Korean Job Discussion Forums

[dizzyl]

Hey
I have been here a few weeks and just obtained a phone. Now I am having trouble texting family.
I sent a text to the UK it got there but the reply didn't get to me... why?
And I can call South Africa but can't text... again why? From the call my mom sent me a text but again I didn't receive it... can anyone shed some light for me please?

[Meow?]

My situation was similar. I can send a text message to anywhere outside South Korea. But there are times when they sent me some text messages and some go through but most of them don't (except the ones coming from U.S. I always receive them).
I didn't bother asking around on why this is happening because I got the feeling I'll end up nowhere anyway. So I opted on third party international text messaging. I send text directly to them, they send me back their message through some pre-paid cards. I could do the same (using pre-paid cards for texting) but since it always gets through, why bother?

[thatkidpercy]

I've had many a headache with this same problem before... it seems to be one of those mysteries that nobody really understands!

Before I came to Korea I couldn't send messages to my girlfriend here - she is on KT and I was on Three at home. After extensive digging I did manage to find a page on the Three website that lists "known issues" with calling or texting foreign networks - KT was one of those listed, but had she been with SK then apparently it would have been fine. I don't know if it's still the same but for the 18months I was using Three this situation didn't change. Not sure what network you or your family are with, but perhaps you are suffering from a similar issue? I'm loathed to try and find that page again as it wasn't easy the first time!!

I think every mobile network has some gaps in their service when it comes to texting foreign numbers - usually it's limited to a particular carrier though. I worked at Orange for a bit after leaving school and there were always problems with individual networks not receiving texts in foreign countries. Unfortunately if you contact the phone company they're likely to pass the blame on the foreign network - Three did this before I managed to find the info on their own website saying that it was a known problem. Unfortunately I don't think it's common knowledge even amongst those working in "technical" support.

[T-dot]

For international texts, use 00700 + country code + area code + number

Works well for NA, never had a problem.

[t1m1ty]

[nick70100]

[Darkeru]

It's due to the type of network. If I remember correctly, other countries usually use GSM networks. Korea uses some other type. GSM can receive from the other type, but the other type can't receive from GSM.

[newjcubed]

Korea also uses GSM. It is just the WCDMA wireless standard which utilizes and is backwards compatible with legacy GSM. WCDMA is incompatible with CDMA unless the phone can also utilize edge. If your phone uses a sim card it is GSM.

CDMA only carriers however might pose a problem when sending from a phone in Korea. But I'm no expert.

[dizzyl]

T-dot you are a legend!! My text got through to South AFrica... now just to figure out how to receive the replies!! Though doubt I will have much luck in that department as SA carriers are notoriously unhelpful!

But at least I can keep in touch now... cheers

[ttompatz]

[dizzyl]

Thanks for the heads up but yeah we are aware... I just can't seem to receive texts from SA or the UK... unlucky!!

[T-dot]

[wishfullthinkng]