esim usage and activation

FYI; i want to port my united states number with korean data (an option with KT)

Not sure what exactly you are trying to do.  If you’re trying to activate an AT&T eSIM from outside of the U.S., it won’t work because you need to be connected to the AT&T network to activate the eSIM.  If you’re trying to use a Korean SIM in your phone, your phone needs to be unlocked.  Not sure what you mean about porting your number.  If want to port your US AT&T phone number (not sure it’s even possible to port a U.S. number to a non-US carrier), then you contact the other carrier for the port.  Porting your number out cancels your AT&T service and swaps you to the other carrier.  It almost sounds like you want some kind of hybrid where your U.S. AT&T SIM works with a Korean carrier’s data, but remains with AT&T, which I don’t think is technically possible.

If you have postpaid service, you can sign up for International day pass, it allows you to roam for $10 a day, with the fee capped at $100 per billing period.

Edit: Is this what you’re talking about?

http://www.mobilenumberportability.com/kr/port/kt

I don’t see anything about porting a U.S. number to or from a non-US carrier.  Plus, that appears to be for porting your entire number and service.

Hi @kylejeon,

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hello again! sorry if i was being unclear with what i need help with. basically i want to get an esim for my phone in korea with the provider KT (korea telecoms), i just need more information on if i need to do anything to my phone before buying one!

also, on the KT esim website, it states, “Number Porting - get an esim and use your original number” or something like that.

but for now, i would get the International Day Pass but the website and app isn’t letting me log in, meaning i cannot purchase it or add it on to my line.

If you need to get an eSIM from KT, you’ll have to talk to KT.  The eSIM you get from them would be in addition to, or replace, the AT&T SIM in your phone, and have its own (Korean) phone number, different than your AT&T number.  When in Korea, remove or disable your AT&T SIM and just use your KT eSIM so you won’t have any charges from AT&T.  Your phone has to be unlocked to be able to use a non-AT&T eSIM.

Not sure you know what porting means.  Porting means you move your number from one carrier to another.  You cancel service with your current carrier and move the number to another carrier.  For example, porting from AT&T to Verizon.  You transfer your number to Verizon, and get a plan from them and a Verizon SIM in your phone.  Your number only works with Verizon now.  You’re done with AT&T.  Account canceled, final bills paid.  That said, I don’t think you can port US numbers to Korea, or the other way around.

Why isn’t the AT&T website letting you log in?  Are you outside of the U.S. right now?  Also, are you postpaid or prepaid?  Prepaid won’t work in Korea, even if you have the prepaid international travel add on.

Hey @kylejeon,

We hear you and let's provide you more information on gaining the e-Sim eligibility. 

Please ensure that your device is eligible with the carrier that you are opting for. Also, for you to use an AT&T device, you would need to make sure that your device is unlocked so you will be able to use other carrier e-Sim.  

1. To unlock the device, the device should not have any pending installments. 
2. You can submit the request online on our AT&T website. 

Please feel free to contact us if you have any further queries. 

Thank you for contacting AT&T Community & Forums,
Gary, AT&T Community Specialist

🤦🏼‍♀️

Yikes ... what you need to do is get your phone unlocked from AT&T. If it's not paid off you need to do that first and then you need to wait 48 hours to get the phone unlocked.

https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/

Your AT&T account also has to be up to date. If it is in arrears or suspended for non payment, AT&T will not unlock your phone for use with another service provider.

You cannot port phone numbers to different countries. So no, you cannot port your American at&t, differently numbered phone number, to a Korean service provider. You cannot even port a Canadian number to the USA or the USA number to Canada. 

 You can Google that to confirm that numbers are regional. You will have to get a brand new number in Korea.

hello again!

can i just buy a korean phone that has unlimited data and insert my physical sim in that? to keep my us number and still have unlimited data for korea?

What phone your AT&T SIM is in doesn’t matter.  If you use your AT&T SIM to connect to a Korean carrier, you’ll get charged by AT&T for international roaming, period.  It doesn’t matter if it’s a Korean phone, an Albanian phone, an American phone, whatever.  Even if your phone was unlocked and you were able to install a second SIM from a Korean carrier with unlimited data, you would still be charged for roaming unless you disabled, or removed, the U.S. SIM during the entire time you are in Korea.