Korean Job Discussion Forums

[amcnutt]

I was wondering what types of phones are most economical and handy to have in Seoul.
I was thinking of just getting a landline in my apartment, and use calling cards to phone home (Canada).
Are cell phones needed or expensive in korea? what is your monthly plan like, on average cost?
i'm not sure if i'm going to get a cellphone or not when i'm there. using the cell to call home would be very expensive probably, huh?
could some people let me know what they use over there, if you just have a landline, or both, or just a cell?

[jvalmer]

I say just go for the cell phone. If you're unwilling to pay a few hundred for a new cell phone, you could probably find someone leaving willing to unload their phone.

[amcnutt]

How much do you spend on your cellphone, per month on average?
Do you call home using calling cards?
I want to do whatever is cheapest

[jvalmer]

I don't call home. Pay around 20,000-won/month. Paid 350,000-won for the phone had if for 4 years now.

[Senior]

You need a cell phone. I wouldn't bother with a land line unless it comes as a package deal with your cable and internet (or some such). Just use skype for international calls.

[crossmr]

you can get an unlimited north american calling package for $6 or $7/month with skype. No need for calling cards.

[gyopoh]

heres a series of cell phone questions.

1. can an f4 visa holder get an iphone?
2. how much do typical iphone contracts cost?
3. where can i get a sausage stylus? lol

[emacs]

Not sure this has been discussed. This might help you.
http://iphoneinkorea.com/foreigners-and-iphone-in-korea/

[gyopoh]

cool! that helps =). any word on whether the 4g is coming in june when its released in the states?

[miiooan]

If you're in Seoul, I would suggest going to Seoul Global Center to get hooked up with a cell phone. When I went, they charged me 50,000w for a new phone + 1 year contract. I started on a 13,000w contract, and I decided to bump up to a 50,000w plan because I discovered this service:
http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=173959&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

Using a cell phone, you can dial 1688-4949 and only be charged local rates for your usage. With 50,000 per month, I talk several hours a month to my folks in America.

That being said -- Skype is awesome. I use my cell more because I'm not home at "decent" hours for Americans, thus negating Skype's awesomeness.

Getting a used laptop and headset will run you from 200,000 to 400,000, or more/less depending on what you want in the machine. Internet runs about 30,000 a month (maybe? Haven't paid for it in a while.) So the choice is yours.

Also, I believe there's an exorbitant fee to connect a home phone. Like 60,000 or so. Unless you get it all in a package.

I hope all that random info above is useful...

[freakyaye852]

before you dive into an iphone, remember in June apple are announcing the iphone 4g.

[gyopoh]