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/s...d.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/s...d.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!