Cell phones in Hong Kong?

[girlstar]

I was wondering what the deal is with cell phones in Hong Kong. I will be going for a lengthly period of time this summer and I've heard of other people who've done the same thing (gone for a while) buying a cell phone there to call home with. I don't know how it works but something about you having to buy calling cards for the phones? Is it worth it? Or is it expensive? I don't know if there are many pay phones there lol. If anyone knows about this that would be great :)

[manixc]

When you are in HK, you should get a long distance calling card, whether you are getting a cell or not.

Getting a cell phone in HK is the same as getting a cell in Canada, just walk into a mall and into a cell provider shop.

[boonjaca]

When I was there, purchasing a cellphone was more expensive than buying one off ebay. I was going to buy the Sony Ericsson K750 and it costs about $600 there but if I were to buy it off ebay then it would've only cost me about $450-$500, including shipping at the time.

The cellphone plans are amazing there compared to here, it just shows how much we're being ripped off here. Anyhow, they have this cellphone company called Sunday and you just walk in and tell them you want a pay as you go card for your phone, I think it was $12 for 200 anytime minutes, don't remember exactly.

[simms]

You'd need a SIM card from a mobile company there, and an unlocked cell phone.

[Badger]

The cheapest Prepaid Sim Card avaliable is from New World Mobility for $28 HKD and it offers 60 minutes of local airtime in Hong Kong or $0.15 HKD per minute, valid for 90 days.

I think it only cost $0.25 HKD per minute for long distance to Canada/US using your cell phone using the IDD 1678 Roaming Store Valued Card.

[girlstar]

So I'd have to buy an unlocked phone over there? I don't really care what kind of phone as long as it works, so about how much am I looking to spend?

Do they have their own companies like Telus, Rogers etc.?

hmmm I hope this isn't going to be hard lol.

Thanks for the replies so far.

[cheeseshredder]

So I'd have to buy an unlocked phone over there? I don't really care what kind of phone as long as it works, so about how much am I looking to spend?

Do they have their own companies like Telus, Rogers etc.?

hmmm I hope this isn't going to be hard lol.

Thanks for the replies so far.

If you have a GSM phone here that is unlocked, you can just take it over there I believe.

[Oni-kun]

in hong kong they used different GSM bands. if you buy a phone here try to get tri-band or quad-band.

[Badger]

Only a few networks in Hong Kong uses the 900 band, they mostly use the 1800 band, and since most tri-band sold in Asia are 900/1800/1900.

[Mystix]

So I'd have to buy an unlocked phone over there? I don't really care what kind of phone as long as it works, so about how much am I looking to spend?

Do they have their own companies like Telus, Rogers etc.?

hmmm I hope this isn't going to be hard lol.

Thanks for the replies so far.

You dont have to buy a unlock phone over there. You can get one here or use or if you have a phone with fido or rogers, look into getting it unlocked

yes they have their own companies like rogers and fido, in fact they have atleast 10 so the rates are very competitive.

I would recommend that if you have a phone here, just take that and bring it to hk. In hk just go to a mobile company of your choice and get a pay as you go type of sim card.

[girlstar]

So I just pick one of those companies? And there won't be crazy LD charges? I'll basically be a pay-as-you-go user there? There won't be any contracts or credit checks will there?

I'm currently on Telus so my phone isn't GSM and I don't plan to switch to Rogers/Fido here.

I'm so clueless about this :P

[cheeseshredder]

Basically, find out what band Hong Kong networks usually use, buy a phone that has that band, pick a company and go on prepaid (pay-as-you-go) with them.

I don't know about long distance though.

[spike-spiegel]

I don't feel like bumping my old thread in Comp & Elect (http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=275242), but is buying a cellphone from HK than buying online?

[simms]

I don't feel like bumping my old thread in Comp & Elect (http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=275242), but is buying a cellphone from HK than buying online?

... cheaper? more fancy? Your question doesn't make sense.

In any case, no, it's cheaper actually to buy on eBay. The W810 sells on fortress for $6XX CDN, but can be found for $5XX or less.

But then again, I don't know other electronics sellers in HK... so it might be possible. One of my friends bought a W800 for $600 a few months back, you can find it online for $300....

[mingming]

OK, this sums it up.

Phone:
- Any unlocked GSM world phone. Most current GSM phones will work in HK as long as it's unlocked. If it's not, they can do it for you over there.

Phone Plan:
- Most malls and stores will have prepaid SM cards. When I went back, I used Sunday.
- Pay a certain amount, and you card will have a phone number and have certain minutes. I remember my card had about 200 minutes on it, it was perfect since I used up the final minute on my final day there.
- it's as easy as buying a fruit from the supermarket.

Purchasing a phone:
- any phone you buy in HK will be unlocked. just head to MongKok to look for "water stock", which is cheaper.


In general, using a cellphone in HK is much more convenient and cheaper than the crazy plans and rules in Canada. It's so much more updated there that everyone (including old ladies) are carrying a cell phone that is years ahead than ones that most teens are carrying in Canada. You can use cell phone on the subway, they actually built a network underground so you can use it everywhere. So dont sweat about phone issues in HK. Worry more about how to efficiently spend your time shopping and having fun!

[girlstar]

^ Thanks that was very helpful. Every response was helpful.

I just thought it would be more convenient to use to call home with. I wouldn't be calling locally as I know no one there lol. And I've heard there aren't many pay phones around.

haha you bet I'll be shopping and having fun :D

[spike-spiegel]

... cheaper? more fancy? Your question doesn't make sense.

In any case, no, it's cheaper actually to buy on eBay. The W810 sells on fortress for $6XX CDN, but can be found for $5XX or less.

But then again, I don't know other electronics sellers in HK... so it might be possible. One of my friends bought a W800 for $600 a few months back, you can find it online for $300....

I missed a couple of words... cheaper. It is definitely fancier since the models are a year ahead of here. But would buying online be cheaper than buying waterstock?

[impulsebuy]

ive been once to hk but the chains like Fortress sell electronics at a higher price but they have a better warranty(which i dont think can be used over here anyways) but if you go to the non big chains it'll be cheaper but u run the risk of shady practices like swapping parts and fake batteries. There was a building i went to that had all cell phones and the selection was huge. I wouldnt bring a cell phone to swap a sim card unless it was one u dont plan on keeping as id personally be tempted to buy one there.
Tip-Also ship all your manuals back here b4 u come back to avoid being hassled at customs

[eelfliw]

If you simply need to call home, then why not use skype?

[mingming]

Big box stores like Fortress are good to see what you want to get. I picked out my phone first by walking around Fortress first, then heading to the shady mongkok stores.

The more shady stores is mostly by observation. There's this one huge building in MongKok where it's 5 floors of small stands for cell phones.

First thing you should do is scout the place, see who looks most trustworthy and with most people doing business there. Yes, i can still get ripped off but it's the only instinct you can go by.

I ran into a store with a very nice salesman and observed he had lots of regular customers. So me, my brother, and my friend all got a phone from that place and theres been no problem since.

But chances are, you'll get yourself a good working phone with no problems.


Also, if you want cameras, check out the Computer mall right outside WanChai subway station, there's a mcD right there too. Got a wicked camera (Panasonic Lumix FX9) just days after it was released there. Again, great deal and has been working great for me!!!

[girlstar]

haha this may be stupid but will the phone be in English? I know no Chinese whatsoever.

I don't know what Skype is :confused:

[Homer88]

haha this may be stupid but will the phone be in English? I know no Chinese whatsoever.

I don't know what Skype is :confused:
Yes, there should be at least Chinese and English in the phone. You might have to ask the salesmen to change it for you, its probably chinese by default.

[boonjaca]

And by the way, if you don't know it already, when you dial long distance from hongkong, the country code for Canada is 1. It took me awhile to figure this out when trying to make a long distance call from my cell there.

[eelfliw]

haha this may be stupid but will the phone be in English? I know no Chinese whatsoever.

I don't know what Skype is :confused:
Skype is free internet telephone. See --> http://www.skype.com/

[manixc]

With Skype, you would need access to a computer and internet connection. This could be tricky if girlstar is staying in a hotel or something.

The best bet would be to get a GSM cell phone + a long distance calling card.

[girlstar]

So I'll dial 1-416-the number?

[ItemFinder]

Dial +1 + (area code) + (7 digit number). The + is substituted for the international dialing code and 1 is Canada's country code.

[girlstar]

in hong kong they used different GSM bands. if you buy a phone here try to get tri-band or quad-band.

So when I buy my phone there I want to make sure it's tri or quad band so that I can bring it back here to use?

[Badger]

So when I buy my phone there I want to make sure it's tri or quad band so that I can bring it back here to use?

They're mostly tri-bands phones in HK, while cheaper model phones can be dual band. Most of the tri-band phones I know of is at 1900/900/1800 in HK, make sure you are using the 1900 in canada.

[IceMan77]

Get the quad-band Sony Ericksson w810. You can't go wrong with this phone. Useable here in canada and HK, has mp3 player, 2mp camera. what more could you ask for? :D

[girlstar]

Get the quad-band Sony Ericksson w810. You can't go wrong with this phone. Useable here in canada and HK, has mp3 player, 2mp camera. what more could you ask for? :D

How much is it? I'm not looking to spend a lot hehe.

[PrinceMS]

What is "a lot" for you?

[girlstar]

Well my current situation is that I am right now on Telus Pay and Talk and waiting for number portability so I could be there for a while. So I guess it's not immediate that I will jump ship and be able to use a GSM phone.

I don't know how much phones run for there so I guess about $200 CAD? I just paid that for my new LG camera phone.

[manixc]

Well my current situation is that I am right now on Telus Pay and Talk and waiting for number portability so I could be there for a while. So I guess it's not immediate that I will jump ship and be able to use a GSM phone.

I don't know how much phones run for there so I guess about $200 CAD? I just paid that for my new LG camera phone.

is number portability even coming to Canada?

[girlstar]

I read in the Toronto Star a while back it would be here in a year or two?

[IceMan77]

How much is it? I'm not looking to spend a lot hehe.

The SE w810 is probably one of the best phones on the market right now. It'll make your LG look like a dinosaur, but it ain't going to be cheap. Last price check in hk was ~$3000 HKD unlocked. But you just mentioned you're on Telus, so forget all comments on getting a SIM card in HK or bringing a phone back to activate on Telus cuz it won't work. Just use a local landline to call home when you need to.

[girlstar]

If you get a phone in HK and will be travelling to Shanghai and Beijing will it work there? What's their roaming like?

^ Thanks. I just want to get a phone so that I always have something with me because I'm travelling alone for the first time and I heard that pay phones are hard to come by. I would bring the phone back and either let my dad use it or give it to my cousin.

[IceMan77]

If you get a phone in HK and will be travelling to Shanghai and Beijing will it work there? What's their roaming like?

^ Thanks. I just want to get a phone so that I always have something with me because I'm travelling alone for the first time and I heard that pay phones are hard to come by. I would bring the phone back and either let my dad use it or give it to my cousin.

The best thing to do is get a quadband GSM phone, that way you just buy a SIM card in whatever city you're in. Buy a calling card in conjuction with your cell phone to call LD. Roaming charges will always be expensive.

[girlstar]

Does anyone know the names of the major Hong Kong cell phone carriers like Telus and Rogers? And if they have sites so I can have a rough idea of how much the phones are (if they have them displayed on their sites like our companies).

And if possible their website URLs?

[coala]

Just googled these two

http://www.hkcsl.com/main.html

click Prepaid SIM and Vistors to HK

http://wikitravel.org/en/Hong_Kong go Telephone section

http://www.hutchnet.com.hk/website/template?pageid=d291c0&lang=eng




Does anyone know the names of the major Hong Kong cell phone carriers like Telus and Rogers? And if they have sites so I can have a rough idea of how much the phones are (if they have them displayed on their sites like our companies).

And if possible their website URLs?

[girlstar]

^ Thanks.

Just to make sure I am understanding everything correctly:

I'm looking at that prepaid SIM card thing. So I just buy an unlocked phone somewhere in HK and buy this prepaid card (whenever I need it) at 7-11, CSL, One2Freeshops and I'm all set? And then to call home to Canada I should buy a calling card to use on my cell phone?

[felixdd]

I'm here (in HK) right now.

Prepaid sim wise...if you don't need to do long distance calls w/ your sim, then use Sunday -- $48 HKD for 400 min (that's about $7 CDN!!!). Also included is caller ID. However, text messages are expensive to send out...I think $1 or $3 CDN per message (something like that...absurdly expensive).

Stay away from CSL -- they have bad signal. Then again this is completely hearsay add some salt to this if you wish.

Phone-wise any tri- or quadband phone will work. HK uses 900/1800 (North America uses 800/1900)

[felixdd]

^ Thanks.

Just to make sure I am understanding everything correctly:

I'm looking at that prepaid SIM card thing. So I just buy an unlocked phone somewhere in HK and buy this prepaid card (whenever I need it) at 7-11, CSL, One2Freeshops and I'm all set? And then to call home to Canada I should buy a calling card to use on my cell phone?

Yep. If you use a calling card to call home, then you don't even need a prepaid package that allows for long distance, as you would first call a local routing station, and then enter your number and password (you know the drill).

I recommend the Sunday package. Per minute-wise, I think it's the lowest (I compared all of them a few weeks back when I first arrived).

[forgamez]

I would suggest that you buy a used unlocked phone from the cellphone buy/sell forum and then take it with you to HK. I don't think you are going to have a pleasant experience buying a phone out there, as there are so many choices and the chances the seller will try to rip you off is great. (Especially if you go to Sing Tat, which is the five story cellphone complex other posters were referring to. Even though the prices are low there, you will more than likely be screwed there) If you deal with someone here, it will be easier and hassle free.

Secondly, don't spend more than a 100 CAD for the phone. Almost all phones are at least tri-band now, so as long as it is unlocked, it will work with an HK sim card. And it doesn't sound like you need any fancy features and what not. (Although you may be tempted by the phones they have in HK) I would suggest getting a Sony Ericsson T637. I have had that phone and it has good reception and it is not ugly.

[DJ Trance AZ]

I mostly used Peoples pre-paid SIM card ($100HKD for 540mins) and it has pretty good coverage in all areas in HK. If you sign up now (before June 30th), you still get this promotion.

For buying cell phones, I would definitely suggest you to go to Wilson Communication (I mostly go to the one @ Mon Kok). The store can take back your old cell phone and negotiate with them for the best deal.

I just bought a Nokia N80 (non-water) from them for $5280HKD with extra battery, 2 Maxim Cake Certificates, screen protector and one year Nokia Care warranty in HK/China.

.ERiC

[girlstar]

Thanks for everyone's help!

I actually got a hold of an unused Rogers phone I'm going to take over.

How do I go about unlocking it over there? How much is it to unlock? How do I make sure they actually unlocked it??? Also is there a recommended company/place in HK for this?

[ElvaSoShexai]

make sure that rogers phone is triband...

get it unlocked here @ pacific mall or something... if it's some old nokia... u can unlock it urself (i think sony ericsson or samsung can unlock urself too)

if u go to sin dat in mk they hv cheap fones there... the whole 1st floor is basically cell fones

when i went i just got a prepaid for like 30-40HKD and it had like 3-400minutes

[jm20]

Just use a cell phone for local calls and use this (http://skype.com/) to call home. Why waste money needlessly ?

[girlstar]

Just use a cell phone for local calls and use this (http://skype.com/) to call home. Why waste money needlessly ?

Thanks but the computer at home I'd be calling to has Windows ME and Skype needs Windows 2000/XP :( I could use it for my friends though!

How much is it to unlock a phone at Pmall? How long does it take? Is it better to do it here or in HK?

[DJ Trance AZ]

Unlocking your phone can take as fast as 2/3 mins. What is the model of your phone? I can give your an est. of the price.

No difference of unlocking your phone in PMall or in HK...well there is but it's only with rare phone models.

.Eric