Noahs Guide - Revision history

Maltman23: Redirected page to HTTC Internet Tips

2017-09-07T02:58:42Z

Maltman23: /* Going down internet rabbit holes... */

2017-09-07T01:51:43Z

Going down internet rabbit holes...

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:51, 6 September 2017
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	Not unless you are really lucky. Streaming speeds are really bad over VPNs.		Not unless you are really lucky. Streaming speeds are really bad over VPNs.

			<span style="color:purple">
	Q. What should I do next?		Q. What should I do next?

			<span style="color:purple">
	Answer questions in the email Mitch sent to the group about your phone and getting SIM cards for you.		Answer questions in the email Mitch sent to the group about your phone and getting SIM cards for you.
			</span>

Maltman23: /* VPN, Internet, Blocked Websites, and SIM cards for your phone */

2017-09-07T01:50:58Z

VPN, Internet, Blocked Websites, and SIM cards for your phone

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:50, 6 September 2017
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	:• Most Apple services work but can be slow. Apple maps / iMessage works fine, App Store works but is slow. Apple news is blocked, even with a VPN, and photo backup / iCloud backup will possibly work at appalling speeds.		:• Most Apple services work but can be slow. Apple maps / iMessage works fine, App Store works but is slow. Apple news is blocked, even with a VPN, and photo backup / iCloud backup will possibly work at appalling speeds.

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	Q. Are there any tricks that will get me uncensored internet 100% of the time?		Q. Are there any tricks that will get me uncensored internet 100% of the time?

			<span style="color:purple">
	Yes! The big workaround is to get a roaming SIM card, because all SIM data traffic is tunneled to your country of origin, and you can browse websites like you are back home.		Yes! The big workaround is to get a roaming SIM card, because all SIM data traffic is tunneled to your country of origin, and you can browse websites like you are back home.

			<span style="color:purple">
	Q. Oh, you mean like Google Fi or my carrier's roaming packs?		Q. Oh, you mean like Google Fi or my carrier's roaming packs?

			<span style="color:purple">
	Google Fi is one option, but it’s important to realise that it may not be the fastest/cheapest. For a start, to remain competitive they have to negotiate the cheapest deal possible in each country, so you may end up on a budget 2g/3g data connection instead of a premium LTE service. Also, because all traffic is routed back to your provider, your latency may be very high, possibly interfering with using services such as Skype and WeChat voice calls.		Google Fi is one option, but it’s important to realise that it may not be the fastest/cheapest. For a start, to remain competitive they have to negotiate the cheapest deal possible in each country, so you may end up on a budget 2g/3g data connection instead of a premium LTE service. Also, because all traffic is routed back to your provider, your latency may be very high, possibly interfering with using services such as Skype and WeChat voice calls.

			<span style="color:purple">
	Q. What is the better option?		Q. What is the better option?

			<span style="color:purple">
	The better option is to get a SIM card in Hong Kong that is owned by a mainland telecom provider, which routes traffic back to Hong Kong over their carrier owned (hopefully congestion free) pipes. Two such examples are China Unicom and China Mobile. Make sure you are getting a ''roaming to China'' SIM and not a Hong Kong ''ONLY'' sim.		The better option is to get a SIM card in Hong Kong that is owned by a mainland telecom provider, which routes traffic back to Hong Kong over their carrier owned (hopefully congestion free) pipes. Two such examples are China Unicom and China Mobile. Make sure you are getting a ''roaming to China'' SIM and not a Hong Kong ''ONLY'' sim.

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	https://www.larrysalibra.com/hop-over-the-great-firewall-with-government-help/		https://www.larrysalibra.com/hop-over-the-great-firewall-with-government-help/

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	Q. Will any SIM work in my phone?		Q. Will any SIM work in my phone?

			<span style="color:purple">
	Not always. China has historically deployed different radio spectrums to other countries (different even from Hong Kong, so just because your phone works when you arrive doesn’t mean it will work in China). In recent times, the situation has gotten better, with iPhone 6 and above and many android phones supporting LTE bands on China Mobile, and China Unicom also supports a wide range of bands (but gives worse service/value than China Mobile).		Not always. China has historically deployed different radio spectrums to other countries (different even from Hong Kong, so just because your phone works when you arrive doesn’t mean it will work in China). In recent times, the situation has gotten better, with iPhone 6 and above and many android phones supporting LTE bands on China Mobile, and China Unicom also supports a wide range of bands (but gives worse service/value than China Mobile).

			<span style="color:purple">
	Please also check if your phone is unlocked by your carrier, as it is common for many phones sold under contract to be tied to a provider. Often if you call them before you leave for China they will unlock it for you for free.		Please also check if your phone is unlocked by your carrier, as it is common for many phones sold under contract to be tied to a provider. Often if you call them before you leave for China they will unlock it for you for free.

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	Q. How do I tell which SIM card to get?		Q. How do I tell which SIM card to get?

			<span style="color:purple">
	If your phone supports TDD-LTE, get China Mobile, else get China Unicom.		If your phone supports TDD-LTE, get China Mobile, else get China Unicom.
	:1. Find out the model number of your phone eg "iPhone 6S: Model A1688"		:<span style="color:purple">1. Find out the model number of your phone eg "iPhone 6S: Model A1688"
	:2. Google "A1688 bands” to find out what it supports		:<span style="color:purple">2. Google "A1688 bands” to find out what it supports
	:3. If your phone supports (TD-LTE) Bands: 38, 39, 40, 41, you are good to go with China Mobile!		:<span style="color:purple">3. If your phone supports (TD-LTE) Bands: 38, 39, 40, 41, you are good to go with China Mobile!
	:4. Else, get China Unicom.		:<span style="color:purple">4. Else, get China Unicom.
	For more information see: http://prepaid-data-sim-card.wikia.com/wiki/China		For more information see: http://prepaid-data-sim-card.wikia.com/wiki/China

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	Q. Can you help me buy a SIM card?		Q. Can you help me buy a SIM card?

			<span style="color:purple">
	Yes, Noah will be buying and distributing SIM cards in Hong Kong, please reply to my questions sent out by Mitch in an email to the HTTC group – he knows what type of SIM card to get you.		Yes, Noah will be buying and distributing SIM cards in Hong Kong, please reply to my questions sent out by Mitch in an email to the HTTC group – he knows what type of SIM card to get you.

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	Q. What are the SIM cards that you recommend specifically? How much do they cost?		Q. What are the SIM cards that you recommend specifically? How much do they cost?

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	If your phone supports TDD-LTE,		If your phone supports TDD-LTE,
	China Mobile “CMHK 4G/3G Individual traveller Prepaid SIM Card"		China Mobile “CMHK 4G/3G Individual traveller Prepaid SIM Card"
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	http://www.hk.chinamobile.com/en/corporate_information/Prepaid_SIM/inbound_tourists/4G3Gprepaid-services-individual.html		http://www.hk.chinamobile.com/en/corporate_information/Prepaid_SIM/inbound_tourists/4G3Gprepaid-services-individual.html

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	Before you leave HK and enter China, recharge it online using this website: https://1cm.hk.chinamobile.com/bill/prepaid-refill.html?lang=en and activate a 2GB China & Hong Kong Data Package for $168 HKD.		Before you leave HK and enter China, recharge it online using this website: https://1cm.hk.chinamobile.com/bill/prepaid-refill.html?lang=en and activate a 2GB China & Hong Kong Data Package for $168 HKD.

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	If your phone doesn’t support TDD-LTE, or you’re just not sure, you can get the China Unicom Cross Border King		If your phone doesn’t support TDD-LTE, or you’re just not sure, you can get the China Unicom Cross Border King
	https://www.cuniq.com/hk_en/data-card/great-china/cross-border-king-hkno.html		https://www.cuniq.com/hk_en/data-card/great-china/cross-border-king-hkno.html
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	<br><br>		<br><br>

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	Q. Where to look for these two cards?		Q. Where to look for these two cards?

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	7/11, Circle K 👌 and market stalls selling SIM cards. ''Make sure the photo matches and you are not being given a HK-only-SIM!''		7/11, Circle K 👌 and market stalls selling SIM cards. ''Make sure the photo matches and you are not being given a HK-only-SIM!''

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	Q: What about getting a local (Chinese Mainland) SIM Card:		Q: What about getting a local (Chinese Mainland) SIM Card:

	Yes, you can do that. but everything will be blocked, and you will need real name registration with your passport and possibly a few hours to set it up. The first time I tried to do this, I thought I was getting prepaid but accidentally signed up for a 24 month plan.. and now I can’t get another due to leaving the country and not making payments. 🤦‍♂️ I don’t recommend this option.		<span style="color:purple">
			Yes, you can do that. but everything will be blocked, and you will need real name registration with your passport and possibly a few hours to set it up. The first time I tried to do this, I thought I was getting prepaid but accidentally signed up for a 24 month plan.. and now I can’t get another due to leaving the country and not making payments. 🤦‍♂️ I don’t recommend this option.
			</span>

	= Translation tips =		= Translation tips =

Maltman23 at 01:21, 7 September 2017

2017-09-07T01:21:38Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:21, 6 September 2017
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	What to Do Before Getting to China		What to Do Before Getting to China
	</pre>		</pre>

			'''''This is useful info for people who want to travel in China'''''<br>
			''It is specifically for people traveling on the [[NoisebridgeChinaTrip7\|Hacker Trip To China]] in 2017.''



	= VPN, Internet, Blocked Websites, and SIM cards for your phone =		= VPN, Internet, Blocked Websites, and SIM cards for your phone =

	~~== Preliminary info ==~~

	'''The Great Firewall of China'''<br>		'''The Great Firewall of China'''<br>

Maltman23 at 01:18, 7 September 2017

2017-09-07T01:18:43Z

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	=~~= The Great Firewall of China ==~~		= VPN, Internet, Blocked Websites, and SIM cards for your phone =

	~~As most people know~~, ~~China censors its internet. The equipment that blocks some internet~~, and ~~let’s other internet through, is called a “Firewall”. There are ways around this, so that people in China (such as you!) can use any website that you like on~~ your phone ~~or laptop.~~

			== Preliminary info ==

			'''The Great Firewall of China'''<br>

	~~== VPN ==~~		As most people know, China censors its internet. The equipment that blocks some internet, and let’s other internet through, is called a “Firewall”. There are ways around this, so that people in China (such as you!) can use any website that you like on your phone or laptop.

	~~For those “VPN”~~ is ~~a means of securely connecting to other computers. It can be used to get around “The Great Firewall”.~~		'''What is VPN?'''<br>

			“VPN” is a means of securely connecting to other computers. It can be used to get around “The Great Firewall”.
			<br><br>
	~~= VPN, Internet, Blocked Websites, and SIM cards for your phone =~~

	Q: I have 10 proxies, 4 VPNs and Tor. Do I need this guide?		Q: I have 10 proxies, 4 VPNs and Tor. Do I need this guide?

Maltman23 at 00:58, 7 September 2017

2017-09-07T00:58:17Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:58, 6 September 2017
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	== Translation tips ==		= Translation tips =

	Q: How can I translate and talk to Chinese people?		Q: How can I translate and talk to Chinese people?
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	== Navigation tips ==		= Navigation tips =

	Know the subway exit closest to your accommodation. Have someone write it down for you in Chinese to show a Taxi driver or subway staff. Also, get your hotel to write down in Chinese the name of the building and address and phone number, so you can show to a taxi driver.		Know the subway exit closest to your accommodation. Have someone write it down for you in Chinese to show a Taxi driver or subway staff. Also, get your hotel to write down in Chinese the name of the building and address and phone number, so you can show to a taxi driver.
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	== Which VPN should I use? ==		= Which VPN should I use? =

	Astrill has a long history of working in China.. why that is? 🤔 Well.. I can only speculate. You should set your expectation for any VPN service low, and not expect it to work at all times of the day. Make sure you buy it before you arrive in the mainland, and save the server list/app on your device.		Astrill has a long history of working in China.. why that is? 🤔 Well.. I can only speculate. You should set your expectation for any VPN service low, and not expect it to work at all times of the day. Make sure you buy it before you arrive in the mainland, and save the server list/app on your device.

Maltman23 at 00:57, 7 September 2017

2017-09-07T00:57:09Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:57, 6 September 2017
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	~~'''~~Noah’s Guide~~<br>'''~~		<pre style="color: black; font-size:xx-large;">
	~~'''~~to Chinese Internet & Phones,~~<br>'''~~		Noah’s Guide
	~~'''~~       Translation, Navigation,~~<br>'''~~		to Chinese Internet & Phones,
	~~'''~~       Recommended Phone Apps, and~~<br>'''~~		Translation, Navigation,
	~~'''~~       What to Do Before Getting to China<br>~~'''~~		Recommended Phone Apps, and
			What to Do Before Getting to China
			</pre>

Maltman23 at 00:53, 7 September 2017

2017-09-07T00:53:46Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:53, 6 September 2017
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	== Before you come to China ==		= Before you come to China =

	Get a VPN Account (eg, Astrill, ExpressVPN or Lantern)		Get a VPN Account (eg, Astrill, ExpressVPN or Lantern)
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	Be aware of which of your bank cards are going to charge you an international transaction fee and/or a ATM withdrawal fee. (Charles Schwab charges neither) If you can’t avoid fees, then make sure you do big ATM cash withdrawals each time to reduce ATM fees.		Be aware of which of your bank cards are going to charge you an international transaction fee and/or a ATM withdrawal fee. (Charles Schwab charges neither) If you can’t avoid fees, then make sure you do big ATM cash withdrawals each time to reduce ATM fees.

	Q: I'm too busy, can't I just get it all when I get to China?		== I'm too busy, can't I just get it all when I get to China? ==

	Yes, but..		Yes, but..
	• Google Play Store is completely blocked in China. So either you will be downloading apps at a very slow speed over a VPN or downloading random .apks from untrusted sources		:• Google Play Store is completely blocked in China. So either you will be downloading apps at a very slow speed over a VPN or downloading random .apks from untrusted sources
	• iPhones are easier, but hotel wifi is universally shitty and you will still be lost the first few days before you install everything		:• iPhones are easier, but hotel wifi is universally shitty and you will still be lost the first few days before you install everything
	• Banks and phone companies might not want to talk to you once you leave the country.		:• Banks and phone companies might not want to talk to you once you leave the country.



	Going down internet rabbit holes...		== Going down internet rabbit holes... ==

	Q: China is gonna pwn my phone and spy on me. I'm scared 😰		Q: China is gonna pwn my phone and spy on me. I'm scared 😰

Maltman23: /* Before you come to China */

2017-09-07T00:51:47Z

Before you come to China

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:51, 6 September 2017
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	Google Translate (English —> Chinese) && (Chinese —> English) Offline translation pack		Google Translate (English —> Chinese) && (Chinese —> English) Offline translation pack
	For Android, install Google Pinyin Input		For Android, install Google Pinyin Input
	For iPhone, enable Chinese keyboards/input methods (eg at least pinyin / handwriting / stroke), which you can do this in your phone language settings.		For iPhone, enable Chinese keyboards/input methods (eg at least pinyin / handwriting / stroke),<br>   which you can do this in your phone language settings.

	Tell your bank before you leave that you are travelling to China.		== Tell your bank before you leave that you are travelling to China ==
	If you rely on your local phone number for SMS 2FA (Banking, iCloud, Finance, etc), then either		If you rely on your local phone number for SMS 2FA (Banking, iCloud, Finance, etc), then either

	Tell your phone provider you are travelling to China~~, get~~ them to turn on international roaming and bring a spare phone with your SIM.		== Tell your phone provider you are travelling to China ==
	OR		Get them to turn on international roaming and bring a spare phone with your SIM.<br>
	Get the 2FA codes disabled while you are in China.		OR
			Get the 2FA codes disabled while you are in China.<br>
	Turn OFF data roaming before you arrive, unless you are only using a local SIM in your phone.		Turn OFF data roaming before you arrive, unless you are only using a local SIM in your phone.
	Be aware of which of your bank cards are going to charge you an international transaction fee and/or a ATM withdrawal fee. (Charles Schwab charges neither) If you can’t avoid fees, then make sure you do big ATM cash withdrawals each time to reduce ATM fees.		Be aware of which of your bank cards are going to charge you an international transaction fee and/or a ATM withdrawal fee. (Charles Schwab charges neither) If you can’t avoid fees, then make sure you do big ATM cash withdrawals each time to reduce ATM fees.

Maltman23: /* Which VPN should I use? */

2017-09-07T00:47:52Z

Which VPN should I use?

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:47, 6 September 2017
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	Before you come to China:		== Before you come to China ==

	Get a VPN Account (eg, Astrill, ExpressVPN or Lantern)		Get a VPN Account (eg, Astrill, ExpressVPN or Lantern)