China Unicom (中国联通) announced new 3G tariff plans to coincide with its official 3G launch on 1st October. The new plans give additional, cheaper, post-paid monthly tariff options as well as increased data quotas. The previous add-on data plans will no longer be valid.
Existing 186RMB plan remains (510mins talk-time) but now with 650mb data allowance. The cheapest 96RMB plan includes 240mins talk-time and 300mb data. 126RMB will get you 320mins and 400mb data.
Those interested in downgrading to the new cheaper plans should contact China Unicom customer service at 10010.
Additionally, previous 2G customers on 13x numbers can now also switch to 3G service without changing number or SIM card.
Update: Plan details now available online, but in Chinese only. I include a brief overview in English below:
| Monthly fee | Talk time | Data | Video call | Free SMS |
| 66 RMB | 50mins | 300mb | 10mins | 240 |
| 96 RMB | 240mins | 300mb | 10mins | None |
| 126 RMB | 320mins | 400mb | 15mins | None |
| 156 RMB | 420mins | 500mb | 20mins | None |
| 186 RMB | 510mins | 650mb | 20mins | None |
| 226 RMB | 700mins | 750mb | 25mins | None |
| 286 RMB | 900mins | 950mb | 30mins | None |
| 386 RMB | 1250mins | 1.3 Gb | 50mins | None |
| 586 RMB | 1950mins | 2 Gb | 100mins | None |
| 886 RMB | 3000mins | 3 Gb | 180mins | None |
All plans include free incoming calls nationwide. Domestic roaming & long distance dialing within China now inclusive in talk time with standardised nationwide pricing.
66RMB plan now available to all including non-students
Update 2010-11-11: The above 3G tariff plans still valid, but more options are now available. 3G plans are now split into ‘A’ and ‘B’ group – those listed above represent current ‘A’ group plans. ‘B’ group plans offer more talk time with less data, as below:
| Monthly fee | Talk time | Data | Video call | Free SMS |
| 66 RMB | 200mins | 60mb | 10mins | 0 |
| 96 RMB | 450mins | 80mb | 10mins | 0 |
| 126 RMB | 680mins | 100mb | 15mins | 0 |
| 156 RMB | 920mins | 120mb | 20mins | 0 |
| 186 RMB | 1180mins | 150mb | 20mins | 0 |
Additionally, SMS packages are now available for a small monthly surcharge:
| Monthly fee | SMS included |
| 5 RMB | 60 |
| 10 RMB | 125 |
| 20 RMB | 300 |
