Data Roaming - Best Advise?

[Jurong640]

I would be heading to Shanghai Wuxi for a week in June and UK/France in July.
Would like to know what are the best plans and ways to get connected.
I'm a M1 postpaid/pre-paid user hence will be leaving Starhub and Singtel out.

Here are my options:

1) China/UK SIM card that has a certain amount of data/calls.
2) Use M1 Data Passport (China-$25/mth/ Europe-$50/mth)
3) Rent wifi router (i do not really like this).

If I sign up data passport, using it in China for just a week is like very bo hua?
$27 including activation fee. While Europe data pack is $52 including activation fee. Or is M1 Pre-paid better for roaming? Generally for overseas is data, if possible, a few minutes of calls. I had use data passport before previously.

What are your recommendations?

 

[kenchi]

If u android just go for overseas Sim or go prepaid local Sim lor hub or m1

If iOS of u remove Sim use other sim & out back u need pay iMessage overseas sms activated fee lor

This only con
If u got more than 1 device rent a mifi

I recall if u use china sim u r under the Great Wall if firewall lor
So best use local
Sim if want to access our usual app

All Apple Eco-iphoneX-ip7-iPad Pro-MAC HardwareZone Forums app

 

[Jurong640]

If u android just go for overseas Sim or go prepaid local Sim lor hub or m1

If iOS of u remove Sim use other sim & out back u need pay iMessage overseas sms activated fee lor

This only con
If u got more than 1 device rent a mifi

I recall if u use china sim u r under the Great Wall if firewall lor
So best use local
Sim if want to access our usual app

All Apple Eco-iphoneX-ip7-iPad Pro-MAC HardwareZone Forums app

I'm using Android, use m1 data passport before back in Australia. It will good without need to queue to buy SIM or exceed data limit. Then in Hong Kong, for backup, i use m1 prepaid SIM, works similarly to Data Passport. That time I also rented wifi router - sucks, battery life isn't good.

My phone have dual-sim. so i am thinking buying their SIM is better? I saw on Qoo10, the SIM network comes with VPN which allows us to use whatsapp and facebook.

But then 7 days in China, wasted if use data passport?

 

[xiaowhois]

http://www.starhub.com/personal/mobile/mobile-phones-plans/prepaid-cards/happy-roam.html

wasnt better for money just get starhub prepaid sim dataroam for china?

u can just use and deregister it after trip end

 

[Jurong640]

http://www.starhub.com/personal/mobile/mobile-phones-plans/prepaid-cards/happy-roam.html

wasnt better for money just get starhub prepaid sim dataroam for china?

u can just use and deregister it after trip end

Woah. Thanks. $7/week/GB for China, still quite worth. But not sure if VPN is included in the data

 

[Gaiason]

I'm using Android, use m1 data passport before back in Australia. It will good without need to queue to buy SIM or exceed data limit. Then in Hong Kong, for backup, i use m1 prepaid SIM, works similarly to Data Passport. That time I also rented wifi router - sucks, battery life isn't good.

My phone have dual-sim. so i am thinking buying their SIM is better? I saw on Qoo10, the SIM network comes with VPN which allows us to use whatsapp and facebook.

But then 7 days in China, wasted if use data passport?

i think can get overseas sim if u using alot outside, else stick with data passport for less hassle.

 

[Gaiason]

so to recap on dual aperture: for F1.5 aperture mode, in the dark the lens opens to F1.5 mode to pull in light for a bright and clear photo; for F2.4 aperture mode, in the daylight the lens shifts to F2.4 mode to help your picture come out focus and sharp.

 

[Jurong640]

i think can get overseas sim if u using alot outside, else stick with data passport for less hassle.

Thanks. But china SIM card don't seem to have lots of choices. It cost $20 on qoo10. Data passport is $25. But for only 7 days like wasted.

so to recap on dual aperture: for F1.5 aperture mode, in the dark the lens opens to F1.5 mode to pull in light for a bright and clear photo; for F2.4 aperture mode, in the daylight the lens shifts to F2.4 mode to help your picture come out focus and sharp.

F1.7 (on my Note8) is already too bright sometimes, photos don't look natural for night photos as it is over bright. But at least there is manual mode to adjust.

 

[lohsenglte]

Woah. Thanks. $7/week/GB for China, still quite worth. But not sure if VPN is included in the data

China can't block your data usage for roaming data because of APN settings; all data will have to go through StarHub's network even if you're using China Mobile 4G. The IP address recorded will be under StarHub Mobile, not China Mobile.

Same applies for M1 Data Passport / M Card Data Roaming. All traffic has to go through M1's network due to APN settings.

So yes, it's safe to say your WA/FB/IG/GOOG usage won't be blocked, unless you're using the local wifi service.

 

[Jurong640]

China can't block your data usage for roaming data because of APN settings; all data will have to go through StarHub's network even if you're using China Mobile 4G. The IP address recorded will be under StarHub Mobile, not China Mobile.

Same applies for M1 Data Passport / M Card Data Roaming. All traffic has to go through M1's network due to APN settings.

So yes, it's safe to say your WA/FB/IG/GOOG usage won't be blocked, unless you're using the local wifi service.

Thanks, hence it's better to get their m1 data passport or starhub prepaid as compared to local china sim ?

 

[lohsenglte]

Thanks, hence it's better to get their m1 data passport or starhub prepaid as compared to local china sim ?

Yes. I think StarHub Prepaid better value though, $27 for 1 week worth of Data Passport like not worth, you can actually buy up to 5GB data with the same amount of money on StarHub Prepaid ($5/GB 3 Days X5)

Not like you're getting better coverage on M1 Data Passport as well; it's still connected to China Mobile only. No China Unicom, unlike Singtel Mobile.

 

[eric3743]

Woah. Thanks. $7/week/GB for China, still quite worth. But not sure if VPN is included in the data

Using S'pore SIM may no need to use VPN, which is mostly for China SIM.
Although on China network, but the foreign SIM APN could be the key or gateway to access outside China control, example.

As someone commented:

All these autoroam network highly depends on the local network provider. Starhub is just a middleman to connect you to their partner's network. Your connection will be the same as any local subscriber using the same network in that area, just that you are a foreigner, they disable the "great wall" for you to access Facebook, google, instagram, twitter, etc.

Click on the quoted link for more details.

 

[eric3743]

Thanks, hence it's better to get their m1 data passport or starhub prepaid as compared to local china sim ?

Just do take note to activate ONCE if you intend to use Data Passport.

A Starhub customer activated a data passport and thought it was not successful.
Hence the said customer activate a 2nd time and end result was charged twice.
In other word the customer do have double the data, as Starhub CS mentioned this is the case so payable as being activated twice.

Not sure if this is the same for M1.

 

[kenchi]

Since u got dual Sim then go for prepaid sim lor for data roam or stick to your m1 data passport lor at least u won’t be block by the Great firewall wall ahah

Mifi Bateey life is subjective one u need go do homework lor ask the provider which telco in China and the mifi specs

I rent mifi and use prepaid to japan
Mine mifi is Abel to last quite Long but some time depend on the signal too even u got a good mifi the signal is bad it’s still drain battery
This theory applies to all telco lor not only in China or SG

All Apple Eco-iphoneX-ip7-iPad Pro-MAC HardwareZone Forums app

 

[what88]

I will go for option (1) China/UK SIM card that has a certain amount of data/calls; less worry on data usage.

 

[xiaowhois]

Woah. Thanks. $7/week/GB for China, still quite worth. But not sure if VPN is included in the data

U just purchase data plan as per normal ensure u connect to the correct network u can surf the data is route thru starhub so u wont block by china firewall

 

[Jurong640]

Yes. I think StarHub Prepaid better value though, $27 for 1 week worth of Data Passport like not worth, you can actually buy up to 5GB data with the same amount of money on StarHub Prepaid ($5/GB 3 Days X5)

Not like you're getting better coverage on M1 Data Passport as well; it's still connected to China Mobile only. No China Unicom, unlike Singtel Mobile.

Seems like it, data passport not worth for a week. I think 1GB enough for a week ba. Not sure if M1 prepaid have it, I saw that they also have roaming packs.

Using S'pore SIM may no need to use VPN, which is mostly for China SIM.
Although on China network, but the foreign SIM APN could be the key or gateway to access outside China control, example.

As someone commented:

Click on the quoted link for more details.

Thanks, guess getting from Singapore will be good.

 

[Jurong640]

Just do take note to activate ONCE if you intend to use Data Passport.

A Starhub customer activated a data passport and thought it was not successful.
Hence the said customer activate a 2nd time and end result was charged twice.
In other word the customer do have double the data, as Starhub CS mentioned this is the case so payable as being activated twice.

Not sure if this is the same for M1.

Thanks. I go take a look at SH prepaid.

Since u got dual Sim then go for prepaid sim lor for data roam or stick to your m1 data passport lor at least u won’t be block by the Great firewall wall ahah

Mifi Bateey life is subjective one u need go do homework lor ask the provider which telco in China and the mifi specs

I rent mifi and use prepaid to japan
Mine mifi is Abel to last quite Long but some time depend on the signal too even u got a good mifi the signal is bad it’s still drain battery
This theory applies to all telco lor not only in China or SG

All Apple Eco-iphoneX-ip7-iPad Pro-MAC HardwareZone Forums app

Previously perhaps i have 4 devices connected to mifi, hence battery drained fast. If just 1 person use, i think prepaid from SH will be good

U just purchase data plan as per normal ensure u connect to the correct network u can surf the data is route thru starhub so u wont block by china firewall

thank you. Do they have network lock like m1 has? Means if starhub roaming partner is China telcom, once you go there, it will be locked to the network?

 

[lohsenglte]

Seems like it, data passport not worth for a week. I think 1GB enough for a week ba. Not sure if M1 prepaid have it, I saw that they also have roaming packs.



Thanks, guess getting from Singapore will be good.

M1 Prepaid Roaming pack doesn't cover China.

 

[lohsenglte]

Thanks. I go take a look at SH prepaid.



Previously perhaps i have 4 devices connected to mifi, hence battery drained fast. If just 1 person use, i think prepaid from SH will be good



thank you. Do they have network lock like m1 has? Means if starhub roaming partner is China telcom, once you go there, it will be locked to the network?

I don't think StarHub Prepaid has network lock function.