South Korea's telecoms regulator has  dropped a requirement for mobile phones to be embedded with local software. This means that the market will be open to foreign brands for the first time.

The Korea Communications Commission said it would scrap the so-called Wireless Internet Platform for Interoperability, or WIPI, requirement starting April 1st next year.

The rules had been used to protect the domestic industry, as foreign firms have been restricted from selling their phones in the country due to the high costs for installing additional software.

Analysts think that the move will stimulate competition and development of smartphones, leading to lower prices.