Korean Job Discussion Forums

[tegu]

Does anyone have any experience using a CDMA cell phone from America in Korea? Such as buying one on ebay and using it in Korea.

Does the signal work?
Will the Cellphone carriers allow you to transfer phones?

Thanks for any help anyone can provide!

[uberscheisse]

pretty certain all the korean cellphones run on a different frequency. i was at yongsan market a while back and they were selling motorola razr phones and they asked if i wanted one for "usa or korea"? which leads me to believe that it's still that way.

don't worry. cellphones are ridiculously cheap here.

[tegu]

I am already here

I mean the NEW models here, are like 700,000 won = almost a 1k canadian.... Plus you have to be korean (special ID) AND you have to sign up for thier special service plans when you get a new phone.

Id rather get a top of the line one in USA for $400-$500, get it sent over, and use it, just wondering if anyone has tried / done that ! thanks !!

[ttompatz]

[d-rail]

korea is currently using cdma2000. they are planning on beginning the switch to 3G in a few months as its much faster for data transfer and can hold a higher usage capacity. if you get a phone in the u.s. it will most likely be "locked" meaning it can only be used with a specific carrier. you can get it unlocked, but im not sure if they can do it here. may be hard for them to find out how since they dont have to deal with ulnocking phones from overseas too often. its not a clearcut answer, but maybe it will help in finding the final verdict.