Question about Cell Phone Service & Phone

Posted in: Forums > Living in Chengdu • 8 posts • Newest

• • Journey
    June 14, 2012
    17 posts
  • I currently live in the US and have an Android LG Optimus cell phone. Would it be possible to take this phone with me to Chengdu and have activated there? Would they be able to unlock it and would I be able to access the internet from the phone?

    If its not possible, what is a cheap alternative for a phone, service, and internet access?

    Thanks

• • anita l.
    June 14, 2012
    6 posts
  • I have a related question. I am going to be teaching in Chengdu this summer. What is the best way to call the states? Has anyone used Skype to call landlines in the States? How does that work?

    Thanks!

• • Dragon Expeditions
    June 15, 2012
    162 posts
  • @Journey - Yes, it'll work and yes you can have Internet access. Which network you're on in the US will determine if you need a China Unicom (GSM) or China Telecom (CDMA) SIM. Since phones sold here are all unlocked anyway, whilst it's definitely possible to get them unlocked here it's usually less trouble to do so before you arrive.

    @Anita - Skype works, usually well. Otherwise there are dozens of options for discounted calling cards where you dial a prefix before the destination number (IP cards)

• • piglet44
    June 17, 2012
    21 posts
  • Hi Anita
    I use skype almost exclusively to contact my family and it works just fine. Sometimes line is a bit fuzzy but mostly okay.

• • invisible
    August 24, 2012
    827 posts
  • if you're using android bring your foreign sim card with you, that way you can still download free apps from the google play store, which is not possible with a Chinese sim card, unless you root your phone.

• • Dragon Expeditions
    August 24, 2012
    162 posts
  • Good tip on bringing your foreign card with you, although actually you can download free apps from Google Play with a Chinese SIM card — it's paid apps or those with in app purchases that you can't access.

• • invisible
    August 31, 2012
    827 posts
  • @dragon

    you're right, it's paid apps not free. my bad.

    according to my observation however phones you buy with china telecom for example will actively block you from accessing google play store to even download free apps (by messing with the net access to google play store and with their jealous firmware). no china telecom shop and also not the Chengdu HQ will help you to fix it. only way around is a root i guess.

• • thilaka
    November 15, 2012
    4 posts
  • HI no your LG optimus mobile will wont work in chengdu unless you unlock it from US network .To unlock it visit http://www.wickedunlock.com/lg-optimus-2x/rs16wp9/ here they ask you the network name to which your mobile is locked and the IMEI number of your mobile .Then at last they deliver you code to unlock your mobile.

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