Korean Job Discussion Forums

[adventuregal]

Hello all!

I am moving to a rural area outside of Seoul and start in April. I'm really excited, but am nervous about phone coverage when I get there.
I have AT&T here in the U.S., with an American iPhone. The problem is if I want to take my phone to Korea with me it's something outrageous like $1.50/ minute plus another $200/ for data.
A friend of mine mentioned that purchasing a cell phone, and a phone minutes plan are two completely separate things in Korea. That being said, does anyone have an iPhone from the U.S. that they brought with them and found coverage for in Korea? Additionally, what's the average price/month for service/ do they have good data plans,i.e. text, web, email, etc..? Lastly, because I'm going to be in a "rural" area (not quite sure if that means the same thing here), will I be able to have good cell phone coverage i.e. is it worth even getting a great phone like I had in the U.S., because it wont get service so I should just go bottom rung and use my home phone a lot?

Thanks!

[seoulsucker]

Not sure if you'd be able to bring/use your iPhone here, but don't worry about coverage. Even in rural areas you'll get a fantastic signal...this country is wired to the teeth.

Wi-fi or wi-bro might be tough to get out in the sticks, though.

[air76]

You will probably be better off just buying a new phone here...you can usually get a basic phone for free with a 1-year contract. Getting your phone to work here would either be impossible or a headache.

Data plans will be expensive and many companies won't offer data plans to foreigners anyhow. Overall having a cell phone is more expensive in Korea, there are some decent contracts if you use the phone a lot, but for the most part you pay by usage, there are no flat-fee use as much as you want plans like in the US.

[ppcg4]

Just get a phone here. You won't be able to use your iPhone here without paying a huge charge for them to simply add the iPhone's IMEI to their 'whitelist'. Really not worth it. I struggled for a year only to find this out.

[kinerry]

only iphones purchased here can be activated for local service, they won't allow it (even though they can) if it wasn't purchased in korea

the 4g will be out in a few months here anyway

just grab a phone anywhere after your first month or get a prepaid one

[oskinny1]

[adventuregal]

Thanks guys! Looks like I'll just have to abandon my iPhone for a year or shell out some major bucks to get a Korean one

[Bloopity Bloop]