Complete Guide to Refunds for Shared Electricity Costs of Internet Facilities in Apartment Buildings

Complete Guide to Refunds for Shared Electricity Costs of Internet Facilities in Apartment Buildings

Following a recent government announcement, cases where residents of apartment buildings have been paying shared electricity costs for internet facilities will now be addressed through a policy under which telecommunications providers will fully reimburse those costs. If you live in an apartment or multi-unit housing, this is a crucial issue, as many residents have unknowingly paid electricity fees for internet equipment as part of their monthly management fees.

What Are Shared Electricity Costs for Internet Facilities?

Apartment buildings are equipped with facilities such as internet distribution units and centralized telecommunications room equipment that distribute internet signals to each household. Although these facilities use common electricity, the principle is that telecommunications companies such as KT, SK Broadband, and LG Uplus are responsible for paying the electricity costs.

However, due to unclear management responsibility in some apartment complexes, these electricity charges have been included in management fees and passed on to residents.

Key Points of the Nationwide Government Investigation

To correct this issue, the Ministry of Science and ICT has launched a nationwide investigation covering 144,000 apartment complexes.

  • Scope: Apartments and other multi-unit residential buildings
  • Focus: Use of shared electricity for internet facilities
  • Participating providers: KT, SK Broadband, LG Uplus, LG HelloVision, and regional cable operators
  • Outcome: Full reimbursement of electricity costs paid by residents

Pilot surveys conducted in Seoul, Incheon, and Suwon have already confirmed numerous cases where residents were improperly charged.

How to Check if Your Apartment Is Eligible for a Refund

Your apartment is likely eligible for a refund if it meets any of the following conditions:

  • Your management fee statement includes items such as “internet facility electricity” or “telecom equipment power”
  • Telecommunications equipment is installed in shared terminal boxes or centralized communication rooms
  • There is no contract specifying shared electricity usage with a telecom provider

The government and telecom companies are currently verifying management responsibility through posted notices at apartment entrances and customer service announcements.

How to Apply for a Refund of Shared Internet Facility Electricity Costs

Refund applications must be submitted by the building’s management entity (such as the property owner, management office, or building administrator), not by individual residents.

Application Process

  1. Inspect internet facilities in shared terminal boxes or communication rooms
  2. Identify the telecommunications provider that installed the equipment
  3. Contact the dedicated customer service center of the relevant provider
  4. After verification of management responsibility, receive full reimbursement of electricity costs

Dedicated Customer Service Numbers by Provider

The following numbers are dedicated hotlines for shared electricity cost refunds related to internet facilities.

  • KT: 080-501-0100
  • SK Broadband: 080-825-0106
  • LG Uplus: 080-852-0101
  • LG HelloVision: 080-120-0195
  • Seogyeong Broadcasting: 055-740-3001
  • Nam Incheon Broadcasting: 1544-0777
  • Ulsan Central Broadcasting: 1877-9100 (Option 4)
  • Jeju Broadcasting: 064-741-7777 (Option 0)

You can also receive guidance through the Korea Telecommunications Operators Association (KTOA) dedicated center at 02-2015-9294.

Retroactive Refunds and Measures to Prevent Recurrence

A key aspect of this policy is that refunds will be applied retroactively to electricity costs previously paid by residents. Once refunds are completed, telecom providers will either pay the electricity bills directly or establish proper contracts to ensure that residents are not charged again.

Going forward, the government plans to build an integrated management system to enable continuous monitoring, including newly constructed apartment buildings.

Key Takeaways for Residents

✔ Shared electricity costs for internet facilities are, in principle, the responsibility of telecom providers
✔ Electricity fees already paid by residents are eligible for full refunds
✔ Applications must be submitted by the management office or property owner
✔ A nationwide investigation of apartment buildings is currently underway

To reduce management fees and protect your rights, be sure to check whether your apartment is eligible.

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