This article introduces the low-cost Hong Kong phone card ClubSIM, and its alternatives.
Concept Explanation
- Hong Kong phone cards are divided into prepaid cards and contract cards.
- Prepaid cards: No contract, for example, a one-month call package costs 28 HKD. If you don’t buy it next month, you won’t be charged and no service will be provided. If it is still within the validity period after a few months, you can buy it again and use it.
- Contract cards: Package contracts with a fixed monthly fee.
- Real-name authentication: Hong Kong phone cards need real-name authentication in Hong Kong. It can be done on your mobile phone and supports common documents: Hong Kong ID card, Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents, passport, etc. Please reserve enough time for authentication. Because of the poor IT, the authentication process may take a long time (difficult to identify documents). Tip: The text should not have reflections.
- VoWiFi: Simply put, it is making calls and sending/receiving text messages via WiFi, without connecting to the local carrier’s base station.
ClubSIM Features
Features: Prepaid card, low number retention cost, can roam for making/receiving calls and receiving text messages, supports VoWiFi (wifi calling)
With VoWiFi roaming, you can use local Hong Kong rates (28 HKD/month) to make and receive calls; without using VoWiFi, you can use a rate of 6 HKD/year to receive text messages.
Non-VoWiFi roaming only has the function of receiving text messages
ClubSIM VoWiFi Roaming
Warning: ClubSIM officially does not support the use of VoWiFi outside of Hong Kong.
Officially not supported. Well, ahem.
To make ClubSIM roam via VoWiFi outside of Hong Kong, meet the following conditions:
- Turn off Wi-Fi Calling GPS permission in the phone’s system settings, and turn off Wi-Fi calling location (disable location information acquisition)
- Turn on airplane mode (disable connecting to the local base station for roaming)
- Connect to a WiFi network that can access the international internet and has a Hong Kong IP (connect to a wifi hotspot shared by a Hong Kong mobile phone card’s data, or other Hong Kong proxy that supports UDP, especially ports 500/4500)
That’s it.
Remember to clear DNS or restart the device
It is recommended to directly connect to a WiFi network that can access the international internet, using a router configuration method. (Using only mobile phone applications for proxy may not work)
You need to ensure that the following domains use native Hong Kong IP proxy:
csl.prod.ondemandconnectivity.com
hhk.prod.ondemandconnectivity.com
epdg.epc.mnc000.mcc454.pub.3gppnetwork.org
ss.epdg.epc.mnc000.mcc454.pub.3gppnetwork.org
ss.epdg.epc.geo.mnc000.mcc454.pub.3gppnetwork.org
Apple devices require additional proxy:
gspe1-ssl.ls.apple.com
If you don’t know how to configure it, please use a global proxy.
You need to purchase a local call package of 28 HKD to use it.
Since the call package is only for local calls, it is not possible to make calls to phone numbers outside of Hong Kong.
Some users have reported that after successfully making a call using Wi-Fi calling, switching the network environment to pure mainland China Wi-Fi, and then restoring China Unicom roaming, they can still make and receive calls.
Users have reported that even if they purchase a local SMS package, they are currently unable to send text messages.
Alternatives
China Telecom Hong Kong
No monthly fee, optional tri-region unlimited data packages:
98hkd 10GB + 100 minutes of tri-region call minutes
188hkd 20GB + 100 minutes of tri-region call minutes
288hkd 40GB + 100 minutes of tri-region call minutes
Minimum recharge of 50 HKD every six months to keep the number active
4G MySIM
HK$33, 30-day package: Unlimited local data^ + 5000 minutes of Hong Kong local calls (^First 50GB up to 42Mbps, then up to 128kbps)
- Prepaid card
- Even if you don’t buy this package, receiving text messages is free.
- Does not support VoWiFi
- Valid for six months, recharge to extend the validity period. Minimum recharge of 50 HKD each time.
Suitable for travelers who visit Hong Kong at least once every six months.
The renewal price has increased in 2024, and the threshold for keeping the number active has also been raised. Please refer to the official announcement and consult customer service.
eSender Virtual Number
Only supports WeChat activation, high risk
WeChat SMS receiving 360-day package, HK$98/360 days
- Supports receiving text messages via WeChat
- Supports making/receiving calls and sending/receiving text messages through the eSender APP
- Calling is charged on a per-use basis
- Hong Kong numbers support number portability
CUniq HK Moon Goddess Card
Contract card, no data package required, basic monthly fee $9
Other
Other cards that support VoWiFi. Currently, ClubSIM is the only prepaid card that supports it.