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User profile for user: natcool111
natcool111 Author
User level: Level1 5 points
I bought my iphone in South Korea and used it with Korea's Show cell phone company. Since I no longer live their I have brought my iphone back with me to America. Will the iphone work with At&t?
Visa, iPhone OS 3.1.3
Posted on Jun 14, 2010 7:06 PM
20 replies
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User profile for user: modular747
modular747
User level: Level6 19,662 points
Jun 14, 2010 7:42 PM in response to TheNamesWill
I read that some Korean Providers unlock their phones.
No. There is only one Korean carrier that has iPhones - SHOW and they do NOT offer unlocking.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1937?viewlocale=en_US
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User profile for user: TheNamesWill
TheNamesWill
User level: Level1 10 points
Jun 14, 2010 7:39 PM in response to natcool111
Well, if it was officially unlocked by the Korean provider, then thoretically, yes, you could take it the AT&T store, explain your situation and they would probably be able to hook it up for you. Or you could always buy a cheap pay as you go phone, and stick the go phone's sim in the iphone. Thats the way I would do it. They got those unlimited data cards that last for one month sold by AT&T for go phones. They cost like $20. Sooo much cheaper.
Just my two cents.
User profile for user: Riskan
Riskan
User level: Level1 0 points
Jun 22, 2010 6:19 AM in response to natcool111
Even have bought a iPhone 3GS from SKT (Show) and have moved back to India.
There was an unlocking facility provided by SKT if you use it for minimum 3 months on their plan.
Even though SKT said they have unlocked it after have paid the balance amount it is still not accepting vodafone/Airtel/BSNL operators sim cards in India.
When I keep these sim cards though it shows the ICCID number, but it doesn't show the carrier (it says "Not Available").
Is it that I need to get it locked with any of the operator first to make any iPhone work ?. Someone please advise.
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User profile for user: rody85
rody85
User level: Level1 8 points
Jun 22, 2010 6:36 AM in response to Riskan
@Riskan
hey i bought an iphone 3gs in australia for a 2 year contract and they officially unlocked it...now i am in india.. the first time when i put the airtel sim card...i had the same problem..iphone was showing network not available..it took about 10 mins to find the newtwork and after wards i didn't have much problem...at times my iphone will show network not available. at that time I'll remove the sim card and put it back and it works fine...check whether your simcard is damaged....
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User profile for user: Riskan
Riskan
User level: Level1 0 points
Jun 22, 2010 9:36 PM in response to rody85
@Rody85
Hello Rody, I tried doing it but there is no change.
Is it required to search Network manually or will it do automatic. Also I can't see any network search option (Automatic/Manual) in the Network settings it just shows following 4 options
1. Enable 3G
2. Data Roaming
3. VPN
4. Wi-Fi
If it is ok can you send me your iphone Model no (my iphone model no is MC133KH) and firmware version of ur iphone (my iphone firmware version is 05.12.01).
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User profile for user: rody85
rody85
User level: Level1 8 points
Jun 22, 2010 10:19 PM in response to Riskan
hey iphone would search the network automatically it doesnt have manual option
stettings->you will find airplane mode,wifi,carrier...just open carrier and allow iphone to search...i use iphone 3gs and the software version 3.1.3...please post a msg to get any help
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User profile for user: Kwopau
Kwopau
User level: Level4 1,742 points
Jun 22, 2010 10:37 PM in response to natcool111
natcool111 wrote:
I bought my iphone in South Korea and used it with Korea's Show cell phone company. Since I no longer live their I have brought my iphone back with me to America. Will the iphone work with At&t?
No the iphone bought in South Korea is locked to KTF "Show" and can not be unlocked.
Vice Versa
iphone bought in U.S.A can't be unlocked to be used with KTF in Korea. However, I have talked to my uncle, and he told me that there is a way that you can, but they will have to check the frequency and that they can do it and have it work both ways. However, they will have to charge you for them to do it.
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User profile for user: Riskan
Riskan
User level: Level1 0 points
Jun 23, 2010 3:43 AM in response to rody85
Hi Rody,
With 3.1.3 I was not able to get that option. However have just updated it to 4.0 and now carrier option is visible in Settings.
When I keep vodafone / airtel sim it shows searching on the left hand side, and it is continuing to search.
Will keep it like this for long and check if this will help.
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User profile for user: Riskan
Riskan
User level: Level1 0 points
Jun 23, 2010 9:37 AM in response to rody85
@Rody
Still no chance.. have kept it for more than 30 mins with both Vodafone and Airtel sim cards, but it never showed me any of the n/w's.
I think have to get it to local hackers, which was my last resort...
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User profile for user: Allan Sampson
Allan Sampson
User level: Level10 123,677 points
Jun 14, 2010 7:37 PM in response to natcool111
If the iPhone was sold as unlocked by the carrier in South Korea, you can use it with an AT&T SIM card. If not, if the iPhone was sold as carrier locked, the answer is no.
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User profile for user: modular747
modular747
User level: Level6 19,662 points
Jun 14, 2010 7:38 PM in response to natcool111
No. All iPhones sold in Korea are carrier locked to SHOW, and unlocking isn't offered. It can't work with any other carrier or in any other country.
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User profile for user: TheNamesWill
TheNamesWill
User level: Level1 10 points
Jun 14, 2010 7:40 PM in response to modular747
I read that some Korean Providers unlock their phones.
Link
User profile for user: Riskan
Riskan
User level: Level1 0 points
Jun 22, 2010 10:32 PM in response to rody85
@Rody85
Hi Rody, it doesn't show Carrier to me in the settings.
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User profile for user: Riskan
Riskan
User level: Level1 0 points
Jun 22, 2010 10:33 PM in response to rody85
Hi Rody
did you activated any iPhone service with the operator.. btw which operator service are you using..
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User profile for user: rody85
rody85
User level: Level1 8 points
Jun 22, 2010 11:25 PM in response to Riskan
i am using airtel and i didnt do anything for activation..i put the sim in my phone and it started working
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Will an iphone bought in Korea work in America?
