Korean Job Discussion Forums

[hossenfeffer]

Someone I know told me that she opened a cell phone account with only an ARC and some cash. I've been here for over a year now and as far as I knew a foreigner couldn't get a cell phone plan without a Korean person to sponser him/her. Have things changed? If so, how would I go about getting a cell phone and plan?

Thanks a lot,
hoss.

[thetraveler]

I'm not there yet, but I'm curious about the whole cell phone issue. Do most foreigners get a prepaid plan??

[the_beaver]

http://www.tworld.co.kr/

[hossenfeffer]

Thanks for your post "the_beaver". The person that I spoke with was not referring to a prepaid plan. She went into an SK showed them her ARC and walked out with a new cell phone (40,000 won for the first two months) and then the subsequent months will be cheaper. She claims to have a monthly plan. Not a pre-paid plan.

Hoss.

[stuey11]

foreigners with an ARC can get a phone plan, however SK and KTF usually require a 200,000 won deposit just in case you decide to skip the country without paying your bill

LG on the other hand do not require a deposit....try stopping by an LG phone stop and ask...otherwise LG have a english helpdesk you could call...can't remember the number off hand but if you do some research you will probably find it

good luck

[Pyongshin Sangja]

LG Telecom will give you a monthly plan phone with a bankbook and an ARC (maybe a W30,000 deposit.) , time plans running from W12,000 to W70,000 per month.

KTF and SK are brutal.

[hossenfeffer]

Thanks for the information. It sounds like LG is the way to go for getting a cell phone. Will they give me a deal on a cell phone for starting a plan with them or will I have to pay a lot of money for a new phone?

Hoss.

[Khenan]

Just got a phone two days ago from LG. Cost me 30k up front, including phone.

[hossenfeffer]

Are you able to transfer your old cell phone number to your new phone? How long is the contract for the phone plan?

Thanks,
Hoss

[Pyongshin Sangja]

You probably won't be able to transfer your old number if it wasn't an LG monthly plan number, the prefixes are assigned to certain companies. There is no long-term obligation with the contract, you can keep it as long or as little as you want.

[crusher_of_heads]

Thank you

[MollyBloom]

Can I get a cell phone without an ARC? I am coming into the country early before my contract starts, so will have no official papers to show I am working at that point. Although, I will have activated my visa when entering the country. Oh, wait, I will have a copy of my contract!

[nateium]

[Cheonmunka]

For contract monthly billed phones
You can get one with KTF without the deposit but you should leave the details of your Korean credit card.
You can get cheaper application fees when you buy second hand.
LG offers contracts (monthly direct debited) without deposit and their phones are reseanably priced. Actually, basic new phones are pretty cheap now.

With regards to recently arrived, you should have a bank account and a visa. Not necessarily ARC.

When you go to stores and make an application you can sometimes get tripped up because your banking ID number that was made by the bank which is a number to clear your direct debit services etc (not your bank account number) may differ from your ARC number.

If that happens to you take this to your bank:

이분이 핸드폰을 사시려고 하는데 통장을 맨처음 만들때 여권으로 하셔서 아마도 은행에서 예금자 등록번호를 조합하셨을 거예요. 핸드폰을 사시려면 예금자 등록번호가 필요합니다. 번호를 알려 주시면 감사 하겠습니다.

If you are looking for a reasonable deal my in laws own a large and long established typical cellphone store and we make regular sales and cut thru the bull for E2 visa holders and others.
PS: Never has anyone who bought from our store had to use a sponsor nor has ever been asked for one.
PM's welcome.

[Cheonmunka]

Bump.