How to open a self-service mobile phone account in Korea for foreigners!

People who spend a lot of money on their mobile phone plans have probably heard of the term “alt-phone” at least once!

It is gaining popularity for its cheap rate plan, so I will share the self-registration process of Pretty , a budget phone company that I signed up for. I think it will be a great help to those who are thinking about saving money like me. In particular, it seems that there are not many places where foreigners can self-register.

I found out while looking into it recently that there are a total of 61 mobile carriers in Korea.

But I was really sad because there weren't many places where foreigners could easily join.

3 places where foreigners can open a budget phone account themselves

While looking into budget phones, I found out that there are three places where you can quickly and easily self-open: KT M Mobile, Pretty, and Skylife . Self-opening is a method where you can open a phone account by simply authenticating yourself and entering a little bit of information without having to visit a store. In my case, I used to use Skylife budget phones, but I changed to Pretty after finding better conditions.

In particular, since I recently purchased an iPhone 16 and wanted to switch to a cheaper plan, I went around various communities to gather information.

Reasons for choosing the Pretty Plan

When I went to the Pretty homepage, there was a special rate plan that was running for a limited time in September. It was the same price as my original rate plan, but it had the benefit of providing more data . So I was originally planning to change to a cheaper rate plan, but I liked the conditions of this rate plan so much that I applied right away.

Pretty is easy to open on your own , so I didn't have to visit the store. I was able to do everything online really quickly. However, it is said that opening is only available on weekdays. I waited anxiously for Monday all weekend.

As you can see in the photo below, there is a separate section for foreigners to sign up.

(I was really touched. ㅜㅜ)

How to open a pretty self account

I will explain in detail how to open a self-account in Pretty. It is really simple, but there are some things to keep in mind, so please check carefully.

1. Visit the Pretty homepage : When you enter the homepage, the opening-related menu stands out on the main screen. You can also easily find the event rate plan, so please refer to it.
2. Select a plan : Select the plan you want and click ‘Sign up’.
3. Identity verification and information entry : You must enter your mobile phone number, address, and account information in your name. At this time, for self-opening, you must have an account or credit card in your name. This part is important!
4. Activation Complete : Once all the information is entered, the application is complete. Then, the activation request is sent to the telecommunications company, and from now on, if you wait, you will be contacted within a few hours (based on weekdays).

The opening process is simpler than you think. I thought it would be complicated at first, but it was so convenient because I could do everything online.

Things to note when opening your own account

1. Alien registration card is required!
2. A bank account or credit card in your name: This is required. Please prepare it as you may not be able to open an account yourself without it.
3. SIM card: After opening, you will receive a SIM card and need to insert it into your phone to use it normally. Usually, it is delivered quickly, so you don't have to worry. Or, you can apply for an ESIM and use it without a SIM card.
4. Check your data: Check the data allowance of your subscription plan and be careful not to incur additional charges due to excessive usage.

While budget phones offer great benefits with their low-cost plans, it's important to make sure you have enough data and talk time before signing up.

I tried self-registration through Pretty Altelphone, and it was really easy and fast to sign up. I highly recommend Altelphone, especially self-registration, to students who want to save on communication costs with a cheap plan. The biggest advantage is that it saves time and allows you to use it quickly without complicated procedures.