Over the past year, I’ve had numerous missed calls from colleagues – they said my phone would just ring through – and more recently a kuaidi guy who said he couldn’t get an answer, despite my phone being on. Colleagues said China Mobile has a better signal where I work, but I didn’t want to go through the hassle of applying for another mobile number. After some research, however, I found that it is possible to switch carriers, and did so over National Day recently.
Whether you’ve been a Beijinger for 10-plus years or less than a year, chances are that you can switch carriers. In fact, number portability and moving service providers is relatively new, with the Regulation on the Administration of Number Portability Service published in November 2019 and implemented in December 2019.
FAQ: Can I switch from another province/city?
Mobile service is managed by province and city. If you have a number from Beijing, you can switch carriers by going to a service hall in Beijing. If your number is in Shanghai, then you’ll have to go to Shanghai to switch.
Why do it?
- Poor 5G/4G signal
- Families wanting to be on the same telecommunications service provider
- If you want to take advantage of a new, sweet deal on an internet/mobile package
How do you get it done?
Step 1: Check eligibility
You’ll need to send a text message to your current mobile carrier and see if you meet the requirements for porting your number. In general, this means that you have been with the carrier for at least 120 days, have no unpaid balance, and the number must be registered in your name and with your passport.
Important note: If you have not updated your current number with a new passport number, first go to your carrier’s official service hall to update your details.
- China Mobile: CXXZ#SURNAME FIRST MIDDLE#PASSPORT NUMBER to 10086
- China Unicom: CXXZ#SURNAME FIRST MIDDLE#PASSPORT NUMBER to 10010
- China Telecom: CXXZ#SURNAME FIRST MIDDLE#PASSPORT NUMBER to 10001
Important note: Your name should be in all CAPS or look for a previous mobile phone bill to see the format. No spaces after the # symbol. Sample: CXXZ#JOHNSON MARK ALLEN#519388999 \
You should receive a text message similar to the one above, saying in Chinese that your phone number “满足携转条件,” meaning you can port the number to another carrier.
Step 2: Go to the service hall
Important note: If you’ve got a ton of money on your current mobile phone number, you may want to wait until you’re closer to zero because your funds will not transfer when you port your number.
Small resellers will not be able to offer this service. You must go to an official service hall, and there are many throughout Beijing. Want to take your number to China Mobile? Go to an official China Mobile service hall. The cost to port your number to another carrier is free.
What to bring:
- Passport
- Mobile phone with SIM card
- Idea about new mobile plan
- About RMB 100 in WeChat/Alipay/cash
The employee behind the glass will ask for your passport and ask you which mobile service plan you’d like. If you’re not sure, they’ll provide you with a flyer and help you choose one.
Step 3: Request authorization code
Just like any fine James Bond flick, the message will self-destruct in 60 minutes. While in another carrier’s service hall, send a text message to your current mobile carrier to get authorization from your current carrier to port to the new one.
- China Mobile: SQXZ#SURNAME FIRST MIDDLE#PASSPORT NUMBER to 10086
- China Unicom: SQXZ#SURNAME FIRST MIDDLE#PASSPORT NUMBER to 10010
- China Telecom: SQXZ#SURNAME FIRST MIDDLE#PASSPORT NUMBER to 10001
Important note: Just like before, your name should be in all CAPS or look for a previous mobile phone bill to see the format. No spaces after the # symbol. Sample: SQXZ#JOHNSON MARK ALLEN#519388999
You’ll receive a text message with a six-digit authorization code. Show this text to the staff member who’s helping you behind the counter in the service hall. Breathe a sigh of relief as the most arduous part of the process is now behind you.
The customer service rep will ask you to digitally sign off on your new mobile service agreement, take three pictures with your face mask removed, and might ask you if you have a backup mobile phone number. It’s perfectly okay if you don’t, but after you pay about RMB 100 for your first month’s bill, they’ll tell you to come back in 30 minutes, after your SIM card is deactivated. If you’re leaving the service hall, you may need to shoot a nice smile to the security guard on your way in, since your jiankangbao – aka health kit – won’t work after about 30 minutes, and you’ll need to come back in. After your old card is deactivated, you’ll return to see the employee who has helped you and will receive a new SIM card and new mobile service!
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Images: Joshua Hiller
