Korean Job Discussion Forums

itsme · Joined: 04 Jan 2006

I'm looking for information on how to get a cell phone. Are there different types of service? Do you pay in advance, pay at the end of the month, or pay for a calling card which give you credit on the phone?

Are there different companies? a "best" company? etc etc.

peppermint · Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2006 2:44 pm Post subject:

You can get pay as you phones- "cardeu pones" in Konglish but it's not always easy to find a place where you can buy more credit, and the rates are high.

You can get a card in your own name with either LG or SK, though SK requires a large deposit. If you want to do that, bring your bank book to the shop with you, because you'll have to have the bills deducted from your account automatically.

Anne0 · Joined: 30 Nov 2005

Hey,

I just arrived in Korea yesterday. Someone told me that if you're not Korean you're not allowed to get a "new" cell phone but you can rent an old one. i wanted to know more about that because it doesn't make sense to me. It was explained by someone who wasn't really paying attention to what was being said so that doesn't help myc onfusion.

Caledonian Craig · Joined: 13 Jan 2006 Location: Edinburgh

Hi Anne,

From what I can tell, only koreans can get a contract phone, not a top up or pay as you go. I dunno why- perhaps the phone company are worried a foreigner will run off home without paying a bill.....? Getting one isn't much of a problem- I got my korean girlfriend to get me one using her name- I just gave her the money each month and she paid it. So I suppose you could ask your school to get one in their name for you, and they just deduct the amount from your salary...

Anyway hope this helps

JAWINSEOUL · Joined: 19 Nov 2005

I bought a new phone and pay direct out of my bank account. Although I set this up using my fiance's name, they told me I could do it by myself.

KT telecom told me I need a alien registration card. If you give them this number and bring your passport you can a phone.

Here is the location, sorry not exact. But look for a agent of Korea Telecom, not an dealer. You will find them because they will only adverstise KT. They are cheaper and more honest. .

Yongan Station
Yongsan electronics market
E-land building
first floor

JeJuJitsu · Joined: 11 Sep 2005 Location: McDonald's

Yes, you can get a NEW, contract phone. Whoever told you otherwise is wrong. Get a contract phone and use 00388 (then the intl #) to dial out internationally. It will be roughly 3-4 times cheaper than a pay-as-you-go phone.

Also, any phone manufactured in 2005 or later (key word manufactured) will also have an English language option. Be careful--the Korean cellphone salesman will likely try to tell you that to get an "englishee phone" you have to buy the $600 model. Wrong. Even the $39 phones have english.

Yo!Chingo · Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Location: Seoul Korea

Hey, Just got service for a used cell phone I bought here on Daves! I'd advise getting a nice used one and then connecting with a carrier. You can get used for as little as $50000 won! I went to SK and all you need is your passport, your alien registration card, $200000 won for a deposit and $55000 won an application fee. Took em' half an hour and it was done! I pay my bill at the office. Simple