Cellphone plan recommendations
Jun 17, 2014 | 11:34 am
#16
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We might be kind of depending on maps and translate... seems like a decent alternative though.
As far as Google Voice - wouldn't it cost my in-laws quite a bit to be calling the US-Based GV number from their EG-sim loaded phones? I guess incoming calls would be free for them but what if they wanted to call us - I thought rates were quite a bit more, not to mention the hassle of dialing extra digits (we'll probably have to setup speed-dial in either case)
As far as Google Voice - wouldn't it cost my in-laws quite a bit to be calling the US-Based GV number from their EG-sim loaded phones? I guess incoming calls would be free for them but what if they wanted to call us - I thought rates were quite a bit more, not to mention the hassle of dialing extra digits (we'll probably have to setup speed-dial in either case)
I so rarely use voice, especially when traveling, that the potential problems someone might encounter with needing to make/receive voice calls aren't what immediately comes to mind.
BTW: I'm looking at the Hangouts app and does it really have the ability to call a straight phone number? I see my Google contacts on there and if I try to enter a number to dial I have to sent an invite to them before this can happen. I also heard that Google Voice calls are only available within the US - wouldn't I be prevented from making/receiving calls while in SK and TW?
Hangouts voice is disabled in some places but not others. It was not blocked for me in Korea. It was blocked in Taiwan (as well as, obviously, the PRC--they don't like Google at all there).
Skype may be more flexible but, as I mentioned, a tad more expensive (a higher fixed cost for a phone number plus calling rates are a bit more but still far cheaper than roaming rates). I didn't try Skype, though--I have a cheaper home-brewed VoIP setup through a wholesale provider and a custom app on my phone, so that's what I used when Hangouts didn't work for me.
Jun 17, 2014 | 12:01 pm
#17
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 434
Ah, you want local calling back and forth. Then yeah, you all want local SIMs or something. Or you want everyone to have Skype or Facetime or whatever so you can all use VoIP with each other.
I so rarely use voice, especially when traveling, that the potential problems someone might encounter with needing to make/receive voice calls aren't what immediately comes to mind.
The app allows you to make voice calls to real numbers if you have Google Voice set up on your account. You may need to sign up for Google Voice (voice.google.com) first; I don't know. Once it's set up, tap the icon that looks like a keypad to make calls to numbers.
Hangouts voice is disabled in some places but not others. It was not blocked for me in Korea. It was blocked in Taiwan (as well as, obviously, the PRC--they don't like Google at all there).
Skype may be more flexible but, as I mentioned, a tad more expensive (a higher fixed cost for a phone number plus calling rates are a bit more but still far cheaper than roaming rates). I didn't try Skype, though--I have a cheaper home-brewed VoIP setup through a wholesale provider and a custom app on my phone, so that's what I used when Hangouts didn't work for me.
I so rarely use voice, especially when traveling, that the potential problems someone might encounter with needing to make/receive voice calls aren't what immediately comes to mind.
The app allows you to make voice calls to real numbers if you have Google Voice set up on your account. You may need to sign up for Google Voice (voice.google.com) first; I don't know. Once it's set up, tap the icon that looks like a keypad to make calls to numbers.
Hangouts voice is disabled in some places but not others. It was not blocked for me in Korea. It was blocked in Taiwan (as well as, obviously, the PRC--they don't like Google at all there).
Skype may be more flexible but, as I mentioned, a tad more expensive (a higher fixed cost for a phone number plus calling rates are a bit more but still far cheaper than roaming rates). I didn't try Skype, though--I have a cheaper home-brewed VoIP setup through a wholesale provider and a custom app on my phone, so that's what I used when Hangouts didn't work for me.
I'm going to look into Google Voice. I don't have the ability to call via Hangouts, I'm pretty sure. Maybe because my device is antiquated but I ended up having to install the Google Voice app. I already have a GV number so it's using that. I have to select for GV to make the calls via my phone OR ask everytime I want to place a call. I wonder how the data is routed though - the GV number is what appears on the caller ID but is it a true wifi/voip call or is it just my regular number dialing the GV number and routing the call traffic through it? If the latter, then it's not really a true voip solution.
Jun 17, 2014 | 2:57 pm
#18
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 434
Yeah, my in-laws have no idea what Skype/Facetime/Google Voice is and no concept of how to even use a smartphone so we definitely won't be doing any of that with them LOL!
I'm going to look into Google Voice. I don't have the ability to call via Hangouts, I'm pretty sure. Maybe because my device is antiquated but I ended up having to install the Google Voice app. I already have a GV number so it's using that. I have to select for GV to make the calls via my phone OR ask everytime I want to place a call. I wonder how the data is routed though - the GV number is what appears on the caller ID but is it a true wifi/voip call or is it just my regular number dialing the GV number and routing the call traffic through it? If the latter, then it's not really a true voip solution.
I'm going to look into Google Voice. I don't have the ability to call via Hangouts, I'm pretty sure. Maybe because my device is antiquated but I ended up having to install the Google Voice app. I already have a GV number so it's using that. I have to select for GV to make the calls via my phone OR ask everytime I want to place a call. I wonder how the data is routed though - the GV number is what appears on the caller ID but is it a true wifi/voip call or is it just my regular number dialing the GV number and routing the call traffic through it? If the latter, then it's not really a true voip solution.
Jun 18, 2014 | 10:34 am
#20
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 434
My in-laws are crazy-primitive though. I'm almost positive they won't even know how to start Kakao Talk up even if they knew what it was...! My mother-in-law can't use a computer (seriously) and my father-in-law is a lost-cause (he only knows how to barely use the browser and maybe print some stuff). Leaving them with a smartphone would be akin to leaving a baby with a textbook and expecting them to read it. I'm probably exaggerating a bit, but I wouldn't say I'm that far off either. They can't even use a darned flip-phone without having us setup their speed-dialing (which, sadly, is what we're going to have to resort to over there; especially with the extra digits for dialing)!!!
Jun 18, 2014 | 11:14 am
#21
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 434
Good news... my dad has an Ipod Touch that he's gonna let me borrow. So I'm gonna test it out a bit with my Freedompop Photon to get an idea of call quality, etc. If it sounds good and works pretty well, I'll bring it along and hopefully will have a decent solution for calling over wifi. BTW: for Google being blocked in Taiwan, I'll probably load up HotSpot Shield or something equivalent and free that can proxy my location through a different country that does allow Google (anyone know of any other good and completely free region-switching/VPN apps for IOS and Android?)
BTW: as far as renting a mifi hotspot in Korea, is there also a 3-day waiting period etc like for sims? Or can you pretty much get one right away? If the latter, I'm wondering if I should just wait till we're there to rent one or if it's best to reserve one ahead of time.
The only thing I'm somewhat concerned about is how much it'll cost my in-laws, with an EG sim, to call my US-based Google Voice number.
There's a table of rates on EG sim's website but it's confusing to me and I don't know how to interpret it:
Nation EGM* R Telco S Telco K Telco
USA 150 720 756 900
BTW: as far as renting a mifi hotspot in Korea, is there also a 3-day waiting period etc like for sims? Or can you pretty much get one right away? If the latter, I'm wondering if I should just wait till we're there to rent one or if it's best to reserve one ahead of time.
The only thing I'm somewhat concerned about is how much it'll cost my in-laws, with an EG sim, to call my US-based Google Voice number.
There's a table of rates on EG sim's website but it's confusing to me and I don't know how to interpret it:
Nation EGM* R Telco S Telco K Telco
USA 150 720 756 900
Last edited by jplee3; Jun 18, 2014 at 11:28 am
Jun 25, 2014 | 10:45 am
#23
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 434
Jul 11, 2014 | 3:46 pm
#24
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 434
Does anyone have feedback on the Wifi-Korea ESP vs Olleh Egg? The ESP seems like a really good deal - I'm just wondering how it'll work in conjunction with Google Voice/Hangouts now that I have the Ipod Touch in hand. Tested it this past weekend and it's not the greatest with my Freedompop Photon but that's probably cause the FP Wimax coverage and performance is so terrible in general.
It sounds like ESP would give a constant connection and might work really well for VOIP calls. Cheaper than the Egg too.
It would be great if anyone has used either or (or both) and can comment back with more details or reviews.
It sounds like ESP would give a constant connection and might work really well for VOIP calls. Cheaper than the Egg too.
It would be great if anyone has used either or (or both) and can comment back with more details or reviews.
Jul 12, 2014 | 3:00 am
#25
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: CBR
Programs: QF, Velocity, AA
Posts: 284
You can get the EG Sim at any GS25 (or at least definitely the one at Incheon - there is a big display of them facing the outside of the store). You do have to get it authorised by submitting a pic of your passport and some other details via a form online (instructions are provided with the SIM). You'll need to use the internet to do this, so use the free wifi at the airport.
They only do the authorisations during business hours, but it's usually pretty quick - definitely not three days. I arrived at ICN after the authorisations ceased (9pm or so), and set it all up, was authorised by the time I woke up the next morning.
Coverage was excellent and had no problems with it at all after the slightly painful setup procedure.
They only do the authorisations during business hours, but it's usually pretty quick - definitely not three days. I arrived at ICN after the authorisations ceased (9pm or so), and set it all up, was authorised by the time I woke up the next morning.
Coverage was excellent and had no problems with it at all after the slightly painful setup procedure.
Aug 16, 2014 | 8:36 pm
#28
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 434
You can get the EG Sim at any GS25 (or at least definitely the one at Incheon - there is a big display of them facing the outside of the store). You do have to get it authorised by submitting a pic of your passport and some other details via a form online (instructions are provided with the SIM). You'll need to use the internet to do this, so use the free wifi at the airport.
They only do the authorisations during business hours, but it's usually pretty quick - definitely not three days. I arrived at ICN after the authorisations ceased (9pm or so), and set it all up, was authorised by the time I woke up the next morning.
Coverage was excellent and had no problems with it at all after the slightly painful setup procedure.
They only do the authorisations during business hours, but it's usually pretty quick - definitely not three days. I arrived at ICN after the authorisations ceased (9pm or so), and set it all up, was authorised by the time I woke up the next morning.
Coverage was excellent and had no problems with it at all after the slightly painful setup procedure.
We're getting in at 4am - will the convenience store be open? I'm just afraid that they may not have any in stock at the time or that the store is closed for whatever reason. But otherwise, if we were to get one when we're there, it sounds like you can register/apply for authorization immediately (I guess online as you mentioned as long as we can find wifi - do you actually fill out and submit the passport photo through a website? nm I think i found it by downloading the manual from their site - you register at http://m.egsimcard.co.kr/) and it should get registered within the next day or so?
Aug 17, 2014 | 1:09 am
#29
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 434
We're getting in at 4am - will the convenience store be open? I'm just afraid that they may not have any in stock at the time or that the store is closed for whatever reason. But otherwise, if we were to get one when we're there, it sounds like you can register/apply for authorization immediately (I guess online as you mentioned as long as we can find wifi - do you actually fill out and submit the passport photo through a website? nm I think i found it by downloading the manual from their site - you register at http://m.egsimcard.co.kr/) and it should get registered within the next day or so?
Sep 29, 2014 | 5:04 am
#30
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 434
Thanks all for the tips. Just got back from the trip and am suffering from jet lag. Anyway, here's an update of my experience with Wifi-Korea (copied and pasted from another forum):
I should also mention that the EG Sim card I ordered arrived too late by the time we left already on Jeju. Apparently there was a Korea festival going on the week before the trip, when I ordered the SIM, and that caused everything (including mail/deliveries) to get backed up and delayed by 1-3 days. Such was the case for me - the SIM card was supposed to be delivered on 9/13 and didn't arrive until 9/15. I ordered somewhat late on 9/8 (but with a 5-day shipping estimate from the date ordered so cutting it close), but had no idea about this festival and that it would cause such delays.
I had to get the hotel we stayed at to return-ship the SIM card for a refund but EG hasn't confirmed that they've received it. I may have to file a dispute with my credit card company if I don't hear back from them soon; they seem to take their time replying to emails and keep telling me they haven't gotten anything every time they do respond. Aside from not getting the SIM for my parents, things kinda worked out as their friend let them borrow a working-phone and we would just call the friend(s) they were staying with to get in touch with them. But it was super inconvenient at times not being able to reach them...
I'm not too happy with EG but I guess I can't really blame them for the mishap either. They should have at least warned customers about a delay though due to this apparently huge festival. I think if the festival wasn't going on at this time, it would have shipped a day earlier and arrived a day earlier. Oh well, at this point I just want the refund but they seem to be taking their sweet time... I don't think the mail/delivery is *that* slow.
So just wanted to update for anyone interested. I rented the ESP (everywhere speed pack) from Wifi-Korea, wifi-korea.com, and it worked out nicely. Not sure about the UDP (Wimax) but the ESP literally worked almost everywhere (uses LTE). I prepaid for the ESP (around $30 for 7 days of usage + $100 security deposit. Also a $5 delivery charge) I had it delivered to my hotel in Jeju and it was delivered on time without any issue. I had to leave it with my hotel's front desk in Seoul for return and that was $5 additional plus an extra day or two of usage that came out my security deposit. No big deal, and it was well-worth it. Battery life was good and the device lasted pretty much all day. Speeds and coverage were excellent. I was able to use Google Voice/Hangouts to make international calls just fine. I think this was probably the most cost-efficient way to go since I was getting LTE speeds + voice calling (per Google Voice rates, which are extremely reasonable). The only downside might be that they hard-cap you at 500mb, which is also good in the sense that you won't end up incurring overage charges. But once you've hit 500mb, you're done. This happened to me one day because I connected my laptop and forgot that I had Crashplan running and it probably sucked through 500mb in no time.
So as a word of warning, make sure you disable any auto-backup/auto-archival apps, software or processes on whatever device(s) you plan to connect to the hotspot. After that little incident, I disabled almost everything and my data usage fell to acceptable levels, even with Google Hangouts usage and whatever else. We primarily used it for Google Maps, Google Hangouts, Tripadvisor, and local app usage (Metro maps, Audio Guide apps, etc). It worked out really well.
As far as "free wifi" hotspots in Seoul (and elsewhere), yes there are plenty of hotspots but most are not "free" - I saw a lot of "T Wifi" and "Olleh" hotspots, which are the pay as you go ones of course. So if you have a plan or pay for it, then yes there are plenty of wifi hotspots available. I think a lot of people fail to mention the "pay for" part and everyone else assumes it's free.
So as a word of warning, make sure you disable any auto-backup/auto-archival apps, software or processes on whatever device(s) you plan to connect to the hotspot. After that little incident, I disabled almost everything and my data usage fell to acceptable levels, even with Google Hangouts usage and whatever else. We primarily used it for Google Maps, Google Hangouts, Tripadvisor, and local app usage (Metro maps, Audio Guide apps, etc). It worked out really well.
As far as "free wifi" hotspots in Seoul (and elsewhere), yes there are plenty of hotspots but most are not "free" - I saw a lot of "T Wifi" and "Olleh" hotspots, which are the pay as you go ones of course. So if you have a plan or pay for it, then yes there are plenty of wifi hotspots available. I think a lot of people fail to mention the "pay for" part and everyone else assumes it's free.
I had to get the hotel we stayed at to return-ship the SIM card for a refund but EG hasn't confirmed that they've received it. I may have to file a dispute with my credit card company if I don't hear back from them soon; they seem to take their time replying to emails and keep telling me they haven't gotten anything every time they do respond. Aside from not getting the SIM for my parents, things kinda worked out as their friend let them borrow a working-phone and we would just call the friend(s) they were staying with to get in touch with them. But it was super inconvenient at times not being able to reach them...
I'm not too happy with EG but I guess I can't really blame them for the mishap either. They should have at least warned customers about a delay though due to this apparently huge festival. I think if the festival wasn't going on at this time, it would have shipped a day earlier and arrived a day earlier. Oh well, at this point I just want the refund but they seem to be taking their sweet time... I don't think the mail/delivery is *that* slow.
Last edited by jplee3; Sep 29, 2014 at 5:18 am