## Mobile Carriers
### Major Providers
| Carrier | Coverage | Speed | Best For |
|———|———-|——-|———-|
| China Mobile | Excellent | Very Good | Overall coverage |
| China Unicom | Very Good | Excellent | 4G/5G speed |
| China Telecom | Good | Good | Bundle services |
### Market Share
– China Mobile: 60%
– China Unicom: 25%
– China Telecom: 15%
## Tourist SIM Cards
### Available Plans
| Plan | Data | Validity | Price |
|——|——|———-|——-|
| 7-Day | 10-20 GB | 7 days | 50-100 RMB |
| 15-Day | 30-50 GB | 15 days | 100-150 RMB |
| 30-Day | 50-100 GB | 30 days | 150-200 RMB |
### Where to Buy
– Airport arrivals (convenient, higher price)
– Carrier stores (best plans, language barrier)
– Online (Taobao, cheapest, need address)
– Phone shops (flexible, risk of scams)
## Long-term Plans
### Postpaid Plans
| Plan | Data | Minutes | Price |
|——|——|———|——-|
| Basic | 10-20 GB | 100-300 | 50-100 RMB/month |
| Standard | 30-50 GB | 300-500 | 100-150 RMB/month |
| Premium | 100+ GB | 500-1000 | 150-300 RMB/month |
### Requirements
– Passport (original)
– Chinese phone number (for verification)
– Some require residence permit
## 5G Coverage
### Availability
– All major cities covered
– Expanding to smaller cities
– Requires 5G phone
– No extra charge for 5G
### Speed Comparison
| Network | Download | Upload |
|———|———-|——–|
| 5G | 300-800 Mbps | 50-100 Mbps |
| 4G | 20-50 Mbps | 10-20 Mbps |
| 3G | 2-10 Mbps | 1-5 Mbps |
## Registration Process
### Steps
1. Visit carrier store with passport
2. Choose plan and phone number
3. Staff registers SIM to your name
4. Activate immediately
5. Download carrier app
### Required Information
– Full name (as in passport)
– Passport number
– Chinese address (can be hotel)
– Contact phone (for verification)
## Phone Compatibility
### Supported Bands
| Network | Bands |
|———|——-|
| 4G | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G | n41, n78, n79 |
### Check Compatibility
– Ensure phone supports Chinese bands
– GSM: 900/1800 MHz
– Most modern phones compatible
– iPhones work without issues
## Essential Apps
### Must-Have Apps
| App | Purpose |
|—–|———|
| WeChat | Messaging, payments |
| Alipay | Payments |
| Didi | Ride-hailing |
| Baidu Maps | Navigation |
| Meituan | Food delivery |
| Taobao | Shopping |
### App Downloads
– Chinese App Store (iPhone)
– Chinese Android stores
– Official websites
– WeChat mini-programs
## Internet Restrictions
### Blocked Services
– Google (Search, Gmail, Maps)
– Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
– WhatsApp, Telegram
– YouTube, Netflix
– Western news sites
### VPN Options
| VPN | Reliability | Price |
|—–|————|——-|
| ExpressVPN | Good | $12/month |
| NordVPN | Good | $11/month |
| Astrill | Very Good | $20/month |
### VPN Tips
– Install before arriving
– Have backup options
– Update regularly
– Use during off-peak
## Troubleshooting
### Common Issues
| Problem | Solution |
|———|———-|
| No signal | Check phone compatibility |
| Slow data | Switch carriers |
| Cant register | Try different store |
| VPN not working | Update or switch servers |
### Customer Service
– China Mobile: 10086
– China Unicom: 10010
– China Telecom: 10000
– English service available (major cities)
## Cost Summary
### Monthly Budget
| Item | Cost (RMB) |
|——|———–|
| Mobile Plan | 100-200 |
| Home Internet | 100-300 |
| VPN Service | 50-150 |
| **Total** | **250-650** |
Getting connected is essential for daily life in China.