Korean Job Discussion Forums

[RaiderRyan24]

I'm trying to decide which cell phone service to get: T World, Olleh or U+.

I have an unlocked smartphone I'd like to use with a Korean sim card. I don't plan on getting 3G (unless the price is too good to pass up), I'll just rely on the WiFi.

I'd prefer a month-to-month type set up, or year contract at maximum.

Thanks

[wishfullthinkng]

i use kt. i'd suggest them if you plan on using wifi alot since the kt olleh network blankets most of seoul and major metro areas. they also have global english centers to make it easy.

as for not getting 3g, i'm not sure why'd you'd do that. it's cheap as chips, unlimited, and in some areas the speeds are almost equal to crappy american lte networks.

[RaiderRyan24]

[wishfullthinkng]

no i did not vote for t world. i've only used kt and lg uplus here. i have no experience with sk. best wifi in metro seoul is kt olleh.

i am 100% recommending 3g. to be honest you should just get unlimited 3g and not even worry about wifi because 3g is so cheap and reliable here.
the wifi plans here are usually used by people who are being ultra penny pinchers, those who barely use data in general, or those using tablets where they have no need for calling minutes. if you are using a smartphone and using it often for data, it just makes sense to utilize the great 3g infrastructure.

[RaiderRyan24]

How much is your unlimited data plan through Olleh?

Do you have to sign a year or 2 year contract? I'd like to avoid that.

[wishfullthinkng]

my plan price would not be the same as yours as i am on 2 year contract and i don't use 3g, i use lte.

you'd have to go to a global store and ask. don't go to a local branch because they will either be clueless, swindle you, or just flat-out uncooperative.

[RaiderRyan24]

What is the difference between 3G and LTE anyway? I don't know anything about LTE..

[wishfullthinkng]

3g is a third generation wireless protocol. this means that it is limited in it's speed and throughput to a certain value that keeps it within the realm of the "3g" moniker.

lte is an advanced 3g format often labelled as "4g" although it isn't technically because it's speed and throughput does not meet the 4g specification. it's relatively new globally though south korea was one of the first to implement it.

lte in south korea is also blazingly fast. it easily trounces my wifi at home.

true 4g will be a sight to behold.

[SMOE NSET]

Unlimited 3g starts at 45,000W a month and goes up depending on the minutes you want.

To use the KT Olleh wi-fi in the subways, I am pretty sure you have to buy the wi-fi egg service.

3g vs LTE is the speed. LTE is extremely fast but I think the 3g here suffices for everything I do. It is still really fast and covers the whole county. I don't think LTE is available if you travel around in some parts of Korea.

I recommend getting the 3g service. I have used SK and KT for smartphones and U+ for internet/tv. They all are pretty much the same. KTs global service is great though. SKs was good too so up to which is closer to you.

[RaiderRyan24]

Thanks to the both of you! Now I just gotta get my damn alien card and I'll have a phone in no time!