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spilot101
Joined: 05 Sep 2012
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Kepler
Joined: 24 Sep 2007
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 Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2013 9:53 am Post subject: |
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It should work.
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As long as it supports WCDMA on the 2100mHz frequency, and it is unlocked, it should work on the KT network.
There used to a registration process, but as of May 2012, KT has changed over to a “blacklist” system, meaning that as long as a phone has not been reported lost or stolen, you should be able to bring it to Korea and simply pop in an activated Korean SIM card.
No registration required. |
http://www.ktexpatblog.com/?page_id=96 |
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spilot101
Joined: 05 Sep 2012
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| Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2013 3:27 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks a lot. Very helpful.
While we're on the subject, would you recommend KT and a smartphone service provider (for a foreigner in Korea)? |
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Deja
Joined: 18 Mar 2011
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| Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2013 4:37 pm Post subject: |
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I'm not sure the KT Expat links refers to using your phone with a KT SIM card (i.e. Korean phone number), but for roaming in KT network.
I mention this because I brought an Xperia S, quad band 2G/3G in February, but it would not work completely in KT network (my SIM card for roaming would not make calls or send SMS - but could receive calls/SMS, and a KT SIM card would not work in it at all).
That said, for roaming I needed to register for it to work only. |
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le-paul
Joined: 07 Apr 2009
Location: dans la chambre
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| Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2013 5:39 pm Post subject: |
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as far as i know, korea doesnt use a 'cell' system. most people have smart phones that are connected by satellites or communication dishes ( now that i think about it, im not really sure). the idea is, you can use your phone anywhere.
i do know theyre not cells though. that was motorola back in the 70 's or something. |
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spilot101
Joined: 05 Sep 2012
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| Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2013 5:41 pm Post subject: |
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| Deja wrote: |
I'm not sure the KT Expat links refers to using your phone with a KT SIM card (i.e. Korean phone number), but for roaming in KT network.
I mention this because I brought an Xperia S, quad band 2G/3G in February, but it would not work completely in KT network (my SIM card for roaming would not make calls or send SMS - but could receive calls/SMS, and a KT SIM card would not work in it at all).
That said, for roaming I needed to register for it to work only. |
Hmm. Yes, I meant as in getting a new contract, # etc with a Korean wireless carrier. Wouldn't I get KT's SIM card anyways to start the new service?
Le-Paul, point taken - corrected. |
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T-J
Joined: 10 Oct 2008
Location: Seoul EunpyungGu Yeonsinnae
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| Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2013 6:02 pm Post subject: |
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| le-paul wrote: |
as far as i know, korea doesnt use a 'cell' system. most people have smart phones that are connected by satellites or communication dishes ( now that i think about it, im not really sure). the idea is, you can use your phone anywhere.
i do know theyre not cells though. that was motorola back in the 70 's or something. |
This deserves a special place in the post Hall of Fame.
Thanks. You made my day.
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Deja
Joined: 18 Mar 2011
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| Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2013 8:53 am Post subject: |
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| spilot101 wrote: |
Hmm. Yes, I meant as in getting a new contract, # etc with a Korean wireless carrier. Wouldn't I get KT's SIM card anyways to start the new service?
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You would get a KT SIM card if you want to.
But as I said, I could not get a KT or SKT SIM card to work in my German Xperia S  And it surely supports 2100MHz.
I am not sure why (it is a SIM free phone, it works all over Europe literally), just mentioning it. |
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spilot101
Joined: 05 Sep 2012
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| Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2013 12:13 pm Post subject: |
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I see, thanks. Might just wait until I get there then....
As for your Xperia S, my guess is it's because it only supports:
GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900,
UMTS/HSPA 850/900/1900/2100
According to the link above, you need WCDMA at 2100 in order for it to work on KT's network.... I guess you'll need to look for network that supports UMTS @ 2100. This is where I'm slightly confused as I come across information that states that all of Korea is CDMA, while other info states that it's both CDMA and UMTS... |
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Deja
Joined: 18 Mar 2011
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| Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2013 4:27 pm Post subject: |
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UMTS = WCDMA.
Korea used to be CDMA mostly, now it's partially so. LG+ I think is still CDMA only (no clue about this network really, I last checked it a few months after Samsung S3 launch), KT is now I think only WCDMA, and SKT is mostly WCDMA, but has CDMA as well. |
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javis
Joined: 28 Feb 2013
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| Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2013 8:00 am Post subject: |
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| Deja wrote: |
UMTS = WCDMA.
Korea used to be CDMA mostly, now it's partially so. LG+ I think is still CDMA only (no clue about this network really, I last checked it a few months after Samsung S3 launch), KT is now I think only WCDMA, and SKT is mostly WCDMA, but has CDMA as well. |
The most accurate post in this thread so far 
According to the top comment on the Amazon page, your phone will be one of two models sporting different antennas. One of those is compatible with Korea's mobile network and the other isn't. You would need to confirm the model number with your vendor to ascertain whether you will be able to use it or not. |
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spilot101
Joined: 05 Sep 2012
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| Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2013 6:08 pm Post subject: |
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| Javis, I did see that post (I8160 vs I8160L) but it does necessarily clear anything up, since Deja's Xperia S is UMTS @ 2100 MHz compatible (and doesn't work on KT's network). The fact that WCDMA=UMTS makes it all the more confusing in this case.... |
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Deja
Joined: 18 Mar 2011
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| Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2013 12:11 am Post subject: |
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I think ran too fast on that one.. the SIM cards I tried from KT were all from current users - it is possible KT locks the SIM to the specific phone!
I suggest you shoot a Tweet to:
https://twitter.com/olleh_expats
to be sure.
According to the website, my phone should have worked:
"As long as it supports WCDMA on the 2100mHz frequency, and it is unlocked, it should work on the KT network."
http://www.ktexpatblog.com/?page_id=96 |
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