Korean Job Discussion Forums

[pianowill]

I just arrived in Korea a few days ago, and my co-teacher and I went to a cell phone store to get me a plan and phone. I was pretty adamant about using my iPhone, but they were pretty adamant about me needing a certificate from the Institute for iPhone Research. To get the cert, I would have to pay 200,000 won in insurance money that I get back when the contract is over. I decided not to get a phone or plan that day.

Fast forward after tons of research, and...

this - http://iphoneinkorea.com/2009/08/25/how-to-use-your-iphone-in-korea/
and this - http://www.wimaxian.com/2009/08/19/interbro-egg-to-become-yota-eggthe-portable-wimaxwifi-router/

Basically, here is how it goes:
Supposedly, you can get a device called the KWI-B2200, or egg. The egg converts a WiMax signal to WiFi. It can fit in your pocket and holds a charge for 4 hours. It is chargable by USB.

From what I've read, you can get an egg for free if you sign up for one year with a KT WiBro plan of 50 Gb/mo for 27,000 KRW/mo. This uses WiMax.

So with an egg in my pocket and with the KT WiBro plan, I can use Skype on my iPhone to call or SMS othe Skype users for free - from anywhere I can access the WiBro network. I can also buy Skype credit and use this credit to call and text phones anywhere in the world.

Has anyone done this?

The only downside is that I would have to use purchased Skype credit to call or text people with Korean cell phone service. I'm trying to weigh my options. Just stick to talking to friends and family in the states when I have access to a WiFi network so I don't have to carry a Korean phone and an iPhone, or go ahead and get the egg, use my iPhone to access the internet anywhere, but also carry a Korean phone to call/text people in Korea.

What do you think? Can anyone confirm the egg is still free if you purchase the WiBro plan? Also, can I use the WiBro plan to call/text with a Korean phone or is WiBro separate from their cell phone service?

Any input is greatly appreciated!

[samd]

Sounds like a lot of hassle to me.

Why not just get a Korean phone, use it for calling and texting in Korea, and then use your computer for Skype. If you really miss your iphone you could also buy an ipod touch, and use it with Skype whenever you can find wireless internets, which is pretty often if you're in Seoul.

Also, I'm pretty sure WiBro is seperate from any phone plan.

[pianowill]

Yeah, I'm leaning toward just going with the Korean cell phone plus Korean cell service contract. Any advice in this area? What is a reasonable monthly fee? Is it standard to get unlimited text and unlimited minutes?

But I don't need to buy an iPod Touch. I brought my iPhone with me, and it is the same as a Touch but with cell phone capabilities as well.

[crossmr]

I just ordered the egg this morning for my touch. Too many times I've needed my touch and been unable to find wireless available. You know if I've changed my plans and need to find a bus somewhere..the daum maps app would be handy if all the shops didn't have their wireless locked down or I was getting more than 0.1 KB/s...
plus I've frequented enough places that don't even have nespot. In this situation a touch and an iphone are no different.

[Xuanzang]

[crossmr]

[June12345678]

I got one too. Need an ARC card and passport though. Maybe you could get a Korean friend to register one for you. That's how most people get their phones here anyway.

[pianowill]

[June12345678]

It was for me but I let my wife do all the talking. See this link (if you haven't already):

http://www.wimaxian.com/2009/04/28/kwi-b2200-available-as-wibro-the-egg-portable-wimaxwi-fi-router/

[crossmr]

[rickig]

Do any other companies have this egg or just KT for now ?

[crossmr]

[swigs]

So does anyone know when the iphone is comming to Korea?

There must be some type of law that protects from this type of blatant protectionism from Korea.

Boycott korean products.

[crossmr]

Just got my Wibro Egg
Worked out of the box. Just had to pop in a sim card, and hold down the power button.
lights blink, when you have solid green across the board, it works. There is a little square piece of cardboard that comes with it that explains your wifi password.


I should be going out later, I'll take it with me and see how it goes.
I'm curious to see how it works on a bus or something like that.

Charges with a standard phone charger (but comes with one), no adapter required.

Size is slightly bigger than expected, but its nearly the same size as my LG-SH150A cellphone, just slightly more rounded. Its a little fatter and slightly wider.