Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Vox_Populi]

I know many of you are fortunate enough to have an employer who provides your phone for free. While I congratulate you on this, I'm really only looking for costs for those who have to pay for their own.

So, for those of you who do pay for your own cell phones, I would really appreciate it if you let me know:

1) How much did your phone cost up front?

2) How much do you pay per month?

3) Do you have a contract with your provider or is it prepaid?

Many Thanks!!!

[climber159]

I have a contract phone through SK Telecom. My co-teacher came with me to the nearest SK retailer and helped me sign up.

1. I paid 120,000KRW for the phone, 200,000KRW foreigner deposit (which I should get back when I terminate the contract), and 50,000KRW contract/activation fee.

2. I text quite a bit and it still adds up to peanuts. Depending on how much outgoing airtime I use my bill ranges from 19,000KRW to 150,000KRW per month.

3. Contract.

I've had this contract for nearly two years. What I've been hearing recently from friends is that LG Telecom is the most foreigner-friendly company to get a contract through. It usually helps to bring a trusted Korean along too. And, don't forget your passport, ARC, bank information.

[Burndog]

I just got out of my SK contract, and got my 200,000 back! I took that 200,000 to LG and got a new phone (40,000) and am on a new contract (sign up was 30,000).

I don't know what the rate will be like (I only really use the phone to text friends and call my girlfriend and on the LG plan the girlfriend's number is my 'couple number' so I get 500 free minutes or some such) but my old SK bill used to come in at about 125,000 per month. I try to call my friends back home from payphones, and I always use a card when I do call them...so if you call home a lot you might want to add on to that bill.

I'm hoping that the LG plan comes in a lot lower. They offer nicer phones than SK, and not having to pay the 200,000 is a nice thing too.

Having said that, I know a lot of teacher's use second hand phones and pre-pay, so if someone posts about that it would be interesting to see the mileage there.

Hope this helps some. PM me if you ave any questions.

[losing_touch]

1) Free - I got it from the teacher I replaced. He advised me to just use it. It is still in his name.

2) I spend about 30,000 won per month.

3) It is a contract phone through LG.

[Draz]

1. 50,000 to buy the phone, plus 20,000 activation fee. The phone broke, and I bought a new one for another 50,000 and they transferred everything over for free.

2. 10,000 every 30 days. It's 350 won/minute (or something), but incoming calls are free and text messages cost 20 won. I prefer text messages anyway and I have never used it all up and had to top up before it expired.

3. Prepay from LG.

[Cerriowen]

1) How much did your phone cost up front?

About 50,000 because I didn't like the free model.

2) How much do you pay per month?

about 50,000 or so. The lowest was 40,000. I use my cellphone a LOT. It jumps up to about 100,000 if I use it to call home.

3) Do you have a contract with your provider or is it prepaid?
Contract - prepaid phones suck IMHO

[Ukon]

I've been paying around 60k a month on SK....I wanted to cancel and not only did they say I have to pay 200k more becuase I'm cancelling a plan, but they're not refunding the 200k sign up fee.

My friend says he can get around that and will sign me up for KTF for much less since he knows the phone guys in yongsan where he works....we'll see...

[Ukon]

I've been paying around 60k a month on SK....I wanted to cancel and not only did they say I have to pay 200k more becuase I'm cancelling a plan, but they're not refunding the 200k sign up fee.

My friend says he can get around that and will sign me up for KTF for much less since he knows the phone guys in yongsan where he works....we'll see...

[nene]

My employer (PS in Gangwondo) bought my phone, but I pay for service. I have the basic plan, doesn't include any minutes or texts, for 12k. I usually pay about 15k, but I am very careful with outgoing calls.

[Ultimo Hombre]

Free phone from girlfriend for birthday.
Some Sky thing.
Around 40,000-60,000 per month depending on usage.
I've called the states from it and the bill hasn't gone above 60,000 yet.

[ahsieee]

1) How much did your phone cost up front?
free, but i'm on f-4.
when i was on the E-2, i paid 100,000 won for the phone.
2) How much do you pay per month?
40~55,000won per month, depended on how many texts i send - before
now, it's a text plan actually, 45000 for 1000 txt and 200 min.
3) Do you have a contract with your provider or is it prepaid?
contract with SK, so 200,000 won for deposit.
when i changed to F-4, the store transferred everything for free.

if you do a contract, i would suggest going with LG, since they are probably the most foreigner friendly.
SK has best service from what all my students tell me...

[The Gipkik]

Paid 70,000 for the phone. 30,000 activation fee in 10,000 monthly installments. Get billed about 20,000 a month. LG
One year contract. No deposit or additional fees.