Job Discussion Forums

[Shakespeara]

This is my last question, possibly! Hopefully!

I'm hoping to get a cell phone almost as soon as I get over to Hong Kong. Partially to keep in touch with my bosses/coworkers, but I'm also hoping that I can get my laptop hooked up to it and purchase an unlimited KB plan so I can use it as my internet resource.

What are good cellphone companies. How does cellphone useage work in Toronto? Anyones you recommend, especially for an affordable unlimited KB plan? Minutes don't matter so much as that. I just need some internet for my first month there, and I'll be living in the YMCA hostel where there is no net in the rooms. So I'll have to hook my laptop up somewhere/somehow.

Thanks so much! Oh, lastly, about how much can I expect to pay for my plan? Thanks!

-Ericka

[bubblebubble]

don't worry, cell phones are 'clothes' to hk people and cell phone providers are like '7-11's.... the major service providers in hong kong are: smartone vodaphone, one2free, 3, new world, orange (and a few more...) you can find their shops nearly everywhere in hong kong. just go to the major shopping areas, like causeway bay (get out at MTR exit F) or tsim sha tsui, you will find all the shops in one area.

the monthly plan ranges from $8X to $200. i guess a $8X plan will be sufficient. also, just like in toronto, you can get the cell phone for $0 if you sign up for a certain contract.

any more queries, feel free to PM me. good luck!

[once again]

You may well find that using a phone as an internet connetion is very expensive. Check out http://www.smartone-vodafone.com/jsp/english/index.jsp to see the tarriffs.

[briandwest]

Once Again is right, internet over your mobile would be very expensive. For temporary, free internet access go to one of the many Pacific Coffee shops or public libraries ([/url]http://www.hkpl.gov.hk/eindex.html[url]). Internet Cafes are cheap and common as well.

Here are a few other tips:

MOBILE PHONES
There are hundred of shops and hundreds of handset to choose from. Handsets are, surprisingly not that cheap here as there is a lot of status associated with having the latest, expensive model.
The cheapest places to buy are Wanchai and Mog Kok. Do not buy in Tsim Sha Tsui as they're rip-off merchants.
Check out some prices here:
http://global.yesasia.com/en/brPrdDept.aspx/code-c/section-electronics/did-10415/
[url][/url]http://www.fortress.com.hk/en/product_finder.html?status=show&cate=4&brand=&range=&rangeFrom=&rangeTo=&keyword=&page=1#result[url]

MOBILE PHONE PLANS
There are many excellent value basic packages to choose from and again there are many one-stop shops that will help you decide which is best for you. Be careful to over-estimate the amount of minutes you might use in a month as any 'extra' minutes used are extremely expensive.
Smartone is an excellent supplier with plans that can be managed online:
[/url]http://www.smartone-vodafone.com/jsp/mobile/prices/monthly_plans/english/index.jsp#basic[url]

IDD
The standard IDD numbers supplied with your monthy plan are generally not very competitively priced.
Look out for special offers that can cost as little as HK$0.10 per minute that you can use from any phone. These offers are usually for a limited time so at the end of the period you'll need to switch to another offer.
Skype is also very competitively priced:
[/url]http://skype.hgcbroadband.com/en/index.htm[url]

INTERNET
For unlimited access you'll need to sign up for a 12 or 18 month contract so it's best to go with a reliable, competitive supplier such as PCCW. Their Netvigator broadband package is good as is their NowTV broadband television package.
[/url]http://www.pccw.com/eng/Products/ForYourHome/BroadbandInternetandTVServices.html[url]
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