Roaming to South Korea

Forums › One New Zealand (including Vodafone, WxC, Farmside) › Roaming to South Korea - part 2

Antzzz

190 posts

Master Geek

#16824 29-Oct-2007 20:48

Well, greetings everyone from somewhere near Seoul...

A while ago I posted re confusing info from Vodafone about roaming in South Korea. Now that I'm here I have the facts:

- VFNZ 3g handsets can connect to their (relatively) new WCDMA network as expected, identifies the available providers just fine (SK Telecom & KT Freetel)
- But they won't work (SIM registration fails), obviously VFNZ has no roaming agreement for the 3G network, only the older CDMA2000 network which requires renting a handset

So off to see if I can find a prepaid SIM...

Hope this is of use to someone out there!

Antzzz

190 posts

Master Geek

#94741 11-Nov-2007 22:34

So off to see if I can find a prepaid SIM...

... which was also a seriously bad idea, seems that as WCDMA (3G) is a new thing up there either they don't do prepaid sim cards at all or my host didn't know the right questions to ask to get one. Ahh well, just had to be 'disconnected' for the week...

So if you want to use a mobile up there, rent one @ the airport! A bit old-school but it appears to be the only way to go...

jesseycy

294 posts

Ultimate Geek

#94747 11-Nov-2007 23:32

Have you roamed before? And if so, are you on On Account? And again, if so, did you set it up before leaving NZ?

Because I don't think South Korea is an "auto-roam" country. So you have to set it up with Vodafone before roaming.

Antzzz

190 posts

Master Geek

#94782 12-Nov-2007 11:13

On account, have roamed numerous times in the past 6 or 7 years with no problems.

'Auto roam'? Never heard that term before, never had to set anything up before leaving. As per my original post on the topic the Vodafone CSR I spoke to didn't mention anything about this. Is this documented somewhere?

Gerg

23 posts

Geek
Inactive user

#95222 14-Nov-2007 20:26

Antzzz >Auto roam is a prepay term relating to countries prepay customers can roam to automatically without setup e.g. Australia, UK, Fiji, Spain.(sounds like the person who posted about this jesseycy had not viewed your previous posts regarding this topic ) However with on account as you know it just requires vodafone to provision the service. However certain countries require a certain type of handset like South Korea. It is my understanding the only option to use your VF NZ mobile number is renting a compatible handset in Korea and placing your VF NZ sim card into it.

jesseycy

294 posts

Ultimate Geek

#95236 14-Nov-2007 21:08

To throw in something interesting...

I roamed to Korea last year... Using my Sony ericsson w850i and Nokia N73... With a Hong Kong sim card though....

And there was no problem! Same for my mates who went with me, using all sorts of phones....

So maybe it's a Vodafone issue?

johnr

19282 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#95242 14-Nov-2007 21:42

jesseycy: To throw in something interesting...

I roamed to Korea last year... Using my Sony ericsson w850i and Nokia N73... With a Hong Kong sim card though....

And there was no problem! Same for my mates who went with me, using all sorts of phones....

So maybe it's a Vodafone issue?

There is no issue simply Vodafone NZ do not have a WCDMA roaming agreement in place at this time!

Antzzz

190 posts

Master Geek

#95257 14-Nov-2007 22:40

johnr: There is no issue simply Vodafone NZ do not have a WCDMA roaming agreement in place at this time!

Ahhh, where were you when I put up my original thread, that's exactly the info I was after...

...just kidding John, thanks for confirming this. It appears that VFNZ are one of the few 3G carriers which don't have roaming agreements for South Korea.

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johnr

19282 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#95259 14-Nov-2007 22:46

Antzzz:
johnr: There is no issue simply Vodafone NZ do not have a WCDMA roaming agreement in place at this time!

Ahhh, where were you when I put up my original thread, that's exactly the info I was after...

...just kidding John, thanks for confirming this. It appears that VFNZ are one of the few 3G carriers which don't have roaming agreements for South Korea.

This information has been on the vodafone.co.nz website for years. In Capital letters CDMA with a write up of what this means.

VFNZ do have a roaming agreement not just a WCDMA one at this time.

johnr

19282 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#95262 14-Nov-2007 22:51

" From the vodafone.co.nz website "

Networks in South Korea

Korea operates a CDMA mobile network so you will need a compatiable handset to roam there. You can rent a handset from Korean operator "KT Fretell" at the Korean airport which will hold your NZ sim card. Visit www.ktfroaming.com for more information or to book yours before you go.

Antzzz

190 posts

Master Geek

#95266 14-Nov-2007 23:02

John, I'm well aware of the info on the VFNZ website, as per my original thread I made the assumption it was out-of-date as it made no mention of the WCDMA network that has existed in Korea for a few years now. Also the CSR I queried about it had no knowledge on the topic and refused to investigate - she wasn't even aware of the need for a CDMA worldmode rental phone.

So I made the (perhaps foolish) assumption that common sense would indicate that since the networks were technically compatible roaming would be ok. It didn't make sense that a WCDMA operator would require its customers to roam on to a CDMA network when a WCDMA one was available.

But I guess this ignores the complexity of worldwide roaming agreements and keeping them up to date with operator network changes!

In any case thanks for the clarification, I hope this helps other travellers.

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
79253 posts

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#112526 23-Feb-2008 18:38

Just so you all know, I was told Vodafone will start operating roaming options to South Korea from next week...