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December 26, 2005
SMS in China
So here's something that's really puzzling when it comes to SMS (short message service) in China that completely baffles me.
a, 95% of the time when someone from abroad sends me a message it does NOT arrive, this also applies to foreign network phones roaming in China, exceptions have been Singapore and India, however my replies never reached these people.
b, Quite often you can send a message and delivery report arrives 15 seconds later informing you that the message was delivered, when in fact it never arrived on the other persons phone, I have tested this on a number of ocassions and can confirm this.
As you can imagine this can be very frustrating, especially in a country where SMS is so widely used, I must send 20-30 messages per day.
So a word of warning, do NOT rely on SMS as a sure fire method of sending a message, well worth following up with a phone call, or asking for RSVP to be 100% sure.
And finally does anyone happen to know whether my China Unicom (prepay) sim card can be upgraded to be able to roam internationally, or alternatively upgraded to a contract (post pay) whilst keeping my existing number ?
Posted by shak at December 26, 2005 2:48 PM
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I'm guessing the biggest issue is communication between networks. My girlfriend and I both use China Mobile, and she leaves China on business frequently. We communicate via SMS all the time, with virtually no problems.
I don't know much about Unicom, but I think you can do that. I can do it with China Mobile.
Posted by: John at December 26, 2005 9:34 PM
yes, you can upgrade your pre-pay to a subscription account, but requires you to have a local SH ID card (or a friend of yours to use theirs). i just had mine number upgraded.
btw, i'm running a local start-up and recently moved from the US. love to get together with you sometime to hear about your experiences in China.
regards,
alvin
Posted by: Alvin at December 27, 2005 11:29 AM
well after calling 10010 the english speaking helpline for China Unicom 3 times today, I have been informed of the following:
a, I can NOT upgrade to a contract and KEEP my existing number.
b, I can NOT be offered international roaming facility for voice calls.
c, I can NOT be offered international SMS service.
d, I can NOT be offered domestic or international voicmail service.
looks like it's all to do with the actual sim card package which I purchasd in May 2005.
looks like I am stuffed !
Posted by: Shak at December 27, 2005 6:32 PM
try smsboy I heard they are quite good.
Posted by: maxd at December 27, 2005 8:24 PM
The problem is China Unicom. It sucks. Switch to China Mobile before you go crazy!!
Posted by: Joel Silverstein at December 28, 2005 8:01 AM
I'd be inclined to agree with Joel there.
Why did you choose China Unicom in the first place??
Posted by: John at December 29, 2005 8:15 AM
Dear Shak,
First of all, apologies for posting this message here, couldn't find a link to your email address.
My name is Alexander Trup and I am a final year student at Durham University, studying Chinese and business. As part of my degree I am writing a dissertation about strategies for foreign Internet companies entering the Chinese market.
For this dissertation I will be surveying and interviewing managers, lawyers and consultants etc. who have had experience with Internet companies in China.
I found your blog on ChinaBlogList.org and was wondering if you have had much experience doing business in China, particularly in relation to new media companies.
A telephone interview would be ideal, but I can understand if you do not have the time.
Many thanks for your time.
Kind regards,
Alexander Trup
Posted by: Alex Trup at January 11, 2006 11:07 PM
So, how are those holiday posts coming?
Posted by: Gemme at January 14, 2006 9:52 PM
In the USA sending a SMS from email to a cell phone one uses the addressing format (mobile phone number)@(phone address) such as ##########@vtext.com.
What is the (phone address) to SMS from email to a China Mobile Phone?
Thanks
Posted by: Tom at February 23, 2006 10:13 AM