT Freetel have offered competing bids for Hansol, the smallest of the lot. Both see the acquisition as critical to their ability to compete. Bulking up will also help companies improve their chances of winning licenses for next-generation services to be bid out later this year. So far, Hansol has not seen a bid it is happy with. But the tune is just about over on this round of cellphone musical chairs.