China Mobile, no question. Assuming you are entering China through a larger city (BJ/SH), I would grab a sim there because it would be more useful on future trips (yours or your friends/family).

Most of the cards I've gotten, they've told me they will expire if there's no usage after 3 months.

I've pretty good luck bringing sims back from the dead (with money remaining!); not 100% successful, but close. Also, if you're on any sort of plan, this often counts as "use".

I think they should last a full 12 months. I don't visit China as often as anymore - sometimes just a quick 24-36 shopping junket to Shenzhen or Guangzhou. Each time I add RMB$100 - if for no other reason than to keep my prepaid number valid....it's worked for the past 6 yrs.

Things change all the time, but I've had the same card for about five years despite long absences from China. It only takes a few top-ups to extend the lifetime quite considerably. I last used mine in February, but it isn't due to expire until late 2011.

If you get a China Mobile SIM in Shanghai, they will no longer expire, provided that the balance is not negative.

They will however charge you a minimum monthly fee of Y6.

That's great, thanks for the heads up.

Sorry to reply to an older post but for future reference China Unicom SIMs bought in Shanghai work for voice/text in Hong Kong without registration. You only need to register if you want 3G/internet.

I wanted to update this thread with some information I just came across,and didn't see here...and see if it's really as good as it sounds :)

http://chinabites.com/blog/2009/oct/...ice-breakdown/

It seems that China Unicom have a 3G modem plan at only RMB 80 for 1G/month. This seems like a very good deal for traveling with a netbook. Does anyone have any experience with this?

Cheers.

I use that in my iPad. Works like a charm and automatically steps you up to a higher plan depending on how much you go over. Not bad at all.
Example: I go over my 1GB plan. Overage is then 1 jiao per MB. I get charged at that rate until I hit 1.7GB (80 for 1GB + 70 kuai worth of overage) whereupon it automatically steps me up to the 150 for 3GB plan. Haven't gone beyond that yet.


One more thing- if you buy from Unicom you have to buy a certain amount of airtime with it. Unicom stores have a modem+card option where you still have to prepay 260RMB of airtime with a modem purchase. However, if you already have an unlocked modem and just want a card you have to go to the electronics markets to get a card only.

I will be visiting China in a few weeks for the first time and am still confused as to my best options for cell use. 98% of my calls will be to/from Canada, so finding the cheapest long distance is my #1 priority. I also need balckberry data service, so I will likely rent a blackberry from pandaphone, but their calling rates are $0.59 to/from North America. I'm happy to carry 2 phones if it means finding a cheaper calling alternative, especially one with free incoming calls.

Any suggestions for a China rookie?

Rebtel, for sure. If you email me and let me refer you, I'll end up with $10 in free credit. I also have a few spare phones that I lend out to foreign guests (in Beijing).

I do not know on the BB, but i use 1 phone with 2 sim cards, A BJ China mobile for calls to me, & a China Unicom for incountry china calls, & also the 17900 calling card for the over the water calls. The 17900 calling card from a land line or cell phone ranges from 20-40 cents per minute.

The phone is from Pulid made in Shenzhen. Nokia also has some of these in China.

Those cards sell for around y30 per y100 (face value), so the effective rate is on par with Skype/Rebtel (a little bit more, but the quality is better).

BUMP!

Hi guys. I'm finally in Zhuhai and I'm trying to decide whether or not I should get a China Mobile or China Unicom SIM tomorrow. Since the stores are on campus here at the partner university, it's basically a choice between M-Zone and U-Power. I can foresee making me some calls to the Philippines and the U.S., and I will be receiving calls from those places as well, I think. Any suggestions? :)