SIM cards of China Mobile offer high speed 4G internet access in different data volumes, used in 5, 7, 10, 15, 30 days in both mainland China and Hong Kong. After high speed data, users can still use unlimited Internet at 128 kbps. Especially, using China Mobile SIM cards can access Facebook, Gmail, YouTube, Instagram,… without being blocked by the Great Firewall of the Chinese Government. In this article, let’s learn more about China Mobile SIM cards for tourists, from best plans, prices, where to buy, and whether to choose SIMs or eSIMs for your trip.
In this article
Before getting more information about about China Mobile’s best plans for tourists, their prices, you should have an overview about this mobile network operator:
China Mobile is the largest telecommunications operator in China, serving nearly 1 billion subscribers as of early 2024.
As of late 2023, according to MIIT Statistics, China Mobile has the market share of nearly 60%, significantly ahead of competitors China Telecom (22.3%) and China Unicom (18.3%).
This company leads China’s transition to next-generation mobile technology like 5G with 1.8 billion 5G base stations across the nation.
The network performance data of China Mobile shows:
It can be said that China Mobile has invested heavily in network infrastructure and technology adoption, which demonstrates their commitment to maintaining leadership in China’s tele market.
To determine if your phone is compatible with China Mobile’s services, you will need to check two key factors below:
China Mobile primarily uses the following frequencies:
Your phone must be carried unlocked to use services of China Mobile or any other China’s mobile networks.
Take these steps to check your phone’s compatibility:
China Mobile has 03 best SIM card plans and 1 add-on for tourists, which are:
This is a pay-as-you-go plan suitable for light users. Extra 1GB are affordable.
These plans offer both data and call minutes which are locally priced. If unused, quota rolls.
China Mobile also has unlimited plans with fair usage caps. They are cheaper than regular ones.
These addons are useful for those who need to top up their data during multiple weeks or months (from 90 days to 1 year). Longer validity comes with better value.
In addition to 3G/4G physical SIM card plans, China Mobile also offers eSIM plans for travelers to China.
eSIM are digital SIM cards which can be installed by scanning the QR code offered by China Mobile. However, you cannot buy eSIM plans directly from this mobile network operator because it requires a registration process which is not applicable for tourists. Instead, you need to buy eSIM from a certain prestigious eSIM provider.
China Mobile has eSIM plans compatible with most regular international phones. As long as you have an eSIM-supported mobile phone, you can use China Mobile eSIMs.
Noticeable eSIM plans of China Mobile are:
As mentioned above, travelers cannot buy China Mobile SIM cards or eSIMs without a Chinese ID. Besides, China Mobile stores only work with postpaid customers. Tourists are prepaid customers so they will not be served directly by the network operator.
But, you can visit convenience stores or other retail shops to buy China SIM cards.
To buy eSIMs, you can still buy them from eSIM providers such as Gigago, which offers the most varied and affordable data plans.
Their plans are supported by bypassing the China Great Firewall so you do not need to set up a VPN to access Google, Facebook, youtube, or any other blocked websites/content in the country.
Some noticeable China eSIM plans by Gigago:
China Mobile is the largest telecommunications operator, serving nearly 1 billion subscribers as of early 2024. The company leads in 5G technology deployment and their network covers 98% of urban areas and 95% of rural regions.
China Mobile operates a comprehensive multi-generation network infrastructure across China. It uses 2G GSM, 3G TD-SCDMA (incompatible with most non-Chinese phones), and 4G TDD-LTE networks.
There are several convenient ways to reload your China Mobile account:
– Purchase prepaid top-up cards from convenience stores
– Use international credit cards through WeChat Pay
– Visit any China Mobile store with passport for assistance
You can use SMS commands like texting “ye” to 10086 (check balance) and
texting “1091” to 10086 (check data usage). Alternatively, you can dial *100# for balance inquiry, or dial 10000# for data usage.
Or, you can also use digital platforms like China Mobile app, WeChat Mini program, or My China Mobile website (not applicable for tourists).
Main contact information of China Mobile is 10086 (International Calls: +86 10086).
Whether you’re a tourist exploring China’s iconic landmarks or a business traveler staying connected with work, accessing mobile internet in China can be challenging
This article is crafted for tourists who want smooth internet access but face challenges like high roaming charges and complex activation processes.
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