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Pre-paid SIM can't use outside SHA

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amanda_sg

Lurker

Joined: June 13, 2004
Posts: 29

Status: Offline

Posted: Aug 06, 2004 - 12:56 PM
Post subject: Pre-paid SIM can't use outside SHA

I bought a 神州行大众卡 (Shen Zhou Xing Da Zhong Ka) which cost RMB150 with 50 dollars talk time value but I realised that it can't be use in other cities beside Shanghai! I'm in Beijing now and can't activate my mobile!! It's so frustrating and felt helpless without a phone... Sad

Anyone knows any way to 'activate' it? I found out from a Beijing SIM Card reseller mentioned that SIM card purchased from any other cities (beside SHA) can be roam within China.. not sure how true (quite skeptical now as 'was tricked' once.. Crying or Very sad

Just a reminder to anyone buying a SIM card pls check carefully and make sure it works if you need to 'roam' within China and outside China ...

lucky

LoopKicker

Joined: Feb 26, 2003
Posts: 844
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Status: Offline

Posted: Aug 08, 2004 - 02:00 PM

National roam usually comes as standard. Have you call 1860 to check? Uh, I assume your phone is China Mobile

One_Brick_Shy

Rocker

Joined: May 20, 2004
Posts: 765
Location: Out looking for a brick, of course.
Status: Offline

Posted: Aug 08, 2004 - 02:48 PM

Sounds like you got one of them "local" phones. Not sure of the proper name for them but are popular and cheaper for those who do not travel outside of their locale. You probably need to buy one of the normal more expensive mobile phones as they work on different systems. If you look around you can find a store that sells used mobiles and may purchase your "useless" one from you. Sometimes it pays to have a Chinese friend.

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snowbytes

Reacher

Joined: June 29, 2004
Posts: 300
Location: xu hui
Status: Offline

Posted: Aug 08, 2004 - 03:17 PM

yeah I agree it sounds like you have a local pre paid ,, I have prepaid phone but have never had a problem using it outside of SH,, but u also have to remember u migth have to dail the local area number,, or zero the the number..

comradeA

Reacher

Joined: May 07, 2004
Posts: 361
Location: in the old house behind Plaza 66
Status: Offline

Posted: Aug 08, 2004 - 09:28 PM

I think 136 can be used all over China while 137 cannot... not 100% sure though...

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yo, comrades!

amanda_sg

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Joined: June 13, 2004
Posts: 29

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Posted: Aug 09, 2004 - 05:05 PM

Hey Guys/Gals, thanks for your replies!

I've called both customer service in Beijing and Shanghai and they told me that I'm using the "本地通“ which is for local Shanghai only! Then I realised that if you want a card that 'roam' in China, the card is much more expensive, like close to RMB300++.

My no. starts from 135 and I have a friend whom is 137 and he have no problem roaming it. Guess I've got to change it when I used up my stored value..

dante

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Joined: Dec 15, 2003
Posts: 24

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Posted: Aug 09, 2004 - 05:29 PM

I bought a sim card in Shanghai by China Telecom, the number is 139.... Paid it 180RMB (with some talk time included) and it works in SH, Beijing and Xiamen (at least these are the palces where I tested it).

knockknock_ca

PopStar

Joined: Nov 27, 2003
Posts: 1068

Status: Offline

Posted: Aug 10, 2004 - 08:39 AM

I've used 136,137,135,139, they all worked all over china.

Ranter

Joined: May 14, 2003
Posts: 559

Status: Offline

Posted: Aug 13, 2004 - 01:57 PM

i hv 138 and it works everywhere; including international roaming :p

cruella

Seeker

Joined: July 30, 2004
Posts: 52

Status: Offline

Posted: Aug 13, 2004 - 02:49 PM

so which company's sim card should i buy if i'm going to call overseas from shanghai? where exactly can i buy one and how much would it cost? which kind of phone works in china -- dual or triband?

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Ranter

Joined: May 14, 2003
Posts: 559

Status: Offline

Posted: Aug 13, 2004 - 02:59 PM

Compiled the above a bit

Sim
-none of the sims are restricted to call overseas. --> I use China Mobile
-you can buy them from the above mentioned companies outlets; the one i use is in xujiahui.

Phones
-want to use your phone in shanghai or major cities only ? --> cdma
-want to use your phone nationwide, including suburbs of cities ? --> gsm
-want to use your phone overseas (exluding USA) ? dualband
-want to use your phone overseas (including USA) ? triband

Any of the phones you can find sold in china work in china with the above restrictions..

amanda_sg

Lurker

Joined: June 13, 2004
Posts: 29

Status: Offline

Posted: Aug 14, 2004 - 03:34 PM

dante wrote:

Hi dante,

Is CHINA TELECOM the same as CHINA MOBILE's SIM CARD?? Where I should buy the SIM that is reliable..? I'm not sure those 'road side' magazine stall are that reliable. One of my friend bought from them and they mentioned it can 'roam' everywhere in China, but still doesn't work when in Beijing.. Crying or Very sad

Also, is there such things like paying more when you call out from another city which is not where you bought your SIM? e.g. If I bought the SIM in SHA but when calling out from PEK, the calling charges are considered 'roaming cost' (higher per minute rate).

Regards.