How to Compare Budget (MVNO) Phone Plans in Korea

The diagram below is a self-made illustration, not a real screen.

What to compare, in what order, before you switch to a budget carrier (알뜰폰). Official guidance only.

Who this suits

• People who want to keep their number and change only the carrier
• People using an unlocked (자급제) phone or their current phone
• People overwhelmed by the number of plans

Step 1. Check your phone works first

• Korea MVNO Association: with an unlocked phone you must check frequency bands, radio standard and SIM size match the carrier.
• Korea Post MVNO FAQ: carriers limit which handsets work. VoLTE phones released after August 2014 can be activated on all three networks; LG U+-only phones work only with LG U+-network MVNOs.
• If buying used, the association says to check the phone isn’t reported lost or stolen, and to use escrow on online marketplaces.

Step 2. Narrow it down with 알뜰폰허브 “Custom plan”

알뜰폰허브 (MVNO Hub) is the official comparison site run by KAIT. Its custom-plan finder currently has five steps:
1. User: adult / senior (65+) / minor (guardian verification) / foreigner
2. Network speed: 5G / LTE / 3G / tablet & smart devices
3. Data: 30GB+ or unlimited / 5–30GB / 1–5GB / under 1GB per month
4. Calls: unlimited / 100+ min / 50–100 min / under 50 min
5. Monthly fee: ₩30k+ / ₩20–30k / ₩10–20k / under ₩10k

• Pick usage levels from your current carrier’s recent records.
• Unlocked and used handsets can also be searched by brand and price range.

Step 3. What to read on each plan’s detail page

• The price after any promo ends — compare on that figure.
• Contract and cancellation terms as stated on the plan.
• Network (SKT/KT/LG U+) and standard — match them to Step 1.
• If your current carrier contract isn’t finished, there may be a cancellation cost; ask that carrier first.

Step 4. Port your number

• Korea Post FAQ: porting keeps your existing number, and the old carrier is cancelled automatically. Old 01X numbers become 010.
• After you apply, the carrier calls to confirm and ships a SIM. For porting, you activate after receiving it, following the instructions.
• Last month’s bill comes from the old carrier; this month’s from the new one (may vary by carrier).
• Applying and activating happen after identity verification.

Common mistakes

• Choosing by the first-month promo price
• Not checking your phone works on that network
• Switching with a contract still running
• Buying a used phone of unknown origin

Checklist

• ☐ Phone network/standard/SIM size checked
• ☐ Recent data and call usage checked
• ☐ Shortlist via 알뜰폰허브 custom plan
• ☐ Post-promo price and terms compared
• ☐ Current contract checked, then port

To trim other monthly bills too, see our guide to cutting subscriptions and phone plans.

We also have a $4.99 PDF guide that collects more everyday money-saving tips. Take a look if it’s useful →