I'm going to be staying pretty close to the Beijing area, as I don't anticipate being able to travel a lot outside Beijing with my class schedule. I’ll be taking classes five days a week at UIBE.

So from what you two are saying, 150RMB for the SIM and phone number, another 820RMB for the phone, and roughly another 800RMB for one month's service. Does China Mobile not require a contract? Also, what's the cheapest plan they have? I don't anticipate doing ANY international calling (going to do that with a phone card), and I don't think I'll be using many minutes because I'll just be taking calls from my university pals and the occasional call from the girlfriend.