Internet Connection in BLCU

      When you become a student in Beijing Language and Culture University, you might consider having your own internet connection. The two most popular choices for establishing an internet connection in BLCU University include Cernet and China Unicom. Both of them have stores located inside the school and you can easily notice them because they are usually packed during the first few days of class. If you want to know how to establish an internet connection in BLCU and how much internet connection in BLCU will cost you, feel free to read on.

Cernet

 

     Cernet in BLCU is located near the West gate of the school ( close to the Dorm 17, International students housing center). Due to it's convenient location and quick Customer Support services, it is the most preferred connection by the students. Establishing a connection is also quite easy.

     In order to establish an internet connection with Cernet, you will just need to bring your Laptop and a valid school ID/passport to their office.When you open an account with Cernet, they will charge you 50 RMB for setting up your connection and this non-refundable.

     Depending on your Internet usage, you can choose among the following plan rates:

     -50 RMB - 40 hours / month

     -100 RMB - 120 hours / month

     -140 RMB - Unlimited Internet for 30 days

     -850 RMB - Unlimited Internet for 6 months

     All the above connections have a uniform speed of 1 mbps. If ever you stay for 5 weeks and opt for the unlimited service, you can buy an extra 50 RMB card for the remaining days of your stay. If you didn't bring your cable wire with you, you will also need to purchase one for 10 RMB. Eg. If you want an unlimited internet connection for 1 month (inclusive of a cable wire and connection fee), you will spend a total of 200 RMB. The longer your stay, the cheaper the cost.

The steps above are for students who live in a single room dorm and those who are living in Dorm 17. In older dorms, there is only one slot for the internet cable wire, so, in cases where you have a room mate, you will need to purchase an Exchange Machine (this is what they call it) which costs 75 RMB and 3 wires (about 3 meters long) for 10 RMB. Both of you should go to the Cernet office together and open your account. 

Before leaving, they will  give you your username and password, as well as instructions on how to do the set-up in your room.

China Unicom

     China Unicom can be another alternative for those who require cheaper internet connection or don't want to be part of the Long Lines in Cernet during the first few days of class. Their establishment is located across Alliance France which is near BLCU Dorm 4. 

     This internet connection is quite fast, but some people will encounter problems during installation like my roommate and I experienced when we first tried to establish a connection. Unlike Cernet where the technician tweaks your laptop as soon as you apply, China Unicom is more of a do-it-yourself Internet company. They will also give you instructions, but it's all written in Chinese. If all else fails, you can contact their technician (which I found quite rude because he walked out on us without fixing my laptop connection), but he will come when you request for him in the office. 

     Anyway, if you also want a connection that allows you to use a router, you can go for this connection. China Unicom has routers for rent at 105 RMB and they will refund you 100 RMB as soon as you return it. 

     They also have several cards you can choose from. Here are their Internet rates:

     -30 RMB - 50 hours / month

     -80 RMB - Unlimited Internet for 1 month (1mbps speed)

     -120 RMB - Unlimited Internet for 1 month (2 mbps speed)

     -420 RMB - Unlimited Internet for 155 days (2 mbps speed)

     

     In order to contact their technician, you can call these numbers 82303144 / 82303155. Sometimes they have staff members who can speak English, but most of the time they don't. So if you don't know any Chinese Mandarin, better proceed to their office instead of calling so you can ask help from other people around.