Korean Job Discussion Forums

[morningsoju]

Hello,

I've been using a pre-paid cel phone for a while, but I am planning to go back home to the States for about 6 months. Will the cel phone automatically cut-off or will it stay connected for a certain amount of time if there is money left in the account? I really would like to keep the same number, since I've been using it for a long time now.

TIA!

[PeteJB]

After a month or so of no activity the phone will be blocked from making outgoing calls/texts - but you can still receive, and as far as I know the phone itself can be reactivated at any time when you return.

[morningsoju]

I'm guessing there is a time limit on how long they keep the phone number for you. Is it 3 months, 6 months, 1 year???

I'm afraid when I get back, they will have given my phone number to someone else. I remember when I first got my phone, there were people calling/text messaging me, but they were trying to get a hold of the person who previously had my phone number.

[actionjackson]

My experience is similar to what you're about to do. I had a pre-paid phone for about 2 years and then left Korea for 7 months. When I got back and turned the thing on, it said I had to register my phone. I went to the shop just trying to put money on the old number and they told me the number was gone and I had to get a new one. However, I had a friend who also had some sort of pre-paid plan (I think) and he was gone for about 6 months. I think he just went in and told them he'd be gone for a bit and was able to keep his number.