Landlines and mobile phones in China
The first thing you will need in China is your phone. There are over 1.2 billion active mobile users in the country, and you will need your phone for pretty much every aspect of your everyday life. In China, a lot of things are done via mobile apps (the WeChat app, in particular). So, you will need your phone for work, getting around, ordering food, paying for things at the store — and more.
Landlines in China
Landlines have been actively losing their popularity in China over the past decade. Even though most Chinese households own a landline, only 16 out of 100 people use landline phones. Companies and other businesses use these more frequently. Moreover, expatriates in China are less likely to subscribe to a landline, especially if they are staying in the country temporarily. If you are a permanent resident in China and want to have the convenience of a landline, the process of getting one is not complicated. To subscribe to a landline in China, visit any branch of the landline operator, for instance, China Telecom, producing your identity documents and proof of address.
Mobile phones in China
Mobile phones, especially smartphones, have long become essential to everyday life in China. It is estimated that over 83% of Chinese residents are active mobile phone users.
Once you arrive in China, you will need to get a local SIM card. Choose a mobile network provider: China Mobile and China Unicom are the country's leading providers. Attend one of the branches and apply for a SIM card and phone number; the process is rapid and easy. Depending on your intended mobile phone use, you may want to check with your chosen network provider regarding specific data packages, call packages, or message packages.
One peculiar thing about getting a SIM card in China is that you will be asked to choose your phone number from a list of available ones. Each number comes with a price, with some being more expensive than others. Numbers with '8's in them are the most pricey ('8' is considered a lucky number in China), and phone numbers with '4's in them are the cheapest (yes, you've guessed it: '4' is an unlucky number).
Good to know:
You may have the option of buying a non-registered Chinese SIM card at one of the small stalls on the street. In this case, you will not be asked for identification and will only need to pay for your new phone number and SIM card fee. Note that unregistered numbers are currently under fire in the country and, according to the government, will be ultimately canceled.
If you plan to make a lot of international calls, consider purchasing an IP card ('guoji ka' in Chinese) that offers significant discounts when making calls abroad. The card comes with a code that you will need to enter before dialing an international number and are available in kiosks and network providers' offices across China.
The most convenient way to top up your phone is by using the WeChat app. Once you download the app, you will need to connect your WeChat wallet to your Chinese bank card.
Next, you will simply need to go to your Profile>Services>Mobile Top Up. You can also ask your friends or colleagues to top up your phone — they will only need to know your phone number to do that.
If, for any reason, you can't use the WeChat app to top up your phone, you can do that at most paper stalls, 7/11 convenience stores and your network provider branches.
Mobile internet in China
Mobile internet takes a special place in China. The country counts over 731 million internet users, with 95% of mobile internet users. As of 2022, China has the widest 5G network in the world — with over one million 5G stations. Mobile internet speeds in big cities are very fast, and you won't have issues if you are working online. Mobile internet is an absolute necessity in China as it's used for hailing taxis, paying for goods and services, booking air tickets and hotel rooms, transferring money, and so on. The two most popular mobile apps in China are WeChat and Alipay.
Good to know:
China's country code is "0086". To make phone calls to different cities, you must dial the area code followed by your correspondent's number. To make calls abroad, you must dial "00" followed by the country code (or city and area code) and the phone number without the initial "0".
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