iPhone in Korea

I love my iPhone. It is the best phone/handheld device that I have ever owned. I still have the 1st generation iPhone, but with constant software updates from Apple and 50,000 applications available from iPhone app developers, there’s always something new and interesting to do with it. The new iPhone 3Gs looks even more incredible. I have particular interest in the new phone’s “touch focus” camera and at last, a camera with video capability. To have a phone, high quality internet browsing, iPod, great low-end camera, and a video camera all in one device would be incredible (I currently have to carry my Korean phone, iPhone, AND my camera just about everywhere I go).

This is why one of my first tasks upon arriving in Korea was to get my iPhone working. I walked into every cell phone store I could find and simply said “SIM card” while pointing at my iPhone. Each representative would respond by crossing their arms and repeatedly saying “no, no, no.”

Finally, after visiting several stores with bilingual friends, I realized I was beating a dead horse.

There seems to be many theories on why the iPhone does not exist in Korea, but I think I have finally gotten to the bottom of this. You cannot have an iPhone in Korea for one main reason – Korean cellular phones are required to use what they call WIPI (Wireless Internet Platform for Interoperability). This has prevented any global competition from interfering with the big domestic hand-phone business in Korea.

For now, I have to deal with carrying 3 devices in my pocket. But, of all three devices, my iPhone is still my favorite. With WIFI everywhere in Korea, I am at times able to get on a network and browse the internet, check my email, or even make calls on my Skype internet phone on my iPhone despite not having cell phone capabilities.

However, there seems to be a glimmer of hope. This past April, the WIPI requirement has been lifted, allowing for other wireless platforms to compete. Apple has received approval from the Korean Communications Commission (KCC) to sell the iPhone 3G in Korea.  It is speculated that both SK Telecom and Korea Telecom (KT) are in talks to with Apple to release the iPhone under their networks. Then again, I have read from numerous sources that the iPhone was supposed to come to Korea last summer, then this past winter, then this past spring. At this point, we can only hope.