Korean Job Discussion Forums

[PatrickBateman]

Sorry, search function kept bringing up a blank page.

I'm not terribly technologically savvy. I'm going home for a few months and would really like to get it working in America if possible.

I'm sure this question has been asked, my apologies.

[Jake_Kim]

If your Galaxy S2 has been with SKT or KT, which means it supports 3G WCDMA and has a SIM card slot, then your chances are high.

Nevertheless, it all comes down to the specific location within the States whether or not you'll be able to find a mobile network that runs compatible frequency. ('3G WCDMA' or '4G LTE' is about the 'protocol' of wireless communication, while there could be several frequency bands used by different service providers even if they all use the same protocol) Verizon Wireless, for example, never adopted or operated 3G WCDMA network, hence they cannot accommodate SKT/KT Galaxy S2.

On the other hand, if your S2 has been using LG U+, then it has a totally different circuitboard without a SIM card, even though this version looks pretty much identical to its sister versions for SKT/KT. Your chance of using it stateside suddenly drops.

As far as I've researched before - for a personal interest rather than your inquiry this time - CDMA networks of Verizon Wireless and AT&T are the closest match. Nevertheless, Verizon is known to activate only the phones released through them, and even if you can get around it, the speed of your smartphone will be at least halved since VZW is only up to EV-DO Revision A standard, as opposed to LGU+'s current EV-DO Revision B infrastructure.

[PatrickBateman]

[Jake_Kim]

In a small corner of their website, Verizon stated that they allow activation/subscription of "4G phones" that were not purchased from them. Yet, they never specified whether it retroactively applies to 2G phones as well.

When I e-mailed Verizon's customer service, they wanted to know the model number - SHW-M250L in your case - as well as the ESN (serial no.) number of the phone in question, and whether it was purchased from them. I didn't follow up on those correspondence afterwards though.

Honestly, I think it'd be best if you could find someone in Korea (or who's about to come over before you get out) to succeed your phone and your contract - assuming device cost is still being paid in monthly installments. As far as no change is made to the terms of the contract except for the name of counterparty, transfer at a LG U+ branch seemed rather simple and straightforward as I've witnessed before. Once the transfer is complete, then your successor can change into whatever different plan she likes.

Even if you bring your S2 to Verizon or AT&T, jump through the hoops activating it, it still does not guarantee whether it will fully function as a 'smart'phone which is supposed to freely and automatically switch between voicecall and data transmission, between CDMA and WiFi and whatnot, at an acceptable speed. I never claim to be a technical expert, and in fact, there seems to be more details to using data streaming than compatible protocol and frequency - I'm talking about channel distribution WITHIN those compatible frequencies and stuff, to which I haven't familiarized myself any further.

In contrast to LGU+ S2, I've read remarks by quite a few Koreans who moved to the States with their SKT/KT version S2s, and they seem to suffer no problem using its full function with local SIMs and plans.

You could still try contacting local carriers if you wish, but I'd start looking for a transferee AND a new smartphone from a network that best covers my area if I were you, than get stressed out by the uncertainty and slim chances.

[PatrickBateman]

Wow, thanks for the lengthy response.

I'm only going home for a few months, but I'm returning.

I guess I'll just get a phone when I go home, but I'll still bring my S II back with me to check around.

Thanks again.