China Wi-Fi Woes? How to Set Up and Stay Hooked on Internet at Home

Besides ordering water and toilet paper, setting up Wi-Fi is often the most pressing thing on any new tenant's mind. If the ins and outs of Wi-Fi set up seem overwhelming, hopefully, this guide can illuminate and instruct.

Which company should I choose?

While there are numerous broadband providers in China, three large state-owned companies have a monopoly on internet service provision. Smaller companies generally use SOE firms' infrastructure, which leads to slower service. China Unicom, China Mobile, and China Telecom are the three major players. Of these, China Unicom dominates northern China, while China Telecom is a more popular choice for southern provinces. 

How do I sign up for Wi-Fi services?

Go to the nearest shop with your passport and money in hand. If you speak Chinese, you can peruse shop options and plans in advance at their websites, found here: China Unicom, China Telecom, China Mobile. 

Prior to doing so, doublecheck with your building management. They may have a default service provider, or a tenant may have previously set up an account for your apartment. In that case, they can assist you and reconfigure your router and transfer the account to your name. They may not provide a router; if so, consider buying one that can support 1000 Mbps of processing power to make the most efficient use of your wifi services. Routers should cost between RMB 100-200 and generally require a username, password, and phone number. DO NOT forget the telephone number associated with your account, it will cause all kinds of unnecessary mafan later on.

How much will I pay? 

Internet pricing will vary based on city, neighborhood, and provider. Prices will also vary based on how long your contract is, the amount of data, and speed. However, prices of plans are relatively standard. Below are examples from spring 2019, priced per annum:

• China Mobile 50 Mbps: RMB 1,080
• China Mobile 200 Mbps: RMB 1,680
• China Unicom 200 Mbps: RMB 1,480
• China Unicom 500 Mbps: RMB 1,980
• China Telecom 50 Mbps: RMB 880
• China Telecom 100 Mbps: RMB 980

It is important to note that your actual speed will be significantly slower than the purchase speed. For example, if you pay for 100 Mbps, you could receive service as low as 10-20 Mbps. Depending on your Wi-Fi strength and room configuration, you can purchase a deputy router, Wi-Fi extender, or electricity to improve the connection. Failing that, get to checking networks nearby and start hammering in those 12345678s.

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Images: lifewire.com