I'm going to China... Phones?

Greeney · 05-07-2010, 12:00 PM

I already obviously have skype and such, but what would be the best thing for me to do in terms of communication while I'm over there?

I am on ATT with an iPhone, but was figuring I will pick up a BB9700 for the trip so I can BBM the family back home.

Any advice would be great!

JG.

Kensta335 · 05-07-2010, 12:02 PM

Is your iphone unlocked? I suggest going pre-paid so you can avoid roaming charges.

Greeney · 05-07-2010, 12:11 PM

It isn't no, but I have been with ATT for a while so maybe they will offer the unlock code for me.

CollinsE90 · 05-07-2010, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greeney

It isn't no, but I have been with ATT for a while so maybe they will offer the unlock code for me.

haha ATT wont unlock your phone, its an illegal hack that can be googled

Kensta335 · 05-07-2010, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CollinsE90

haha ATT wont unlock your phone, its an illegal hack that can be googled

Yeah, you will have to jailbreak it in order to unlock your phone.

Greeney · 05-07-2010, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kensta335

Yeah, you will have to jailbreak it in order to unlock your phone.

Well i'm on a 3GS so my only option is a code from them, which they from time to time offer long time subscribers. This said I have a Nexus One possibly arriving in the next few days so I guess that will work.

Inspired · 05-07-2010, 12:28 PM

U cant unlock your iphone with a code. It has to be jailbreak

Greeney · 05-07-2010, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinturbo335

U cant unlock your iphone with a code. It has to be jailbreak

I guess I was misinformed. Good thing I'm jailbroken then...

Maestro · 05-07-2010, 01:07 PM

turn on international roaming with AT&T, my wife travels out the side the US with her iphone and just request to have it turned on it cost $5 per month and turns it off when she returns, the cost per minute a bit more but it works. The only other option is as people said is to jailbreak it and then buy a prepaid sim card

Spec 1 · 05-07-2010, 01:26 PM

Does BBM work internationally at no additional charge? Didn't know that.

If you pick up a BB9700, prepare to have your life sucked into it.

Simsims · 05-07-2010, 01:29 PM

international roaming charges are ridiculous.

just get a local number. They sell sim cards at all major airports before you even get through the customs

bunnn · 05-07-2010, 04:19 PM

Depends on which part of China you're going to, you should avoid the big companies too. Every time I go back, I just find a local small company(that tags line off big companies) sim cards. 100HKD lasted me my full 14 days in HK with constant yapping on the phone. Where as my gf used Vodaphone, and she had to refill 4 times in the same time frame. The difference usually is, the small companies can't handle all phones..but if you ask them they will refer you the correct one. I should add, this phone card works in parts of China..not all but some. For example, my particular sim worked in mainland parts of China, but failed in Macau. If you give me an idea where you're head, I can get some more information for you.

05-07-2010, 12:00 PM	#1
Greeney Brigadier General 227 Rep 3,856 Posts Drives: Jerez E90 M3 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Westchester, NY / Fort Lauderdale, FL iTrader: (4)	I'm going to China... Phones? I already obviously have skype and such, but what would be the best thing for me to do in terms of communication while I'm over there? I am on ATT with an iPhone, but was figuring I will pick up a BB9700 for the trip so I can BBM the family back home. Any advice would be great! JG. __________________ 11' E90 M3 6MT \| Jerez Black \| Black Ext./Carbon \| ZCP \| ZCW \| ZPP \| ZTP \| 302 \| 403 \| 507 \| 5AC \| 655 \| 6FL \| 752 \| 15' F80 M3 6MT \| Black Saphire \| Black Full \| ZEC \| ZLP \| 2VF \| 2VZ \| 5DL \| 688 \|
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05-07-2010, 12:02 PM	#2
Kensta335 Brigadier General 167 Rep 3,637 Posts Drives: 335i Coupe Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: So Cal 626 iTrader: (4)	Is your iphone unlocked? I suggest going pre-paid so you can avoid roaming charges.
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05-07-2010, 12:11 PM	#3
Greeney Brigadier General 227 Rep 3,856 Posts Drives: Jerez E90 M3 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Westchester, NY / Fort Lauderdale, FL iTrader: (4)	It isn't no, but I have been with ATT for a while so maybe they will offer the unlock code for me. __________________ 11' E90 M3 6MT \| Jerez Black \| Black Ext./Carbon \| ZCP \| ZCW \| ZPP \| ZTP \| 302 \| 403 \| 507 \| 5AC \| 655 \| 6FL \| 752 \| 15' F80 M3 6MT \| Black Saphire \| Black Full \| ZEC \| ZLP \| 2VF \| 2VZ \| 5DL \| 688 \|
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05-07-2010, 12:28 PM	#7
Inspired Colonel 156 Rep 2,368 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: California iTrader: (2)	U cant unlock your iphone with a code. It has to be jailbreak
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05-07-2010, 01:07 PM	#9
Maestro Major 1083 Rep 1,268 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Sedan, 2021 X3 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (0)	turn on international roaming with AT&T, my wife travels out the side the US with her iphone and just request to have it turned on it cost $5 per month and turns it off when she returns, the cost per minute a bit more but it works. The only other option is as people said is to jailbreak it and then buy a prepaid sim card
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05-07-2010, 01:26 PM	#10
Spec 1 Faster in the Corners 58 Rep 1,062 Posts Drives: '91 E30, '05 ZX6-R, '06 300C Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (0)	Does BBM work internationally at no additional charge? Didn't know that. If you pick up a BB9700, prepare to have your life sucked into it. __________________ '91 M42 E30 - All sorts of goodies.
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05-07-2010, 01:29 PM	#11
Simsims Captain 37 Rep 615 Posts Drives: 119/220 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Ottawa iTrader: (0)	international roaming charges are ridiculous. just get a local number. They sell sim cards at all major airports before you even get through the customs __________________ VO 1M - everything except sunroof RIP BSM 135i 2009-2011
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05-07-2010, 04:19 PM	#12
bunnn Colonel 97 Rep 2,266 Posts Drives: like a grandma Join Date: May 2009 Location: Toronto iTrader: (12)	Depends on which part of China you're going to, you should avoid the big companies too. Every time I go back, I just find a local small company(that tags line off big companies) sim cards. 100HKD lasted me my full 14 days in HK with constant yapping on the phone. Where as my gf used Vodaphone, and she had to refill 4 times in the same time frame. The difference usually is, the small companies can't handle all phones..but if you ask them they will refer you the correct one. I should add, this phone card works in parts of China..not all but some. For example, my particular sim worked in mainland parts of China, but failed in Macau. If you give me an idea where you're head, I can get some more information for you. __________________ Cheers Ben
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