Trying to subscribe to a HK based webhosting service

[Pengyou]

I want to start using more webtools in my teaching, so want to subscribe to a webhosting service.  Services with data centers in HK would be ideal - would probably provide the fastest service to anyone in the mainland.  I presently use Bluehost, a service based in the US, and my attempted Moodle installation was too slow to even consider using   I have checked with Aliyun for their non-mainland services but have datacenters based in HK but they require that I have a HK phone number in order to verify my account - received SMS messages for me to respond to.  The typical tourist HK sim cards do not allow forwarding sms messages.  Skype will sell a HK phone number, but does not provide SMS service.  Any suggestions?

[889]

I'm not sure what you mean by a HK "tourist" SIM. The standard HK SIMs available everywhere in HK can receive SMSs just about anywhere in the world, at no charge. No registration required: just buy the card at a convenience store and start using it. I'd guess somebody out there is selling these online and shipping them to Beijing, but I haven't looked.

 

EDIT:

 

Something like this? HK$30 shipping to the Mainland.

 

https://www.hyperair.com/fr/travel-sim-card/hong-kong/hong-kong-365-day-csl-4g-sim-card-with-calls-annual-card

[Pengyou]

Thank you!  What I need to know...can I use the card in Chengdu and receive sms messages in chengu from the HK phone number?  I need to be able to receive sms messages with a verification code.

[889]

All I know is that "normal" SIMs bought in HK permit roaming and receive SMSs in Mainland China and elsewhere overseas. Perhaps there are special SIMs that don't permit roaming, I don't know. It is odd that the specs on that page say, "Signal Coverage: Hong Kong." Is that only HK? I don't know. Perhaps search around on the web for a "normal" HK SIM.

 

There's a HK card on sale on TMall. But there's a strong warning against using it on the Mainland: 仅限香港澳门使用，在中国大陆禁止插卡，插卡会直接停机且无法恢复！

 

[mungouk]

Godaddy have data centres in Singapore which have good connectivity with the rest of Asia.

 

They don't care where your phone number is from.

 

I've been using hosting there for a few years... I'm not particularly in love with their customer service, but connectivity is good.

 

 

[889]

I'll also add that on the Mainland I've never noticed any difference in speed depending on location of the overseas server. Going through hoops just to get that HK number so you can use a HK server may not be worth it.

[feihong]

I think @mungouk‘s advice is good, finding a hosting provider with data centers in Singapore will be less trouble and speed should be serviceable. Assuming you succeed at getting a HK hosting service, you may end up losing it in a year if China decides that even HK websites need to register with a valid ID.

 

That said, Godaddy has pretty bad customer service. I use them as well but I’m comfortable on the command line and can resolve my own issues. If you need more support you might want to consider another provider.

[mikelove]

We've used icdsoft.com for years for our Hong Kong file mirror server - haven't ever required any HK-specific identity verification as far as I know. (though of course that could always change in the present environment) No option for SSH access though, shared hosting with a control panel only.

 

EDIT: checked their website and they actually do offer VPS'es in Hong Kong now.

[MaiKuraki]

You can buy"中国移动香港万众卡" at taobao. I received sms using it.