Enjoy GSM networks provide coverage in every major city. GSM 1800 and 900 networks cover a few biggest cities. CDMA network run by China Unicom is improving its coverage; it has signed agreements with 13 other mobile operators from North America, South America and the Asia-Pacific region, with networks covering 60 per cent of global CDMA subscribers. So roaming with a dual band or tri band handset or use of COSMOTE card alike will make your phone work in China.

It is possible to buy GSM SIM card in China. Shenzhouxing, issued by China Mobile and Ruyitong, issued by China Unicom are recommended for foreign travelers in China, since
they require no Chinese resident document. A SIM card costs CNY100.00. Prepaid
 charging card in amount of CNY50.00 and CNY100.00 are available in post offices, stores
and newsstands, are easy to use with bilingual prompt. If the balance of your card is in shortage, the system will ask you to deposit more money to your card when you make
phone calls.

In China, operators charge both incoming and outgoing calls. A non-roaming subscriber of Shenzhouxing needs to pay CNY0.60/M for a local call, CNY0.60/M plus CNY0.07/6
seconds for a long distance call, CNY0.60/M plus CNY0.80/6 seconds for an international
call and CNY0.60/M plus CNY0.20/6 seconds for a call to Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. Receiving an incoming call costs CNY0.60/M. A roaming subscriber within the country
needs to pay CNY0.80/M for a local call, CNY0.80/M plus CNY0.07/6 seconds for a long distance call, CNY0.80/M plus CNY0.80/6 seconds for an international call and
CNY0.80/M plus CNY0.20/6 seconds for a call to Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.
Receiving an incoming call costs CNY0.80/M plus CNY0.80/6 seconds. Ruyitong's rate is a little bit lower.
Mobile phone rental service is hardly available in China at present.