United Mobile Roaming and Prepaid Cards in Red China

[Gryphone]

Somehow we don't have any information about mainland China here, neither in this forum nor on in the list of national GSM operators.

Anyway, I'm going there over Christmas, according to the United Mobile website you can use your UM SIM there, though it doesn't say on which network (China Mobile or China Unicom).
While I'm there I'll try to get some information about the local prepaid cards, AFAIK buying them is comparably easy, the price often depends on the phone number though.

If you already have some infos I'd be happy if you could provide me with them, and if you have some special questions feel free to post them here and I'll see whether I can find some answers.

[AndreA]

Originally Posted by Gryphone

Somehow we don't have any information about mainland China here, neither in this forum nor on in the list of national GSM operators.

Anyway, I'm going there over Christmas, according to the United Mobile website you can use your UM SIM there, though it doesn't say on which network (China Mobile or China Unicom).

Unicom, check this PDF: http://www.fl1.li/roaming/Roaming_Provider_LIE.pdf

If you already have some infos I'd be happy if you could provide me with them, and if you have some special questions feel free to post them here and I'll see whether I can find some answers.

The 1st question: GPRS on chinese prepaid simcards

[andy]

not much info on the English pages - just brand and PR type stuff I think

http://www.chinamobile.com/ENGLISH/services.html

http://www.chinaunicom.com.cn/english/


I've read that internet cafes are common and very cheap - so you might wonder about one of those USB sticks with VoIP set-up in it (unless owners don't like people plugging in extra stuff?)

[Gryphone]

Outgoing calls won't be a problem since I will be using Skype at my home away from home.

I basicly just need my UM card for some incoming calls, good thing I'll mostly be staying in cities considering that China Unicom's GSM coverage doesn't seem to be that great.

[AndreA]

Originally Posted by Gryphone

I basicly just need my UM card for some incoming calls, good thing I'll mostly be staying in cities considering that China Unicom's GSM coverage doesn't seem to be that great.

A friend of mine used UM in China in the last 2 years travelling aroung many cities... he didn't have any particoular problem. A pretty coverage in rural areas too... from North to South

[prion]

Um support told me that they have a 'temporary problem' with Unicom and that they would solve this latter (did not mention when!)

[prion]

None! A friend is in there and nothing works.....

From CS they told me that they will fix it (who nows when....)

[jeffharris]

Who calls it "Red China" any more, anyway?!!??

[Gryphone]

Well, you need something to distinguish the People's Republic of China from the Republic of China, Hong Kong and Macau, since the regions each have different networks. And I'd say "People's Republic of China" is a bit long and since they are still communist-ruled: what's wrong about "Red China"?