Introduction

Getting a Korean phone number is one of the first things you should do after arriving in Korea, as most of online/web-based services require self-identification, which generally requires  a Korean mobile number. 

This guide will help you choose the best option based on your situation.

Is it important to have a Korean mobile number?

South Korea is a heavily digital country. A Korean mobile number is required for many services, including:

   - Banking
   - Food delivery
   - Online shopping
   - Identity verification
   - University systems
   - Hospital appointments

This is why obtaining a Korean phone number is often one of the first administrative tasks new students complete after arriving in Korea.

When you first arrive in Korea 

When you first arrive in Korea, you will be limited to using prepaid SIM Cards for a Korean phone number since you do not have an Alien Registration Card (ARC). 

These are usually available at the airport or at local mobile stores which is very common and easy to find in Seoul. Due to their competitive pricing, many foreign students resort to operators such as:

  - Woori Mobile
  - Chingu Mobile

You will be required to have the following information to create a prepaid SIM:
  
  - Passport
  - Korean Address

After you receive your Alien Registration Card (ARC)

After you receive your ARC, you will now be eligible to enter a standard Korean mobile contract. In general, establishing a contract (post paid) is cheaper than using prepaid SIM cards in the long run. The contracts are usually  much more helpful for students who are staying for over 1-year in Korea as they often require 6-months to 1-year as the minimum contract duration.
 
Korea has major 3 wireless communication service providers (KT, LG U+, and SKT). However, using MVNOs (Altteul Phone / 알뜰폰) are a widely adopted and cheaper alternative to traditional service carriers in Korea.

Some of the most popular Korean MVNOs are: 
   - KT M 
   - SK7 
   - U+ Mobile

You can visit any local mobile store to set up these plans. 
Generally, the contract will include a pre-determined monthly fee which will be deducted from your Korean bank account on a specific date of each month.

Frequently made mistake

Many students frequently express confusion with being required a Korean bank account when creating a mobile number. 

It is important to acknowledge that creating a phone number with a temporary/prepaid SIM does not require you to have a Korean Bank account. It is the standard mobile contract that often requires both an ARC and a Korean bank account.

It is encouraged that you follow the steps below in order to avoid this mistake:

   1. Create Korean phone number using a prepaid SIM (linked to passport)
   2. Apply for ARC using this phone number
   3. Set up bank account with this phone number once ARC is issued
   4. Set up standard Korean mobile plan using ARC and Korean bank account. 
   5. Update phone number linked to your ARC to the new number

Traditional Providers vs. MVNO

The main difference between traditional service providers or MNOs (KT / SKT / LG U+) and MVNOs are that MNOs own the actual network infrastructure while MVNOs borrow/lease network access from these companies. 

Below is a basic comparison of MNOs and MVNOs in Korea:

Traditional Service Providers (SKT / KT / LG U+)

Pros: 
   - More comprehensive customer support
   - More physical stores 
   - Higher data prioritization 
   - Various perks such as device financing options, included free-streaming subscriptions, etc. 

Cons: 
   - Higher cost

MVNO (KT M / SK7 / U+ Mobile)

Pros: 
   - Same nationwide coverage and call quality for much cheaper price

Cons: 
   - Network/data speed may suffer during peak network congestion as MNOs prioritize direct customers. 
   - Limited device financing opportunities and premium perks

Need Help?

If you have any further questions or need assistance in creating a Korean mobile number, Univera is here to help.