Korean Job Discussion Forums

jhicks99 · Joined: 04 Mar 2009 Location: Seoul, South Korea

I've heard that foreigners can't get an iphone and that through KT or SK that there are deposits required for an android phone or even a blackberry.

I'd love to get an android phone on a new contract, can I do this with my E2?
My Korean friend just picked up the Droid for 45,000 won (new contract, 2 years) from SK - monthly fee with data is 45,000. I'd be all over this in a heartbeat but I have a feeling I couldn't get such a deal myself as a foreigner.

Has anyone been able to sign up for a smart phone here?
If so what was "the catch"? A large deposit? Or is it just the iphone that we can't get?

I don't have a Korean gf to put it in her name and don't want to burden a Korean friend of going to a retailer with me if it's not even possible, so I'm just asking here first.

Back home I've used an iphone, LG Eve (android) and BB Bold and would give my left eye to use any of those phones in Korea without being completely ripped off (although I much prefer the Eve and BB over the iphone since I can't stand not having a physical keyboard). I'd be willing to commit to up to 2 years and pay any early termination fees if I had to bail earlier than that. My current phone is under contract from SK but it's in my bosses name, so I'd just hand it back to her upon activating a new one.

Thanks!

wishfullthinkng · Joined: 05 Mar 2010

I believe if you go to a foreigner-friendly shop for SK or KT (try Itaewon or Hongdae perhasp) you can get a phone with them as an E2. I believe you have to show them you will be able to stay for two years or convince them of that, and sign a 2 year contract and put a deposit down (that you will eventually get back). If not, go LG Telecom (OZ) which caters to foreigners. You may have to pay for the phone up-front though.

There is a thread here about how different foreigners got an iPhone, but c'mon Apple, no DMB for a DMB hungry market?

I could be wrong about my info, but it's what I've gleamed on these boards.

Senior · Joined: 31 Jan 2010

Nah. They won't sign you up for a two year contract on an E-2. You can get a normal stick or slider from LG on a contract, no problem, but they won't give you a subsidized smart phone. I think it's possible to buy the phone outright on Gmarket and then go sign it up for a month to month contract. But it is unsubsidized so you will be paying the better part of a mil up front.

My HTC Desire is under my KGF's name. I'm not sure why our schools don't sign us up for contracts and take a deposit. That's basically what they do for our other utilities.

mtmelton · Joined: 10 Apr 2007 Location: Chillin' in Gwangju

I have an E-2 visa and a 2 year contract with show. No deposit or anything. So you can do it but I don't think it happens that much anymore. I think 3 year contracts are going to be standard pretty soon from the dealers i have talked to.

cj1976 · Joined: 26 Oct 2005

2 years is such a long time to be tied to a contract. Technology moves so fast that in 2 years, or even 1 year will you still be happy with the phone?

Senior · Joined: 31 Jan 2010

mtmelton · Joined: 10 Apr 2007 Location: Chillin' in Gwangju

Yeah i first got an LG one 4 years ago when KT and SK were making you pay 200,000 down for a deposit. I have since switched to KT for 2 1 year contracts and 1 2 year contract without dong the deposit. But now with more foreigners being irresponsible I think it's tougher now.

Senior · Joined: 31 Jan 2010

namerae · Joined: 10 Jun 2010 Location: Anyang, RoK

Would you say that the majority of foreigners get pay-as-you-go phones, or get month-to-month contracts with these cell phone providers? I don't want a phone that can do EVERYTHING, just something where I can get called locally by friends, or even texts (but I think that'll be harder on a Korean phone until I learn the language).

Any advice on this front (or a link to a well-developed thread that already explains this) would be great. The search function isn't working for me so in any other case I would be doing my homework.

Thanks!

Senior · Joined: 31 Jan 2010

LG is sweet about signing you up to a traditional contract with a subsidized normal phone. You can take your pick from the myriad of sliders, sticks, flips and clam shells. I think the other providers might have come around on this as well.

Don't let them lump you with a second hand pre pay. They are a scam imo. Two years ago, I bought one. It cost 40K. It was a piece of crap, and they kept cutting it off every three months, as you had to "register" it or some bull.