is it possible to have ADSL at home in Senzhen (China)? is it expensive?

Question

And is it possible to have international TV channels at home such as HBO, CNN, ESPN...etc ? in Senzhen (China) ?

Answer 1

Yes, easily for internet. Yes, but very expensive for international channels.

Getting ADSL is as easy as calling China Telecom and telling them you want the service installed. The installation fee includes a modem, which you buy, however you can go out and buy your own modem if you like. The kind of modem that comes with the fee is pretty random, ranging from well-known foreign brand/models to a box with not even a brand name (not kidding). It's pretty cheap. I can't remember how much, but definitely cheaper than getting broadband in the US. (This is from my experiences in Beijing, but I have friends in Shenzhen and they also have ADSL from the same company.)

Usually the cheapest way to do get international channels is to simply move into an establishment that provides the service. My parent's house has HBO, CNN, BBC International, ESPN, Cinemax, FTV... the list gets kinda long. The apartment/housing complex usually has their own satellites (usually 3-7) and pays a service fee to the channels directly. Cable over here usually just means national cable. I've never heard of cable companies providing international channels. You can get a satellite yourself and try getting international channels. The reception won't be as good and you will be shouldering the costs of the channels yourself (very expensive). Oh, did I mention that it's also illegal to get a satellite without special government approval?

PS.
Stuff like POP email will work, if you don't use a site that gets blocked a lot. Some places are blocked pretty frequently due to political issues.

Answer 2

It depends on your appartment, in Shenzhen.
If your flat (appartment) has cable TV service, you can apply the Internet connection with that service. It is more easy to apply compared with ADSL, because the cable is coming to TV already. No need to wire the metal phone cable.
If there is no cable TV, you probably need to subscrive to ADSL.

Ask your Chinese collegues. I guess you can't buy and use your own Modem, like in US. It will be a rental modem from the service provider.

I used cable Internet connection. I had to pay about RMB600 for 6month use in advance.

You have to pay for Cable TV as well. Domestic program was cheap, however, if you wanna watch those International programs, they will offer your additional fee. I forgot how much was it....sorry..

Answer 3

of course you can have those in China