MPHIRE

Chinese Prepaid SIM Card FAQ

Q1. What is Prepaid?

The Prepaid service allows you to use our world class GSM service with the following benefits.

No monthly subscription
No phone bills
No Deposit
Deposit free IDD
Recharge account by calling the free number 13800138000

Each Prepaid customer is assigned a Prepaid Account in the system with his own mobile phone number and calls are paid for in advance using "Prepaid Airtime Cards" which credit the customer account. The customer can make outgoing calls and receive incoming calls as long as there is sufficient credit in his account.

Q2. What are the charges of the Prepaid service?

To become a Prepaid service user you have to buy a prepaid sim card for US$29.00. National calls from Prepaid are charged at US$0.16. Incoming calls are charged US$0.08. International calls will be charged at the standard China Mobile International Call rates.
You can also buy a new or second-handed GSM mobile phone from Shanghai mpHire.
Note:
Learn more about the charge for calls to Prepaid, click here.

Q3. How can I register as a Prepaid Customer?

All you need is to buy a prepaid sim card from Shanghai mpHire with US$29.00 as initial purchase fee. With the registration, you will get a Connection Kit which includes your own mobile phone number, a SIM card, a US$8 Recharge Card.

Q4. How do I activate my account?

In order to make or receive calls, simply follow the following steps:
1. Insert the SIM card into your GSM mobile phone.
2. Switch on your mobile phone
3. Remove the scratch off material on the reverse side of the Recharge Card to see the Recharge Card Number.
4. Call 13800138000 from your mobile phone and when prompted key in the Recharge Card Number, followed by the "#" key.
Your account will be credited with the amount on the face of the Recharge card and your new account balance will be advised through an automated voice prompt.

Now you can call anywhere and receive phone calls from anywhere in the world. It's thats simple!

Q5. What is recharge card?

It is "pay first then call" card that is sold by China Mobile and other mobile communication companies. There are card numbers and Pin numbers on the reverse of the airtime cards, and it is very simple to get the SIM card recharged by prompt.
They are available in the denominations of US$20. Pu rchase online

Q6. What will happen when my account is suspended?

Even if your account is suspended you can call free phone 13800138000 to top up your account. As soon as you have recharged your account successfully, you will again be able to make and receive calls.
If your account has not been refilled before that the "Call receiving" period has expired, your account will be permanently deactivated and any remaining value in your account will be lost. If this happens, your SIM can no longer be used and you would need to re-apply for the service and buy a new Connection Kit. It will not be possible to retain your previous mobile phone number as every Connection Kit comes with a unique and personal number.

Q7. How can I check my account balance?

You can check your account balance at any time by calling the free phone number 10086 from your mobile phone or edit short message "YECX", then send it to 10086, you will receive respond message regarding to your balance immediately.

Q8. Will I be able to get an itemised bill for Prepaid service?

No. We do not bill Prepaid calls and we will not be able to provide a bill or call details of your Prepaid account.

Q9. What is the advantage of prepaid sim card?

1) Flexibility: You don't need to lock up with any long term plan, and unlike home, your China SIM card and cell phone service is prepaid so there is no need for a contract. It is the best choice for infrequent users or foreign visitors.
2) Convenience: You can purchase prepaid sim card(s) from us or many other vendors.
3) Savings: Regardless of where they originate, pay the local rate for local calls and use your cellular phone in China like you do at home.

Q10. Can I use the mobile phone to make international calls?

Of course, standard direct dial calls are 00 + country code + (area code) + phone number from your cellular phone. Use 17951 IP calls are 17951 + 00 + country code + (area code) + phone number from your cellular phone.

Q11. How to make an international call?

Dial 00 + country code + (area code) + phone number, if there is no area code, please waive it.

Q12. How to make an IP call?

Make a call to domestic China landline number: 17951 + area code + landline number
Make a call to international city: 17951+ 00 + country code + phone number
17951 is China Mobile IP phone code, with dialing 17951 you can save up to 70% of call cost without long card number and pin number.

Q13. How to call local mobile phone?

( 1 ). Within local, just dial mobile phone number
( 2 ). From local to other city: 0 + mobile phone number

Q14 How to call landlines?

( 1 ). Within local, just dial landline number directly
( 2 ). From local to other city:0 + area code + landline number

Global SIM Card - United SIM FAQ

Q1. Quick Start

The enclosed SIM card connects you to our global network.

Activate the SIM card at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Break out the SIM card from plastic card enclosed.
Insert the SIM card in your phone.
Switch your phone on.
Enter your four digit PIN Code*

*Note: Your PIN and PUK codes are provided with your SIM card.

Whenever you power your phone on, you will be asked to enter this number. Please enter the PIN correctly. The service will be blocked if the PIN is entered incorrectly 3 times during log-in. In the case of your having to re-set your PIN (e.g. due to having forgotten your PIN, enter the PUK code and then your new PIN.)

Q2. How long do the call credit last?

Call credits can last indefinitely. They will only expire if there is no activity on your account for more than 3 months. Simply sending a text or making a quick call (even in your home country) will restart the expiry period for your credits.

Q3. What number do I get with my United-SIM Card?

Your new global number is a UK based phone number.
* Note: In order for someone to call your new global number from home country, the correct sequence is to dial ' +' first, followed by your number (example: +44 7924 xxxxxxx).

Q4. How to make calls?

As your service is prepaid, you must have call credit on your account to make calls.
Always dial numbers with the full international dialing code (even if you are calling within a country. (example: +61 2 912 345 678 ).
After dialing the number, there will be a slight pause as our service rings you back to connect your call.
1. Answer normally
2. Ignore any messages the phone may display during this process.

Alternative dial method:
To dial a number use the following process

* 125 * 1 * then the full international number # (eg *125*1*+61 2 91234567#) We recommend you save your commonly dialed numbers into your directory in this format

Now you can call anywhere and receive phone calls from anywhere in the world. It's thats simple!

Q5. How to check my balance?

Dial “187” to check your account balance. After each call, the system will notify you of the most recent call cost and your remaining account balance.se online

Q6. How to top up my credits?

You can top-up in an number of ways:
1. Redemption vouchers: simply dial the redemption voucher number
2. Email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
3. Simply to purchase the top up card from our ONLINE SECURE STORE

Q7. SMS service?

Your new global SIM supports standard text messaging (SMS) for incoming or outgoing messages.
To send an SMS you will need to use the full international number of te person your are texting (Example: +61 412 345 678).
Note: You need to drop the zero (0) of the mobile phone number.

Q8. Voice Mail service?

Voicemail is automatically enabled on your account. An inbound caller will be directed to voicemail if you don’t answer within 30 seconds* or if your phone is switched off. You will be sent a text message indicating the presence of each voicemail.

To retrieve your voicemail, you have these options:
General Access: To access all messages dial “121”. Your messages will play in order of last received. Voice prompts will guide you to skip, replay and delete message

To control voicemail, you have these options:
121: Access messages (plays in order of last received).
122: Turns voicemail on.
122**: Sets the time interval before voicemail starts, e.g 12220 = if no answer, voicemail begins after 20 seconds (default is 30 seconds).
123: Turn voicemail off (disable).
125: Check settings (indicates your voicemail settings).

Q9. Troubleshooting

If you are experiencing any technical difficulty, please refer to the following tips. If this does not resolve your problem, please contact Customer Service “+86 21 65269010 ” or send email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Cannot Make Calls: