Korean Job Discussion Forums

[lichtarbeiter]

I'm getting my ARC some time in the next week and then hopefully buying a new phone and getting into a new phone contract.

I was hoping I could just get an idea of what other foreigners out here are getting these days. If you think you're getting a decent deal with your plan, I'd appreciate to hear about it.

phone provider, deets, monthly rate, contract lenght, etc.

[Skippy]

The Internet and some phone calls can help you out here.
http://www.ktexpatblog.com/
http://www.mobileboo.com/

If you have some Korean ability, to go the local store and pick up some of the pamphlets even with just some basics you can figure out some of the plans.

It really depends on other factors.
What kind of phone?
What is your primary use of phone? Calling, texting, or Internet?
Do you have a social life and call lots of people?
Do you want call by the minute, a contract, or strictly by the month plan?
Are you actually going to buy a phone outright? Or are you going to rent to own with a typical 2 year contract?
Are you going to package the phone with something else like broadband Internet, landline phone, cable TV?
How much do you want to spend? 35k, 50k, 65k?

Please consider doing some more research and thinking on your part.

I am with SK. Bought phone outright and am on a monthly plan. It is deducted from bank every month. It is about 65k a month for 300 min taking and 5GB of LTE Data (maybe more). Coverage is OK. Has adequate English helpline.

[IPayInCash]

Seriously? They're all pretty much the same whether you want a "feature" phone or smart phone. Most people get a 2 year contract for a smart phone and pay it off (the phone) every month for two years. DO NOT LISTEN TO WHAT ANYONE ELSE SAYS: no matter how many times someone tells you your phone is "free" ignore them. It's not free. You're making payments on it every month. Also if you're going to get a smart phone make sure you commit to the two years. Otherwise you'll get charged for not finishing the contract OR be one of those tools on craigslist desperately trying to transfer their dirty used phone over to some stupid uninformed weigook.

However in my case it was different. I bought my smart phone in cash AND bought it with one lump purchase which saved me around 200k-300k compared to what every other person in Korea pays.

[Ebilkaneeboss]

Does any of you guys know how to check how much credit I have left on my sim? It's from sk telekom ^^



Thanks in advance!

[artyom]

[artyom]

[wishfullthinkng]

android monitors your data usage in the actual os and can warn you of overages and block data if necessary. no need for a third party app.

and i have a galaxy s3 with 6.5gb of lte data a month on kt for around 80 a month. much better than any plan i ever had in the states, that's for sure. if you are going to be here for a long time buying a phone straight out is not a good idea. the phones are heavily subsidized if you do a 1-2 year plan.

if you want to be ultra frugal and still have a smartphone get a galaxy nexus from america for 199/249 and just use a cheap 3g plan here with no phone contract.

http://www.google.com/nexus/4/

[YUA]

I currently have a Galaxy S2 on a 2 year contract with KT.

Prior to that, I had an Apple iPhone 3Gs with KT.

Both were great, service was good, customer service was excellent.

I had SK prior to that with a standard flip phone.

I'd recommend both SK and KT for service.

On my next phone, I'll buy it from outside of Korea and just get a phone plan. Most likely get one from the U.S. or Thailand. In my case, it'll end up being a better deal in the long run.

If you're going to check out KT, they have a few Global Stores in Seoul. The people there are helpful and can explain the contracts to you in English.

Good luck!