Identify if your own cell phone match China SIM card
China Mobile SIM card works with an unlocked 800 MHz GSM cell phone, while China Unicom SIM card works with an unlocked 800 MHz CDMA cell phone. Therefore, you SIM card need to meet at least three conditions:
Work with GSM network
What is GSM network and how do I know the country's network?
900 MHz and 1800 MHz
How can I know my cell phone's MHz?
You cell phone is unlocked
How do I know whether my cell phone is locked or unlocked?
What is GSM network and how do I know the country's network?
What we mean the “GSM network” is Global System for Mobile Communications. It provides integrated voice mail, high-speed data, fax, paging and short message services capabilities. GSM customers enjoy secure communications, and GSM offers unparalleled call privacy and fraud prevention. As members of the GSM Global Network, GSM subscribers can use their phones at home, across town, across the continent, or around the world (except for with country specific SIM cards). Different mobile phone networks operate at different frequencies, which mean that if you wish to use your mobile phone outside your home country, you generally need a handset that supports multiple frequency bands.
As a general Guideline: Dual-band - A dual-band phone operates at both the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz spectrum. Dual-band works in Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and much of South America. Tri-band - A tri-band phone operates on three frequency bands, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz and 1900 MHz, allowing you to use it in Europe, Africa, and Asia, nearly all of North America, Australia and New Zealand. Quad-band - A quad-band phone allows you to roam almost anywhere globally. It covers the 850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz and 1900 MHz frequency ranges. Many countries in South America only have 850 MHz GSM service while both 1900 MHZ and 850 MHz GSM services are supported in the USA. 99% of all countries use the GSM standard. WE believe eventually GSM will be the only cell phone standard in the world.
How can I know my cell phone's MHz?
Please double check the band of your cell phone. If your cell phone works with dual-band, phone operates at both the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz spectrum. If your cell phone works with tri-band, phone operates at the 900 MHz, 1800 MHz and 1900 MHz spectrum. If your cell phone works with quad-band, phone allows you to roam almost anywhere globally.
In China, the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz is the GSM network. If your cell phone can work in this MHz, your cell phone is certainly to work with China SIM card. Check the MHz of your cell phone instruction, know it by yourself.
If you need any help, call at 1-866-574-2050 to find the assistant for you.
How do I know whether my cell phone is locked or unlocked?
Only your dealer or carrier will know this information. Ask the dealer who sold you your phone if it is SIM locked or unlocked. If your GSM cell phone is unlocked then any SIM card in the world will work in your phone.
If your phone is SIM locked. It will NOT work with any other SIM card prepaid or otherwise.
Special Card
If your SIM Card does not work, even it is suitable for the cell phone according to the condition above. There will be these three causes:
1. Run out of minute, you need to top up minutes.
(http://www.pandaphone.com/airtime_recharge.htm)
2. Expiration. If your SIM card expires, you may call your SIM provider for help, or purchase a new one.
3. Broken. It is too bad, for such reason, you have to purchase a new SIM.
