Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ppcg4]

I have a phone from Canada that can't get onto any network here with a Korean SIM. I get the message "Restricted network". Think if I brought the SHOW teller some candy that they'd allow my IMEI?

[Straphanger]

[ppcg4]

That's absolutely not what I'm talking about. My iPhone 3G is already jailbroken and unlocked. It works here with a Canadian sim, but that's roaming and costs roughly 3,000won per minute.

What I'm asking is if they could register my IMEI or other identification data from my phone in order to allow me to use it here with a Korean sim as a local phone.

I'm wondering if anyone has had this done, or has had similar experiences with friends, etc. I'm getting sick of the POS phones Korea has to offer, all at absolutely ridiculous prices.

[keseki]

no they wont do that. but if you wait a few months the iphone will be officially released in korea. it would probably be possible for you to use your iphone in korea at that time.

[strange_brew]

No, I had a friend who wanted to order a phone online that he couldn't get here, but there is no way to get it on a local network. It's just total protectionism by the Korean Telecom industry. If you don't buy a phone in Korea, you can't get on the local networks unless you are roaming.

[strange_brew]

Let me just add that you could get the EXACT same phone from Hong Kong, and then come to Korea and buy it, but only the Korean phone would work, even if the one from Hong Kong was unlocked.

[logan2003]

Is it the same with a Korean made phone?

I have the lg ks20 smartphone...unlocked. Worked in India, and in America. Here I put a sim in my phone and it seemed to read it for few moments...but I think my students damaged the card (they sortf bent it taking out of their phone).