[Guide] Buying Taiwan Mobile 台灣大哥大 Pre-Paid SIM Card With Data - FlyerTalk Forums 12/5/13 11:52 PM

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Dec 17, 12, 6:13 am #1

Nivek [Guide] Buying Taiwan Mobile 台灣大哥大 Pre-Paid SIM Card With Data

Join Date: Feb 2012 After we arrived in Taiwan, we headed to

Location: SG a Taiwan Mobile 台灣大哥大 outlet and
Posts: 123
requested to purchase a pre-paid SIM
card.

The package looks like the one below,

with a stored value of NT$500, which can
be used for voice and data usage. By
default, the entire NT$500 value is for
voice calls. Also, you’ll need to bring
along your passport for identification
purposes (they’ll need to make a
photocopy of it).

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[Guide] Buying Taiwan Mobile 台灣大哥大 Pre-Paid SIM Card With Data - FlyerTalk Forums 12/5/13 11:52 PM

To activate the unlimited data plan, you will need to tell the staff how many days of
unlimited data you need. Unfortunately, their command of English isn't that great. The
price structure is as follows :

Mobile Broadband 1-day = NT$100 (min)

Mobile Broadband 3-day = NT$250
Mobile Broadband 5-day = NT$350
Mobile Broadband 7-day= NT$450 (max)

We activated a 7-day unlimited data plan, which used up NT$450 of the stored value,
leaving NT$50 for voice calls. The data plan lasts for 24-hours * number of days,
starting from the time of activation. For example, if you were to activate it on 7th
December 2:00pm, it would last until 14th December 1:59pm.

If your trip is more than 7 days, further renewal of the data plan can only be done after
the 7th day. The minimum value per top-up is NT$300, even if you only require another
NT$50 to extend the unlimited data plan by one day.

The default package contains a normal SIM card. If you need a micro SIM card, let the
staff know and they will give you a micro SIM instead. Nano SIM isn't available yet. We
went to Taiwan Mobile on the 8th day to top up our pre-paid SIM card, and the helpful
staff wrote down the calling instructions for us on a slip of paper.

For more information, check out Taiwan Mobile 台灣大哥大 official website.

Making Calls in Taiwan

Example of Taiwan Mobile Number : (886) 09-87872768

Country Code : 886
Area Code [2-digit] : 09 (E.g. Taipei)

Sometimes, Taiwanese would omit the “0″ in the “09″ and quote their number as
+886-987872768 instead. To call this number when in Taiwan, you would dial
0987872768.

Hope this helps!

Dec 18, 12, 11:56 am #2

dtsm Thanks for the info....I was told prepaid's only had voice but no data plans. Good to
know for future reference. How was the speed of data access?
Join Date: Jun 2005

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[Guide] Buying Taiwan Mobile 台灣大哥大 Pre-Paid SIM Card With Data - FlyerTalk Forums 12/5/13 11:52 PM

Join Date: Jun 2005

Posts: 3,279

Dec 19, 12, 6:34 am #3

Nivek Quote:

Join Date: Feb 2012 Originally Posted by dtsm

Location: SG Thanks for the info....I was told prepaid's only had voice but no data plans.
Posts: 123 Good to know for future reference. How was the speed of data access?

No problem, glad to share my experience because I also found conflicting information

when I was researching for my Taiwan trip.

The speed was generally OK (webpages load instantly most of the time, OK for usage
such as Google, Facebook, Whatsapp etc) when I was in Taiwan. I went from TaiPei to
NanTou, Puli, TaiChung and WuLai. Worked at all of these locations, even when I was at
Mt. HeHuan, even though it was only GPRS heh.

Dec 23, 12, 3:35 am #4

m3m3m3
Join Date: Mar 2005 Quote:
Posts: 174
Originally Posted by Nivek
After we arrived in Taiwan, we headed to a Taiwan Mobile 台灣大哥大 outlet and
requested to purchase a pre-paid SIM card.

The package looks like the one below, with a stored value of NT$500, which can
be used for voice and data usage. By default, the entire NT$500 value is for
voice calls. Also, you’ll need to bring along your passport for identification
purposes (they’ll need to make a photocopy of it).

To activate the unlimited data plan, you will need to tell the staff how many
days of unlimited data you need. Unfortunately, their command of English isn't
that great. The price structure is as follows :

Mobile Broadband 1-day = NT$100 (min)

Mobile Broadband 3-day = NT$250
Mobile Broadband 5-day = NT$350
Mobile Broadband 7-day= NT$450 (max)

We activated a 7-day unlimited data plan, which used up NT$450 of the stored
value, leaving NT$50 for voice calls. The data plan lasts for 24-hours * number
of days, starting from the time of activation. For example, if you were to
activate it on 7th December 2:00pm, it would last until 14th December
1:59pm.

If your trip is more than 7 days, further renewal of the data plan can only be
done after the 7th day. The minimum value per top-up is NT$300, even if you

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[Guide] Buying Taiwan Mobile 台灣大哥大 Pre-Paid SIM Card With Data - FlyerTalk Forums 12/5/13 11:52 PM

done after the 7th day. The minimum value per top-up is NT$300, even if you
only require another NT$50 to extend the unlimited data plan by one day.

The default package contains a normal SIM card. If you need a micro SIM card,
let the staff know and they will give you a micro SIM instead. Nano SIM isn't
available yet. We went to Taiwan Mobile on the 8th day to top up our pre-paid
SIM card, and the helpful staff wrote down the calling instructions for us on a
slip of paper.

For more information, check out Taiwan Mobile 台灣大哥大 official website.

Making Calls in Taiwan

Example of Taiwan Mobile Number : (886) 09-87872768

Country Code : 886
Area Code [2-digit] : 09 (E.g. Taipei)

Sometimes, Taiwanese would omit the “0″ in the “09″ and quote their number
as +886-987872768 instead. To call this number when in Taiwan, you would
dial 0987872768.

Hope this helps!

Great write up!

Just FYI - when I signed up for Internet I had options to do 10days for 600NT and
25days for 800NT

I also went into a flagship store (larger shop) and they said they had nano sims for
iPhone 5. Now I just need to get my iPhone 5 unlocked

Dec 23, 12, 9:01 am #5

Nivek Quote:

Join Date: Feb 2012 Originally Posted by m3m3m3

Location: SG Great write up!
Posts: 123
Just FYI - when I signed up for Internet I had options to do 10days for 600NT
and 25days for 800NT

I also went into a flagship store (larger shop) and they said they had nano sims
for iPhone 5. Now I just need to get my iPhone 5 unlocked

Oh?! Maybe the different stores are conveying different information (or I speak bad
Mandarin) but this is great to know! I would have chosen the 10-day internet plan
instead if I had known, would have saved us a little bit of trouble

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[Guide] Buying Taiwan Mobile 台灣大哥大 Pre-Paid SIM Card With Data - FlyerTalk Forums
Dec 23, 12, 11:12 am
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Dec 28, 12, 7:14 am
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Dec 28, 12, 7:51 am
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Dec 28, 12, 9:30 am
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/asia/1418244-guide-buying-taiwan-mobile-pre-paid-sim-card-data.html
12/5/13 11:52 PM
#6
Slightly off-topic perhaps. But I have been using the same Chunghwa Telecom pay-as-
go account for 10 years or so. I haven't bothered with data (conflicting stories as to
whether I can get it anyway). Just use voice. Slightly annoying it won't roam. (I'm told
that no PAYG SIM roams, but again conflicting stories.)
Anyway I usually stick it in my phone on arrival and away I go. But on arrival at TPE a
few days ago it failed registration. The SIM was working fine, but the network wouldn't
take it. Two or three reboots over about an hour and bingo it worked. Could be a faulty
SIM card, but if so I wouldn't have expected it to work at all.
Aside from that, this account has served me well over the years. I always keep a spare
top-up card so if I should ever be out of Taiwan for 6 months or more, I can top-up
remotely to keep it going. Hasn't happened so far!
#7
jimbo99, when I bought a pre-paid sim in July of this year, Chunghwa Telecom asked if
I wanted 3G. So I suspect the SIM is the same, but they do some enabling of it server-
side. I didn't have a data capable phone at the time but enabled 3G anyway, just don't
know if it works. Going to TPE again next week with a smartphone, hope data works
#8
The ones we use all come with 3G option and prices are way cheaper than what hotels
charge. Seems the good hotels now are realising they have to give it free but still a few
charging crazy rates.
#9
Quote:
Originally Posted by m3m3m3
Just FYI - when I signed up for Internet I had options to do 10days for 600NT
and 25days for 800NT
25 days for 800NT sounds good! Did you get this at Taoyuan Airport or at one of the
major stores in Taipei? Taiwan Mobile?
I am flying in tomorrow for 12 days (and then to Tokyo but back within the week for a
day) so this would be useful if I manage to get this.
To OP, thanks for the write-up!
#10
Quote:
Originally Posted by mayodave
The ones we use all come with 3G option and prices are way cheaper than what
hotels charge. Seems the good hotels now are realising they have to give it free
but still a few charging crazy rates.
Not that hotels in Taiwan are really cheap from the beginning.
__________________
RIP AA. 1934-9 Dec 2013.
#11
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[Guide] Buying Taiwan Mobile 台灣大哥大 Pre-Paid SIM Card With Data - FlyerTalk Forums
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Dec 29, 12, 9:20 am
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Dec 29, 12, 12:55 pm
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Jan 7, 13, 11:36 pm
hungryteresa
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http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/asia/1418244-guide-buying-taiwan-mobile-pre-paid-sim-card-data.html
12/5/13 11:52 PM
I read that the promotion at the airport is vastly superior to those outside of the
airport.
Anyway does anyone know where the nearest Da Ge Da outlet would be at Taipei Main
Station? My flight will arrive before 6am so waiting till 9am would be slightly insane (I
would totally wait if I'm alone but I'm not)
Or are Chunghwa's plans (for 25 days) similar to that for DGD? They open at departure
at 7am?
Thanks! What a whole load of questions...
#12
There is a FarEastone store in Taipei Main Station. IIRC it's right beside the entrance to
the Eslite mall, near a 7/11. No idea when they open but I used to use FET for my
prepaid data in Taiwan and it was fine. They have the typical $100 a day all-you-can-
eat plan and also options to prepay for data at a discounted price. I believe there is also
a Taiwan Mobile shop right beside a Chunghwa Telecom shop outside Taipei Main
Station near Mitsukoshi and Nova Electronics mall. Don't take my word on that part
though, my memory is a bit dodgy.
#13
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ryvyan
25 days for 800NT sounds good! Did you get this at Taoyuan Airport or at one
of the major stores in Taipei? Taiwan Mobile?
I am flying in tomorrow for 12 days (and then to Tokyo but back within the
week for a day) so this would be useful if I manage to get this.
To OP, thanks for the write-up!
No problem, I thought my experience would be helpful to people in the same situation
as myself. I had the same problem as you, arriving before 6am in the morning (I took
TransAsia). I decided not to wait and went straight to my hotel.
It would be great if you can get the 25-days options. If not, consider a backup option
by topping up extra value into your pre-paid card. Activation of internet service can be
done by phone and is almost instantaneous.
#14
Quote:
Originally Posted by AnalogMan
jimbo99, when I bought a pre-paid sim in July of this year, Chunghwa Telecom
asked if I wanted 3G. So I suspect the SIM is the same, but they do some
enabling of it server-side.
I would have thought so. In the case of my UK SIM, I'm still using the one I had in
1998, and it now works with 3G. But Chunghwa said on the phone I need to change the
physical SIM. Anyway I kinda manage without and I'll get around to it one day. (Think I
got the SIM in 2000.)
#15
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ryvyan
25 days for 800NT sounds good! Did you get this at Taoyuan Airport or at one
of the major stores in Taipei? Taiwan Mobile?
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[Guide] Buying Taiwan Mobile 台灣大哥大 Pre-Paid SIM Card With Data - FlyerTalk Forums 12/5/13 11:52 PM

of the major stores in Taipei? Taiwan Mobile?

I am flying in tomorrow for 12 days (and then to Tokyo but back within the
week for a day) so this would be useful if I manage to get this.

To OP, thanks for the write-up!

I was in Taipei in September 2012 and I got the 800NT for 30 days of unlimited data
plan at Taoyuan Airport. I believe I got some minutes with the plan, but used mostly
the data and texting. The Taiwan Mobile employee even put in the SIM card into my
iPhone 4 and made sure my iPhone was working before I left. I think I paid close to
1300NT for both the SIM card and data plan. It was definitely worth it! It didn't take
more than 10 minutes for me to get the SIM card. I heard that Taiwan Mobile now
offers pre-paid nano sim cards, so I hope to use one when I'm in Taipei again in March
2013.

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