will a US iphone5 work in south korea? will a south korean iPhone 5 work in the US?

You heard is not true

See LTE support in Korea

http://www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/

So with which service can i use the LTE service in Korea?

You can use either KT or SKT. I have t heard any problems with Kt specifically. I use SKT with no problems getting LTE. That being said, I switched back to 3G because in Korea right now you can get unlimited data for the same price as about 2gb on LTE. In Korea you will end up spending a lot of time on buses and subways and not having to care or manage data is terrific. Just my dos centavos.

I'm going to study abroad in Korea over the summer and want internet service for around 2 months. Do you think the telecom companies will still allow me to get service? Will student id cards (from a Korean University) suffice?

This is the best way to get your short-term questions answered. the guy who runs this is very good at getting back with answers.

http://www.ktexpatblog.com/?page_id=32

I have a Verizon Iphone 4s - Still locked by Verizon, if I unlock it thru a third party vendor can buy a SIM card/ plan and use it in Korea? What about the CDMA (inherent in verizon phones) vs. GSM

You can not unlock it through a third party vendor. Those services are all either scams or just flat out illegal.

ONLY the carrier the phone is locked to can authorize unlocking it. You can not use it on another CDMA network at all.

My problem is that when I left the USA, and legally cancelled my verizon contract I did not ask to unlock it. Now when I speak to verizon customer service they tell me that I have to be a customer for them to unlock me.. so I am effectively stuck- pending any suggestions.

Unfortunately, there is nothing anyone other than Verizon can do for you.

As already said, Verizon 4S will be unlocked by them as per their unlocking policy. The GSM part would be usable with non-US carriers.

Alas, we tend to take actions as per our projected plans without considering or even finding about the odds

Since you bought this iPhone in US, you will have tough time getting services from Apple in case some are required.

Your choices are very limited.

robinsle,

Can you help me figure out what might be my problem?

1. I have an iPhone 5 (Verizon). It is still under contract with Verizon.

2. I get 3G data / internet service, but the LTE won't work / show next to SKT

3. I went to a store, but it had someone who was Apple certified (not sure if that means much).

4. I speak a bit of Korean

5. I am located near Gangnam

I got service with SK today (took a long time and visits to several locations due to misinformation). Phone calls and internet (3G) works, but no LTE!!! Ahh, I will probably have to pay them another visit but dreading it.

They mentioned that I may need to change my APN to lte.sktelecom.com. The usual APN is web.sktelecom.com. I'm not sure if anyone here is familiar with APN settings on the Verizon phone. I've tried unlockit.co.nz and the iPhone Configuration Utility to no avail. I may need to take it to the service center, but will they service me if the phone isn't under my name? Arg. Double arg.

Thanks!

It sounds pretty strange. Go to the main skt service center outside exit one of gangnam station. Don't deal with the franchise dealers as they are worthless. I had no problems getting service with my Verizon phone but I had cancelled service with them. The Korean telecoms make "register" your handset with the government for whatever reason. I had LTE when I first set up service but changed to unlimited 3G as it was much better deal. Take a native speaker with you is the best thing.You need to have them explain that there is no difference between your handset and one sold in Korea. Just to make sure you did toggle on LTE in the settings?

Yea i'll check out the gangnam service station.

Well my options were SK Telecom vs KT. The locals seem to think that SK has a better network (Korean Verizon). SK is less foreigner friendly though. Most Korean services seem to be lacking access to foreigners (without a registration number / arc card). The only way to get a phone without it is to go prepaid, but that's a rip off.

They also now require you to have been in the country 3 days before you can get a phone.

Yea, my settings have LTE enabled.

Ah. You don't have an ARC card. This will be a huge hurdle. I'm surprised that you were even able to get any service. Yes KT in my opinion is much better, especially in terms of foreigner service. I have to go with SkT because of our Internet, wife's phone, etc. and we're kinda tied in that way. I'm sure you've discovered by now that its not just telecoms that are not foreigner friendly, but rather the entire country. I think people mean well they just don't understand that making rules against foreigners makes them come off a tad...

I'm lucky that I have a very tenacious wife. This helps a lot when dealing with Korean institutions. You see because the usual answer from anyone is: sorry cannot do that. When they should be saying: let me find out how I can make that work so as you can remain our customer. This is where you need a Korean who will keep pressing in a polite way until you get what you already know is possible. Just wait till you have to start dealing with banks.

When I first came here they wouldn't even sell a foreigner an iPhone. Seriously. I think someone at apple stepped in on that one after a series of very vocal complaints.