Where to Begin ?(Cell Services)

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DR918

Newbie

Joined: Sep 14, 2007
Posts: 1

Status: Offline

Posted: Sep 14, 2007 - 02:59 AM
Post subject: Where to Begin ?(Cell Services)

In the next couple of months, I'm moving to Shanghai and would like to find the best option for cell phone service. I have researched and talked to many people and can't get a straight answer.

I'll be there 3+ years and would like to keep my US number as I will be traveling back and forth to the US . I will also be traveling throughout Asia periodically. Does anyone have any ideas where to start? Would I be able to use the same phone with a US number and then have a Shanghai number?

Can someone please educate me? (I'm very slow when it comes to technology and cell phones) Thanks so much.

dr3x320

Rocker

Joined: Nov 21, 2006
Posts: 638
Location: Boston + Pudong
Status: Offline

Posted: Sep 14, 2007 - 06:28 AM
Post subject: Re: Where to Begin ?(Cell Services)

DR918 wrote:

-China Mobile is popular, get the SIM card that is free incoming, but peak time on outgoing calls. They have China Unicom and China Telecom (cell too?)
-You pick your cell numbers from what they have available.
-You buy the SIM cards at the stands that are on the streets, you'll see signs, IP cards, etc. Can do a seach on forums also in regards to this.
-To bring a fone from USA, you need it unlocked, ATT/Tmobile/VZW/Sprint etc call your rep and they can tell you how. Its free if you work the system.
-afaik you have to swap the SIM, to use a Local SIM you'll need to buy one there in Shanghai, it will not receive calls to your US number, what you can do is have an international plan and your US # and SIM can work overseas, but it gets expensive. alternative; have 2 phones, 1 with US plan to be used overseas, 1 with Shanghai SIM card with Shanghai cell #
For instance I use my Blackberry with Data plan for internet/email and US # for business, another phone with a China Mobile for local calls and in-country calls.
-To charge or add minutes, you goto the same stand and charge your cell account in increments of 50 or 100 RMB.
-When you buy your SIM usually its going to cost you either 50-100RMB, the phone # sometimes is included, sometimes not, depends how well you negotiate, some shitty numbers will give it to you for no charge, some "Sought after" numbers will cost more or regular charge.
-Over time if a SIM is not used for a period of time that # dies and can't be used anymore.

You can purchase a local phone here, new or used, typically they are unlocked, not sure if they can be used overseas, but their generally cheap if you need just a daily use for calls and nothing fancy. XuiJiaHui and Pudong PC Mall has tons of phones.

You'll get tons of messages on your cell, just ignore them.

I've had 3 China Mobile #'s and they've been great, Last trip I've used my first China unicom and had a few problems. Others can give you their pers. experience, hope this helps.

_________________
Boston ™ Shanghai ™ Goteborg ™

ThomasCaron

Raver

Joined: Dec 11, 2006
Posts: 472
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline

Posted: Sep 14, 2007 - 07:54 AM

My two cents: although the conventional wisdom says that China Unicom has problems, I have had nothing to complain about. Nor do I receive the presumably commercial and unwelcome "tons of messages" referred to in the previous post.

Renovator

Raver

Joined: Apr 18, 2007
Posts: 485
Location: Century Park & MA,USA
Status: Offline

Posted: Sep 14, 2007 - 08:00 AM

Just make sure that if you bring a telephone from the US to use here or other countries that it is not only unlocked but quad band as well. China and US are not on the same band. I use prepaid SIM cards, China mobile in China and T-Mobile in the US. That way I am not stuck with a plan and the calls are much cheaper than trying to do all on one card. The US card will only cost you about $10 per month. You can buy the China mobile card (including GSM) over the internet as well in the US and then can replenish it either over the internet or almost anywhere on the streets of Shanghai. So as not to lose the Sim's, I just overlay both SIMS in my phone. When I arrive in China, pop in the China card and when back in US switch to T-Mobile card.