Job Discussion Forums

kendall · Joined: 05 May 2003 Posts: 8

Hi guys...I was wondering what are the most reliable methods of contacting family and friends in the US while teaching in China. I know that computers are amazing and all, but what about really talking to people. Are phone cards the key(chinese or american purchased)? International cell phones? what other tips do you have for cheap communications?

k

Owen · Posted: Sat May 10, 2003 3:11 pm Post subject:

If you want to use the regular phone, then buy an IP card. The people out on the street selling phone cards have them. You should only be paying about half what the face value is.

If you and the people you want to talk to have computers and internet connections, then try Yahoo Messenger.

Ferne · Joined: 29 Apr 2003 Posts: 177 Location: GZ

Hi kendall,

IP (for calls from your own phone) and IC (if you don't mind standing out on the street in the dark or the rain at times) cards work well, but don't expect a lot of minutes/units for your money. A 30 Yuen card should be enough for a "hello, I am fine, I love you" though Smile

I ended up emailing home a lot, and off and on my parents would call me from Europe with a special pre-dialed number, it was still expensive for them but much cheaper than for me. China is just not the best place to make international phone calls from...yet!
I know of some expats who lived in China for extensive periods of time and invested in the whole equipment for phone calls over the net using webcams to stay in touch with their family, others said they had found a good deal phoning from the local Swissotel business office (that was in Dalian) ...but email and an occasional call from home might be all you need and want.

oddsnends · Joined: 08 May 2003 Posts: 6

Hello Kendall,

I buy a 100 kuai IP card for 50 kuai and can talk to Canada for about 45 minutes. I figure that's pretty good. It's cheaper than for my family to call me here, unless perhaps they were on some special phone plan.

Ferne · Joined: 29 Apr 2003 Posts: 177 Location: GZ

wow odds...you found one lucky phone card. I never had that good a rate calling home to Europe. I wonder how it is to the US then?

hubei_canuk · Joined: 20 Apr 2003 Posts: 240 Location: hubei china

Miracle Phone Booth
-----------------------
Reminds me of a lucky phone booth i foound in Taiwan.
I would put my card in, dial internationally then the card would click down 1 TWD ..and NEVER DEDUCT AGAIN!!!.
...
I had a lort of fun with that phone booth. Everyone i called i would chat i long time and tell them don't worry about it. Smile

When i left i gave the "secret" to a friend. This booth wasn't used i'm sure by many othes for international calls. Not a lot of foreigners in Soputhern Taiwan. The booth lasted six more months so he said. All good things come to an end.
..
Now there's gotta be another miracle phone booth somewhere. I keep looking...

Owen · Posted: Sun May 11, 2003 6:23 am Post subject:

yaco · Joined: 03 Mar 2003 Posts: 473

If you have a mobile phone and a current contract with China Mobile, you can be connected to the 17951 service.

This allow you to call anywhere in the world for 3 Yuan per minute.