Korean Job Discussion Forums

[michaelambling]

So I'm finally moving to Korea next week. One of the first things I want to do is get a cell phone. Which provider would you recommend? I don't know anyone in the country yet, so I doubt I'll make a lot of calls. But I would like a phone with mobile internet/web apps.

[keseki]

[Missihippi]

[Xuanzang]

Only 3G compatible phones from foreign mobile makers MIGHT work here. I'm curious to see if it's plug and play sim cards *eg. bring your foreign 3G mobile and put in the Korean 3G sim( since WIPI is gone. Michael maybe you should bring an iPhone and wait til April to use it.

[dean_burrito]

To get a cell phone you'll need to first have your ARC card first so don't let your school drag it's feet in applying for that. You'll receive it 7-10 days after they have your application.
Then some phone providers will want you to have a bank account as well. But wait, did you get bank account before you got your ARC card? Now you will need to go back to your bank to have your bank account information match the information from your ARC card. Confused yet? Probably so.
I recommend that you try the Seoul Global Center for help. They are located near City Hall. They are a government group that is employed to help foreigners adjust to living in Korea. They have people in the office that will help you get the phone. I wish I had known about them earlier. You can take free Korean lessons there too. So sign up for that while you are there and meet some other new folks.
Here is the website,
http://global.seoul.go.kr/
Ok so chances may be that you don't get an ARC card for a month or two. I hear rumors that places in the alleys of Itaewon may or may not give phone service with only a passport. So you can try that if you have troubles. Myself, I found a second hand pre-paid phone someone gave me for free. It's a bit of a hassle because even though it is prepaid they want identification so half the time they won't even take my money because my name doesn't match with the registration. So be aware of that too if you get a second hand. It's easier now but harder in the long run.

[michaelambling]

[Ukon]

Avoid SK.....that's my advice

[Xuanzang]

I've read they're the ones with iPhone rights in Korea...unfortunately