Here for the school year from the US, our web intern, Aliyah Phipps, explains how easy it is to get connected in Beijing.
Almost every month there is a new and improved version of some device that we are all convinced we need. Our phones, laptops, tablets, and other smart devices are getting “smarter” and easier to use with each year. We can use them almost anywhere to do almost anything. However, to make full use of the capabilities of our smart devices requires the presence of a fast and secure network. As a new resident of Beijing, or even China, it can be difficult to try to figure out how to stay connected.
Keep in touch with a new phone and internet plan. China Mobile, China Unicom, China Telecom and China Mobile Tietong are the most well-known mobile phone carriers in China. Pay as you go, or select a package that works for you. We’ve got some feedback from two expats from opposite sides of the world to show just how easy it is to stay connected in Beijing.
Amanda B, an expat from Australia who has made Beijing her home for the past ten years, uses China Mobile. Amanda’s plan is pay as you go, which she finds convenient due to the varying amounts of data and minutes she uses per month. She recharges her phone, when necessary, using her Wechat wallet. Amanda usually spends 200RMB a month due to international data usage and calls, which is typically a higher expense. To stay connected at home, Amanda uses China Unicom. Amanda’s home and workplace both have great Wi-Fi connections, so she doesn’t usually need to use her data unless she is traveling or visiting a restaurant, office, bar etc. that has little to no Wi-Fi. Amanda describes the connection provided by China Mobile as both fast and reliable.
Bill F has been a resident of Beijing since he moved from Canada in 2005. Like Amanda, Bill also uses China mobile for his cellular phone data and calling plan. Bill has a specific package which provides him with 1G of data per month. He usually uses about eighty percent of his data per month. His monthly expenses consist of 50RMB for data and 60RMB for calling, for a total of 110RMB per month. At home, Bill uses China telecom to keep in touch. Bill says there isn’t much difference in regards to connectivity within Canada and China, besides when accessing international sites. Bill also states that he rarely runs into dead spots through the vast city of Beijing, so he is always connected.
Moving to Beijing doesn’t require you to fall off the face of the planet. You’ll find that staying connected in Beijing will not only be easy to do, but also easy on your wallet.
