I notice that there is a Mobile Phone, topic, but its for RA 20 and above only, which I'm not at yet...

But anyway; as a current student in college, and planning to goto HK; during the summer, I have some questions in regards to getting a Mobile Phone...

I know it is suggested in the FAQ to have a mobile phone, but I'm just wondering, which carrier is suggested in the HK market, I have kind of done my research and know that there are at least 3 major carriers (3M, SmarTone, PCCW, etc...) but which one has the best deal for temporary service, meaning about 6 weeks max...

Also, is it possible to get a compatible carrier that offers service in China and HK, meaning, since I'm in HK I have to visit relatives in China, even though I don't want to...

Tell you what - since its not gonna  be till next Summer that you get here - why don't you just whip up some reports, join in conversation (no spamming please) and work yourself up to 75 credits and full membership.

Then you could read all that's been written on that RA 20 thread and we don't end up with parallel threads with the same info.

Whaddya think?

SEAJ

[ Last edited by  SEAJ at 5-11-2011 12:50 ]

Well, true...

But I would like to know, how much it's going to run me about; since, I'm not working, so therefore, you have to save up, a whole lot before you can even plan on going to HK...

Telephone service in HKG is very cheap and you can buy a throw away/temporary SIM card w/ time on it for under HK$100, even those with dual Hkg/China numbers. OK?

Just save up as much as you can and work yourself up to RA 20. Reasonable?

SEAJ

Hi Tonice and welcome to the board.  

The phone thread had RA20 on it not because phone technology is top secret in HK but merely because we like to keep some of our personal stories discreet from time to time.

You will of course be needing a local mongering phone in order to find the girls in order to write reports on the girls so let me help you out with what little I know.  I'm still figuring out the HK phone thing myself and I don't think anyone has it all nailed yet.

First off, HK has telephone interchange agreements with many of the international carriers in the world (ATT in the U.S. for example) and, while not ideal, it is possible to get a $6.00/month calling discount plan with some of those carriers that will cut your cost per minute down considerably (like in half or better).  Also, at least with my U.S. phone, I get charged the same for an SMS ($0.20) whether it's in HK or Timbuktu.  This is important since you can do a lot of booking by SMS rather than voice and avoid many of the language hassles in HK.

I am NOT advocating sticking with your home phone to book hookers.  I'm just saying that it's worth checking the cost of these things and maybe your home phone will be an affordable backup.  By far the best way to go is to bring an old phone with you, and buy a local SIM chip at the 7-11 and then add top up minutes as you go.  This way you will be able to phone internationally for as little as $0.10/minute.  You should buy your SIM and get TWO top up cards and immediately load up one of the cards, keeping the spare in your wallet for when you run out at 1 a.m.   When you buy the top up card the checkout staff at the 7-11 are so nice they will even load up the minutes for you.

For services I've used PCCW (roaming) and CSL (pay as you go) and both have had fine coverage.  I've asked on the board before if there was a service that was better for roaming (cost-wise) and nobody really knows.  It's phone bills, they're a mystery in any language!

As to a pay-as-you-go card that will roam in both HK and China, I do not know the answer.  Perhaps one of the senior bros and old China hands can help out.

Thanks for your interest in joining the brethren here.  You will have a mind-blowing time in HK.  I look forward to your reports!

It depends how frequently you will be using your phone. If you are going to be rarely using it, like a lot of people I know, then it turns out to be much cheaper using pre-paid recharge cards. Each recharge expires in around 3 months. However if you are gonna be chatting a lot, any of the plans are OK. You should just walk around the stores to see the best price. They always change.

Bro, if you were arriving in HK tomorrow I could understand the rush... but you have plenty of time and you are more than half way to the 75Ks you need to view the RA20. Hang on... I need to sit down for a minute... OK... Take Joe's advice in post #2. He's spot on!

If you are staying just for a few days, does it make more sense to just use the pay phone or do these agents/WGs call you back?

Also if you do happen to wander around Aplui St, Sham Shui Po.  look out for stalls selling cut price sim card deals.   I got a  few $48 PCCW sim for $25 . If  not used, the expiry date is to June 2012.

that would not be feasible.
you will need to call them again when you get to the hotel to get the room #

Um, your serious? Even when punting in the US, NYC you have to call the number when you get to the block, to see which "house" there located at, their not going to tell you the address...

You: Where are you guys located?
Them: I'm located at xxx on xx street/ave...

That never happens, for their own protection and yours...

So, it goes more like...

You: Where are you guys located?
Them: I'm located on xx street/ave on xxx street/ave...
Ten minutes later...
You: Where are you guys located? I'm on xx street/ave at xx street/ave...
Them: At xxx
Five minutes later...
You: I'm at xxx, where are you guys?
Them: Wait five minutes, "we'll" open the door...

Um, just wondering, don't plan to get there until summer, for personal reasons...so, how long would it last when I get there? A month? That would be all I need since, I would be there only for about a month, maybe a little less...

Those are ones on sale NOW - when you get there they should have newer ones, but always do check the expiry date just in case.

Luckily I am coming from Australia later this month, my phone is GSM.  So I will just grab a 3 sim at the airport, chuck it in and away we go :-)  For extra bonus points, might even try to get Skype working.

Only guys from CDMA countries cant bring their phone.  And lets face it, by now everyone has an old "second" handset replaced by the newer shinier model they can use.

"...Only guys from CDMA countries cant bring their phone...."

actually some CDMA phones now have support for GSM as well...