Internet - Current Situation in Beijing

[puja]

Hi,

I'm planning on staying in Beijing at BLCU starting this september and I wanted to ask how the current Internet situation in Beijing is like. Especially using your own Notebook.

Is there a chance to go online on campus (or even at the blcu dorms) ?

What are other possibilities to go online having your own Notebook and how is the speed (I heard it's really bad) ?

Last time I was in Beijing I saw some cafes advertising with having Wireless LAN Internet access, has anybody tried this there?

And finally, what are Internet costs usually like in Beijing?

Thanks for your answers,

Puja

[trevelyan]

I swear by China Unicom's wireless service:

100 RMB/mo -- 1 GBs of data transfer

200 RMB/mo -- 5 GBs of data transfer

300 RMB/mo -- 10 GBs of data transfer

You buy the card and put down a deposit as a foreigner unless you can get someone to vouch for you with a domestic credit card (not worth it). The card itself will probably cost about 1000 RMB, while you pay monthly. Data transfer speeds are quite fast.... comparable to broadband and you can use the Internet anywhere there is phone coverage in the city.

Otherwise you'll be stuck with dial-up access managed by the University. You'll pay relatively high rates based on the volume of material you access, and will be sitting on a relatively restricted network. Also, you can't use the Internet from cafes, like I'm doing now....

[puja]

trevelyan,

thanks for the info, so is this China Unicom Wireless Service really wireless (WLAN?) from all over the city or how do you use it? Also, where can I get such a card?

How is billing in cafes? Do you pay for the time/volume you use or is it somehow included? When I was in Paris some cafes said as long as you sit here and drink something we provide you free internet access

best regards,

Puja