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I know that the internet is strongly monitored and limited/blocked in China, meaning that we won't be able to access Facebook, Google/Gmail, etc while on a WiFi network. BUT, if we have an ATT international data plan from the US on our US iPhones, can we use the data to access Facebook via the app or Gmail? We are hearing both that we can and that we cannot.
I'm assuming there will be no issues with any of it in Thailand?
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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I haven't used ATT international, cuz ATT US will not get service at my USA home.
Do you have a replaceable SIM? If traveling much... you can get a multi SIM phone for ~$100 in China. and they have Multi SIM adaptors for US Apple products.
Usually you just buy one SIM (data and voice) in each country for about $10 - $30 USD/ month and use local carriers. Depends where you are, but I usually used China Mobile.
I lived in both China and Thailand last yr and had only limited trouble with access while in China. Hopefully you have some 'linked' accts to other web-based email services if Google gets more crossways with China.. IIRC, my Yahoo mail was more often blocked than was my gmail. Rare occasion I would use a VPN from a 'free' country and leap the censorship,
I bought 3 homes in USA while living in Asia, so I had lots of transactions over various email services.
I don't think you can get around the "great firewall of China" without a VPN. I would never try it on my phone, I just turned data off in China like I do for all my international trips. An American data plan I think will just default to roaming China service and will be extremely expensive (in fact I would get text messages when I landed explaining how it all worked, it was clear you aren't on the same service).
Your best plan is to use hotel wifi, it will still be blocking and monitored, but in most cases it's free.
I don't think you can get around the "great firewall of China" without a VPN. I would never try it on my phone, I just turned data off in China like I do for all my international trips. An American data plan I think will just default to roaming China service and will be extremely expensive (in fact I would get text messages when I landed explaining how it all worked, it was clear you aren't on the same service).
Your best plan is to use hotel wifi, it will still be blocking and monitored, but in most cases it's free.
No, I've used the ATT international data plan all over the world and it's just like they say it is....it uses the local service provider and as long as you don't go over the amount of data you pay for (I think my plan was $50-60 for however much data it was--it lasted me two weeks in the Middle East), you just pay the flat rate. That includes unlimited texting (pictures and videos too) and cheap minutes for calling.
No, I've used the ATT international data plan all over the world and it's just like they say it is....it uses the local service provider and as long as you don't go over the amount of data you pay for (I think my plan was $50-60 for however much data it was--it lasted me two weeks in the Middle East), you just pay the flat rate. That includes unlimited texting (pictures and videos too) and cheap minutes for calling.
That's Verizon for you. I think we have an international plan as well. I just never checked it out.
Otherwise China, even with the firewall (and getting around it is becoming so common it's a joke now), is very hooked up - Everyone has a cell phone and it seems they are always texting or looking up something.
A former colleague/friend of mine used a T-Mobile international data plan in China and was able to use Western media normally with it.
If you want to ensure usage of Western media sites in China, one needs to install VPN software (& pay for VPN service) on one's phone before arriving in China.
A former colleague/friend of mine used a T-Mobile international data plan in China and was able to use Western media normally with it.
If you want to ensure usage of Western media sites in China, one needs to install VPN software (& pay for VPN service) on one's phone before arriving in China.
So with VPN app (likely Betternet) on my iPhone, will the VPN app be running data on top of whatever data the app I'm trying to access uses?
Update.....I used Betternet free VPN on my phone and was able to access everything just as though I was at home, regardless of whether I was using data or on Wifi. It worked wonderfully!
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