Having a cell phone can be a blessing and a curse. A
double-edged sword of Damocles hanging over your head. (Am
I mixing metaphors?) But, there is a not insignificant
amount of red tape involved in getting a new cell phone.
There is a contract, and co-signers and deposits often required
when we foreign folk get brand newcell phone
accounts. Sadly, this is borderline legal, even if you
have an ARC. We checked it out. :( Sometimes, if you
have an ARC, SIMply insisting long enough and loud enough that a
deposit or a co-signer is absurd, they will waive the extra
requirements.
However,
buying a new phone, along with it's attendant hassles, is not
always the way to go. You can go to any convenience store and
for as little as NT$600, without any co-signer or deposit, buy a
cell phone number. You pay your money to the
clerk at the convenience store. They'll ask you to fill
out a form and give you a SIM card. This card has a number
and voicemail attached to it. (You can change the voicemail to
English.) Within 24 hours your number is activated.
Getting this kind of card is hassle free, no different from
buying a Pepsi.
Buying the card at a convenience
store allows you to avoid having to have your neighbor, friend
or girlfriend co-sign for a phone for you. But, now that
you have a number... you need a phone. This is where it
gets even better. Along with having avoided the hassles
and possible deposits involved with a new phone, you'll save big
buying a used phone. One popular spot for used phones in
Taipei is the Guang Hua Market, at Ba De Road and Shin Sheng S.
Road. Just bring along a Chinese speaking friend, and for
as little as NT$1000 you could be the proud owner of a
low-mileage, late-model cell. Another good way to get a
used phone is from another teacher or someone who's going back
home. Not that people ever leave (right?). You can
always check the
General Merchandise section of tealit.com. Phones are
often offered there.
So now, you've gotten a SIM card and
a used phone. Just pop that SIM card into your phone and
and within 24 hours you're active! When you use up that
initial calling credit, people will still be able to call
you, your phone will still ring, but you
can't call out. So, go back to the 7-11 and buy more time.
A point to note: listening to
your voice-mail is charged against your calling credit.
The 7-11 guy will sell you a credit
card looking thing. Take that, scratch off it's hidden
serial number. Use your cell phone to call the 24 hour
help service line (even though you're out of calling time,
you'll be able to call this number, because it's toll free).
They will activate the calling credit you just bought on the
spot. Another way to add calling credit to a
convenience-store-bought number is by ATM: you can
transfer up to NT$5000 at a time this way for some cards.
Below are the current
packages and set up procedures for the most popular
convenience-store-bought phone numbers as well as an explanation
of what is required if you went the other way and just bought a
new phone and number outright.
SIM Cards & Recharge Cards
Far-Eastone
Purchase
NT$350 Gets call-out credit of
NT$350.
NT$600 Gets call-out credit of
NT$600.
NT$600 Gets call-out credit of
NT$1,000.
NT$350 Eee Qwai Cah This is a
special package for those who want to get discounts on
sending messages to other Far East Tone users, NT$1 vs NT$3
to other system's numbers
Set-up procedure: Fill out a form at
the convenience store. The clerk faxes it to Far East Tone for
free. You are active within 24 hours.
You need to prepare two forms of
identification:
Passport
Work permit, ARC, International
Driver's License or Taiwan Driver's License. (Foreign
Licenses Not Allowed)
Changing System Interface to English
Dial 777, press send.
Once it answers dial 4
Changing the Voicemail to English: (NO CHARGE)
Dial *135*3#, press send. The change will be implemented within
1 hour and you’ll get a message of informing. Listening to the
voicemail messages: NT$0.06/second
Recharging Card Convenience stores: 300, 500 or 1,000 step1: Buy your desired amount
step2: Dial 777, press send. When it answers, dial 1.
step3: Put in the recharge card's serial number. The system
will give your number that much calling credit.
ATMs: NT$300-->5,000 Access the Transfer Funds Mode of the ATM
step1: Enter Far Eastone's Bank Code: 805
step2: enter "777" + your cell phone number
step3: enter the amount you want to recharge
step4: call 777 from your cell phone, dial "2" to confirm you
have transferred the money successfully. If you transfer the
money after 3:30pm, then it'll be recharged the next day.
Taiwan Cellular
(Usually called Taiwan Da Guh Dah)
Purchase
1. NT$345 Gets call-out credit of
NT$345.
2. NT$600 Gets call-out credit of
NT$600.
Set-up procedure
Fill out a form at the convenience store. The clerk faxes it to
Taiwan Cellular for free. You are active within 24 hours.
You need to prepare two forms of
identification. A passport, ARC, work permit or Taiwan
driver license are accepted
Changing Interface to English:
Dial 867, press send. When it answers dial 3 then 2.
Changing the Voicemail to English:
(CHARGED NT$0.1/second) To change the voicemail to English: dial
123 --> 3 --> 4 --> 3 Listening to the
voicemail messages: NT$0.1/second
Recharge Account
Convenience stores: amounts -300, 600
step1: Buy your desired amount
step2: Dial 867, press send. When it answers dial 2.
step3: Put in the recharge card's serial number. The system will
give your number that much calling credit.
ATM: NT$300-->5,000
Access the Transfer Funds Mode of the ATM
step1: enter Taiwan Cellular's Bank Code: 012
step2: enter "88" + your phone number
step3: enter the amount you want to transfer
step4: the amount will be credited in two days.
Chunghwa Telecom
Purchase
1. NT$900 (Call-out credit of $400,
recharge amount of NT$100 for 90 days:duration and NT$300 for
180 days:duration and international phone calls recharge amount
of NT$200 .)
2. NT$1000 Call-out credit of $300
but packages vary widely. *This package has been cancelled, but
you might be able to buy it if the branches have the storage.
Set-up procedure: Fill out a form at
the convenience store. The clerk faxes it to Taiwan Cellular for
free. You are active within 24 hours. You need to prepare two
forms of identification: passport, ARC, work permit or
Tainwan/International/Foreign Driver license. Passport & ARC are
strongly suggested.
Changing the Voicemail to English:
(CHARGED NT$0.06/second)
Dial 927 and ask the customer
service representatives to help you.
Dial 777->4->1->1
Listening to the voicemail messages:
NT$0.06/second
Recharge Account
Convenience stores: amounts - 300,
500
step1: Buy your desired amount
step2: call 928
step3: Put in the recharge card's serial number. The system will
give your number that much calling credit.
Recharge Card:
Buying a recharge card is the only
way to recharge.
New Phones
Rather than buying a SIM card at a
convenience store and having a used phone, the other route
available is buying a new phone! Of course you'll get your
choice of models and prices. The basics for getting a new phone
are outlined below. Getting a new phone usually requires a
one-year contract.
Far-Eastone 遠傳電信
1 year contract
Tel:0809-070-666
Requires:
1 year contract
Two forms of identification
Accepted: passport, Work permit, ARC or Driver
License(Taiwan’s or International License)
Deposit NT$2,400(cash)
Apply at any branch
Taiwan Cellular
(Usually called Taiwan Da Guh Dah)
Requires:
2 Year Contract
Two forms of identification
Accepted: passport, ARC, work permit, Taiwan driver license
A Guarantor (Taiwanese citizen 20
or older with two forms ID or
Deposit NT$2,900(cash or credit
card)
Tel:02-8512-5050
Apply at any branch
Chunghwa Telecom
at least 1 month
Requires:
At least 1 month contract
Passport + ARC
Guarantor (must be a Taiwanese
citizen, 20 or older, two certificates needed)
Apply at any branch (some offices
will insist on the deposit, others, not)
However,
buying a new phone, along with it's attendant hassles, is not
always the way to go. You can go to any convenience store and
for as little as NT$600, without any co-signer or deposit, buy a
cell phone number. You pay your money to the
clerk at the convenience store. They'll ask you to fill
out a form and give you a SIM card. This card has a number
and voicemail attached to it. (You can change the voicemail to
English.) Within 24 hours your number is activated.
Getting this kind of card is hassle free, no different from
buying a Pepsi.
