What's a good mobile phone plan for a study abroad student?

What short term cell phone plan should I get when I study in Shanghai?

• I'm an American going to Shanghai as an exchange student for a three months, what is my best mobile phone option? I currently have an ATT plan with no international minutes.

• Answer:

  If you have a 3G phone that is unlocked, you can purchase a SIM card in Shanghai almost anywhere. It will give you a new mobile number for your phone. Most plans in China are pay as you go. So you can check on how much money you have left in your plan and you can buy credits at any local convenient stores (make sure it is the same phone company, there are two major ones in China). Follow the instructions on the receipt you get from the stores and you should have more credits. Keep recharging as you see fit. Google your phone model and see if it is 3G, meaning it supports more than 3 bandwidths, which are used internationally. To find out if your phone is unlocked or not, take out the SIM card, and put in a SIM card of one of your friends (Tmobile or any other company that uses SIm cards, not ATT). If it works, that means your phone is unlocked. If not, then you will need to unlock it, which you can find out how by googling, but you are at risk in case it doesn't work. Or you can take it to China as they will unlock it for you at any electronic stands.