[cl_kk]

I am looking for a mobile operator who has great network coverage in Hong Kong. Does anyone have any idea? How about CSL and Smartone-Vodafone? Which one is better?

[KnowItAll]

On a junk trip recently ... one of my friends with a CSL phone had a signal where pretty much all our phones were dead. Not sure if someone had a Smartone connection (a couple of us had PCCW)

[climber07]

I have CSL and never lose signal around Hong Kong with one possible brief exception of my building elevator. It works on junks , hikes, islands, NT, and even has great international roaming coverage (for example it even gets a strong signal in the middle of literally no-where in Ohio, US....where many of local proviers fail). Definitely recommend them.

[jimbo]

yup my u.k mobile switches to CSL and never had a problem with signal.

[cl_kk]

I am currently using CSL; however, its signal is weak wherever in Hong Kong Island or Kowloon. It seems to me the network is better before, I don't know what happen to its network coverage recently. I think I will probably switch to Smartone-Vodafone.

[Hamton]

Surely half the providers in Hong Kong are all using the same cells anyway, so their signal difference would be minimal unless some have built their own networks. Especially when overseas, as they're just piggybacking on other local carriers.

The difference is likely the result of your phone and not the provider.

My wife upgraded her phone last month, no change in provider, and suddenly her phone's signal and the voice quality is quite a bit better.

[PDLM]

Originally Posted by Hamton

Surely half the providers in Hong Kong are all using the same cells anyway, so their signal difference would be minimal unless some have built their own networks.

All the mobile carriers (CSL, Smartone, PCCW mobile, NWT, Peoples & 3) originally built their own networks, although there is some consolidation now with CSL taking over NWT.

CSL at one point had, I believe, 4 separate networks: CDMA, 2G GSM, 3G, and the ex-NWT 2G network.

[KnowItAll]

PDML, Is CSL what used to be the original Hong Kong Telecom network?

[PDLM]

Yes; PCCW sold it to Telstra.

CSL now is 1O1O, plus one2Free (which was on CDMA I think), plus now a 3G network and the NWT network (which they bought)

[dropdedfwed]

Originally Posted by climber07

I have CSL and never lose signal around Hong Kong with one possible brief exception of my building elevator. It works on junks , hikes, islands, NT, and even has great international roaming coverage (for example it even gets a strong signal in the middle of literally no-where in Ohio, US....where many of local proviers fail). Definitely recommend them.

not trying to be picky, but doesn't the international roaming have more to do with the network you are roaming on than CSL itself? My SundayPCCW mobile gets coverage in Oz in places my Oz Vodafone can't, because my Sunday/PCCW mobile roams on Telstra.

Conversly, my Aussie Vodafone gets coverage in HK where my Sunday fone doesn't, as it roams on CSL

I have not had a CSL phone yet, but it is on the cards over the next few months, for the reasons you mentioned above (coverage on hikes etc)..

DDF