SIM for Cell Phone in China
Aug 18, 2011, 7:49 am
#61
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Shanghai and Bavaria
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Posts: 3,104
You're best bet is to get Skype and a Skype-out credit. Calls are below 0.02 /min, in pretty good quality.
If you do find a card or purchase a Chinese SIM, take your passport and register on the spot - then you can at least receive calls from abroad.
Sep 15, 2011, 10:47 pm
#62
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: YVR
Programs: WS Platinum, former AC E35K
Posts: 6,335
I'm arriving into Shanghai this sunday and will be in China for about 45 days, touring all over the country. I have a BB Curve 9300 (unlocked) from Telus. I would like something that gives me cheap calling back to Canada, data and allows me to make calls anywhere in China too at reasonable rates.
I've read through this thread and am still confused as to what I should be going with. Perhaps it's just jet lag though.
Please let me know the best route to proceed.
I will be going to SE Asia for another 45 days or so after China, however I presume that I'm better off buying something else there?
thanks
Chris
I've read through this thread and am still confused as to what I should be going with. Perhaps it's just jet lag though.
Please let me know the best route to proceed.
I will be going to SE Asia for another 45 days or so after China, however I presume that I'm better off buying something else there?
thanks
Chris
Sep 16, 2011, 5:20 am
#63
Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: HHonors Gold, Marriott Lifetime Gold, IHG Gold, OZ*G, AA Gold, AS MVP
Posts: 1,874
(In Shanghai) I've got a spare Unicom SIM I don't need anymore that mostly fits the bill. I just to have to see if I can get int'l calling activated on it.
Sep 16, 2011, 9:32 am
#64
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,031
Likewise, I have a growing collection of BJ, SH, and GZ sims that I'm typically happy to lend out to FTers. The thing is, sims are so cheap that it's rarely worth the effort to distribute them. But, for people that really want to know their phone numbers prior to arrival in country, I am usually able to work out reasonably efficient hand-off logistics.
Sep 16, 2011, 11:52 am
#65
Join Date: May 2008
Location: BOS/SIN
Programs: SQ
Posts: 2,704
For Vietnam and Thailand I have different SIMs that were very cheap and very effective. You can get them everywhere including the airport. I know I splurged for the best ones both times because I wanted to get to my email and found it was worth the money. Service in VN is spotty though sometimes - maybe it's better now..
Sep 18, 2011, 3:00 am
#66
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: KIX, ITM, UKB, YVR
Programs: Star Alliance - AC
Posts: 2,356
I'm arriving into Shanghai this sunday and will be in China for about 45 days, touring all over the country. I have a BB Curve 9300 (unlocked) from Telus. I would like something that gives me cheap calling back to Canada, data and allows me to make calls anywhere in China too at reasonable rates.
I've read through this thread and am still confused as to what I should be going with. Perhaps it's just jet lag though.
Please let me know the best route to proceed.
I will be going to SE Asia for another 45 days or so after China, however I presume that I'm better off buying something else there?
thanks
Chris
I've read through this thread and am still confused as to what I should be going with. Perhaps it's just jet lag though.
Please let me know the best route to proceed.
I will be going to SE Asia for another 45 days or so after China, however I presume that I'm better off buying something else there?
thanks
Chris
Sep 18, 2011, 8:48 pm
#67
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
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Posts: 17,421
Hey, I am curious. Does / did your Telus blackberry work in China? Telus is CDMA not GSM. Canada only has Roger's as a GSM network. A lot of the Telus phones don't even have a SIM slot to interchange. Since we live in YVR as well, I have only stuck with Roger's because of this reason. If your phone works then the other options back home would be great....
Sep 29, 2011, 9:09 pm
#69
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: AMEX AC CX UA AA DL
Posts: 3,008
No they did not. They deployed a 3G HSDPA network, which uses SIM cards identical to GSM handsets. They use 3G 1900Mhz, which very few 3G phones (except iPhone 3/3GS/4 and some smartphones) from outside North America would work on their network.
If you use a GSM only handset, it will never work on Telus.
If you use a GSM only handset, it will never work on Telus.
Sep 29, 2011, 9:14 pm
#70
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: AMEX AC CX UA AA DL
Posts: 3,008
Hey, I am curious. Does / did your Telus blackberry work in China? Telus is CDMA not GSM. Canada only has Roger's as a GSM network. A lot of the Telus phones don't even have a SIM slot to interchange. Since we live in YVR as well, I have only stuck with Roger's because of this reason. If your phone works then the other options back home would be great....
Certain blackberries are GSM/CDMA dual mode. 3G/HSDPA phones from Telus will also work in China if they support 3G 2100Mhz or quad- or tri- band GSM.
Sep 30, 2011, 7:55 am
#71
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Toronto
Posts: 84
No they did not. They deployed a 3G HSDPA network, which uses SIM cards identical to GSM handsets. They use 3G 1900Mhz, which very few 3G phones (except iPhone 3/3GS/4 and some smartphones) from outside North America would work on their network.
If you use a GSM only handset, it will never work on Telus.
If you use a GSM only handset, it will never work on Telus.
Oct 8, 2011, 2:18 pm
#72
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Join Date: Jul 2002
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To my knowledge, there is none for calls to Germany (I'm German). To the US/Canada and some other countries, China Mobile has a prepaid offer with cheap rates. However, there is no card especially for calls to the EU.
You're best bet is to get Skype and a Skype-out credit. Calls are below 0.02 €/min, in pretty good quality.
If you do find a card or purchase a Chinese SIM, take your passport and register on the spot - then you can at least receive calls from abroad.
You're best bet is to get Skype and a Skype-out credit. Calls are below 0.02 €/min, in pretty good quality.
If you do find a card or purchase a Chinese SIM, take your passport and register on the spot - then you can at least receive calls from abroad.
I do not plan on carrying a full-blown computer with me so downloading the Tom app won't work.
Main purpose will be calling the USA. Duration: 10 days.
Oct 8, 2011, 8:44 pm
#73
Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: HHonors Gold, Marriott Lifetime Gold, IHG Gold, OZ*G, AA Gold, AS MVP
Posts: 1,874
Skype for Android works fine. I've got a smartphone locked to docomo Japan that I just use as a Skype handset and it's pretty reliable (I plan on getting it unlocked in the future).
The network signal has to be *perfect*, though. Anything less than three bars of WiFi (or tethering on Unicom 3G at a busy time) results in very bad voice quality.
The network signal has to be *perfect*, though. Anything less than three bars of WiFi (or tethering on Unicom 3G at a busy time) results in very bad voice quality.
Oct 9, 2011, 12:14 am
#74
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Shanghai and Bavaria
Programs: Spire RA, 1865 Voyager, Bonvoy Titanium, FB LP, LH SEN.
Posts: 3,104
Is Skype currently working in Shanghai? I will arrive with two options: (a) using my existing Android device, connected to Wifi to use Skype or (b) getting a SIM to put in my unlocked GSM phone. I was under the impression that Skype was somehow blocked or hard to use in China.
I do not plan on carrying a full-blown computer with me so downloading the Tom app won't work.
Main purpose will be calling the USA. Duration: 10 days.
I do not plan on carrying a full-blown computer with me so downloading the Tom app won't work.
Main purpose will be calling the USA. Duration: 10 days.
Therefore, using Skype on your cell phone and WIFI should work just as fine.
BUT, do download Skype on your GSM phone before you go to China. Skype is not available for Android in English in China. (Although there's a simple workaround)
Oct 13, 2011, 5:06 pm
#75
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Redwood City, CA USA (SFO/SJC)
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MiFi deal too good to be true?
China Portable Wi-Fi offers a $70 package good for 30 days and 10 gigs of data. Sounds too good to be true. Even comes with a spare battery. Has anyone tried it? It would allow me to leave my jailbroken 3G (which can be used for wifi tethering) at home. Thanks-