Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Snowkr]

Just curious...

I've been using a prepaid plan with SK and feel like I've really been ripped off by them. I was also getting really tired of having to always go in and add more minutes to my account.

I finally signed up for one of those monthly plans which is significantly cheaper here than a plan back home (USA) but has fewer benefits (ie: free minutes up to a certain amt, free nights and weekends...etc.). I paid a deposit which I was told would be refunded when I cancel the plan, but I had expected to be given a new phone or at least be given a discount on a new phone by signing up for a new plan.

Has anyone been able to do this and get a free or discounted phone from SK, KT or LG?

[aarontendo]

I got a KTF one without a deposit, phone was free too. My coteacher was friends with the guy so I don't know if that helped or not.

Try to see if any of the coteachers could hook ya up, seems that there are about a billion of those phone shops.

[mateomiguel]

I walked into LG and got a real account, and a pretty nice phone.

[CGully]

I got mine through SK, although I hear that that's not the best choice. I had to jump through a few hoops with my bank to get direct deposit going, but now everything is fine. My bill (about 24,000 / month all said and done) gets paid automatically, and I never have to worry about anything.

I did have to put down a 300,000won deposit, but I get that back a month from now (or anytime I want thereafter). All I needed was my ARC, my bankbook, and a Korean friend to make sure the sales staff wasn't terrified of dealing with a foreigner.

All this complaining about prepaid service is nuts, having a monthly plan is dead simple!

- CGully

[Binch Lover]

I think LG is the way to go for this. There is no bs, you just need your ARC and bank details. They offered me a free new phone, but i paid 80 for a nice one.

KTF require you to have a Korean credit card, and SK have that deposit.

[Ut videam]

Right. LG Telecom offers the best terms for foreigners... because they run a pretty distant 3rd in the subscriber race. They need all the accounts they can get. The tradeoff: no 3G network and the worst coverage of the three. SKT is the leader subscriber-wise, technology-wise, and network-wise. Unfortunately, it means they can afford to be foreigner-unfriendly. So yes, there's that 200,000 won deposit if you're on a year-to-year visa like an E-2. And KTF is somewhere in the middle in every way.

[big_fella1]

I have monthly KTF-Show plan. I paid sip pal manwon for my new phone, as this was in Itaewon I assume it was a rip off the waegook deal.

KTF will do it with an ARC and Bank account or any Credit card, the problem is convincing the Show shop that its not an ARC and a Korean issued Credit Card.

I am also switched on for global roaming (it works) and have my show discount card. I have been happy except prior to locking the internet on my handset I did pay i manwon in 1 month.

[igotthisguitar]

i gave up those techo-trappings long ago.

Cell-phones give me headaches & make me feel quite nauseous.

Must have something to do with "microwaving" ... my brain

[Milwaukiedave]

I'd encourage you to use your cell phone more. Maybe it would help with your "little problem" of paranoia

[PeteJB]

Gee how can you survive without a phone, and in Korea at that???

[Dome Vans]

I got a phone plan last year with Show. It's in my co-teachers name, he's sent the bills but I pay by Direct Debit out of my bank account. Easy. I paid 50 000 won for a new phone and a 20 000 connection fee. This is fine. Each month my phone costs 13 000 basic payment and then usually 5000 on top, so each month it's only about 18 000, which I'm very happy with.

BUT, my friend went to Show last week to get a phone. It was on a plan and in his Korean girlfriends name. He paid 20 000 for a way better phone and a 30 000 connection fee. Apparently some changes had taken place since last year. He still pays the basic 13 000 won a month.

But the stinger for me is that his has a SIM card and can be used outside Korea, he can sms home as well!!!!! Mine has no sim card and I can't sms home. So I might have to look into changing my phone for this one. So I think if you can get a Korean to vouch for you and put the phone in their name it can be very beneficial. Pay as you go from what my friends tell me is more expensive, especially buying the phone first.

[big_fella1]

Korean telephone companies really don't like the concept of not locking you into their network so they are dragging their feet on unlocking phones.

Strangely here both the phone and USIM are locked so you can't place a Singtel USIM in a Show phone nor can you place a Show USIM in a T-Mobile.

As of this month you may swap USIM's intra network. SK is giving some nonsense reason about messaging interoperability as the reason they can't unlock their phones totally. Gee the rest of the world has solved this problem over 12 years ago.

Finally until they fully unlock the phone and USIM your good looking Korean Mobile won't accept a local USIM anywhere else in the world meaning you are locked into roaming.

I have a spare mobile and buy prepaid SIM's when travelling as it is much cheaper.

[igotthisguitar]

[nicholas_chiasson]

Oh my...do you ever look at the sky or are you afraid the spy satelites will take your picture?

[igotthisguitar]