Mobile phone contracts in HK
Discussion
Should be moving to HK in a couple of months, and I'm contemplating upgrading my iPhone 3Gs to a 4. If I do this, are there any providers out there that can provide data/call sims that can be put in any phone? Or would it be easier to wait till it comes out there and buy it then?
Thanks!
Thanks!
The only issue to worry about in your particular case is that the iPhone 4 uses a MicroSIM, which is a completely differently form factor than the regular SIM cards used in most phones.
It wouldn't surprise me if the many Asian network operators don't release MicroSIM cards for their networks unless they specifically also offer packages for the iPad and iPhone 4, since these are the only mass-market devices to use MicroSIM at the moment. And given it generally takes a while for any new iPhone release to come to Asia, it's probably going to be a while before we see a standard supply of MicroSIMs across the board (I know Maxis in Malaysia will give you a MicroSIM though under certain conditions).
Even when the networks do offer MicroSIMs, it is unlikely they will give you pay-as-you-go ones, and will probably only bundle them in with iPhone/iPad subscription deals.
So if you're thinking about using the iPhone 4 in Asia and simply switching SIMs around, it's not that easy. iPhone 3, no problem.
It wouldn't surprise me if the many Asian network operators don't release MicroSIM cards for their networks unless they specifically also offer packages for the iPad and iPhone 4, since these are the only mass-market devices to use MicroSIM at the moment. And given it generally takes a while for any new iPhone release to come to Asia, it's probably going to be a while before we see a standard supply of MicroSIMs across the board (I know Maxis in Malaysia will give you a MicroSIM though under certain conditions).
Even when the networks do offer MicroSIMs, it is unlikely they will give you pay-as-you-go ones, and will probably only bundle them in with iPhone/iPad subscription deals.
So if you're thinking about using the iPhone 4 in Asia and simply switching SIMs around, it's not that easy. iPhone 3, no problem.
SIM/Micro-SIM is not a problem.
The chip is identical, its just the card its on, so all you need its the trusty pair of scissors!
Hmm, 2 months in Singa. Might wait a bit then as the release hasn't been announced in HK yet.
How hard is it to get a contract? I'll be new to the country, but have a job thats relocating me.
The chip is identical, its just the card its on, so all you need its the trusty pair of scissors!
Hmm, 2 months in Singa. Might wait a bit then as the release hasn't been announced in HK yet.
How hard is it to get a contract? I'll be new to the country, but have a job thats relocating me.
I moved here a few weeks ago.
I ordered my iPhone in the UK so should have it 5-6th July ish.... It's not due here until probably 3rd week in July but no one has said for certain yet.
3 or SmarTone-Vodafone are the official local carriers.
If you take a phone to them you will get rebates on your bill.
I went with SmarTone as they are a Vodafone company IDD rates to call the UK are really cheap.
I ordered my iPhone in the UK so should have it 5-6th July ish.... It's not due here until probably 3rd week in July but no one has said for certain yet.
3 or SmarTone-Vodafone are the official local carriers.
If you take a phone to them you will get rebates on your bill.
I went with SmarTone as they are a Vodafone company IDD rates to call the UK are really cheap.
Just to add....
3 and ST/Voda are the official iPhone carriers there are LOTS of others
It's not hard to get a contract although without an ID card you will need to provide a security deposit and credit card payment. You'll also need to have a letter sent to an address (supposed to be home but they'll do it anywhere) which you then return to prove you exist.
Feel free to fire away on any other questions?
Whereabouts will you be living?
3 and ST/Voda are the official iPhone carriers there are LOTS of others
It's not hard to get a contract although without an ID card you will need to provide a security deposit and credit card payment. You'll also need to have a letter sent to an address (supposed to be home but they'll do it anywhere) which you then return to prove you exist.
Feel free to fire away on any other questions?
Whereabouts will you be living?
You'll probably get here before your ID card clears. The local carriers will want a circa $5k deposit for mobile contracts.
Best bet open an account with Citibank or HSBC in the UK and get it extended out here. Citi only need a passport to open a HKD account, which means I can bank in GBP/USD/HKS&EUR easily. Also means I can move money to my UK accounts without charge just daily exchange rate costs..... I presume you can do the same with HSBC.
If you have an account it's good for the mobile carriers over wise they will send you a cheque for your deposit 3 months after contract expiry. In HKD of course.
Drop me a PM if you fancy a beer when you get here. It's a great place you'll love it.
Much better than the Asia-light crowd in Singapore
Asia-Light boys I'll be back in Singa soon, I only left on Monday. When I know when I'll be back it'll be good to do beers!
The last guy I met, got married and left
Best bet open an account with Citibank or HSBC in the UK and get it extended out here. Citi only need a passport to open a HKD account, which means I can bank in GBP/USD/HKS&EUR easily. Also means I can move money to my UK accounts without charge just daily exchange rate costs..... I presume you can do the same with HSBC.
If you have an account it's good for the mobile carriers over wise they will send you a cheque for your deposit 3 months after contract expiry. In HKD of course.
Drop me a PM if you fancy a beer when you get here. It's a great place you'll love it.
Much better than the Asia-light crowd in Singapore
Asia-Light boys I'll be back in Singa soon, I only left on Monday. When I know when I'll be back it'll be good to do beers!
The last guy I met, got married and left
fieldl said:
Just to add....
3 and ST/Voda are the official iPhone carriers there are LOTS of others
It's not hard to get a contract although without an ID card you will need to provide a security deposit and credit card payment. You'll also need to have a letter sent to an address (supposed to be home but they'll do it anywhere) which you then return to prove you exist.
Feel free to fire away on any other questions?
Whereabouts will you be living?
A veritable mine of information on here. Thanks guys.3 and ST/Voda are the official iPhone carriers there are LOTS of others
It's not hard to get a contract although without an ID card you will need to provide a security deposit and credit card payment. You'll also need to have a letter sent to an address (supposed to be home but they'll do it anywhere) which you then return to prove you exist.
Feel free to fire away on any other questions?
Whereabouts will you be living?
I'll have an HSBC account set up by the time I leave, both GBP and HKD ones, so should make things easier. I guess I could do PAYG for a month or so if it takes that long to get an ID card.
Still unsure about the whole visa process. I have one definite move option, but I have to do the relocation myself (visa courtesy of an umbrella company) which could be a pain. I've also got another iron in the fire which should include relocation via a top tire bank, so that might make all these things so much easier.
Thanks for the offer of answering questions. I'll probably have loads more nearer the time, so prepare to be bombarded!
No idea on where to live. The missus likes the look of Discovery Bay or Repulse Bay. I think we'll start with a monthly serviced apartment in central until we get our bearings (I'll be working either in central or just across the bay in the big building on Kowloon). Again, much depends on if we get relocated or not.
fieldl said:
Drop me a PM if you fancy a beer when you get here. It's a great place you'll love it.
Much better than the Asia-light crowd in Singapore
Will do, it'd be good to meet up with people when we get there, and if I pick your brains any more then a beer or two is the least I could do.Much better than the Asia-light crowd in Singapore
GlenMH said:
Be careful with HSBC: they may force you down the route of a "Premiere" account which forces you to keep a large amount of cash with them. To do so in Japan means keeping a balance of Y5M (~ GBP 36K) with them without incurring a hefty monthly fee.
Already spoken to them, and while premier is the better option if you have the cash, they can also do it with a standard account. Thanks though.A pay as you go SIM costs between 68-100 HKD and is transferable when you are ready to go on a contract. Much easier if it's with the same provider.
HSBC Premier requires a total balance of about $1m across all their accounts (Circa £100k ouch) I suspect you already know this. Citi do the same. You can just pay a service fee though.
Serviced apartments vary in size, facilities and price immensely. Look at http://www.gohome.com.hk/ or http://www.squarefoot.com.hk/
Discovery Bay is much more affordable in the longer term but does mean getting the ferry to work. In Typhoon you can get a bus and the MTR buts its not great being outdoors waiting for the bus. It's also wall to wall with expats and families, depends on what your looking for.
It's really easy to get about from most places so it doesn't matter which side of the water you live on.
Feel free to fire away any questions that come up
HSBC Premier requires a total balance of about $1m across all their accounts (Circa £100k ouch) I suspect you already know this. Citi do the same. You can just pay a service fee though.
Serviced apartments vary in size, facilities and price immensely. Look at http://www.gohome.com.hk/ or http://www.squarefoot.com.hk/
Discovery Bay is much more affordable in the longer term but does mean getting the ferry to work. In Typhoon you can get a bus and the MTR buts its not great being outdoors waiting for the bus. It's also wall to wall with expats and families, depends on what your looking for.
It's really easy to get about from most places so it doesn't matter which side of the water you live on.
Feel free to fire away any questions that come up
fieldl said:
A pay as you go SIM costs between 68-100 HKD and is transferable when you are ready to go on a contract. Much easier if it's with the same provider.
HSBC Premier requires a total balance of about $1m across all their accounts (Circa £100k ouch) I suspect you already know this. Citi do the same. You can just pay a service fee though.
Serviced apartments vary in size, facilities and price immensely. Look at http://www.gohome.com.hk/ or http://www.squarefoot.com.hk/
Discovery Bay is much more affordable in the longer term but does mean getting the ferry to work. In Typhoon you can get a bus and the MTR buts its not great being outdoors waiting for the bus. It's also wall to wall with expats and families, depends on what your looking for.
It's really easy to get about from most places so it doesn't matter which side of the water you live on.
Feel free to fire away any questions that come up
HSBC Premier requires a total balance of about $1m across all their accounts (Circa £100k ouch) I suspect you already know this. Citi do the same. You can just pay a service fee though.
Serviced apartments vary in size, facilities and price immensely. Look at http://www.gohome.com.hk/ or http://www.squarefoot.com.hk/
Discovery Bay is much more affordable in the longer term but does mean getting the ferry to work. In Typhoon you can get a bus and the MTR buts its not great being outdoors waiting for the bus. It's also wall to wall with expats and families, depends on what your looking for.
It's really easy to get about from most places so it doesn't matter which side of the water you live on.
Feel free to fire away any questions that come up
Starting the visa application process now, aiming to get there by the end of August!
DB transport shouldn't be too much of a problem, I'll be working off a laptop so won't need to go into the office if the weather is bad. I catch the Jubilee line in every day at the moment, except for the odd ferry when the weather is nice, so I'm actually quite excited about a ferry to work!
Thanks for the links. MrsJimothy will be in charge of accommodation, so I'll chuck those her way and do the usual process of rejecting everything she finds until its cheap enough!
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