Basics[]
The country has three network providers:
- Chunghwa Telecom 中華電信 Prepaid: IDEAL
- Taiwan Mobile 台灣大哥大 Prepaid: OK
- FarEasTone 遠傳電信 Prepaid: IF
T Star 台灣之星 Prepaid: VIBO ONE(Merged with Taiwan Mobile).GT 亞太電信 Prepaid: LOVE(Merged with FarEasTone)
The most popular MVNO in the country is called ibon mobile and featured on the list. LINE Mobile from Japan is also present in Taiwan, but besides being online-only, is also only accessible to Taiwanese residents with local bank account and National ID card (中華民國國民身分證), which tourists obviously do not have, therefore it cannot be mentioned further in this wiki.
3G shutdown and 4G phone compatibility[]
The Taiwan government announced the expiration of 3G spectrum licences in 2017. All five carriers in Taiwan have switched off data services on their 3G networks by the end of 2018 when their 3G licences expired, though all operators continued to operate 3G mainly for circuit switched fallback (CSFB) calls until final shutdown on 30/JUN/2024 (source). Therefore, visitors will need to make sure their phone is 4G/LTE compatible with Taiwan carriers' networks. For 4G voice calling, compatibility requires not only a matching frequency band but also the matching enablement settings in your phone for the carrier's network. The carrier-specific enablement settings are either factory-installed in the phone or can be installed via a software update (which may or may not be available for a given phone). Although some carriers claim to support certain brands/models of phones for 4G voice calling (here is Chunghwa Telecom's list), they do not guarantee that any phones purchased outside Taiwan will work or that the necessary software update will be provided. if you are not sure your handset is set up to work with any of Taiwan's carriers, it may be best to have a VoIP option (the most popular option in Taiwan being LINE Messenger) ready.
Coverage and speed[]
There is no more 2G since summer of 2017. 3G on 2100 MHz in up to DC-HSPA was closed between 2018 and 2024 and there is now only 4G/LTE started in 2014 on all networks on 700 (B28), 900 (B8), 1800 (B3) and 2600 MHz (B7); as well as 5G services started in 2020 on 3500 MHz (n78) and 28 GHz (n260), also open for prepaid. Chunghwa, Taiwan Mobile and FarEasTone offer decent to excellent coverage throughout the country and its smaller islands, though you may experience some disruptions and/or slowdowns when using Taiwan Mobile or FarEasTone as they consolidate their networks after their recent mergers.
According to OpenSignal's Report on the State of the Networks from June 2024 (i.e. after the mergers), average speeds in Taiwan are quite high at an average 50-90 Mbit/s. In 4G availability all providers achieved 99.2% overall, with 5G availability around 30% across all providers.
Availability[]
SIM cards are readily available for visitors in Taiwan, but having the proper identification is a must. To save time and avoid hassle, purchasing your prepaid SIM prior to leaving the airport can be recommended. The country boasts many free or paid WiFi options too. However, these should not be relied on as speeds are quite slow and most public WiFi agreement policies cite only light usage such as checking email, viewing websites etc. as well as some operate only during business hours of government buildings. WiFi options are explained in further detail at the bottom the article. Upon arrival in Taiwan you can choose to purchase a prepaid SIM card using these methods.
Purchasing at airports: There are kiosks located inside the terminals of both airports of all the major providers, that sell the tourist SIM cards. The cards are sold exclusively for tourists and at a slightly lower price than in the city, include unlimited data as well as their WiFi access which provides many hotspots throughout the city for the duration of your purchased SIM cards validity. The only identification required for these is your passport.
- at Taoyuan International Airport (TPE): kiosks are located in both arrival and departure levels. Hours of operation (as of August 2023), daily: Taiwan Mobile 8:30am - 8pm, FarEastTone 8am - 9pm, Chunghwa 5am - 10pm.
- at Taipei Songshan Airport (TSA): kiosks are located in Terminal 1 at international arrivals. Hours of operation: 6am - 10pm, daily.
Purchasing in the city: You can go to any of the provider stores in town to purchase a prepaid SIM card for regular prices, where they offer a much wider but confusing variety of volume-based or soft-capped "unlimited" data with varying FUP packages as well as real unlimited data (usually time-based) packages. The difference with this option is that all operators except for Taiwan Mobile will require you to show a secondary piece of identification e.g. a driving licence and have to sign forms. Please note that in stores in the city employees are less likely to speak English unlike the staff at the airport. Unlike the SIM cards purchased at the airport however, those you buy in a store can be reloaded and the expiry date extended indefinitely as long as the period of time between recharges doesn't exceed six months. Bear also in mind that Taiwanese telecom regulations only allow one phone number per person to be active at the same time. If you need to be able to check the status of your SIM when abroad, then choose Taiwan Mobile - it is the only Taiwanese provider that offers international roaming on prepaid, but you must purchase a standard prepaid plan, not an airport visitor plan. FET now also offers international roaming, but only in Hong Kong, Macau, or Singapore.
Service[]
Taiwan is still one of the few countries in the world that offer real unlimited internet (locally referred to as 吃到飽不限速; lit. all-you-can-eat [data at] unlimited speed), leading it to become the Asian champion in using the most data per SIM card, topping at 47.3 GB per capita and month in 2021 (per Opensignal in June 2021).
UK internet comparison site cable.co.uk has ranked Taiwan as 71st of 237 countries/territories in terms of mobile data affordability with data costing on average NT$22.19 (approximately US$0.69) per GB (August 2023). This makes Taiwan more expensive compared to Indonesia, Mainland China, Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore, Australia, Italy, France, Spain, the UK; but cheaper than Hong Kong, Macau, Germany, South Korea, the UAE, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the US, and Switzerland.[Cable 1].
The networks are fast and efficient, although slower speeds on 4G may be noticed at peak times. No restrictions on website access such as the firewall in mainland China are imposed. Tethering is also allowed on all plans as well, though many newer 5G unlimited data plans have very restricted tethering caps.
Furthermore, free public WiFi networks included in the purchase of airport SIMs also provide additional online access, but users should be advised that the networks can be laggy and quite slow at times. These give unlimited rates for short-time users and may be a better deal for some. Also please take care as they are public WiFi hotspots and when using it better add some encryption like private DNS, proxy or VPN to safeguard sensitive data.
Chunghwa Telecom (中華電信)[]
Chunghwa Telecom is the largest telecommunications provider in the country dominating the market with an estimated 10.8 million subscribers as of 2016. Their mobile products are marketed under its own name and formerly under its sub-brand Emome.
Availability[]
Their prepaid SIM called Ideal Card must be initially purchased either at Chunghwa Telecom shops located throughout the city or at the kiosks located in the airports with different plans for visitors only.
There are two standard 5G starter packs and four 4G/LTE starter packs available. The 5G packs both offer 60 GB at full speed for NT$ 999 and only vary in validity and overuse policy:
- 30-day starter: Unlimited data at 10 Mbps for the remaining time
- 60-day starter: Hard cap, overuse is charged at standard rate
The 4G/LTE starters have different amounts of data included:
- 1.2 GB for 30 days and NT$ 120 credit included: NT$ 300
- 2.2 GB for 30 days and NT$ 120 credit included: NT$ 500
- 8 GB for 180 days: NT$ 1000
There is also a basic starter that costs NT$ 300 with the same amount of credit preloaded, but no data included.
Recharges[]
There are several ways to recharge your Ideal card either by choosing to purchase "Data volume" or topping up by set NT$. Recharges can be done using the following methods:
- via convenience stores like FamilyMart, 7-Eleven, Ok Mart: if your Chinese ability is limited and you are not able to use the computer terminals in store, you can ask one of the clerks and just show them the providers name in Chinese written above. For those who can read Chinese you will be able to select the data volume or top-up funds via 7-Elevens's iBon machine or Familymarts "Familyport". Upon selecting the desired voucher the terminal will print a receipt which you then bring to the cashier and they will charge you the amount and either give you a receipt with a voucher number included, or if you selected the automatic option via the terminal the recharge will process in less than 5 minutes and send a text to your phone that the recharge has been successful.
- at Chunghwa stores: the same applies for the previous option just show them the Chinese for Ideal card, if they don't already speak English and they should help you.
- on the Emome website: you can purchase the vouchers on the ideal card website as well and pay using credit card or Line pay. Their tutorial is quite easy to navigate if you make use of a translator tool: https://www.idealcard.com.tw/
- by voucher code: locate the 12-digit voucher number of the receipt, dial 928 from your handset, or 0800-080-928 from another phone and follow the voice instructions to recharge your SIM card. If you purchase a data amount instead of a monetary amount, you won't need to actually follow the process of dialing 539 and 928, rather once you pay for the data volume, you will receive a text confirming that your purchase has been registered with your account and that the data volume has been confirmed. If you choose to purchase a monetary value to add to the account, you will have to locate the code on the receipt and dial 928, and key in the voucher number. Then call 539 and select what plan you want to subscribe too.
If your card balance is less than NT$ 60, or the expiration date is less than 15 days, you will receive a warning prompt every time a non-toll free outgoing call is made (the call will not be disrupted.) If the remaining airtime of your card remains only 20 seconds during an outgoing call, you will hear a series warning beeps so that steps can be taken to end the call gracefully. To check your balance and expiry date, you can also dial 928 on your handset.
Standard data plans[]
Default rate for 4G or 5G data is NT$ 0.001 per KB. These Data Volume Plans can be added to 4G starter kits:
- 1 GB for 60 days: NT$ 180
- 2.2 GB for 60 days: NT$ 300
- 5 GB for 120 days: NT$ 699
- 8 GB for 180 days: NT$ 1000
- 20 GB for 120 days: NT$ 1399 (only available online)
There is only one volume-based data plan available for the 5G SIM, and costs NT$ 999 for 60 GB valid for 60 days.
There are also these 4G time-based plans, which offer true unlimited data on 4G plans of less than 30 days, and "unlimited" with a soft cap on the 30-day 4G plans, and some have purchase bonuses when purchased on the website:
- 1 hour: NT$ 35
- 24 hours: NT$ 100
- 72 hours (+ 24 hours when purchased online): NT$ 300
- 120 hours (+ 48 hours when purchased online): NT$ 500
- 30 days: NT$ 699 (online only, throttled to 5 Mbps after 20 GB usage)
- 30 days: NT$ 999 (throttled to 5 Mbps after 120 GB usage if purchased online or 15 GB usage if purchased by other means)
The 5G SIM only has a 30-day option, also costing NT$ 999, throttling to 10 Mbps after 60 GB usage.
To activate, dial 539 free of charge. It usually takes around 15 minutes to activate the service. The subscriber will receive an SMS with service activation and termination information, and should refrain from using data before receiving the confirmation SMS to avoid being charged the default rate.
You will receive SMS before (around one hour before termination of plan) and after termination of the plan. The system will send out SMS notification when the service is about to expire, and automatically cut-off data connection once service expires.
If subscribers purchase the data by volume bundle again before the service expires or the allowance is used up, the expiry period will be extended immediately for another 60 days.
Airport Plans[]
The following unlimited data SIM packages are available at airports including Taipei Taoyuan Airport. They may be available in some other service centres too (list of stores for these plans). These packages can't be renewed or extended (though this is disputed by some users). The following are the 4G packages:
| Validity | Price | Airtime | Data | WiFi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 days | NT$ 300 | NT$ 100 | real
unlimited |
real
unlimited |
| 5 days | NT$ 300 | NT$ 50 | ||
| 5 days | NT$ 500 | NT$ 300 | ||
| 7 days | NT$ 500 | NT$ 150 | ||
| 10 days | NT$ 500 | NT$ 100 | ||
| 15 days | NT$ 700 | NT$ 100 | ||
| 15 days | NT$ 800 | NT$ 250 | ||
| 30 days | NT$ 1000 | NT$ 430 |
While there are now also three 5G tourist SIMs, all with unlimited data, but limited tethering unlike the 4G SIMs:
| Validity | Price | Airtime | Tethering |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 days | NT$ 500 | NT$ 100 | 3 GB |
| 5 days | NT$ 600 | NT$ 50 | 5 GB |
| 7 days | NT$ 800 | NT$ 150 | 7 GB |
One day is for full 24 hours. For IDD calls reduced rates are given through the 019 prefix. This prefix has to be dialled before the country code. To connect to 50,000 hotspots of Chunghwa WiFi on an iPhone you need to download this profile and for Android your device needs to support EAP-SIM verification.
WeChat Go[]
If you don't need so much data, Chunghwa also offers their new WeChat Go SIM card at the airport and some shops. It's co-branded with the messenger WeChat and aimed at tourists:
- NT$ 250: including NT$ 100 airtime credit, 1 GB data and 205 MB for WeChat. You can top-up for more data, but you can't extend its lifecycle of max. 16 days.
More info[]
- APN: emome /or/ internet
- Website in English: http://www.emome.net/channel?chid=251
- 4G plans: https://prepaidsim.twgate.net/index.html?lang=en
Taiwan Mobile (台灣大哥大)[]
Taiwan Mobile is the 2nd provider in the country. It has good coverage and speeds. They market their products under the brand of “myfone”. In December 2023, T Star merged with Taiwan Mobile.
Availability []
You can get their prepaid starter packs at many stores like in their own “myfone Stores” List: Service Locations . 4G/LTE prepaid SIM (starting at NT$ 300) is the most common and heavily promoted option. Once you arrive at Taoyuan Airport, exit the arriving hall to your left side and you will see the Taiwan Mobile Service Center at this side of the hall. The airport store has limited hours from 8am- midnight (Taoyuan International Airport), 8am - 9pm (Kaohsiung International Airport). Even if you arrive late, there are many myfone stores at tourist spots as in Taipei Main Station, Shihlin Night Market, Ximending Plaza and Taipei Vieshow Plaza. Passport is the only required ID needed to purchase the SIM from official outlets; a 2nd form of ID is no longer asked.
Recharges[]
Recharge vouchers of NT$ 300, 600 or 1000 are available at all major convenience stores throughout Taiwan, Taoyuan Airport myfone Service Center and TWM myfone outlets. Dial *101*2*VOUCHER# to top-up.
You can also recharge online. Visit their English TopUp Website and enter the phone number and your passport ID. If you have problems logging in with your passport ID, try to change the letter '0' with 'O' and/or vice versa. The validity of your card is extended by another 180 days.
Check balance: dial *867#. Check data balance: dial *867*100#
4G Plans[]
According to reports their 4G plans are the only prepaid SIM cards now sold at retail stores. They have four different starters available.
- NT$ 300: 1.2 GB data for 60 days, NT$ 2000 free intranet calls for 30 days, NT$ 100 credit
- NT$ 300: unlimited data for 3 days, NT$ 300 credit
- NT$ 500: 2.2 GB data for 60 days, NT$ 2000 free intranet calls for 30 days, NT$ 195 credit
- NT$ 1000: 8 GB data for 185 days.
All these plans can be topped up with the Volume Plans packages from above that will be on 4G too, but not with the Day Plans. Exception: 250 MB Volume Plan is only available on 3G.
These different by Day Plans are offered for 4G SIM cards with unlimited data:
- 1 day (= 24 hours): NT$ 100
- 30 days (= 720 hours): NT$ 899. Data will be throttled to 5 Mbps having reached 40 GB
For activation dial 535, use the Taiwan Mobile app (Chinese only), or go to a myfone store. The full speed allowance for the 30-day plan rolls over; if you buy another 30 day plan before the first has expired, the remaining high speed allowance will carry over to the next month.
Airport plans[]
Like Chunghwa Telecom they sell at airports and some stores special prepaid SIM cards for short-term users and long-term users, all with real unlimited data on 4G/LTE:
| Validity | Price | Airtime | Data |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 days | NT$ 300 | NT$ 100 | real
unlimited |
| 5 days | NT$ 300 | NT$ 50 | |
| 5 days | NT$ 500 | NT$ 300 | |
| 6 days | NT$ 400 | NT$ 50 | |
| 7 days | NT$ 500 | NT$ 150 | |
| 7 days | NT$ 700 | NT$ 350 | |
| 10 days | NT$ 500 | NT$ 100 | |
| 10 days | NT$ 800 | NT$ 400 | |
| 15 days | NT$ 700 | NT$ 100 | |
| 15 days | NT$ 1000 | NT$ 400 | |
| 30 days | NT$ 1000 | NT$ 430 |
Add-on Packages[]
Once you have used up your initial package allowance, you can purchase additional data allowances online. Note that credit added using a voucher can only be used to purchase standard data packages, so you get a lot less for your money than if you directly top-up a promotional data package with a credit card online or in-store.
Standard packages:
| Validity | Price | Volume |
|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | NT$ 35 | Unlimited |
| 1 day | NT$ 100 | Unlimited |
| 3 days | NT$ 300 | Unlimited |
| 5 days | NT$ 500 | Unlimited |
| 30 days | NT$ 699 | "Unlimited"* |
| 30 days | NT$ 799 | Unlimited** |
| 30 days | NT$ 899 | Unlimited |
| 30 days | NT$ 50 | 250 MB |
| 60 days | NT$ 180 | 1.2 GB |
| Same as SIM | NT$ 180 | 1 GB |
| 30 days | NT$ 300 | 2 GB |
| 60 days | NT$ 300 | 2.2 GB |
| 90 days | NT$ 450 | 3 GB |
| 90 days | NT$ 699 | 5 GB |
| 185 days | NT$ 1000 | 8 GB |
The 30-day unlimited plans work as follows: The NT$ 699 plan offers 20 GB high speed with a 5 Mbps throttle applying after, the NT$ 799 plan is throttled to 21 Mbps, and the NT$ 899 plan is true unlimited.
Promotional packages:
| Validity | Price | Volume |
|---|---|---|
| 30 days | NT$ 119 | "Unlimited"* |
| 60 days | NT$ 180 | 2.4 GB |
| 60 days | NT$ 300 | 8 GB |
| 120 days | NT$ 699 | 18 GB |
| 30 days | NT$ 899 | Unlimited |
| 185 days | NT$ 1000 | 36 GB |
| 120 days | NT$ 1399 | 80 GB |
\* Unlimited promotional package offers only 1 GB high speed, 1 Mbps throttle applies after
The difference between the promotional NT$ 899 30 day unlimited plan and the standard plan above is that the "promotional" plan also includes NT$ 899 of on-net call credit.
Roaming[]
Taiwan Mobile is the only provider that offers roaming on a prepaid SIM. You must activate voice and data roaming by going to a myfone store with your passport or dialling 188 and speaking to a representative before leaving Taiwan. Roaming services are only available in Japan, South Korea, Thailand, mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the US, with support for voice, SMS, and data, which is purchasable in the following multi-day packs. Note that you must pre-purchase the roaming pack you want to use up to 90 days in advance either online or at a store, then activate it on arrival in the destination country with the provided USSD codes when you are ready to use them. There is no standard data roaming rate, data will simply not function until activation is complete.
IMPORTANT: Roaming packs can NOT be purchased with a credit balance. They MUST be paid for separately, either at a myfone store with cash or card, or online through the account management portal, then selecting the desired roaming pack. Visa, MasterCard, and JCB are accepted.
| Country | Validity | Price | Voice | Data | Activation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | 3 days (72 hours) | NT$ 299 | Not included | real
unlimited |
*101*104# |
| 5 days (120 hours) | NT$ 479 | *101*103# | |||
| 6 days (144 hours) | NT$ 579 | *101*101# | |||
| South Korea | 5 days (120 hours) | NT$ 445 | *101*122# | ||
| 6 days (144 hours) | NT$ 699 | *101*121# | |||
| China
(Including Hong Kong) |
5 days (120 hours) | NT$ 199 | 3 GB full speed, unlimited 128k after | *101*156# | |
| 8 days (168 hours) | NT$ 349 | 5 GB full speed, unlimited 128k after | *101*157# | ||
| Hong Kong only | 2 days (48 hours) | NT$ 129 | 20 minutes | real unlimited | *101*171# |
| 4 days (96 hours) | NT$ 199 | *101*172# | |||
| 8 days (192 hours) | NT$ 388 | 60 minutes | *101*173# | ||
| Thailand | 5 days (120 hours) | NT$ 149 | Not included | *101*181# | |
| 8 days (192 hours) | NT$ 239 | *101*182# | |||
| Singapore | 4 days (96 hours) | NT$ 319 | *101*192# | ||
| 6 days (144 hours) | NT$ 409 | *101*193# | |||
| United States | 9 days (216 hours) | NT$ 799 | 60 minutes | online or in-store only | |
| 12 days (288 hours) | NT$ 899 | *101*131# | |||
| 15 days (360 hours) | NT$ 999 | *101*132# |
Note that their roaming partner in China is China Mobile. Refer to the China article for possible compatibility issues with your phone. Elsewhere, they use SoftBank in Japan, SK Telecom in South Korea, CSL in Hong Kong, AIS in Thailand, Singtel in Singapore, and T-Mobile in the United States.
More info[]
- APN: internet
- Website in English: http://english.taiwanmobile.com/english/product/4GPrepaidCard.html
- Tourist Website: http://www.taiwanmobile.com/events/airport/prepaidcard/#/en
- Check balance: dial *867#. Check data balance: dail *867*100#
FarEasTone (遠傳電信)[]
FarEasTone is the 3rd network in Taiwan. It started in 1998, offers 3G and launched 4G/LTE in 2014 on 700 (B28), 1800 (B3) and 2600 MHz (B7), opened for prepaid. It has good coverage and speeds. In December 2023, GT Telecom merged with FarEasTone, and in July 2024, the former Circles.life Taiwan customer base was merged into FarEasTone.
Availability[]
Their prepaid card is called “IF” and available in their FET stores and outlets. List: FET Stores
The following starters are available:
- NT$ 300: 1.2 GB valid for 60 days, NT$ 2000 on-net voice credit, NT$ 100 general voice credit
- NT$ 300: 3 days of unlimited data, NT$ 300 general voice credit
- NT$ 500: 2.2 GB valid for 60 days, NT$ 3000 on-net voice credit, NT$195 general voice credit
- NT$ 500: 5 days of unlimited data, NT$ 3000 on-net voice credit, NT$ 200 general voice credit
To select English as your default language, dial 777. After the greeting announcement, press "4" to switch languages. Then press "1" for English. The initial credit of NT$ 350 included in this SIM will be valid for 6 months from the first call you make. Every time you add credit to your account, your account valid period will be extended for 6 months from the date the credit is added. You can check your credit and data balance by texting a message with any content to 1312.
You can top up via FET and convenience stores. You can recharge your credit amounts via store service people or kiosk, then dial 777 directly from your mobile phone, and follow the voice instruction. As of now, there are 3 types of credit amounts NT$ 300, NT$ 500, NT$ 1,000 via receipts issued at the stores. Top-ups directly purchased from FET stores also come with bonus data- 500 MB for NT$ 300, 1.2 GB for NT$ 500, 2.4 GB for NT$ 1000, and 3.6 GB for NT$ 1500. Bonus data is valid for 30 days from the day following the top-up. Classical reload vouchers exist in NT$ 150 and NT$ 300 with the latter giving a bonus of NT$ 50.
4G plans[]
Default rate outside of packages is NT$ 0.0025 / 128 bytes. So use packs. They have multiple packages
- 4G/LTE data by days with unlimited data:
- 1 day: NT 100
- 3 days: NT 300
- 5 days: NT 500
- 30 days: NT 899 (throttled to 5 Mbps beyond 120 GB if purchased at a convenience store, no throttle if purchased from FET directly)
- 4G/LTE data, volume based but longer validity:
- 2 GB for 60 days: NT$ 180
- 4 GB for 60 days: NT$ 300
- 10 GB for 90 days: NT$ 699
- 16 GB for 185 days: NT$ 1000
- 20 GB for 120 days: NT$ 1399
To subscribe dial 777, press 5 and 1 for data by volume packs or 2 for unlimited data by days packages. Or go to FET or convenience stores including 7-Eleven, Family-Mart, OK, Hi-Life to purchase special data reload vouchers.
Airport plans[]
Like Chunghwa and Taiwan Mobile they also offer tourist plans sold at the airport. These plans for non-Taiwan residents are only available in the FET shop at Taoyuan airport in the arrival hall of terminal 1 (8am - midnight) with unlimited 4G data and some free airtime:
| Validity | Price | Airtime | Data |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 days | NT$ 300 | NT$ 100 | real
unlimited |
| 5 days | NT$ 300 | NT$ 50 | |
| 5 days | NT$ 500 | NT$ 300 | |
| 7 days | NT$ 450 | NT$ 100 | |
| 8 days | NT$ 450 | NT$ 50 | |
| 10 days | NT$ 500 | NT$ 100 | |
| 15 days | NT$ 700 | NT$ 100 | |
| 30 days | NT$ 1000 | NT$ 430 |
International Roaming[]
Roaming is only available in Japan, Hong Kong, Macau, and Singapore, only for incoming SMS and data, and only on their standard lines, not their tourist SIMs. FET offers one roaming pack of 3 GB for 5 days, with different pricing depending on destination:
- NT$ 299: Hong Kong and Macau
- NT$ 349: Japan
- NT$ 589: Singapore
Each day counts as 24 hours from activation and not by calendar day. They can be pre-purchased up to 30 days in advance at an FET store or by dialing #123.
Travel SIM[]
For travel beyond those destinations, FET offers a lineup of separate travel SIMs, that can be purchased with no ID required. They are one-time-only, lasting only for the prescribed time. If you need more time, you need to buy multiple SIMs to cover the desired length of travel. Some are available as eSIM, check when purchasing:
- 10 days in Mainland China (5 GB/day on China Mobile) and Hong Kong/Macau (200 MB/day): NT$ 899
- 7 days in Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau (7 GB high-speed, unlimited at 256 kbps after on China Unicom): NT$ 699
- 8 days in Hong Kong and Macau (3 GB high-speed, unlimited at 128 kbps after): NT$ 219
- 8 days in 14 countries in Southeast Asia (3 GB high-speed, unlimited at 128 kbps after): NT$ 299
- 5 days in Japan (true unlimited): NT$ 499
- 8 days in Japan (true unlimited): NT$ 799
- 5 days in South Korea (3 GB high-speed, unlimited at 128 kbps after): NT$ 349
- 10 days in Palau (10 GB, 75 minutes voice, 500 SMS, hard cap): NT$ 799
- 15 days in Australia and New Zealand (6 GB high-speed, unlimited at 128 kbps after): NT$ 639
- 15 days in the US and Canada (5 GB high-speed, unlimited at 256 kbps after): NT$ 1099
- 20 days in EU/EEA, UK, Switzerland, and Turkey (10 GB high-speed, unlimited at 256 kbps after): NT$ 899
Special notes:
- The 10 day China/Hong Kong/Macau SIM uses China Mobile in mainland China while the 7 day SIM uses China Unicom. See the China article for details on device compatibility.
- The Southeast Asia SIM covers Hong Kong, Macau, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei Cambodia, Myanmar, India, and Sri Lanka
- the Japan SIMs have an unclear FUP stating that SoftBank reserves the right to throttle or terminate service if it detects "abusive" usage
- the Europe SIM covers French DOM except Reunion and also covers Gibraltar but not other UK offshore territories
More info[]
- International roaming only in Hong Kong, Macau, and Singapore, "travel SIMs" available for other countries
- APN: internet
- Website in English: http://www.fetnet.net/cs/Satellite/eCorporate/ecoPD2_1_1
T STAR (台灣之星) - merged into Taiwan Mobile[]
T Star a.k.a. Taiwan Star was Taiwan’s smallest network. It was previously called Vibo until 2014 and had good coverage and reasonable speeds. 4G/LTE is on 900 and 2600 MHz with a 98% coverage in 2015.
T Star was merged into Taiwan Mobile on 01/DEC/2023.
GT (亞太電信) - merged into FarEasTone[]
GT Mobile was the brand of Asia Pacific Telecom (APTC) and had been the CDMA network in Taiwan, that was closed down at end of 2017 to be replaced with 4G/LTE.
GT Mobile was merged into FarEasTone on 12/DEC/2023.
ibon mobile by 7-Eleven[]
ibon mobile is the biggest MVNO in the country, sold in around 5000 7-Eleven stores in Taiwan. It operates on the network of FarEasTone,
Availability []
Ibon Mobile SIM cards are available exclusively in about 5,000 7-Eleven stores. The 4G prepaid starter pack is available for NT$ 350. (Caution: There are two separate colors of starter packs; silver is for prepaid and gold is for rolling contracts, don't buy the wrong one!) There are 2 tariffs options to choose from:
- 1.02 GB data valid for 60 days and NT$ 100 airtime and free on-net calls
- 120 hours unlimited data and NT$ 50 airtime and free on-net calls
SIM registration is self-service unlike at the other providers. Once you purchase a SIM starter kit, you will need to go to the ibon machine, select the "apply for services" option, "telecom services", then "ibon mobile", whereupon you will be requested to select your desired tariff type, type in your information (including your current address and contact number in Taiwan, which can be from a local hotel) scan your passport and second ID, and take a selfie with the machine's built-in camera. Once registration is complete, you will receive a paper copy of the form. Registration generally takes up to two hours during the day; if submitted at night (after 9 PM), your SIM may not be activated until morning.
Top-up vouchers are sold at all 7-Eleven stores. They have 9 different voucher cards for voice or data. The 3 for voice and text are for NT$ 50, 300 and 500. The SIM cards are valid for 185 days after last recharge and you cannot load more than NT$ 5000 on the SIM.
Data feature packs[]
The default rate outside the allowance is NT$ 46 per MB. You have to load data by voucher cards sold at 7-Eleven stores. They are available in following denominations, and you can't combine volume based packages with unlimited packages:
- Volume based:
- 1.2 GB for 60 days: NT$ 180
- 2.2 GB for 60 days: NT$ 300
- 5 GB for 90 days: NT$ 699
- 8 GB for 185 days: NT$ 1000
- Day based:
- 1 day, unlimited: NT$ 100
- 3 days, unlimited: NT$ 300
- 5 days, unlimited: NT$ 500
- 15 days, unlimited: NT$ 599
- 30 days, unlimited: NT$ 899
- 60 days, unlimited: NT$ 1599
- 90 days, unlimited: NT$ 2099
- 180 days, unlimited: NT$ 3500
More info[]
- No International roaming possible
- APN: seven4g /or/ internet
- Website in English: http://www.7-11.com.tw/ibonmobile/english1_1.html
Free WiFi[]
In Taiwan there are some public WiFi networks available that visitors can use for free while staying in the country close to an hotspot.
iTaiwan WiFi[]
The government of Taiwan runs a free WiFi network that now has about 9,700 hotspots in major tourist spots, transportation hubs, cultural establishments and government offices all over the island.
As of 1 July 2020 the service no longer requires pre-registration and is freely accessible to all users. Simply select an available hotspot, agree to the terms of usage, and be instantly connected.
- More info in English: https://itaiwan.gov.tw/en/index.php
Taipei Free Public WiFi Access[]
In the capital of Taipei the city runs a free WiFi network covering public areas such as governmental offices, libraries, hospitals, MRT stations, and Metro malls.
The SSID for the Taipei Free wireless network service is “TPE-Free.” The network included over 2,800 hotspots as of March 2021.
Taipei Free service is applicable to all and is not limited to Taipei citizens; the service is free to all with notebooks, pads, smartphones, or mobile devices within the wireless network coverage. Account registration is no longer required.
- More info in English: https://wifi.taipei/en
Cite error: <ref> tags exist for a group named "Cable", but no corresponding <references group="Cable"/> tag was found