There’s a point somewhere in this article, but, frankly, I’m hard-pressed to find it. Cell phones are not all that hard to come by in Korea. Period. As for having to be issued a new number when you replace your lost or damaged phone, it’s an issue faced by both Koreans and foreigners alike. I just signed up last week with LG. You want to know the plus? It was free. Well, ahem, that is to say I wasn’t subjected to the 200,000 won deposit that SK imposes. Things to carry in tow: an alien registration card, your bank info, and a smile.
Those in doubt, don’t lose too much sleep. Short-term visitors can shuffle a few feet toward the information desk in the arrival hall of Incheon Airport and sign up for a monthly plan, no strings attached.
14 Comments
Funny, whenever I get tired of my cell phone I just change carriers. They transfer the number and give me a new phone for free.
Yep, just got my new one with LG too. Friendly bunch of crew, they are. Got a nifty phone unit that has both GSM and CDMA functions, so I can also use the same when I travel abroad.
I’m going to disagree with the statement “Cell phones are not all that hard to come by in Korea. Period.”
To make a long sob story short… In 2003 I came to Korea. Not being able to get a phone on my own, my account was in the name of a Korean with whom I worked. Later, I wasn’t able to do ANYTHING with the phone or contract without tracking him down, and he was apparently overseas. That was a chore.
SK W200,000 deposit unless you have an F visa. I also heard, but never confirmed, that you don’t have to pay the deposit if you have a Korean credit card.
LG is easier, but the service is often a problem if you are in some of the subways and certain areas outside of Seoul.
I recently switched to LG from SK and switched back after a good deal of hair pulling because of the quality of the service. The salesperson warned me.
The fact remains that I just find these squeals or vindictive rants rather annoying. LG was just an example and they do have a number where an English speaking representative is available:
(02) 1544-0010
I’ve been with SK ever since 1997, and have had no problem. Service is cheap and good, no hassles about my status…
Waste of money, since you get slammed w/ ridiculous roaming charges outside Korea. I’ve been in the US for an extended mental health break - not eating salt-saturated kimchi for several weeks works wonders - and picked up a “burner” for USD19 with 1000 minutes @ .07/minute. Miracle of miracles, I also got - unasked - a 212 area code for a mobile, which also has the full panoply of voice mail, internet access, etc., etc.; and I can keep the number in perpetuity for use in the US (and abroad, if I cared to pay equally ridiculuous US-based roaming charges), as long as I re-up for a minimum of as little as 50 additional minutes a year.
#3,
Isn’t that your fault? You should have instead forked over the 200 000 won deposit. It’s no different than getting a land line, that also requires a 200 000 won deposit (or at least it did when I got mine). If you’re a hagwon teacher, 200 000 won is a small price to pay when the alternative is using the land line in your apartment that is registered in the name of your boss (it’s not for your convenience, it’s monitor the phone numbers you have called and those who have called you).
#7,
Not really useless, since I never use their (exorbitant) roaming services. Whenever I’m outside of Korea, I just buy a SIM card from that place and plug it in the phone. Voila! Instant connectivity!
I’ve got two cell phones recently from SK and they didn’t charge a 200,000 Won deposit. Where did you go that required a deposit?
The lowdown is that it USED to be hard to get a cellphone, and it depended on the carrier. SK was technically possible to get in your own name, but no one knew the procedure, or they were too lazy and just lied and said it wasn’t possible.
KTF required a Korean credit card. Period.
LG was always more foreigner-friendly and I remember people going through them with just a bank book and other reasonable docs.
But now, SK has totally made it fair and easy. And there should be no mystery, since I’ve seen their fee schedule for deposits and have the picture, straight from under the glass with the green felt on an SK rep’s desk.
#11,
Yes, and you can get phones for close to nothing, if not free. I probably paid 300 0000 won for my first phone.
#8, Yeah, you’re right, that would have been the easy way. But I was a new arrival and didn’t know about it, and no one explained it to me. I was told by hagwon people that it wasn’t possible to get a phone in my name without blah blah and blah blah, and I didn’t have months to wait. And at that time I spoke Korean at only the “맥주 주세요” level and so couldn’t help myself.
I hate my cell phone, but I have to carry it. I’ve been looking around for a beeper (bbibbi). I’d rather have that than a cell phone where the caller expects you to pick up. Anyone know where I can pick up one and get service? Most of the cell phone places look at me strangely and say no.