Mobile SIM suggestion

I'm no expert, but I think Chinese people usually like China Mobile and dislike China Unicom (I usually get an "Oh, you're a unicom user!" whenever I give out my number starting with 131). Supposedly, Unicom's network is weaker. But in Shenzhen I think it's fine. I paid 70yuan for my card (which came with over 100yuan in credit), have a clear reception, service in Hong Kong, and never got dropped (in Shenzhen, Shanghai, or Hong Kong!). However, when I went to Dongguan a few weeks ago, and got dropped a few times. Also, I found it more difficult to find retailers that sold China Unicom recharge cards in Dongguan....
SIM cards are available on almost every street corner, usually ranging in price between 100 and 200. The price often depends on the phone number you pick. If the number sequence is considered auspicious, you could pay several hundreds of Yuan. But cheaper cards can cost as little as 50...shop around. Hua Qiang Bei is a good place, but your neighbourhood will surely abound with SIM card retailers (mobile phone shops, convenient stores, etc.).

When I first came to Shenzhen 7 years ago I choose China Unicom I guess because I'm partial to the underdog but it sucked. Shortly after I switched to China Mobile and have stuck with it since. Overall they do a good job.

Hi,

I also have China Unicom. I choose is coz it has 2 numbers on one SIM card. China number in SZ and when u cross the border to HK it chages to HK number. However if you are travelling elsewhere in China it is often difficult to recharge as they mostly only recharge for LOCAL numbers. This is a bit of a pain.

I have found no problems with mobile reception anywhere with Unicam.

If China Mobile have a SIM that can do the same then I think I'll chage to them.

Take Care,

Sean

China mobile does offer the dual number SIM card service. I have both a Shenzhen & Hong Kong number. I don't know if they offer this service through the prepaid recharge cards though. My SIM card is the type that they withdraw the money directly from my bank.