Korean Job Discussion Forums

[emily.small15]

im thinking of getting one but im not sure. how expensive can they be? do they have cheap rates on international calls? what would happen if i decided i was spending too much on the contract and wanted to quit before year was up?

thanks

[Jake_Kim]

If you mean a new contract in a sense that you're purchasing a new phone along with a monthly plan, where you're paying for the device in installments and mobile company subsidizes your burden over the contract period, then you might want to check first whether you're even eligible for such a contract, which is extremely difficult for a foreigner to get. A contract is offered predominantly, but not necessarily, for a 24-month period, and the validity of your visa ('possibility' of extension alone doesn't count) must exceed the contract period. OTOH, 12-month or 18-month contracts are hard to find, if any, and hardly subsidized compared to 24-month offers.
Otherwise, you'll have to purchase a new phone at full retail price without any subsidy and then get into a monthly plan, or secure a second-hand phone from somewhere if a brand new phone seems too pricey.

[Senior]

If you want an iPhone or other smart phone on contract, you will have a battle on your hands (though, apparently it's not impossible). You can get a normal old phone on a one year contract from LG very easily. I believe SK even offers contract phones to foreigners now.

[ticktocktocktick]

With KT show the basic line rental is around w12,000 a month. No minutes or texts included. The cheapest handset will be around w40,000. You're tied to it for 3 months, and after this you can cancel whenever. I assume you can pay more for a call/text bundle, but it's only worthwhile if you're a heavy user.


I made enquires at an LG store a few weeks ago, they have a similar set up, except the three month rule becomes 1 month.