Settling In (part 2): Cell Phones

after bombarding the China Mobile salesperson with questions, here is what I deduced about cell phones. thought it might be helpful for some of you =)

basically:

1. buy a phone or bring a phone capable of switching out SIM cards: phones range from 400 RMB to 2000+ RMB. if you're bringing your phone, make sure it's unlocked so that you can use a Chinese SIM card. you can either call your US provider for an unlock code (specific to each phone model) or find/buy a code online.
2. buy a phone number: prices range from 60-120+ RMB, depending on the digits. 4's are bad and cheap, 6's and 8's are lucky and pricier. you choose from different numbers if you want to use it your phone only in Beijing or nationally (see below)
3. buy a charge card: money from the charge card gets loaded onto the phone and is deducted when you make calls. if you run out of money/minutes, just buy another charge card.

some options offered by China Mobile:
if you want to use your phone...

• in Beijing only (ben3di4 本地）: comes with local Beijing SIM card purchase
• nationally (man4you2 漫游）: 3 RMB/month. handy if you plan on traveling and want to use your cell phone elsewhere. you have to tell them this when you buy your number, otherwise you'll have to get a new number if you get a Beijing number and then want to switch to national. must buy a package (see below).

packages (tao4can1 套餐)...

• pay-as-you-go：0.60 RMB per minute for calls made/received, 0.10 RMB per text sent, no charge for texts received
• package 1 (minimum package with the national plan): 10 RMB/month, 0.25 RMB per minute for calls made/received 9 am-9 pm, 0.12 RMB per minute for calls made/received 9 pm-9 am, 120 texts included, 0.10 RMB per text sent after that, no charge for texts received
• package 2 (only in Beijing?): 20 RMB/month, 0.20 or 0.25 RMB per minute for calls made, 500 minutes for calls received included, texts unsure (I assume 0.10 RMB per text sent, no charge for texts received?)
• package X: there are lots more out there. There are variations on package 1 with different number of texts included (200 texts for 15 RMB, 300 texts for 20 RMB, etc.)
  

some of the details are a little fuzzy, sorry! I brought my phone (found the unlock code online) and went with the national option and package 1. my dad has package 2 with the local Beijing option. happy cell phone shopping, and don't forget to send me your number =)