Living
Telephone
There are only two fixed-line providers in town: China Netcom (10060) and China Telecom, through Beijing Telecommunications (10000). If you are renting an apartment, telephone service will usually be active, and you will simply have to take over the payments.
Rates and services are quite similar – ¥21.60 per month as rental for a landline, and broadly equivalent long distance rates. Beijing Telecom offers longer discount hours. A domestic long-distance call costs ¥0.70 per minute (or ¥0.40 during evening off-peak hours). International long-distance is ¥8 per minute (¥4.80 off-peak), though Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan are much cheaper (¥2 per minute).
If you do need to have a new line installed, you will probably need to apply in person at the provider’s office. There are dozens of branches throughout town, and installation fees are typically ¥200 to ¥250 for a regular landline. Make sure that you apply for both international and long distance services when setting up your new line. Call waiting and caller ID are available for free, but other services (such as call forwarding) cost extra.
To pay your landline bill (which often includes the internet), go to almost any Chinese bank and give the cashier your phone number. Fees are due monthly in cash, and you will need to know the name on the account. Lines at banks can be lengthy, so be patient – grab a number from the dispenser and wait your turn. Alternatively, you can use the new machines available at some banks. A ¥2 fee is added, and at the moment they are only in Chinese, but they can be a great timesaver.
Many foreigners use prepaid IP (Internet Phone) or calling cards to save money on calls home. IP cards are available at most markets, just look for the IP sign. Each card will have a face value, usually ¥100, but are often sold at a discount of 40% to 60%, so make sure to bargain. Long-distance rates through these cards vary by country and provider, but are typically around ¥2 to ¥4 per minute. The cards are simple to use, and often have instructions in English. Dial the phone number on the back, enter your card’s pin, and then dial the number you wish to call. These typically expire one year after first use.
Rates and services are quite similar – ¥21.60 per month as rental for a landline, and broadly equivalent long distance rates. Beijing Telecom offers longer discount hours. A domestic long-distance call costs ¥0.70 per minute (or ¥0.40 during evening off-peak hours). International long-distance is ¥8 per minute (¥4.80 off-peak), though Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan are much cheaper (¥2 per minute).
If you do need to have a new line installed, you will probably need to apply in person at the provider’s office. There are dozens of branches throughout town, and installation fees are typically ¥200 to ¥250 for a regular landline. Make sure that you apply for both international and long distance services when setting up your new line. Call waiting and caller ID are available for free, but other services (such as call forwarding) cost extra.
To pay your landline bill (which often includes the internet), go to almost any Chinese bank and give the cashier your phone number. Fees are due monthly in cash, and you will need to know the name on the account. Lines at banks can be lengthy, so be patient – grab a number from the dispenser and wait your turn. Alternatively, you can use the new machines available at some banks. A ¥2 fee is added, and at the moment they are only in Chinese, but they can be a great timesaver.
Many foreigners use prepaid IP (Internet Phone) or calling cards to save money on calls home. IP cards are available at most markets, just look for the IP sign. Each card will have a face value, usually ¥100, but are often sold at a discount of 40% to 60%, so make sure to bargain. Long-distance rates through these cards vary by country and provider, but are typically around ¥2 to ¥4 per minute. The cards are simple to use, and often have instructions in English. Dial the phone number on the back, enter your card’s pin, and then dial the number you wish to call. These typically expire one year after first use.
