Korean Job Discussion Forums

[VC]

I recently bought a new Nokia phone. The problem is that it doesn't have very good reception and it's somewhat difficult to have a conversation. Which phones have the best reception?

Also, where can I get one of those cards that people use to pay bus fare?

[ryleeys]

My LG phone for 200,000 won was a waste of cash... the reception is horrible and it likes to randomly cut out in the middle of conversations with the States...

[wormholes101]

The quality of reception depends a lot on the service provider. 011 is apparently the best but also the most expensive. 017 I've heard provides a decent connection. I have a 016 number and the service is quite lousy. It's always cutting out.

[Howard Roark]

I have a Motorola phone and 016 service. The reception is terrible. Sometimes it's so loud and distorted I can't even understand what people are saying - English speakers, not Koreans!
I find it often won't work inside buildings. I often have to go outside to make a call or just to send a message. I get cut off all the time in mid-conversation.
Thankfully I got it second hand, cheap, and it's a prepaid one so I'm not spending too much on it.
In comparison, my boyfriend has an LG phone and 019 service. The reception is fine, never a problem. However, the phone sucks. The LCD doesn't work half the time.

[shawner88]

I use a samsung anycall with 011...perfect reception!

[Mr. Pink]

[peppergirl]

My husband and I both use 011, good reception in most places except at home We (well, my husband) complained and they would fix the problem (by putting up an amplifier or something in our neighbourhood) by December. Didn't notice much difference yet though.
We got a phone at home anyway, it's not that expensive and cheaper for overseas calls (and cheaper for my family/friends to call me here too).

Oh, he uses a Samsung Anycall and I use an LG Cyon phone. The brand of the mobile phone doesn't seem to make any difference, just the provider you use (011/017/019).

[wormholes101]

You should be able to buy one of those transportation cards from a subway station office. I think there might be two types of cards so be sure to ask for the card that works with the bus.

[weatherman]

[Juggertha]

[ratslash]

is there such a thing as bad reception in korea?

i think it goes like this. numbers starting 011 are the best and the higher the starting digit the worse it gets.

[peppermint]

I use 019, and have rarely had a hitch. When I did, it seemed to be related to particular locations cause people with 011 service had trouble too.

[kangnamdragon]

[peppergirl]

About the travel card... some credit cards come with that function. My husband applied for mine, still waiting for it (Visa + Skypass + transportation card). I think you just pay monthly, no need to pay in advance.