o2 iphone 2G - where to unlock in Beijing? GSM or CDMA? CNmobile or Unicom?

[wanderliz]

Please, please forgive my techno-ignorance - I've read all the iPhone posts on the forum but still confused. I have an O2 iPhone 2G and have tried (unsuccessfully) to unlock it myself, so wondering if anyone knows a shop in Beijing that does it. Was thinking perhaps around Zhongguancun? Anyone have experience with this?

Also, again forgive my ignorance but cant figure out if the iPhone is GSM or CDMA or both or what? From what I've gathered Unicom offers a 3G CDMA network and China mobile a 2G GSM...is this right? As it is only a 2G I gather that perhaps I should just go with China mobile, provided the phone is GSM, right? (so confused) I believe I also read somewhere that China Mobile offers a data plan? Can anyone confirm this?

Thanks very much for any insight at all!

Liz

[imron]

Yep, there are plenty of stores in Zhongguancun that will do it. Just look for one selling an iPhone.

As for your other questions, the 2G iPhone is GSM only. The 3G is dual GSM/WCDMA.

China Unicom runs a 2G GSM network and a 3G WCDMA network (China Telecom is the only carrier running a CDMA network). China Mobile has a 2G GSM network and a 3G TD-SCDMA network (a Chinese developed standard). If you only have a 2G iPhone, it's best to go with China Mobile. They have the best GSM coverage. They also have various data plans for 2G phones, but the speed is not great.

[roddy]

Also, if you happen to be in Wudaokou the mobile phone stores there at the front of Huaqing Jiayuan might be worth a look, they certainly do unlocking. Not sure if they do iPhones specifically, but might save you the trip down to Zhongguancun. Not that it's far . . .

[wanderliz]

thanks so much for your replies guys - spent so much time researching, but sometimes you really just need someone to spell it out for you!

Liz