vinny5443
Throbbing Titan
Rank: 7Rank: 7Rank: 7


UID 83091
Digest Posts 0
Credits 4425
Posts 500
Karma 4400
Acceptance 490
Reading Access 70
Registered 21-1-2012
Status Offline
Post at 3-2-2013 01:36  Profile P.M. 
Font size: S M L
Help with China SIM Cards

What are the best options for China SIM cards with an iPhone? Is China Unicom my only choice? How are the prepaid rates with data? I can't seem to find any information in english on the China Unicom site. I can't even find any mobile information on the china unicom site.

Thanks in advance!

Recent Ratings
TonyToro   3-2-2013 15:20  Acceptance  +1   just because you have an iPhone...
Top
skml
Kinky King
Rank: 5Rank: 5



UID 66004
Digest Posts 0
Credits 1191
Posts 531
Karma 1180
Acceptance 210
Reading Access 50
Registered 20-5-2011
Location hong kong
Status Offline
Post at 3-2-2013 10:08  Profile P.M. 
Font size: S M L
Top
Petay_1283
Fucking Legend
Rank: 10Rank: 10Rank: 10


UID 46298
Digest Posts 0
Credits 11574
Posts 3139
Karma 11375
Acceptance 3975
Reading Access 100
Registered 9-6-2010
Location Hong Kong
Status Offline
Post at 3-2-2013 11:00  Profile P.M. 
Font size: S M L
Reply #1 vinny5443's post

I recently bought a sim card from China Mobile.

I just went into the shop and asked about it. I paid 55RMB and for that I got the sim card + 100mb of data. It lasted me around 10 days. I also received free sms & minutes, although I cannot remember how much.

Off Peak I pay 0.12 RMB per minute and around 0.15 during peak times. I paid 35RMB for a phone card worth 100 RMB from a shop. I use this to call Hong Kong numbers, then it charges me local rate rather than more money.

You can pay more and receive more data if you want though.

Recent Ratings
vinny5443   3-2-2013 23:28  Acceptance  +1   Thanks




'Yes, Madam, I am drunk, but in the morning I shall be sober and you will still be ugly.'
Top
kaleu
Throbbing Titan
Rank: 7Rank: 7Rank: 7


UID 45445
Digest Posts 0
Credits 3308
Posts 1512
Karma 3224
Acceptance 1672
Reading Access 70
Registered 24-5-2010
Location PRC
Status Offline
Post at 3-2-2013 15:48  Profile P.M. 
Font size: S M L
Please do a search for this info.  It gets asked every month or so.  I wish it could get stickied.

The big question is... you want a contract or pay as you go?

Recent Ratings
vinny5443   3-2-2013 23:28  Acceptance  +1   Thanks. I agree it should be stickied!
Top
asurada00
Erotic Emperor
Rank: 6Rank: 6


UID 59939
Digest Posts 0
Credits 2360
Posts 460
Karma 2338
Acceptance 433
Reading Access 60
Registered 2-2-2011
Status Offline
Post at 3-2-2013 17:04  Profile P.M. 
Font size: S M L
pay as you go china mobile = 3.8hkd (or 4.2, dont remember) per 1 mb, but capped at 48hkd per day, example: use 5 mb a day = pay 5 X 3.8hkd. example2: use 500 mb in a day = pay 48 hkd. this card is only available in 2g (no 3g)

feel free to post other network pay as you go fees.

Recent Ratings
vinny5443   3-2-2013 23:29  Acceptance  +1   Thanks!
Top
sitonmyface69
Master Mongerer
Rank: 8Rank: 8



UID 16169
Digest Posts 0
Credits 5331
Posts 1010
Karma 5243
Acceptance 1756
Reading Access 80
Registered 24-11-2008
Status Offline
Post at 5-2-2013 07:43  Profile P.M. 
Font size: S M L
Sorry I know this thread is about china SIM cards but I like to know about taiwan's SIM card as I be going there this week
Top
Petay_1283
Fucking Legend
Rank: 10Rank: 10Rank: 10


UID 46298
Digest Posts 0
Credits 11574
Posts 3139
Karma 11375
Acceptance 3975
Reading Access 100
Registered 9-6-2010
Location Hong Kong
Status Offline
Post at 5-2-2013 11:02  Profile P.M. 
Font size: S M L
Reply #1 vinny5443's post

Also the good thing that I found out is that you can call China Mobile and inform them you are going to HK and they will allow your number to work there for 2RMB a day, just make sure you call and cancel it when you come back.




'Yes, Madam, I am drunk, but in the morning I shall be sober and you will still be ugly.'
Top
haomaru
Musky Member
Rank: 2



UID 44671
Digest Posts 0
Credits 175
Posts 59
Karma 171
Acceptance 72
Reading Access 20
Registered 11-5-2010
Status Offline
Post at 5-2-2013 20:52  Profile P.M. 
Font size: S M L
For Taiwan you if you want data and voice calls, maybe renting at the airport is a good choice, a bit expensive thought, but convenient.

Otherwise just go to any 7-11, Far east telecom, or Chungwha telecom, and ask them for prepaid cards.

Not sure if those have data, you will need to ask.
Top
bonkers89
Lustful Lord
Rank: 4



UID 25160
Digest Posts 0
Credits 829
Posts 703
Karma 819
Acceptance 192
Reading Access 40
Registered 19-5-2009
Status Offline
Post at 11-2-2013 15:11  Profile P.M. 
Font size: S M L
China UNICOM is your only choice if you want fast 3G data.

China mobile does not have a 3G network whatsoever, but you can still get data from them via 2G (quite slow)

China mobile is by far the bigger company, so coverage is better across the country (but that depends on if you'll be going all over the place)

Pricewise, they should be similar.
Top
Petay_1283
Fucking Legend
Rank: 10Rank: 10Rank: 10


UID 46298
Digest Posts 0
Credits 11574
Posts 3139
Karma 11375
Acceptance 3975
Reading Access 100
Registered 9-6-2010
Location Hong Kong
Status Offline
Post at 13-2-2013 13:19  Profile P.M. 
Font size: S M L
Reply #9 bonkers89's post

Very true,, when I asked about 3G they said because I did not buy my phone through them I could only have 2G...

But I was expecting it to be shit slow! it is actually OK for apps such as whatsapp or WeChat, plus there is wifi everywhere these days anyway.




'Yes, Madam, I am drunk, but in the morning I shall be sober and you will still be ugly.'
Top
bonkers89
Lustful Lord
Rank: 4



UID 25160
Digest Posts 0
Credits 829
Posts 703
Karma 819
Acceptance 192
Reading Access 40
Registered 19-5-2009
Status Offline
Post at 16-2-2013 06:57  Profile P.M. 
Font size: S M L
Oh, I know a guy bought an iphone outright and has been using it on Unicom for the past few years.
I've never heard of carriers refusing to offer 3G on a phone that was not sold by themselves.

I've never used Unicom myself, but I do plan to switch over.
I have used 2G on China mobile too, and everything is ok for those non-data intensive things like whatsapp, email, etc.
But my main beef is MAPS - you need the fast data plan to utilize the maps. And with the amount of time I get lost in china, I sorely need it!!
I heard with Unicom  its about 36 rmb for 1 gig of data.
Top
vinny5443
Throbbing Titan
Rank: 7Rank: 7Rank: 7


UID 83091
Digest Posts 0
Credits 4425
Posts 500
Karma 4400
Acceptance 490
Reading Access 70
Registered 21-1-2012
Status Offline
Post at 19-2-2013 10:52  Profile P.M. 
Font size: S M L
Thanks for all the info. I ended up getting a Unicom card for $80 rmb and it included data at $20rmb/month for 300mb. I think calls are .1rmb. I'm not in China much, mostly HK, so I figured it wasn't that bad of a deal. I usually roam with my HK sim at $68/day, so I figured that spending $80 is just like 2 days and I'll get it for 4 months of mongering.  
The only downside about not roaming with HK sim, is that I don't have access to facebook and other banned sites while in China. When roaming, all the banned sites worked.
Top
bonkers89
Lustful Lord
Rank: 4



UID 25160
Digest Posts 0
Credits 829
Posts 703
Karma 819
Acceptance 192
Reading Access 40
Registered 19-5-2009
Status Offline
Post at 19-2-2013 23:42  Profile P.M. 
Font size: S M L
where did you buy it from? I will need to get something similar next time I go.
And when u said "20rmb/month", do you mean they deduct automatically 20rmb every month from your account for data? but your plan is still pay-as-you-go, right? how does that work?
Top
Petay_1283
Fucking Legend
Rank: 10Rank: 10Rank: 10


UID 46298
Digest Posts 0
Credits 11574
Posts 3139
Karma 11375
Acceptance 3975
Reading Access 100
Registered 9-6-2010
Location Hong Kong
Status Offline
Post at 20-2-2013 10:27  Profile P.M. 
Font size: S M L
Reply #12 vinny5443's post

My father is over for a few weeks now. We were out walking around Shekou over CNY. I found a couple of streets that sell very high quality knock off gear...

Clothes
Shoes
Phones

All kinds of things. My father loves buying things like this and selling them back in the UK ha ha ha

But what surprised me is we went into a store and there was every phone going - I picked up a Samsung Galaxy S3 - I swear I could not and still cannot tell the difference between this phone and the real thing, it is damn perfect! I only paid 900 for it. My dad loves, I have tried all of my sim cards in this phone and they all work!




'Yes, Madam, I am drunk, but in the morning I shall be sober and you will still be ugly.'
Top
greypath
Lustful Lord
Rank: 4



UID 86754
Digest Posts 0
Credits 843
Posts 184
Karma 805
Acceptance 760
Reading Access 40
Registered 21-3-2012
Status Offline
Post at 22-2-2013 18:50  Profile P.M. 
Font size: S M L
I too have been seeking info on china sim cards this link spells it out quite well.

http://www.telestial.com/view_product.php?ID=LSIM-CN01

Cheers Greypathhttp://forum.sex141.com/eforum/images/smilies/thumb.gif
Top
bonkers89
Lustful Lord
Rank: 4



UID 25160
Digest Posts 0
Credits 829
Posts 703
Karma 819
Acceptance 192
Reading Access 40
Registered 19-5-2009
Status Offline
Post at 23-2-2013 03:16  Profile P.M. 
Font size: S M L
Reply #15 greypath's post

Good find Bro. Very convenient.

But to be honest, those rates are still considered pretty high.
I just haven't tried, but with just a little bit of effort in china - all you need to do is walk into a china unicom store - you can get yourself setup for much less and prob better service.
for the amount I call and receive, those rates will add up to hundreds of USD per month. There are cheaper options.
Top
vinny5443
Throbbing Titan
Rank: 7Rank: 7Rank: 7


UID 83091
Digest Posts 0
Credits 4425
Posts 500
Karma 4400
Acceptance 490
Reading Access 70
Registered 21-1-2012
Status Offline
Post at 25-2-2013 11:38  Profile P.M. 
Font size: S M L
Reply #13 bonkers89's post

Actually I'm not sure how it works. Haha. In pretty sure it does it automatically, so I don't know what happens when you make calls.  It's .10 per minute.  So maybe I won't get 4 months of data, only 3 since I used some call minutes  that is unless I get a charge card. I got it from a china Unicom store and asked for the least data per month.  I'm not sure if there is a pay as you go data plan available. I don't speak chinese so communication was a little difficult. One of the hg I visited in shenzhen helped me to get it and therefore I wasn't able to get all of the details asked due to translation issues. Anyway I've been up to china a couple of times this month and it has worked fine. If I only get one month of data it is worth me paying the china daily roaming fee for 2 day so it is worth it.
Top
bohica
Throbbing Titan
Rank: 7Rank: 7Rank: 7


UID 18417
Digest Posts 0
Credits 3379
Posts 2138
Karma 3340
Acceptance 782
Reading Access 70
Registered 7-1-2009
Location US
Status Offline
Post at 27-2-2013 04:36  Profile P.M. 
Font size: S M L
Data Roaming

I went to on a trip to Asia last year and in retrospect, should have bought a nominal data plan.  If you needed to check something online on your phone then you could burn a lot of remaining minutes if you forget to turn off the "data roaming".




Bend Over Here It Comes Again...
Top
bonkers89
Lustful Lord
Rank: 4



UID 25160
Digest Posts 0
Credits 829
Posts 703
Karma 819
Acceptance 192
Reading Access 40
Registered 19-5-2009
Status Offline
Post at 27-2-2013 04:58  Profile P.M. 
Font size: S M L
Reply #18 bohica's post

yes, i hear even when you are not using the web, that somehow there is trickle data going thru. Maybe other apps are pulling data in the background too.
Someone I know from USA went to china for a few weeks and came back to the states to receive a bill for a few hundred US$ in roaming fees even tho she had never used the web while in china. She eventually discussed it with the phone company and luckily got the charges dismissed.
Top
forbiddenkid
Lustful Lord
Rank: 4



UID 39743
Digest Posts 0
Credits 594
Posts 51
Karma 592
Acceptance 45
Reading Access 40
Registered 12-2-2010
Status Offline
Post at 28-2-2013 00:35  Profile P.M. 
Font size: S M L
What I use is pay as you go from China Mobile. Although the 3G is not compatible with the 3G iphones use I just use edge for my basic wechat and whatsapp. If you are here for a longer term like me I recharge my phone with 100 rmb every month. With my pay as I go I get 15mb of data which is more than enough and free receiving calls.
Top
 


All times are GMT+8, the time now is 23-11-2024 23:39

Powered by Discuz! 5.0.0 © 2001-2006 Comsenz Inc.
Processed in 0.149585 second(s), 11 queries , Gzip enabled

Clear Cookies - Contact Us - 141Love
Disclaimer: This forum is operated as a real-time bulletin board system. 141CLUB.COM carries no legal liability on its contents. All messages are solely composed and up-loaded by readers and their opinions do not represent our stand. Readers are reminded that the contents on this forum may not convey reliable information thus it is readers' own responsibility to judge the validity, completeness and truthfulness of the messages. For messages related to medical, legal or investment issues, readers should always seek advice from professionals. Due to the limitation of the forum's real-time up-loading nature, 141CLUB.com is not able to monitor all the messages posted. Should readers find any problems regarding the messages, do contact us. 141CLUB.COM reserves the rights to delete or preserve any messages and reject anyone from joining this forum. 141CLUB.COM reserves all the legal rights.