Traveling to HK from US and want to use my existing cell phone while in HK. Are these the steps to do so:

1) Obtain un-lock code
2) Unlock phone
3) Obtain a sim card in HK (any certain type? Brand? Where best to buy? Cost?)
4) Obtain HK service (Recomendations? Prepaid?)
5) Use phone to contact WG's (Same # as before?)
6) Punt, Punt, Punt   
7) Post reports and Pics on 141

How does billing work if not prepaid? Or is prepaid the only option?

I hear SIM cards can be obtained that allow phone to scan for best connection regardless of provider. If so what do I ask for to get this capability?

Just go to 7 eleven and ask for prepay sim card only 68 HKD

walk in any cell phone carrier or 7/11 or circle k and ask for a sim card
you might want a company that offers cheap minutes or low costs and the sim card minutes are rechargeable by visiting a 7/11 or the carrier

1. You need a GSM unlocked phone to work in China and maybe in HK too.  If you have a Verizon CDMA, I don't believe it will work in HK but I could be mistaken.

2. Next your USA phone need to be at least tri band phone.  
   A world phone or Quad-band will work also. A dual band will not work.

The tri-band phone with 900/1800/1900 MHz.

Did some digging on the internet and found the following info on HK and China SIM cards.


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In Hong Kong, it is very easy to get pre-paid SIM card locally so you don't need to get it ahead of the trip. The mobile carriers are Orange, Sunday, People. You can find the pre-paid SIM cards in convenient stores or book stores at the airport, or numerous small cell phone shops through out Hong Kong. The cost is HK$100 (about US$12.5) and it gives you approx 300 min of local calls. The SIM cards are also available in higher denominations for more covered minutes. I am not sure about the international call rates but it is on the small booklet that comes with the SIM. If it is expansive, you can always get the phone cards that give you very low international rate to use on any land line or cell phones. Most pre-paid SIM you get in Hong Kong only work in HK, but there are a few special kinds that work both in HK and China (of course less minutes). Just ask the sales person about it.


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Hong Kong Sim cards
The easiest way to get a SIM card in Hong Kong is to buy one at a SevenEleven. These are not your father's SevenEleven. And they are everywhere.

You can buy them in several denominations, starting with HK$20. Calls turn out to be about US$0.03/minute. Dirt cheap. And by dialing what's called an IDD number before calling back to the United States, you can get the *same* US$0.03/minute rate for overseas calls to the States. The rate varies for other countries but is always extremely low. I was calling home all the time to impress the family.

There's no need to buy a higher denomination card because you can always add money to the SIM card at SevenEleven or directly with the carrier.


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china prepaid

I just got back from china and China Unicom has great sim cards they sell everywhere. I was able to call the US for .11$ a minute! I had to dial a prefix of 17911 first was the only hassel....

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what sim card should i buy in china?
i want to buy a sim card in beijing.. can you tell me whats the best buy?
(some you pay to receive calls, some you can not receive call outside the region or from abroad...)
thanks

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china prepaid
The two main mobile carriers that I've run across in china are China Unicom and China Mobile.

In general, China Mobile has better phone coverage, and (at least in NW China) has better english support. They also have a nice system where you can check your mins by sending an SMS to 10086 and with "YE" in the message.

With that being said, I went with China Unicom because they are the only provider in China that supports 3G (the standard 3G. China Mobile has 3G, but they use their own proprietary frequencies, and so only their phones will be able to receive 3G... have NO idea why they decided to do that).

So yeah -- go with China Unicom -- I've been extremely happy with their service.

> but they use their own proprietary frequencies, and so only their phones will be able to receive 3G... have NO idea why they decided to do that

Do you really have no idea why?

Was just passing along posts I found on the internet. Wasn't my comment.

you don't mention China in your post so my comments relate specifically to HK.

If you have a locked phone you are correct saying you need to get the unlock code, readily available on the internet. However there is an EASIER way.

Keep your existing phone with you for emergency but dont use it.

Go to Fortress (HK Electrical retailer, stores everywhere, just google or ask concierge at your hotel). You will be able to buy an unlocked very basic Motorola or Samsung phone without contract etc for HK$100 - $200... ie. very cheap. Keep this as your punting phone for future travels.

Go to a "3" shop in HK, stores everywhere, just google. Buy a prepaid SIM. The cost is HK$68 and this includes HK$10 of stored value. This card will remain active forever providing you recharge at least once every 6 months.

While at the "3" shop, buy a HK$300 stored value recharge card. By buying this at a 3 shop instead of 7/11 you can get the single card with $300 value + BONUS $100. (ie. HK$400 total value). If all you are doing is making local calls and texting, plus calling home to the US a few times as well, this will last you at least a week.

NB. As has been suggested, you can buy recharge cards at 7/11 but they typically only sell the $100 cards and you only get a $10 bonus with those.

Doing it this way keeps everything "neat". Set up your phone book with WGs and Agents all in your "punting phone". Let the battery run out when you get home and your SO wont be able to look at your phone "if" she finds it because the charging adaptor has wrong power plug fitting.

Tried Fortress, but they didn't have any tri-band phones for less than $HK800.  Ended up over at the Cell phone mall @ Sin Tat where I found a Nokia for HK$800, new.  Got a HK$48 sim card @ the "3" store.

Hope that helps.

Forget about using ur existing phone if it's locked to a US carrier. The trouble to getting it unlocked is not worth it.

Go to Sincere Plaza in Mong Kok, get a dirt cheap 2nd hand phone - will cost u a couple hundred HK$, or even less.

Get a prepaid HK SIM card from 7-Eleven. Local calls in HK are cheap, won't cost u a lot if ur just calling agents.

Toss the phone with the SIM card when u leave HK, erase all traces of evidence.

I was just at Fortress: they have Samsung mobiles for HK$199. SIM card is $48 + $28 for the minimum credit and you are GTG.

Bro, OP doesn't need anything special, basic phone will suit. Bro who posted original question already has his good phone from home. His problem is it's locked. All he needs is something simple to punt with and Fortress have this for under $200.


Well done Bro! and that Samsung phone is unlocked so OK to use with your choice of provider. Super convenient! Seems every month they have a special offer for a basic no frills no contract phone. I have seen Motorola and Nokia as well and prices ranging from $100 - $200 unlocked. Makes a very affordable punting phone option. Post #8 explains this in detail including the best place to buy the SIM card and re charge vouchers.

[ Last edited by  TonyToro at 27-3-2011 15:54 ]