China 3G SIM Card Cost

by Chris

Referring to your "China 3G SIM Card" for US$49, there is this section:

"The free incoming call feature and data package can be activated on the same calendar month after ordering. The price $49.00 includes 300MB data package and 50 minutes domestic calls. Data and minutes package must be consumed in the same calendar month. There is no contract. For instance, if you use the SIM card for 10 days in the same calendar month, you pay one time only charge. If you need use the SIM card more than one month, each month has $25.00 charge for the same plan. Please contact us if you need more details. "

I have a few questions:

1) I understand about the calendar month consumption. Is the SIM card already activated for incoming calls and data? ie regardless ofusage, the US$25 mentioned above will be charged to the card every month once I receive the card, even if I have not arrived in China?

2) On your order page, this same section mentions that the charge for usage across more than one month is US$16. So is the additional charge US$25 or US$16?

3) If I use the card in China across months (ie. 29th to the 5th), what do you do to the SIM card? Do you add additional credit to it?

4) Re Q1) above, can this additional charge be deactivated, if I leave the country? Else, the monthly charge will eat away at the stored value and the card will expire.

5) Your recharge form asks for the credit card CVV number. That is very private. Do you do recharge with PayPal?

6) Can this SIM card be used for roaming in other countries?

Thank you very much for your reply. I am looking into affordable ways to have internet access in China other than data roaming with my own mobile line (which I'm sure you know is bound to be very expensive).


Answer:
1) I understand about the calendar month consumption. Is the SIM card already activated for free incoming calls and data? ie regardless of usage, the US$25 mentioned above will be charged to the card every month once I receive the card, even if I have not arrived in China?
- For instance, you order the SIM card in January 2011, and you arrive China in February 2011. The incoming calls and data plan can be activated in February.

2) On your order page, this same section mentions that the charge for usage across more than one month is US$16. So is the additional charge US$25 or US$16?
- It is $25.00 only. There was an error on the order page. Now it has been changed.

3) If I use the card in China across months (ie. 29th to the 5th), what do you do to the SIM card? Do you add additional credit to it?
- If you started to use the card on 29th, $49.00 allows the plan usage until the end of month. From the 1st to the 5th, there is additional charge $25.00

4) Re Q1) above, can this additional charge be deactivated, if I leave the country? Else, the monthly charge will eat away at the stored value and thecard will expire.
- The monthly charge will eat away at the stored value and thecard will expire. This is correct.

5) Your recharge form asks for the credit card CVV number. That is very private. Do you do recharge with PayPal?
- Yes. There is Paypal option on the recharge form.

6) Can this SIM card be used for roaming in other countries?
- It works in China only.
China 3G SIM Card