Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Atkinson]

There was a thread recently with conjecture about whether using a long-distance calling card with a card phone would run down your talk minutes on the phone as well as on the card. The general agreement was, "probably." I decided to find out for sure.

I tried it, and it seems that calling the 080 numbers from a cell phone will NOT run down your minutes; and it costs regular cell rates to call within Korea on a calling card.

My Experiment

Question
When phoning within Korea on a pre-paid cell phone (card phone), is it cheaper to use a calling card or dial direct?

Equipment
I have a cell phone which I have to pre-pay.
I pay about W400/minute to call locally on my cell phone.
I have a calling card which charges about W100/minute if calling from my cell phone to Canada.

Methodology
* I checked the account balance on my phone.
* I used my calling card to briefly phone Canada with my cell. I had a bit over 100 minutes avaialble for the call.
* I checked my account balance again. It was the same.
* I used my calling card to phone my land line in Korea. I had about 100 minutes of talk time for that call.
* I checked my account balance a third time, and it was the same as before.

Conclusion
It is cheaper to use a long-distance calling card to phone locally on a pre-paid cell phone than it is to phone direct.