Sunday, April 12, 2009

Communication Tips While Living in China

Ways to Call Home

1). Calling Cards

The 4 ways to call using a calling card
  1. Using a 800 number (not an option on most calling cards from here unless you use skype). To me this defeats the purpose. I like the idea of a phone card so that if the internet is down or the skype quality is poor I can use my landline.
  2. Local Access number. Not many in China outside of Beijing, Shanghai and HK
  3. Web Initiated. Good option (least expensive), but you need to be near a computer with working internet. See attachment for an example.
  4. Cell Phone SMS text message. Only works in China if you have a China Mobile account and a Continental card with Comfi. Here are the details.
Comfi - Fees (choose calling from China to USA):
  1. 800: Calling to USA: 48 cents/minute Solaris Calling from USA 2.8 cents Continental
  2. Local: 11.7 cents per minute Solaris
  3. Web:2.7 cents/minute & No Maintenance Fee or Connection fee Continental
  4. SMS: 2.7 cents/minute & No Maintenance Fee, Connection fee is 10 cents. Continental
2) VoIp with your phones

Rebtel - 1.5 cents per minute from China to USA. 1.9 cents per minute from USA to China. OR, just pay for a local phone call and talk anywhere in the world for free!
  • Pay only for the time you talk. Six second billing after the first minute, no contract, no hidden fees.
  • Great call quality. Reliable lines with clear voice quality.
  • Any phone, any network. Works with your current carrier.
  • No calling cards, no downloads. PIN-less dialing. Use it instantly.
How it works:

Direct Call
  1. You give us the phone number of a friend in another country, and we give you a local number for them.
  2. Save this number so you can call your friend whenever you want, for a fraction of your normal international rate.
Smart Call [Please note: You and your friend will pay your phone companies for the local part of the call. The international connection is free!]
  1. Call your friend on their Rebtel number.
  2. Ask your friend to call you back. Tell them to use the number shown on their phone screen.
  3. Stay on the line. Don't hang up! In a few seconds your friend will join you back on the call
3) VoIp with your computer

Skype - Video and Voice
But, Don't use the skype software program downloaded within China. You want the one from the USA for better performance/security. Download the CNET USA version here.
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Saturday, April 11, 2009

China Traveler Deals

Join the Facebook Travel Deals fan page.

Flight Cost Comparison Details:Round Trip/One-Way Beijing June 16 to San Francisco with Return Aug 25 [updated: April 12, 2009]
Promotions:
Hotel Search Sites:
Hostels:
Domestic China Travel:
Train: [cheaper to buy at the train station or at the Chinese site. Use English site for times]
Air:
Tours:



Wireless Phones and Calling Cards:
  • Rebtel - 2 local calls = 1 international call. Huh? Check it out. (1.9 cents a minute from US to China)
  • ComFi.com - international pre-paid phone cards provider. (.7 cents/minute from US to China)
  • LetsTalk.com - T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint, AT&T for more than $100 less than buying direct from their stores. Use coupon code: 698adb7e for 25% off accessories.
  • T-Mobile Flex Plan - use your GSM phone with T-Mobile and have a "normal" plan until your minutes run out. No contract and no overage fees. Get details here.
  • Wirefly.com - T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, Alltell, Nextel. Deals just as good as LetsTalk and sometimes with better promotions. Use discount code WIREFLY1GBCARD for a free 1GB memory card or WIREFLYBT23 for a free bluetooth headset.
Other Links:
Post a comment for more ideas and suggestions or email aaron@ codes4discount.com. Join the Facebook Travel Deals fan page.
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