Johnmango

I am a bit of a dinosaur wrt sim card for cell phone.

In the past when I went to Hong Kong I always just bought a CSL One2Free sim card to pop in my unlocked cell phone and I could make local calls really cheap.

I just switched my cell phone to a blackberry in Canada that is unlocked. When I go to Hong Kong: is there sim card with talk plans that allow me to both make phone calls/text messages, as well as accessing the internet (wifi) including doing email? do most of these plans require long-term subscription or are there pay-as-you-go plans for sim card like what I just described?

Thanks

Hanuman

Yes I've bought prepaid SIM cards from "3" with 3G internet access in Hong Kong many times.

From Google: http://www.three.com.hk/website/appm...&pageid=213001

Hanuman

Here's a link for their prepaid SIM: http://www.three.com.hk/website/appm...10594&lang=eng

Johnmango

Thanks Hanuman.

I am a bit confused by the websites you posted: they talked about monthly plan. Does it mean that I can still buy a sim card but stop paying or continue to pay, after a month since I will be in HK for only 2 weeks?

Do you know if the sim card is good for use in China.

Hanuman

I think certain prepaid SIM can be used in China but you will be paying higher than normal calling rates or you'll be paying the international roaming rate. I suggest you buy a prepaid SIM in each of the country you're visiting.

For Hong Kong just asked at the kiosk where they sell the SIM for a prepaid SIM with data with 3G net capability. However, when I visit I only buy the 2G(no net capability) and will only access the net once I'm in range of free Wi-fi. Also, you don't need to buy a 1 month plan so just buy a prepaid SIM with top up voucher to the amount you think you will use.


2G SIM: http://www.three.com.hk/website/appm...&pageid=625001

rkkwan

The 2nd link from Hanuman is for a prepaid 3G card from "3". That's actually THE card I am using at this moment to get broadband access to post this.

Johnmango

Hi rkkwan - thanks again for your help, and of course Hanuman.

I forgot that I will be going to Beijing-Xian first - then Hong Kong then Guilin/Yangshuo. I think there are a couple of big Chinese cell companies in China (China Mobil being one) - but which sim card would you recommend - for phone calls and internet/email access.

I also imagine that there is no need to get one beforehand (unless I want the cell phone number before leaving home) and have them shipped to me. It's easier just to walk into a phone store in Beijing (will be staying at Double Happiness Hutong Hotel) and buy one and have them activate it right there, right?

sf7307

Hanuman, related question. When we were in Hong Kong recently, we found very little free WiFi (unlike Hanoi and Siem Reap, where you can log on to free Wifi just walking down the street!). We got 20 minutes a day at the Starbucks near our hotel, but other than that, although there were tons of hotspots, they all seemed to be "for pay". Where do you go for free WiFi?

Hanuman

I remember seeing a poster or a sign for free wifi from the government.

From Google: http://www.gov.hk/en/theme/wifi/program/

rkkwan

Besides government properties - including the museums (free to walk into the lobby and surf there) - some of the New World First Buses (about half of the routes solely on HK Island and certain tunnel buses) have free wifi.

Pacific Coffee have free computer terminals with internet access, as well as some MTR stations.

sf7307

Yup, we used the Pacific coffee free computers. I was looking to log on using my own iphone, though, so I could call home using the Skype app (hence my morning trip to Starbucks for coffee and a free 20 minutes of WiFi )

rkkwan

Well, maximum charge on with the "3" 3G SIM each day is about the same as a latte at Starbucks. HK$28.

rkkwan

BTW, PCCW's wifi hotspots are also pretty inexpensive:

http://www2.pccwmobile.com/portal/ge...nd.jsp?lang=en

sf7307

<<<Well, maximum charge on with the "3" 3G SIM each day is about the same as a latte at Starbucks. HK$28.>>>

Yeah, but I'd have to get the latte somewhere anyway

Johnmango

sf7307 - I would appreciate it that you start your own thread even if you have a "related question"

sf7307

Your original post mentioned using WiFi to get email and internet access. My question was intended to help you.

Johnmango

My original post was asking about what sim cards to use for blackberry for phone call and email/internet acess, and not about where to find free wifi, because I know where to find them in HK.

It makes it easy for me to find my responses/answers from others. That way I don't have to navigate around other posts answering other people's questions (in my thread) to find the answer I need.

Thanks.

Johnmango

Does anyone know: if I ask someone in Hong Kong to buy the "3" sim card and ship it to me in Canada, whether I can activate the card here?

The reason being that I will visit Beijing first, then Hong Kong. The "3" business plan sim card seems to work fine for both mainland China and Hong Kong.