|
Korean Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
CentralCali
Joined: 17 May 2007
|
 Posted: Tue Dec 25, 2007 4:25 am Post subject: |
 |
|
| superdave wrote: |
| yeah, seriously. this information is right. the korean system is anally retentive and locks out foreign phones by using different technology. there are no sim cards. |
Yep. Anal-Retentive is a very apt description of the Korean business mentality.
| Quote: |
| you can get a new phone here very cheap. |
On the plus side, there's a huge selection of phones. Budget a Saturday to go to one of the big electronics markets, such as at Yongsan Station in Seoul, and compare.
| Quote: |
| even though foreigners can't get rental plans (technically) it's easy enough to get a rental plan through a friend or korean coworker. |
It's actually the other way around. Technically (legally), foreigners can get those as the discrimination against foreigners is illegal. In practice, however, getting a rental plan is major hoop-jumping. It's also illegal to have someone front for you to get a phone or other credit-type account.
| Quote: |
| if you work for a private academy, they'll happily help you get a phone under their own name. |
Now that you mention that, a decent hagweon (stop laughing; there really are some decent one!) should include "corporate cell phone provided" as part of your contract. That's not even fronting; it's a corporate bennie!
| Quote: |
| don't bring one with you. |
The only US cell phone I have with me is a tracfone so I can activate it every time I visit the US on my annual vacation. Cheap and no hassles. I use my own Korean cell-phone here. It's a pre-pay phone but the thing's starting to die, so I'm looking at monthly rental plans now.
p.s. (on edit) When I called LG to complain about a local store telling me "foreigners can't get monthly plan phones," the company HQ told me, "That is not company policy nor is that Korean law." |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
kprrok
Joined: 06 Apr 2004
Location: KC
|
| Posted: Tue Dec 25, 2007 5:19 am Post subject: |
|
|
My apologies superdave. I think I missed the whole "rental" thing in the discussion. Do any of the SK carriers offer rental phones? I've never seen this, only phones to buy and use.
I thought we were talking about buying a phone and getting a monthly plan with x number of minutes, etc.
Rental phones? Isn't that only a good idea if you're having someone visit for a week and want them to be able to ring you up asking for help b/c they're lost?
KPRROK |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Nick Adams
Joined: 26 May 2005
|
| Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2007 2:55 am Post subject: |
|
|
Sign up with SK. They offer a better of level of service than KT to foreigners.
If you buy a used phone, make sure you know how to change the language selection to English. Battery life with used phones can be horrible (they will give you 2 or 3 old batteries that don't hold a charge long).
If you use your phone at least once a day, get a monthly plan and avoid the pre-pay cards. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
IncognitoHFX
Joined: 06 May 2007
Location: Yeongtong, Suwon
|
| Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2007 2:57 am Post subject: Re: Cell Phones In South Korea |
|
|
| ModernDayDrifter wrote: |
| So I am looking into buying a cell phone to take with me to South Korea. My current cell is old and not capeable of being used overseas. I was wondering if anyone had any advice on cell phones in South Korea. Also, I know here in the US as well as when I lived in New Zealand, there are multiple cell phone companies that you can get service through. Is that the case in South Korea? If so, what is the best company to get cell service through? Thanks so much!! |
Good luck on that one. Its really hard to get any kind of cell phone in South Korea... its just not popular here. Plus, girls really seem to hate cell phones in this place.
Best bet is just to get a good land line. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
