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Marley_Doug
Joined: 12 Jun 2006
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 Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 2:24 pm Post subject: Cell phones |
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How much is a Korean cell phone plan? Since I'm only planning on staying in Korea 1, maybe 2 years, I don't want to lose my phone number here in the states. I called my provider about it, and they said they have an International roaming plan. So I'm trying to compare costs.
Thanks |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 4:00 pm Post subject: Re: Cell phones |
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| Marley_Doug wrote: |
How much is a Korean cell phone plan? Since I'm only planning on staying in Korea 1, maybe 2 years, I don't want to lose my phone number here in the states. I called my provider about it, and they said they have an International roaming plan. So I'm trying to compare costs.
Thanks |
You are trying to compare apples and oranges.
The technology here is different from home (wherever your home may be). Here they use CDMA not GSM so even if you have "global roaming" your phone from home won't work here anyway (unless it is a satellite phone).
Basic plans start at about $9 per month. My monthly bill runs about $17 with some extras and longer calling / more texting time.
Phone prices start from $30 for a good used phone to $100+ for a new one.
There is NO long term contractual obligation with a plan here BUT unless you are prepared to pay a security deposit (about $200-250) or have your school set it up in their name for you it will be difficult for you to get a "plan" phone here. There are exceptions but as a newbie in Korea you won't be able to make use of them.
Most foreigners simply buy a cheap phone and put it on a "prepaid / card-phone" basis. Buy time as you need it. |
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SpedEd
Joined: 03 Feb 2006
Location: ROK
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| Posted: Sat Jul 01, 2006 12:10 pm Post subject: Re: Cell phones |
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| Quote: |
The technology here is different from home (wherever your home may be). Here they use CDMA not GSM so even if you have "global roaming" your phone from home won't work here anyway (unless it is a satellite phone).
Basic plans start at about $9 per month. My monthly bill runs about $17 |
North American telcos use CDMA along with Korea for their cell network,whereas most of Asia and Europe use GSM (sim card cells). You can bring your # with you over here by signing on with the company's roaming account or by purchasing a "world" phone that can be used anywhere regardless of the country's respective cell network format. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Sat Jul 01, 2006 5:46 pm Post subject: Re: Cell phones |
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| SpedEd wrote: |
| Quote: |
The technology here is different from home (wherever your home may be). Here they use CDMA not GSM so even if you have "global roaming" your phone from home won't work here anyway (unless it is a satellite phone).
Basic plans start at about $9 per month. My monthly bill runs about $17 |
North American telcos use CDMA along with Korea for their cell network,whereas most of Asia and Europe use GSM (sim card cells). You can bring your # with you over here by signing on with the company's roaming account or by purchasing a "world" phone that can be used anywhere regardless of the country's respective cell network format. |
And that is why no-one who comes here from NA has to buy a new phone.
Ya, right.
KOREA is a closed system. Buy a phone or rent one from the airport. |
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SpedEd
Joined: 03 Feb 2006
Location: ROK
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| Posted: Sun Jul 02, 2006 12:56 am Post subject: Re: Cell phones |
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| Quote: |
And that is why no-one who comes here from NA has to buy a new phone.
Ya, right.
KOREA is a closed system. Buy a phone or rent one from the airport. |
I should have mentioned that it takes some "insider info" to access a world phone and the associated hardware. However, I do know of a friend who is using one in Taiwan and he reported to me that he paid about as much upfront for his unit as an average cell signup with monthly billing would cost in Korea.
I can understand that a lot of folks don't necessarily have the time to learn about cell networks, the hardware, etc., they just want a cheap reliable phone. But the fact is that those in the know will always get the better deal compared to the chap who didn't do his homework. |
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I_Am_Wrong
Joined: 14 Sep 2004
Location: whatever
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| Posted: Sun Jul 02, 2006 1:46 am Post subject: Re: Cell phones |
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| ttompatz wrote: |
| Marley_Doug wrote: |
How much is a Korean cell phone plan? Since I'm only planning on staying in Korea 1, maybe 2 years, I don't want to lose my phone number here in the states. I called my provider about it, and they said they have an International roaming plan. So I'm trying to compare costs.
Thanks |
There is NO long term contractual obligation with a plan here BUT unless you are prepared to pay a security deposit (about $200-250) or have your school set it up in their name for you it will be difficult for you to get a "plan" phone here. There are exceptions but as a newbie in Korea you won't be able to make use of them.
Most foreigners simply buy a cheap phone and put it on a "prepaid / card-phone" basis. Buy time as you need it. |
You're wrong. Lg telecom offers monthly plans to foreigners with no hassle and no deposit. Stop spreading false information.
To the op: 1-2 years is a pretty long time...losing your phone number? why give a *beep*? |
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ilovebdt
Joined: 03 Jun 2005
Location: Nr Seoul
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| Posted: Sun Jul 02, 2006 6:34 pm Post subject: |
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Does anyone know how much it is to rent a cellphone at Incheon airport?
ilovebdt |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Sun Jul 02, 2006 7:30 pm Post subject: Re: Cell phones |
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| I_Am_Wrong wrote: |
| ttompatz wrote: |
| Marley_Doug wrote: |
How much is a Korean cell phone plan? Since I'm only planning on staying in Korea 1, maybe 2 years, I don't want to lose my phone number here in the states. I called my provider about it, and they said they have an International roaming plan. So I'm trying to compare costs.
Thanks |
There is NO long term contractual obligation with a plan here BUT unless you are prepared to pay a security deposit (about $200-250) or have your school set it up in their name for you it will be difficult for you to get a "plan" phone here. There are exceptions but as a newbie in Korea you won't be able to make use of them.
Most foreigners simply buy a cheap phone and put it on a "prepaid / card-phone" basis. Buy time as you need it. |
You're wrong. Lg telecom offers monthly plans to foreigners with no hassle and no deposit. Stop spreading false information.
To the op: 1-2 years is a pretty long time...losing your phone number? why give a *beep*? |
and you are another fool who only reads 1/2 the messages... piss off twit.
Please allow me to quote myself in a previous post for those I.D.1.0.T.s here who don't usually read,
| ttompatz wrote: |
This has been covered many times before and is in the stickys.
But for the newbies here in country:
You CAN get a cellphone new or used in just about any shop but you may need a translator to help you.
You CAN get monthly service billing or a "CARD PHONE" that uses prepaid time.
IF you get a card phone (read prepaid time cell phone here) there is NO hookup fee and no deposit and no monthly fee. You simply buy the phone and buy time as you need it. Card phones are about 4x more expensive per minute of talk time than monthly ones.
If you get a phone from SK or KTF then you need your ARC, possibly your passport and a DEPOSIT of 200k-250k won PLUS the cost of the phone.
If you get a phone from LG you do NOT need to make a deposit.
You DO need your ARC, PASSPORT, BANKBOOK that has been open for more than 3 months and the cost of the phone.
If you get a card phone there is NO CHARGE for the hookup fee.
If you get a monthly plan there is a 55k won hookup fee.
If you want a phone shop that is willing to assist a foreigner then the shop at Yeongdongpo-gu office (Purple or Green line) subway stop (out exit 3, walk straight ahead, cross the first light and it is the right hand one of the 2 on the corner. Ask for InSook) can help you. She speaks English and is willing to assist a foreigner to get a phone. This is 2 stops away from the Seoul Immigration office.
I think that covered it all. |
"
and further (highlights are mine)
| ttompatz wrote: |
There is NO long term contractual obligation with a plan here BUT unless you are prepared to pay a security deposit (about $200-250) or have your school set it up in their name for you it will be difficult for you to get a "plan" phone here. There are exceptions but as a newbie in Korea you won't be able to make use of them.
Most foreigners simply buy a cheap phone and put it on a "prepaid / card-phone" basis. Buy time as you need it. |
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Gideon
Joined: 24 Feb 2004
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Sun Jul 02, 2006 7:53 pm Post subject: |
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I work for a cell phone company in korea.
First off, no you cant use your cell phone from USA, Canada or any other country. USA has dual gsm and cdma networks.. if you did bring your cdma phone from US to Korea it wouldnt work because the frequencies are different. Its possible however to have a hardware and software engineer to change to phones frequency.. But thats more of a technical thing..
LG is the most foreigner friendly cell company to purchase a phone from. SK is more of a hastle.. yes, yes. i know some of you may feel this is not so, because each SK office is different but the formality is the same.
I would suggest going to KTF provider to get a phone or LG.
I have a fair amount of experience working for a cell phone company and SK is not the place for getting cell phones as a foreigner, because they are the big boys on the block and they can pretty much set the standards.
Personally the company i work for has close businesses ties with SK, so our company has to follow their rule..
Of the two i would reccomend LG Telecom. |
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Jarome_Turner
Joined: 10 Sep 2004
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| Posted: Sun Jul 02, 2006 8:13 pm Post subject: |
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Pre-pay phones are a rip-off.
Go to your nearst LG outlet, you can hook up a plan with no problem at all. Just bring you ARC and bankbook (for direct withdrawel). I was paying 63 Won every 10 seconds for pre-pay, sometimes up to 40,000 won a month.
I went and changed over, now I pay a basic fee of 9000 a month, 13 won every 10 seconds.
Also, a lot of features won't work on phones if you use pre-pay, mine wouldn't show caller ID, now it does.
Not to mention what a piss off it is when your getting ready to head downtown at 9pm on a Friday night and your phone runs out of minutes. This was the biggest reason i decided to change over. |
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I_Am_Wrong
Joined: 14 Sep 2004
Location: whatever
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| Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 4:50 am Post subject: Re: Cell phones |
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| ttompatz wrote: |
| I_Am_Wrong wrote: |
| ttompatz wrote: |
| Marley_Doug wrote: |
How much is a Korean cell phone plan? Since I'm only planning on staying in Korea 1, maybe 2 years, I don't want to lose my phone number here in the states. I called my provider about it, and they said they have an International roaming plan. So I'm trying to compare costs.
Thanks |
There is NO long term contractual obligation with a plan here BUT unless you are prepared to pay a security deposit (about $200-250) or have your school set it up in their name for you it will be difficult for you to get a "plan" phone here. There are exceptions but as a newbie in Korea you won't be able to make use of them.
Most foreigners simply buy a cheap phone and put it on a "prepaid / card-phone" basis. Buy time as you need it. |
You're wrong. Lg telecom offers monthly plans to foreigners with no hassle and no deposit. Stop spreading false information.
To the op: 1-2 years is a pretty long time...losing your phone number? why give a *beep*? |
and you are another fool who only reads 1/2 the messages... piss off twit.
Please allow me to quote myself in a previous post for those I.D.1.0.T.s here who don't usually read,
| ttompatz wrote: |
This has been covered many times before and is in the stickys.
But for the newbies here in country:
You CAN get a cellphone new or used in just about any shop but you may need a translator to help you.
You CAN get monthly service billing or a "CARD PHONE" that uses prepaid time.
IF you get a card phone (read prepaid time cell phone here) there is NO hookup fee and no deposit and no monthly fee. You simply buy the phone and buy time as you need it. Card phones are about 4x more expensive per minute of talk time than monthly ones.
If you get a phone from SK or KTF then you need your ARC, possibly your passport and a DEPOSIT of 200k-250k won PLUS the cost of the phone.
If you get a phone from LG you do NOT need to make a deposit.
You DO need your ARC, PASSPORT, BANKBOOK that has been open for more than 3 months and the cost of the phone.
If you get a card phone there is NO CHARGE for the hookup fee.
If you get a monthly plan there is a 55k won hookup fee.
If you want a phone shop that is willing to assist a foreigner then the shop at Yeongdongpo-gu office (Purple or Green line) subway stop (out exit 3, walk straight ahead, cross the first light and it is the right hand one of the 2 on the corner. Ask for InSook) can help you. She speaks English and is willing to assist a foreigner to get a phone. This is 2 stops away from the Seoul Immigration office.
I think that covered it all. |
"
and further (highlights are mine)
| ttompatz wrote: |
There is NO long term contractual obligation with a plan here BUT unless you are prepared to pay a security deposit (about $200-250) or have your school set it up in their name for you it will be difficult for you to get a "plan" phone here. There are exceptions but as a newbie in Korea you won't be able to make use of them.
Most foreigners simply buy a cheap phone and put it on a "prepaid / card-phone" basis. Buy time as you need it. |
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wow...good work on the old post drag up! Perhaps if I had searched for a couple hours I could've found that...but...oh wait....your info was still BS in this post...
name-calling?? awesome bud. |
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pdxsteve
Joined: 29 Sep 2004
Location: Bundang
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| Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 5:51 am Post subject: |
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| ilovebdt wrote: |
Does anyone know how much it is to rent a cellphone at Incheon airport?
ilovebdt |
2000 won per day plus airtime. |
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I_Am_Wrong
Joined: 14 Sep 2004
Location: whatever
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| Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 6:03 pm Post subject: Re: Cell phones |
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| ttompatz wrote: |
| I_Am_Wrong wrote: |
| ttompatz wrote: |
| Marley_Doug wrote: |
How much is a Korean cell phone plan? Since I'm only planning on staying in Korea 1, maybe 2 years, I don't want to lose my phone number here in the states. I called my provider about it, and they said they have an International roaming plan. So I'm trying to compare costs.
Thanks |
There is NO long term contractual obligation with a plan here BUT unless you are prepared to pay a security deposit (about $200-250) or have your school set it up in their name for you it will be difficult for you to get a "plan" phone here. There are exceptions but as a newbie in Korea you won't be able to make use of them.
Most foreigners simply buy a cheap phone and put it on a "prepaid / card-phone" basis. Buy time as you need it. |
You're wrong. Lg telecom offers monthly plans to foreigners with no hassle and no deposit. Stop spreading false information.
To the op: 1-2 years is a pretty long time...losing your phone number? why give a *beep*? |
and you are another fool who only reads 1/2 the messages... piss off twit.
Please allow me to quote myself in a previous post for those I.D.1.0.T.s here who don't usually read,
| ttompatz wrote: |
This has been covered many times before and is in the stickys.
But for the newbies here in country:
You CAN get a cellphone new or used in just about any shop but you may need a translator to help you.
You CAN get monthly service billing or a "CARD PHONE" that uses prepaid time.
IF you get a card phone (read prepaid time cell phone here) there is NO hookup fee and no deposit and no monthly fee. You simply buy the phone and buy time as you need it. Card phones are about 4x more expensive per minute of talk time than monthly ones.
If you get a phone from SK or KTF then you need your ARC, possibly your passport and a DEPOSIT of 200k-250k won PLUS the cost of the phone.
If you get a phone from LG you do NOT need to make a deposit.
You DO need your ARC, PASSPORT, BANKBOOK that has been open for more than 3 months and the cost of the phone.
If you get a card phone there is NO CHARGE for the hookup fee.
If you get a monthly plan there is a 55k won hookup fee.
If you want a phone shop that is willing to assist a foreigner then the shop at Yeongdongpo-gu office (Purple or Green line) subway stop (out exit 3, walk straight ahead, cross the first light and it is the right hand one of the 2 on the corner. Ask for InSook) can help you. She speaks English and is willing to assist a foreigner to get a phone. This is 2 stops away from the Seoul Immigration office.
I think that covered it all. |
"
and further (highlights are mine)
| ttompatz wrote: |
There is NO long term contractual obligation with a plan here BUT unless you are prepared to pay a security deposit (about $200-250) or have your school set it up in their name for you it will be difficult for you to get a "plan" phone here. There are exceptions but as a newbie in Korea you won't be able to make use of them.
Most foreigners simply buy a cheap phone and put it on a "prepaid / card-phone" basis. Buy time as you need it. |
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Actually, are you smoking crack?
LG telecom
-bank account DOES NOT need to be open for 3 months. My friend did his with a one day old bank account.
-Connection fee for the number is 30,000 and NOT 50,000. Connection fee for a card phone with Ktf and Sk is 20-30 also right?
-It's very easy for anyone to do if they have their arc and passport.
Now, I'll say it again, STOP SPREADING MISINFORMATION...i.d.i.o.t.
peace |
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seoulsucker
Joined: 05 Mar 2006
Location: The Land of the Hesitant Cutoff
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| Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 6:11 pm Post subject: |
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| Jarome_Turner wrote: |
| Pre-pay phones are a rip-off. |
Agreed. I can't understand for the life of me why anyone who is here (legally) would use one. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 7:57 pm Post subject: Re: Cell phones |
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| I_Am_Wrong wrote: |
Actually, are you smoking crack?
LG telecom
-bank account DOES NOT need to be open for 3 months. My friend did his with a one day old bank account.
-Connection fee for the number is 30,000 and NOT 50,000. Connection fee for a card phone with Ktf and Sk is 20-30 also right?
-It's very easy for anyone to do if they have their arc and passport.
Now, I'll say it again, STOP SPREADING MISINFORMATION...i.d.i.o.t.
peace |
Actually, myself being relatively new here in Korea, I must assume that you oh most omnipotent one know much more than I and I will defer to your most infinite wisdom.
Please accept my most humble apology oh great and wise learned one.
. |
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