You will want to get a cell phone, for sure. Not to worry - this has become a lot easier to do. The cell-phone companies have blown the doors off getting a new cell-phone & new number. Gone are the days where you need a co-signer & stiff deposit. If you want a new phone & new number, you can get them with little issue.
To get a new phone you'll need an address for the application, but after that, you'll get an e-bill. Pay at any convenience store or phone co. branch. If you are just starting out, you'll probably just want to go with a new phone & a new number. If you have a phone already, you could just add a number to your existing phone. For both, the decision is if you want to pay monthly or pay-as -you-go. The details are all below. And, here's a print out of the Chinese names & Logos of the companies. Once you decide what you want to do, you can use them to show folks where you want to go.
New Phone With New Number
Deposits still exist. By and large, Taiwan Cellular - usually called Taiwan Da Guh Dah / Taiwan Big Brother (really) - seems the most INflexible on deposits, FarEasTone is the most flexible. Basically, they'll sign you up to a monthly plan, and you'll be calling under those terms. Usually a combination of limited or unlimited minutes & voice mail, just like back home.
You can INSIST on going pay-as-you-go (using & buying time from convenince stores) with a new phone, but the way they work it is this: for new phones they'll sell you the latest models SUPER cheap in return for your agreeing to sign a contract, usually a year. If you are determined to do pay-as-you-go with a new phone they'll do it but... you'll pay full boat for the phone.
Used Phone With New Number
If you HAVE a phone already, and just want a new number, you’ll have a choice to make:
Get a contract and pay monthly
or
Pay-as-you-go, and add more time by buying it at the 7-11.
Which way should you go? Well, if you don’t make a lot of calls, then you MAY – MAY - want to go with pay-as-you-go. Why? Because in Taiwan, the person making the call pays. If your cell phone rings, it’s a toll-free call for you.
Thus, if you really just get a lot of calls & don’t make that many, you might save a bit by going pay-as-you-go. But, you’ll have that whole rigamarole of thinking… “I’m not going to make that call. I’ll wait.” Or, cajoling people to call you back right away. Plus, on top of this less than aggravation-free phone existence, you probably won’t save that much in the long run anyway, because the phone companies have priced pay-as-you-go calling time 20% higher than the monthly plans. Some racket.
Whatever your situation - new phone paid monthly or pay-as-you-go; used phone new number paid monthly or pay-as-you-go - you’ll need to go to one of the service providers’ offices to get started. Convenience stores are now prohibited from being the starting point of service. The current requirements of the various providers are listed below.
MONTHLY CONTRACTS
Far-Eastone 遠傳電信
Tel:0800-058-885
Requires:
* No contract (they'll stop you to call out if you don't pay for the bill. If you still ignore it, you cannot get calls or dial out.)
or
1.5 year / 2 year contract w/ a cellphone.
* Two forms of identification (Duration: 6 months and up)
Accepted: First ID ¡V Passport; Second ID - Work permit, ARC, Foreign ID or
Foreign Driver License etc. In this case, the second ID should include a photo,
foreign ID number that can be identified.
* Deposit, only NT$2,400(cash)
Apply at any branch
Taiwan Cellular
(Usually called Taiwan Da Guh Dah)
(Usually called Taiwan Da Guh
Dah)
Tel:0809-000-852
Requires:
* 1 Year Contract
* Two forms of identification (Duration: 3 months and up)
Accepted: First ID ¡V Passport, ARC, Work permit; Second ID ¡V Health insurance
card, Visa, Taiwan/International driver license
* A Guarantor (Taiwanese citizen 20 or older with two certificates.
or
* Deposit NT$2,900 might be accepted, depending on each
branch. (They may require both.)
Apply at any branch
Chunghwa Telecom
Tel:0800-080-090
Requires:
* No contract (they'll stop you to call out if you don't pay for the bill. If
you still ignore it, you cannot get calls or dial out.)
or
15 month contract / 2 year contract w/ a cellphone.
* Passport + ARC (No contract - Duration: 6 months and up; Contract ¡V Duration:
1 year and up)
Either
* Guarantor (Taiwanese citizen 20 or older with two certificates.
or
* Deposit NT$2,900 (cash)
Apply at any branch (some offices will insist on the deposit, others, not)
PAY-AS-YOU-GO
Far-Eastone
Purchase
1. NT$350 Gets call-out credit of NT$350.
2. NT$600 Gets call-out credit of NT$600.
3. 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: Bring two IDs and fill out a form at any branch. You are
active within 24 hours.
You need to prepare two forms of identification: (Duration: 6 months and up)
1. Passport
2. Work permit, ARC, Foreign ID or Foreign Driver License
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)
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: Bring two IDs and fill out a form at any branch. You are
active within 24 hours.
You need to prepare two forms of identification: (Duration: 3 months and up)
1. Passport, ARC, Work permit
2. Health insurance card, Visa, Taiwan/International driver license
Changing Interface to English:
Dial 867, press send. When it answers dial 3 then 2.
Changing the Voicemail to English: (NO CHARGE)
Dial 123 --> 3 --> 2 --> 1
Listening to the voicemail messages: NT$0.06/second
Recharge Account
Convenience stores: amounts -300, 600, 1000
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 (unit: $100)
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
Chunghwa Telecom
Purchase
No amount, so you need to buy recharge cards: $300 or $500 while you purchase.
You need to prepare two forms of identification: (Duration: 6 months and up)
1. Passport
2. Health insurance card, Visa, Foreign ID, Foreign driver license.
Changing the Voicemail to English: (NO CHARGE)
1. Dial 928 or 800 and ask the customer service representatives to help you.
2. Dial 777->4->1->2.
Listening to the voicemail messages: NT$0.06/second
Recharge Account
Convenience stores: amounts - 300, 500. (* You might have another choice $1000
at 7-11)
step1: Buy your desired amount
step2: call 928, 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.
Recharge Card:
Buying a recharge card is the only way to recharge.
(Usually called Taiwan Da Guh Dah)