International
cellular service
has typically been
a challenge for
overseas travelers
and China is no
exception.
Until recently,
cell phone service
has been poor, coverage
has been sparse
and, especially
for the foreign
tourist or businessman,
rates have been
astronomical.
However, in just
a few years China's
1.3 billion population
has helped the country
become the world's
biggest mobile phone
market with nearly
200 million subscribers
(the U.S., which
is in second place,
has approximately
150 million). This
huge market accounts
for about one-fourth
of the world's cellular
phone sales. The
“superstar” we must
mention is
“China Mobile Communication”,
which accounts for
about two-third
of the China's cellular
service sales.
This is good news
not only for the
local residents,
but also for foreigners
going to China.
Not only is there
exceptional quality
and coverage,
but the
cell phone calling
rates are
low enough that
virtually anyone
going to China
can afford the security
and convenience
of having a cell
phone. However,
in order to take
advantage of these
affordable rates
you have to carefully
choose your options. Traditionally,
there have been
a number of cellular
options available
for those travelling
to China. You could
rent a cell phone
for China through
a cellular service
rental agency or,
with the right phone;
you could roam with
your current provider.
Both of these options
are inexpensive
with per minute
rates hovering toward
$3 and $4 dollars
per minute for incoming
and outgoing calls.
With these rates,
only the well-heeled
tourist or the businessman,
who cannot afford
to be without a
cell phone, could
permit the luxury
of having cellular
communication in
China.
Despite the high
costs, renting a
cell phone for use
in China has been
the
most popular choice
for most travelers.
It works like this,
you rent a cell
phone through one
of the many rental
companies, for example,
one at most international
airports, sign a
contract and pay
for the handset
rental plus per
minute usage. There
is usually a minimum
daily or weekly
usage required,
meaning that even
if you don't use
the phone, you are
still paying for
airtime. Once you
return from your
trip you drop off
or send back the
phone to the rental
company. Your bill
will appear on your
next credit card
statement. Once
you receive your
bill one of two
things happen, you
either give the
bill to your company's
accountant for reimbursement
and jump for joy
that you just accrued
2,000 points or,
if it's on your
dime, you slowly
yet deliberately
proceed to rip your
hair out of your
head. The second most
popular option has
been to
roam with your current
cell phone provider,
such as Sprint,
T-Mobile or AT&T.
Unless you have
a
tri-band GSM
phone, they will
need to provide
you one by either
renting or selling
you the handset.
While methods vary,
typically you need
to subscribe to
the service, sometimes
paying annual subscription
fees. Per minute
usage fees are comparable
with a cellular
rental. The advantage
is that you get
to retain your US
or Canadian cell
phone number. The
disadvantage is
that you have to
retain your US or
Canadian cell phone
number (which means
that anyone and
everyone will be
calling you, without
realizing that you
are paying a few
bucks a minute for
the call). Once
you return from
the trip you either
return the phone
to your service
provider or if it
is a tri-band, worldwide
compatible phone,
you do nothing.
You will be billed
on your regular
cell phone bill
(please see above
for recommended
ensuing reactions). The third and
less-known alternative
allows you to pay
the rates that the
200 million local
Chinese cell phone
users pay.
These rates are
approximately 10
cents per minute
for local calls
and from $0.60 to
$1.00 per minute
to call back to
the US or receive
calls, depending
on what time of
the day you use
call. It works like
this, you either
purchase or rent
a China compatible
cell phone and then
you purchase what
is known as a SIM
card for China.
You need both in
order to have cellular
service. Think of
it this way, even
if you have a car,
you still need to
buy gas in order
to drive it. The
SIM card is the
“brain” of the phone
and is what allows
you to make and
receive calls, allows
you to have a Chinese
cell phone number
and tracks cellular
usage. As it is
prepaid, there is
no need to sign
a contract nor do
you receive a bill.
If you need to add
more talk time,
you simply purchase
a recharge voucher.
You can “recharge
” your phone by
inserting the unique
18 digit pin number
directly into the
handset, press send
and the phone is
automatically credited
with more call credit.
The SIM card slips
into the phone (usually
underneath the battery)
and is automatically
activated once you
place your first
call. If you purchase
the handset, bear
in mind that it
will work in every
country in the world
except for Japan.
Next time you take
a trip, even if
it's to another
country, you will
only need to insert
a SIM card for that
country.
Whether you are
traveling to large
cities like Beijing
or Macau or through
the rural countryside,
the system works
the same way. You
may purchase the
SIM card and rent
or purchase the
cell phone through
www.pandaphone.com
prior to your departure,
that way, not only
will you be able
to give out your
cell phone number
prior to your trip
but you can use
your phone as soon
as you step off
of the plane.
Finally, cellular
service for China
that is accessible
and affordable to
anyone, including
200 million Chinese.
Coverage is throughout
the country and
the digital quality
is virtually flawless.
And better yet,
you get to retain
your head of hair.
