Cellphones
In most cases, you will need to wait to get your ARC before you can get a cellphone plan in Korea. Your ARC will be ready around 2 weeks after you arrive in Gwangju. Here are some options to consider when getting a cellphone plan in Korea.
Before getting your ARC
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There are a few options to consider for making sure you have access to a cellphone upon your arrival in Korea before your ARC has been issued. Bear in mind that some of these options might be more expensive than simply waiting for your ARC to arrive.
(1) Arrange a roaming plan
You can arrange a roaming plan with your cellphone provider in your home country so that you have cellphone access the moment you arrive in Korea.
(2) Buy a travel sim card
You can buy a travel sim through EG Sim which will be valid for 90 days. You can purchase this in person at their counter at Incheon Airport or order online and have it delivered locally in Korea.
(3) Use the Arrival Store
The Arrival Store provides foreigners in Korea with items they may need when settling here, including cellphones.
(4) Rely on Wi-Fi
As you have probably heard, Wi-Fi in Korea is abundant so you can use your current cellphone by connecting to Wi-Fi. You can easily connect to Wi-Fi at different stores, restaurants, cafes and other public places. Your apartment might already have internet installed and all you need to do is buy a router to set up Wi-Fi in your apartment.
(5) Enjoy the freedom of not having a cellphone
Sometimes it is nice having a break from the constraints of having a cellphone. You can easily be in contact with friends and family through computer access. It will not be a long wait to get your ARC and get a Korean cellphone plan.
After getting your ARC
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After you get your ARC, there are many options available for you to get a new cellphone and/ or cellphone plan. These are just a few suggestions of the many options that exist so it is advisable to also do your own research.
(1) Use Kimchi Mobile
Kimchi Mobile is a company that caters specifically to native English teachers in Korea. They help to get cellphones and plans through SKT that are 12 months long as opposed to the usual 24 month Korean contract. However, the latter is still offered through them. You can order through their site for delivery.
(2) Visit a cellphone provider directly
There are many cellphone providers available in Gwangju so they are not difficult to find. You may want to politely ask your co-teacher or a Korean friend to assist you as not all stores have employees that speak English. You can also get in contact with English-speaking KT representative Hyoung-sahm Park. Please see the PDF below for his latest price list (February 2020).
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You may have a number of options to choose from. Here are two main ones:
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Pay-As-You-Go - with this option you can keep your cellphone or buy a new one. You can top up cellphone credit when you need it. This is the more expensive option as pay-as-you-go rates are generally higher than contract rates.
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Contract - With a contract you can get a new cellphone and pay a discounted monthly rate which you can arrange to come automatically out of your bank account. Rates are generally cheaper than pay-as-you-go, but contracts are usually only available for 24 months. If you cancel your contract before then, you will be expected to pay back the difference from the discounted rate you received.
Lost Cellphone
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What should you do if you lose your cellphone in Korea? Read this article to find out the steps you should take.