Cell / Mobile phones

Kevster

Hola a todos,

I will be going to China shortly and then Argentina a couple of months later. I live in the UK currently but still have my Irish phone (and a UK phone). The Vodafone shop here in Leicester told me not to rely on them working in either China or Argentina, but have any of you got experiences with this?

My parents are in Shanghai and Im meeting them at the airport, but it's my girlfriend who Ill be seeing in Argentina and she can't meet me at the airport. So, getting a working phone in Argentina is more important. I guess I'll just have to buy a cheap phone when I get there?

Many thanks,
Kevin

dory

You could get your phone unlocked and buy sim cards there. If not in Ireland I know most foreign countries I've been in have been able to unlock my phone for €10 or so.

As for the girlfriend, probably best to use the internet to locate a sot where you both can meet at a certain time. Or make your way to an net cafe and call her from there.

killbillvol2

Can't speak for Argentina (but I'd be amazed if it didn't work) but your phone will work in every nook and cranny of China. They even have data coverage in the most obscure places due to the fact that they're quite happy to stick a mast anywhere. (Roof of a 600 yr old monastery is my favourite so far).

Kevster

Very informative responses (not being sarcastic) - thank you.

dory, would the phone unlocking thing definately work? It might be just easier to buy the cheapest phone I come across in the airport when I arrive but trying your idea is something I'll keep in my mind.

killbillvol2, my parents were told that their phones wouldn't work in China... ...but then they did! So, maybe you're right in that my phones will work there.

Kevin

...booking flights to Buenos Aires now... yippee

killbillvol2

I'm in China at the lhe moment posting this on my phone. Maybe ask on the Vodafone forum just to be sure for Argentina.

Kevster

...in China already? Okay, Ive posted over on the Vodafone forum. I didn't even know there was one. Thanks dude.

killbillvol2

Kevster wrote: »

...in China already? Okay, Ive posted over on the Vodafone forum. I didn't even know there was one. Thanks dude.

No worries. Just to follow up - I was talking to a few fellow foreign tourists last night and nobody has had any issues with phones. Language and transport is another story

Aln_S

+1 on the coverage in China anyhow.

I travelled around Shanghai a few weeks ago on business and had Edge or 3G coverage 99% of the time. Dont think I ever had no signal at all.

Kevster

I suspect that my Irish one will work in China then. It's a Nokia 6070 and is triband (900, 1800, and 1900MHz). That covers China, and some areas of Argentina it seems, including Buenos Aires. I read this: "Every Tri-Band-Mobile will work [in Buenos Aires]. Mobiles with the 1900-frequency will work" (ref: http://www.club-buenosaires.com/xEN/P_90_Informations_about_Buenos_Aires.htm). Considering I'll only be staying in Buenos Aires, this seems good to me

My UK phone is only a Vodafone 627 and I think it only works on the European frequencies.

Kevin

Kevster

Both of my phones actually worked in China, but only for receiving messages and calls. Interesting.

killbillvol2

Kevster wrote: »

Both of my phones actually worked in China, but only for receiving messages and calls. Interesting.

Lucky you. I could make calls and send texts. Last month's bill wasn't pleasant