buying cellphone in South korea for use in NZ

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freitasm

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#219720 30-May-2009 10:43

ninjabear: heh, Not gonna join telecom. Don't wanna talk to an indian

Nijabear couldn't find any good technical arguments against a network so he is now banned.

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freitasm

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#219722 30-May-2009 10:46

alikaz: ok so...back on track...

thanks for the replies, one thing I'm not too sure about though. is HSDPA the same as UTMS? or will a phone that has HSDPA be able to run on a UTMS network? might be an obvious question, I just can't figure it out from google...

Yes, a HSDPA handset connects to the UMTS/WCDMA network. You just have to get the correct band.

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Salami101

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#219727 30-May-2009 10:52

HSDPA is 3.5G if I remember correctly and supports UMTS/WCDMA however I haven't notice any difference in terms of speed

nothingbutipod

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#219739 30-May-2009 11:22

Not sure if I can be much help, since I'm no expert on mobile phones etc...

But can you just buy the mobile phones in S. Korea ? I always thought you get it subsidized with a plan and you need Korean registration number. Generally, (from what i understand) unless you have a Korean friend to help you out, foreigners can't buy mobile phone or services. Plus, I think they are locked to the carrier.

If you know anyone in S. Korea I would recommend that you take them and go to Yongsan electronic market which is Korean version of Akihabara.

In terms of roaming my buddies phones from KTF & SK works fine in NZ not sure about LG.

Sorry I can't be much help oh and keep us posted on how it goes.

Salami101

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#219741 30-May-2009 11:25

What's KTF & SK?Name of a place?

I think the only thing you should be worried about is the locking .

nothingbutipod

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#219743 30-May-2009 11:30

Oh sorry KTF, SK and LG are the mobile phone service providers.

KTF - http://www.show.co.kr/
LG - http://www.lgtelecom.com/
SK - http://www.tworld.co.kr/

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otagomed

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#221145 2-Jun-2009 23:46

Why buy a phone in Korea?
By the way I'm a Korean born New Zealander and was in Korea until last saturday.

Until few years ago, Phones you could get in Korea were several months(if not few years) ahead of phones you could get here. In 2002 when I traveled to Korea, I literally could not get my telecom phone out of my pocket as I was so embarassed with the size and the function of the phone.

but nowadays Both samsung and Lg seem to be releasing their phones in Europe well before they do it in Korea. And you can get most of these phones in NZ within few weeks after being released in Europe. So in fact the new phones released in NZ are better than new phones in Korea now.
For example LG Arena and Samsung Ultratouch phone are not released in Korea yet.

Of course you will have more choices there, but considering all the factors, I think it will be better and safer for you to buy it here or some other countires(Europe or hong kong).
I also think that the price in Korea won't be any cheaper than the price you can get here.

old3eyes

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#221183 3-Jun-2009 08:35

ninjabear:

No, I'm not against any race but telecom outsource employees .

And Vodafone doesn't?? Talked to an Egyptian recently??

Regards,

Old3eyes

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