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SeoulMan6
Joined: 27 Jul 2005
Location: Gangwon-do
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 Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 5:42 am Post subject: Korean cell phone abroad |
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Anyone had luck taking their Korean cell phone on vacation?
Can you just buy a pre-paid SIM card? Is it that easy, or are there complications?
Thanks! |
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big_fella1
Joined: 08 Dec 2005
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| Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 5:52 am Post subject: |
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I have used my SHOW phone in Australia, Hong Kong and Japan, it wouldn't work in New Zealand in 2007.
My phone was locked which meant I couldn't insert a prepaid SIM/USIM, I had to pay SHOW's roaming rates for every call, made and received.
You need to have a 3G phone (KT or SK) and you need to switch on roaming before you leave (I called SHOW on 02 2190 1180).
If you have a 2G CDMA phone with SK, I believe they have roaming in a couple of countries. |
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SeoulMan6
Joined: 27 Jul 2005
Location: Gangwon-do
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| Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 5:54 am Post subject: |
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| big_fella1 wrote: |
| My phone was locked which meant I couldn't insert a prepaid SIM/USIM |
Do you know if you can you get it unlocked either here or abroad? |
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Xuanzang
Joined: 10 Apr 2007
Location: Sadang
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| Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 6:00 am Post subject: |
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| You're better off getting a used GSM unlocked phone off Ebay or something for your vacations and just keeping it in reserve. Cheaper than roaming. Or the iPhone if it ever comes here. |
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big_fella1
Joined: 08 Dec 2005
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| Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 6:01 am Post subject: |
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| SeoulMan6 wrote: |
| big_fella1 wrote: |
| My phone was locked which meant I couldn't insert a prepaid SIM/USIM |
Do you know if you can you get it unlocked either here or abroad? |
The phone companies here were ordered to unlock the phones for the payment of a fee or on completion of the contract but they are yet to implement it due to the technical problems (which have been addressed in every other market in the world except Japan). It wouldn't hurt to ask as SHOW is now advertising that you can switch USIM's between phones, so it might be possible, unless they are still network locking them.
I paid a website to generate an unlock code for my Nokia SHOW phone and they gave me a refund, as they couldn't do it.
I have seen the shops in Hong Kong that offer hardware unlocking of any phone that may be your best bet if SK or KT won't do it. I am sure the service is available in other countries, but you may need to ask. |
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Xuanzang
Joined: 10 Apr 2007
Location: Sadang
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| Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 6:06 am Post subject: |
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| big_fella1 wrote: |
| SeoulMan6 wrote: |
| big_fella1 wrote: |
| My phone was locked which meant I couldn't insert a prepaid SIM/USIM |
Do you know if you can you get it unlocked either here or abroad? |
The phone companies here were ordered to unlock the phones for the payment of a fee or on completion of the contract but they are yet to implement it due to the technical problems (which have been addressed in every other market in the world except Japan). It wouldn't hurt to ask as SHOW is now advertising that you can switch USIM's between phones, so it might be possible, unless they are still network locking them.
I paid a website to generate an unlock code for my Nokia SHOW phone and they gave me a refund, as they couldn't do it.
I have seen the shops in Hong Kong that offer hardware unlocking of any phone that may be your best bet if SK or KT won't do it. I am sure the service is available in other countries, but you may need to ask. |
They might not be able to do it since these phones sometimes are Korea only and not made for export. Thus, unlocking dongles and programs can't recognize them, as in the case with your Nokia SHOW phone. |
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Hightop
Joined: 11 Jun 2003
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| Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 4:34 pm Post subject: |
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| I was in Tawan last week and turned my cheap show phone on and it worked no problem. This is without turning on international roaming or planning anything, just going there and turning it on. Also this is the first time that is has worked in another country, would not work in NZ, China or Japan. |
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