Mobile internet in Taiwan is essential for tourists to stay connected, access online services, and have fun. Taiwan offers Asia’s quickest, most reliable, and cheapest mobile internet. This post will examine Taiwan’s mobile internet rates and benefits and recommend the best alternative.
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Three of Taiwan’s cellular carriers stand out: Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile, and Far EasTone. Depending on the area, these businesses offer 3G, 4G, or 5G services nationwide.
The average download speed in Taiwan was 86.76 Mbps in January 2024, while the average upload speed was 23.66 Mbps, placing the country seventh on the Ookla Speedtest Global Index. Before Taiwan Mobile, there was Chunghwa Telecom, then Far EasTone, and finally Taiwan Star.
| Operator | 3G Coverage | 4G Coverage | 5G Coverage |
| Chunghwa Telecom | 99.9% | 99.9% | 85% |
| Taiwan Mobile | 99.9% | 99.9% | 90% |
| Far EasTone | 99.9% | 99.9% | 80% |
| Taiwan Star | 99.9% | 99.9% | 70% |
The table above demonstrates that all four operators have good 3G and 4G coverage and developing 5G coverage. Taiwan Mobile offers top 5G speed and coverage. Taiwan’s four carriers provide reliable mobile internet to non-5G clients.
| Operator | Average Download Speed (Mbps) | Average Upload Speed (Mbps) |
| Taiwan Mobile | 94.24 | 25.63 |
| Chunghwa Telecom | 88.35 | 24.12 |
| Far EasTone | 82.17 | 22.34 |
| Taiwan Star | 69.28 | 18.56 |
Source: Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Taiwanese infrastructure and technology boost mobile internet. January 2024 operator average download/upload speeds. Fast mobile gaming, calls, and streaming from Taiwan are available on Star, Chunghwa, and Far EasTone.
There are several ways to get mobile internet in Taiwan as a tourist, depending on your preferences, budget, and device compatibility.
| Option | How it works | Cost | Where to buy | Convenience | Pros | Cons |
| SIM card | To connect to a local network, your phone needs a hardware card. | Varies by operator and plan, ranging from $5 to $30 for 5 to 30 days of unlimited data | Airport, convenience stores, online | Easy to use, but requires an unlocked phone and a SIM tray tool | Affordable, flexible, reliable, fast | It could not be compatible with your phone’s size, you might misplace your original SIM card, and you might have to use your passport or ID to register. |
| eSIM | A digital SIM that you download to your phone to access the local network | Varies by operator and plan, ranging from $5 to $30 for 5 to 30 days of unlimited data | Online | Easy to use, but requires an eSIM-compatible phone and a QR code or activation code | Affordable, flexible, reliable, fast, no physical card required, can switch between eSIMs easily | Limited availability; you may need to register with your passport or ID card |
| Roaming | Using your home network in Taiwan through a roaming agreement with a local operator | Varies by operator and plan, ranging from $10 to $50 per day for unlimited data | Your home operator | Easy to use, but requires a roaming-compatible phone and plan | Convenient, no need to change SIM or eSIM, keep your home number | Expensive, may have limited coverage or speed, may incur hidden charges |
| Public WiFi | Using free or paid WiFi hotspots in public places, such as airports, hotels, cafes, etc. | Free or varies by provider, ranging from $3 to $10 per day for unlimited data | Public places or online | Easy to use, but requires a WiFi-compatible device and login or password | Cheap or free, widely available, no SIM or eSIM required | Unreliable, slow, insecure, may have limited coverage or time |
| Pocket WiFi | A portable device that creates a WiFi hotspot using a local SIM card | Varies by the provider, ranging from $5 to $15 per day for unlimited data | Airport, online delivery | Easy to use, but requires a pocket WiFi device and a charger | Reliable, fast, secure, can connect multiple devices, no SIM or eSIM required | Expensive, bulky, may have limited battery life or coverage |
As seen above, travelers’ preferred mobile internet in Taiwan depends on their demands. A data SIM card or eSIM is the cheapest, most flexible, trustworthy, and quickest. For eSIM-compatible phones, ESIM doesn’t need a card, SIM tray tool, passport, or ID card. Local providers and online shops like Gigago sell eSIMs.
Tip: Check your phone’s unlockability before buying a Taiwan SIM card. Check your phone’s eSIM compatibility—list at https://gigago.com/esim-compatible-list/.
Good to know: The exchange rate of the local currency (New Taiwan Dollar, TWD) to USD (as of January 30, 2024) is 1 TWD = 0.035 USD.
The table below lists the mobile internet rates for each of the following options:
The rates are based on the average prices of the four major operators in Taiwan (Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile, Far EasTone, and Taiwan Star) and the average prices of the three major operators in the US (AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile). The rates are converted to USD for comparison.
| Option | Average Rate (USD) |
| SIM card | $15 for 30 days of unlimited data |
| eSIM | $15 for 30 days of unlimited data |
| Roaming | $40 per day for unlimited data |
Source: Statista
Note: The above rates are for reference only. To update the latest information, contact the provider.
The cheapest mobile internet in Taiwan for visitors is a $15 SIM card or eSIM with 30 days of unrestricted use. The most expensive is $40/day for unlimited data roaming. A local operator or eSIM provider like Gigago gives Taiwan the most competitive and diverse alternatives; thus, we recommend it.
Mobile applications may connect travelers to homes via data SIM cards. Data SIM cards connect phones to local networks. Pick a data plan and bundle depending on budget and needs. Data SIM cards are accessible at airports, convenience stores, and online.
The table below lists data SIM card packages from Taiwan’s four major operators: Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile, Far EasTone, and Taiwan Star. From January 30, 2024, prices are in TWD and USD.
| Operator | SIM Card Package (TWD) | SIM Card Package (USD) |
| Chunghwa Telecom | $300 for five days of unlimited data | $10.5 for 5 days of unlimited data |
| Taiwan Mobile | $300 for 5 days of unlimited data | $10.5 for 5 days of unlimited data |
| Far EasTone | $300 for 5 days of unlimited data | $10.5 for 5 days of unlimited data |
Note: Please note that the above prices are for reference only. To update the latest specific information, contact the operator.
Tip: This option only works if your phone is eSIM compatible.
An eSIM is a digital SIM you download to your phone to access the local network. An eSIM has many advantages over a SIM card, such as:
You can buy an eSIM for Taiwan online from a local operator or an eSIM provider, such as Gigago.
Taiwan’s four electronic SIM carriers are Taiwan Star, Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile, and Far EasTone. Depending on the operator, online eSIM purchases may need a passport or ID card. Like a SIM card, an eSIM package offers unlimited data for 5–30 days for $5–$30.
| Operator | eSIM Plan (USD) | How to Buy |
| Chunghwa Telecom | $15 for 30 days of unlimited data | Online |
| Taiwan Mobile | $15 for 30 days of unlimited data | Online |
| Far EasTone | $15 for 30 days of unlimited data | Online |
| Taiwan Star | $10 for 15 days of unlimited data | Online |
Pros:
Cons:
ESIMs from trustworthy sources like Gigago need no registration, shipment, or phone settings, making them the easiest and most convenient. Online retailer Gigago emails Taiwanese eSIMs quickly. Scan the QR code or enter your phone’s activation code to enable data roaming.
Gigago offers a variety of eSIM plans for Taiwan, depending on your data needs, budget, and trip duration. You can choose from the following plans:
| Plan | Data | Validity | Price (USD) |
| Taiwan 1GB | 1 GB | 30 days | $4.99 |
| Taiwan 3GB | 3 GB | 30 days | $9.99 |
| Taiwan 5GB | 5 GB | 30 days | $14.99 |
| Taiwan 10GB | 10 GB | 30 days | $19.99 |
| Taiwan Unlimited | Unlimited | 30 days | $29.99 |
Pros:
Cons:
The best operator for mobile internet in Taiwan depends on your coverage and speed preferences.
To check if your phone is unlocked, insert a different SIM card from another operator to see if it works. If it does, your phone is unlocked.
You can buy a SIM card or an eSIM for Taiwan online from a local operator or an eSIM provider, such as Gigago.
Travelers must have mobile internet in Taiwan. Taiwan’s four big carriers and more provide fast, dependable, and inexpensive mobile internet. Data-enabled SIM cards, or eSIMs, are Taiwan’s cheapest, most flexible, most reliable, and fastest mobile internet for visitors. ESIM is ideal for eSIM-compatible phones without a card, SIM tray tool, or ID. Enable your phone with Gigago’s online eSIM in minutes.
I am explaining Taiwan’s mobile internet utilization. Any questions? Contact us. Willing to assist. Enjoy the Taiwan trip. Thanks for reading.
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