Korea Travelers' Essentials, Korea Phone calls/Mobile Phones/Internet

Korea Travelers' Essentials, Korea Phone calls/Mobile Phones/Internet Public phones

Many Koreans carry cellular phones nowadays, eliminating the need for public telephone booths. Though many public telephone booths have now been removed, they still exist on streets where there are many pedestrians, near bus stops, inside subway stations, and in most public transportation facilities. Public telephones in Korea not only provide domestic call services, but services for international calls as well. Korea’s public telephones are separated into two main types: those that accept coins and those that accept only cards. The public coin telephone booths can generally take both credit cards and coins. Telephone cards can usually be purchased at convenience stands or stores near the telephone booths, and cannot be exchanged for cash. The cards are valid for a period of three years and can be purchased at 3000, 5000, or 10,000 won denominations. The cards can also be kept as a souvenir, as many cards are printed with a variety of popular Korean tourist sights and beautiful scenery. [Public Phone Rates] - Local: 70 won/3 minutes(within 30km) - Domestic Long - Distance(over 31km): 08:00-21:00 70 won/43 seconds21:00-08:00 70 won/61 seconds - Cellular phone: 70 won per 38 seconds * Note : Coin phones return coins that are not charged, but do not return change for partially used 100 won coins. [How to make a phone call with telephone cards] 1. Pick up the receiver and insert the card into slot. 2. Listen for a dial tone and dial the phone number. 3. After you finish your phone call, hang up the receiver and your card will be ejected. [How to make a phone call with coins] 1. Pick up the receiver and insert coins (70 won for local calls). 2. Listen for a dial tone and dial the phone number. 3. Hang up the receiver. Though you may have change leftover, change will not be given for partially used 100 won amounts. [Domestic Long- distance Calls (Area Codes)] Metropolitan Cities Seoul (02), Incheon (032), Gwangju (062), Busan (051), Daegu (053), Daejeon (042), Ulsan (052) Provinces Gyeonggi-do (031), Gangwon-do (033), Chungcheongbuk-do (043), Chungcheongnam-do (041), Jeollabuk-do (063), Jeollanam-do (061), Gyeongsangbuk-do (054), Gyeongsangnam-do (055), Jeju-do (064).

International Calls

[How to make an international call from overseas] When you make a phone call to Korea from abroad, first dial 82 (Country Code for Korea), then Area Code (except for the first number 0) , finally, dial the Phone Number you wish to call. For example: Calling Seoul (Area Code 02) with 777-7777 as the phone number, dial +82-2-777-7777. [How to make an international call from Korea] * First dial any of the following international call company numbers and then the country code, area code and finally the number you are calling. * Regular International Phone Call Carriers: 001, 002, 005, 008 * Mobile Phone Carriers: 00365, 00700, 00770 and so on. *Pre-paid Phone Cards: Generally, since it is almost impossible to find budget mobile phone rentals, pre-paid phone cards are available at any convenience stores or news stands. Regular International Phone Call Carriers Carrier`s Number 001 002 005 008 Charge per minute (won) USA 282 288 276 276 Japan 696 678 672 672 China 990 996 984 984 Mobile Phone International Carriers Carrier`s Number 00365 00700 00727 00770 Charge / minute (won) USA 154 156 127 186 Japan 297 384 252 318 China 699 780 324 390 * Last updated: May 2011 * These numbers may be used from a landline as well.

Cell-phone Rental Service

Mobile rental services are available at the Incheon International Airport. Online reservations are accepted through each service provider’s website. Additional discounts (etc.) may be offered to those making reservations online. However, reservations are not required in order to use cell phone rental services. Online Resrevations ☞ Click here for Cell-phone Rental Services * This page includes information on cell-phone fees, rental locations, and online reservations. SIM Card Purchase  You can purchase a prepaid SIM Card that can be used in Korea and most foreign countries. Location: GS Books, 1st Floor of Incheon International Airport Hours: 07:00 - 21:00 Tel: +82-32-743-5654 Help Desk: +82-505-648-7000 (English, Japanese) E-mail: kimjin@simcardkorea.com (English, Japanese)

Internet

Internet service is offered in public places such as airports, train stations, and bus terminals in Korea. PC rooms and internet cafes are also great places to get internet service and easy to find throughout the country. Many PC rooms are open 24 hours and some have snack bars with beverages, noodles, and other snacks available.

Last updated: May, 2011 [sources : www.visitkorea.or.kr]