Travel Technology - Asian SIM card/operator suggestions?

Hello,

Looking for some feedback/suggestions for a GSM sim card that can be purchased & used in the following countries: China (all), Hong Kong, Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand. Is there any operators/sim cards that can be recommended that offer said service? I'd prefer just to purchase just 1 sim card that covers all the countries (even though likely to be more expensive) rather than purchasing a sim card for each individual country.

Much appreciated for any info.

Jack

I know that certain HK (eg New World) and Thailand (1-2 Call) prepaid sim accounts will work in all the countries you list but outside of their home country, will be fairly expensive. And there is the issue of topping off (recharging with more funds/time) if you are out of the home market.

Depending on your usage, you might be better off buying a prepaid for each country. I realize this might sound daunting or wasteful but keep in mind the following:

1. Thailand sim card can be bought for as little as B100, including X free minutes
2. HK sim card can be bought for as little as HK$210, including X free minutes.
3. China sim car (china mobile) can be bought for as little as RMB120, including X free minutes.

For the above three, minimum of 6 months, sometimes up to 1 year term.

For more details on each country's plans/operators, log onto www.prepaidgsm.net.

For roaming in HK and China, China Unicom (used to?) have a prepaid SIM product that has phone numbers from both regions, so you are just a local call away. Now that Unicom has acquired People's, I can't seem to find this on either sites. It was sold in convenience stores like 7-11.

For other countries on your list, there is no prepaid plan like that. If you don't want to get additional local SIM cards, you will have to use expensive international roaming.

For roaming in HK and China, China Unicom (used to?) have a prepaid SIM product that has phone numbers from both regions, so you are just a local call away. Now that Unicom has acquired People's, I can't seem to find this on either sites. It was sold in convenience stores like 7-11.

For other countries on your list, there is no prepaid plan like that. If you don't want to get additional local SIM cards, you will have to use expensive international roaming.

So, I guess I'm relegated to individual cards for most of the countries: to narrow it down, most of the time will be in Shanghai (this trip) then Vietnam
(majority of the time)... does anyone have any suggestions based on this criteria?

As always, much appreciated!

Jack

How much of the time will you be near wi-fi access? I've just about decimated my roaming bill with Truphone.

So, I guess I'm relegated to individual cards for most of the countries: to narrow it down, most of the time will be in Shanghai (this trip) then Vietnam
(majority of the time)... does anyone have any suggestions based on this criteria?

As always, much appreciated!

Jack

If you plan to spend most of time (first time around) in Shanghai, pick up sim card either at hotel (usually business center should have it), or at airport upon arrival....I prefer China mobile. Keep in mind China is big so you'll end up with Shanghai number...that means if you use in other chinese cities, slightly higher rate.

For Vietnam - can't help, maybe others have better insight.

Sorry,

Not concerned about wi-fi access; just sticking to the basics - phone service.
The eventual user/traveller is computer illiterate- almost cellphone too so do not wish to complicate the matter:)

I'll have her pick up a sim card in Shanghai and also one in Vietnam as well.

Thanks all for your feedback!

Jack