Korean Job Discussion Forums

Qinella · Joined: 25 Feb 2005 Location: the crib

One of the Korean teachers here just called SK for me to find out what I need in order to get a cell phone set up. They told me it would be a 200,000 won one-time insurance fee. Supposedly, I get it back, but that's still an extra $200 I'm supposed to front, in addition to the cost of the cell phone. That's a lot of money.

Can anyone tell me if this is standard practise? If so, would I be able to get a Korean friend to set up the phone for me and avoid the extra fees?

Also, can someone recommend a good brand to go with, as far as reception quality and phone selection (I live in Daejon)?

And one more question, regarding the photo uploading. How can I tell if it's a phone that requires confusing registration on a web site?

Thanks in advance,
Qinella

mishlert · Joined: 13 Mar 2003 Location: On the 3rd rock from the sun

LG Telecom is foreign friendly.
You can choose your phone, pay for it and a connection fee and you're on your way; no deposit is needed.

SuperHero · Joined: 10 Dec 2003 Location: Superhero Hideout

Qinella · Joined: 25 Feb 2005 Location: the crib

Okay I found a service provider called KTF that does not charge an insurance fee. And the "foreigner package" is all pre-paid, which I like. She said I put 50,000 won on it at a time and can recharge it any time I want. I think that would be great, as opposed to paying for minutes I don't use every month.

I hope KTF is a good brand! Shocked

JacktheCat · Joined: 08 May 2004

If you're only going to be here a year or two and will mostly use the phone for receiving calls and sending texts, a card phone might be the way to go.

You can get a decent used card phone with English menu for under 100k. And if you buy those M cards in Itaewon, the operation cost is not that much.

peppermint · Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2005 7:27 pm Post subject:

don't the pay as you go phones charge a lot more per minute than the monthly ones? Setting up a contract isn't a big deal- just bring your bank book and they'll automatically deduct the amount on a set day each month. That's how it is with LG anyway.

You'll find reception here is generally quite good. I've made calls from indoors, the elevator, even the subway, and the only place I've ever had trouble is when I was hiking.

Hollywoodaction · Joined: 02 Jul 2004

Phones are also quite cheap on the net. I got my new Samsung phone on one of the TV shopping stations two months ago. It was half the price it went for in stores.

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

I have my own phone in my name through LG telecom.

It is MUCH cheaper than a "pay-as-you-go" phone.

If you can confine yourself to text messages only, and receiving calls, then get a "pay-as-you-go" model. The cost to make calls on them is astronomical by comparision... maybe 3 to 5 times as expensive as having your own account?

LG is foreigner-friendly, and doesn't require a deposit. There is a guy who speaks English at their main office, which I think is outside of exit 5 in Kangnam.

You can also find a lot of phones for sale on one of the upper floors of Techno-Mart t Gangbyeon on the green line in East Seoul. Bring your passport. Not sure if you have to have lived here 6 months to get your own phone account or not.

Gord · Joined: 25 Feb 2003

pdxsteve · Joined: 29 Sep 2004 Location: Bundang