Cell phone service providers in China

[marco-polo]

While there are plenty of threads on CF with recommendations of cell phone models and advice on where to buy them, I haven't seen much discussion of cell phone service providers in China. I'll be bringing my quad-band Nokia GSM phone with me when I arrive in Beijing in a few weeks time and would appreciate advice on getting set up with a service provider and plan. Here are the main points that are of interest:

• plan that allows for a lot of talk time at a cheap rate or unlimited talk plan (pre-paid is fine)
  
• mobile data plan for access to e-mail / web
  
• international text messaging
  
• online account management in English
  

Are there any other factors to consider? (e.g. in the US, some cell phone carriers have relationships with Wi-Fi hotspot networks, which can be useful). Opinions on pay-as-you-go versus prepaid? Are China Mobile and China Unicom the only choices or are there others? Thanks in advance!

[BrandeX]

Do we even have that stuff here? lol.

Not sure about your stuff, but when you have a phone from here, you get a sim card form either unicom or CM, and then buy these 50rmb receipts with a code number on them from atm's or small vendors in the corners of various shops and malls. then you type the code into your phone at a special phone number, and it adds 50rmb to your credit. I dont call or text hardly anyone, that lasts me a few months usually. it's... 2rmb? per time I connect with my gprs (internet) and that's a per hour rate I think. I have never heard of "plans" here, but they might have something like that available, but not sure there is a point for most citizens. Along with the no plan/account thing, I don't think there is online acount management either. But again, I only use a normal pda/phone and call/text in country and go online. They may have some other stuff available. Oh, I am not sure if China has wi-fi hotspots or w/e. Everyone uses gprs for phone internet.

Also another tip, I recommend the cheapest phone in the store in China to new people here, because I don't know anyone that hasn't had their first one lost or stolen, sometimes their second or third if they are careless. So far I am fortunate enough to only be on my 2nd after 2 years.

[marco-polo]

Thanks for the reply, BrandeX. It's actually good news that my expectations about cell phone service - based on my experience in the US - don't really apply in China.

But is there really no difference between China Mobile and China Unicom? In pricing, coverage, roaming options, etc.

[imron]

There's a huge difference. For 2G networks, China Mobile has significantly better coverage and reception. If you have a GSM phone, I'd stick with China Mobile. Most people use it (it has something like 70% market share) and SMSs are occasionally known to drop when sent between different networks.

(P.S. in 6 years in China, I never had a phone lost or stolen).

[Dazza]

@BrandeX I saw you recommended buying the cheapest phone, does the cheapest phone usually have English installed on it. Also isn't required that ID be supplied when purchasing these "burners"?

[abcdefg]

#5 -- My cheap (non-smart) Nokia phone has an English option as well as simplified and traditional Chinese. Think it cost about 300 Yuan when I bought it 5 or 6 years ago. I did have to show my passport when purchasing it, or at least when purchasing the SIM card.