Menu
Start a Thread Start a Poll
3G/4G data only SIM card
May 28, 2014 13:32
  • RADUCANMIHAI
  • Points:
  • Join Date: May 28, 2014
  • Status: offline
Hello,

My name in Mihai and I live in Romania. I'm going to stay in China for almost 1 month (4 days in Beijing and the rest in Shenyang). I need a good, reliable data only 3G SIM card (4G would be even better). I have GSM phone (Sony Z2), the same kind that works all around Europe. I need between 1 GB to 3 GB of data during my stay.

So, these are my questions:
1. What do you recommend: China Mobile or Unicom (Beijing and Shenyang)?
2. Where should I buy it from: ebay or on site (in Beijing)?


Thank you,
Mihai
May 28, 2014 20:37
#1  
GUEST5673 I am afraid that your cellphone may not support China 4G service no matter which telecom operator you choose. China 4G mode is TD-LTE. It's totally different from other countries in the world.

Your cellphone may not support China Mobile's 3G service. It's TDCDMA, which is not compatible with other countries.

So you may use China Unicom or China Telecom. China Unicom supports WCDMA and China Telecom, CDMA. It depends on which mode your cellphone supports. According to what I know, you may buy separate data packages from the telecom operators.
May 28, 2014 22:29
#2  
  • RADUCANMIHAI
  • Points:
  • Join Date: May 28, 2014
  • Status: Offline
Quote:

Originally Posted by GUEST5673 View Post

I am afraid that your cellphone may not support China 4G service no matter which telecom operator you choose. China 4G mode is TD-LTE. It's totally different from other countries in the world. <br />
<br />
Your cellphone may not support China Mobile's 3G service. It's TDCDMA, which is not compatible with other countries. <br />
[hua...


Thank's for your answer. My phone is WCDMA, so probably China Unicom is my only option. (Sony Z2 D6503)

Instead of buying locally I was looking for something like that: http://www.ebay.com/itm/China-Unicom-Prepaid-3G-Data-SIM-Card-with-3GB-Data-180-Days-/171342736387?pt=SIM_Cards&hash=item27e4d2ac03

What's your advise: buy it in Beijing or online, ahead of time (price wise, problems, etc)?
Last edited by RADUCANMIHAI: May 28, 2014 22:30
May 28, 2014 22:58
#3  
GUEST5673 What's your advise: buy it in Beijing or online, ahead of time (price wise, problems, etc)?

It's cheaper to buy online. But you should choose a very reliable seller. Sometimes, you might get cheated. For example, he tells you that you can use data package from June 1 to July 31. However, you find out that you can't access to the internet on July 15.

By the way, you need to make calls, right? According to what I know, those who buy sim-card from the telecom operator must provide their valid ID docuements. So you will be asked to provide your passport when you buy the sim card.
May 30, 2014 03:59
#4  
  • RADUCANMIHAI
  • Points:
  • Join Date: May 28, 2014
  • Status: Offline
No, I don't need to make phone calls. I have my Romanian SIM card that works in China and I'm going to use that if I really need it. Data roaming works also but it's 6 euros/MB ! That's why I'm looking for a data SIM only. I'm going to use Skype for voice calls.

I asked a question to an ebay seller about what he sells but I didn't get any answer yet.

PS: By the way, Skype works in China, right? I mean Skype to Skype international voice calls.
Jun 2, 2014 22:08
#5  
GUEST5673 Yes, Skype works in China. You may use that to make calls.
Post a Reply to: 3G/4G data only SIM card
Content: ( 3,000 characters at most, please )
You can add emoticons below to your post by clicking them.
characters left
Name:    Get a new code