Hong Kong: Communications

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Communications

Internet

Hong Kong is an Internet-friendly place for those bearing laptops. All mid- to high-end hotels have in-room Internet access; Wi-Fi is common both in hotels and in public places, including many cafés, bars, and restaurants. All business centers have high-speed access.

Laptops and Blackberries are so ubiquitous in Hong Kong that things get tough if you haven't got one. Internet cafés are practically nonexistent; the only place to check e-mail on the go is at one of the many branches of the Pacific Coffee Company -- you can log on to one of their free terminals if you buy a coffee (HK$20-HK$30).

Phones

Hong Kong was the first city in the world with a fully digitized local phone network, and the service is efficient and cheap. Even international calls are inexpensive relative to those in the United States. You can expect clear connections and helpful directory assistance. Don't hang up if you hear Cantonese when calling automated and prerecorded hotlines; English is usually the second or third language option. The country code for Hong Kong is 852; there are no local area codes.

Calling Within Hong Kong

Hong Kong phone numbers have eight digits: landline numbers usually start with a 2 (mobiles with a 9).

If you're old enough to talk in Hong Kong, you're old enough for a cell phone, which means public phones are dwindling. MTR stations still always have one or two: local calls to both land and cell lines cost HK$1 per 5 minutes. If you're planning to call abroad from a pay phone, buy a phone card. Convenience stores like 7-11 sell stored-value Hello cards (only for use at pay phones) and SmartCards (a PIN-activated card you can use from any phone). Some pay phones accept credit cards.

Restaurants and shopkeepers will usually let you use their phone for free, as the phone company doesn't charge for individual local calls. Many small stores keep their phone on the counter facing the street. Hotels may charge as much as HK$5 for a local call, though.

Dial 1081 for directory assistance from English-speaking operators. If a number is constantly busy and you think it might be out of order, call 109 and the operator will check the line. The operators are very helpful, if you talk slowly and clearly.

Calling Outside Hong Kong

International rates from Hong Kong are reasonable, even more so between 9 PM and 8 AM. The international dial code is 001, then the country code. The country code is 1 for the United States. So to call the United States you dial 0011. You can dial direct from many hotel and business centers, but always with a hefty surcharge. Dial 10013 for international inquiries and for assistance with direct dialing. Dial 10010 for collect and operator-assisted calls to most countries, including the United States. Dial 10011 for credit-card, collect, and international conference calls.

Access Codes

AT&T Direct (800/96-1111). MCI WorldPhone (800/96-1121). Sprint International Access (800/96-1877).

Mobile Phones

Most GSM-compatible mobile handsets work in Hong Kong. If you can unlock your phone, buying a SIM card locally is the cheapest and easiest way to make calls. Local phone company PCCW sells them for around HK$200 from their "i-shops" all over town. Local calls cost around HK$0.50 a minute.

Otherwise, you can rent handsets from CSL (HK$35 a day) with prepaid SIM cards (HK$48-HK$180). There's a stand at the airport and shops all over town. If you're only in town for a day or two, this is a good-value option.