Best SIM Plans in Taiwan 2026: Contracts, No-Contracts & Data-Only

TL;DR: Top 3 Picks for Taiwan

Compare All 16 Taiwan Plans on SimFinder →

Below, we break down the entire market using real plan data.

Table of Contents

• The Taiwan Mobile Landscape
• Carrier Structure and Quality Scores
• All Plans Compared
• Best Plans by Use Case
• 5G and eSIM in Taiwan
• What Users Say
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Key Takeaways

The Taiwan Mobile Landscape: 3 MNOs and 1 MVNO

Taiwan’s mobile market is compact compared to larger countries. After a series of mergers (Taiwan Star was absorbed by Taiwan Mobile in 2023), the market has settled into three MNOs and one notable MVNO.

SimFinder’s database tracks 4 carriers and 16 plans in Taiwan. Prices range from NT$180/month (approximately US$5.50) to NT$1,799/month (approximately US$55). Unlike markets such as Australia where all plans are contract-free, Taiwan’s market is split: most 5G plans require a 24-month contract, while budget and data-only plans are contract-free.

This guide breaks down the entire Taiwan SIM market using actual plan data, network quality scores, and pricing analysis.

Carrier Structure and Quality Scores

Understanding Taiwan’s mobile market starts with one key fact: Chunghwa Telecom dominates in quality. It is the former state-owned telecom and still controls the most extensive infrastructure in the country.

Quality data: OpenSignal 2025, measured June 2025. ibon Mobile runs on Chunghwa’s network but as an MVNO may experience reduced priority during congestion.

Chunghwa Telecom’s quality score of 91 is among the highest of any carrier in SimFinder’s global database. Its download speed of 165.3 Mbps and latency of 22ms reflect a mature 5G rollout in a densely populated island. Taiwan’s geography — roughly 36,000 km² with 23.5 million people — makes nationwide coverage relatively achievable, which is why all three MNOs score 93 or above for coverage.

Taiwan Mobile sits in the middle with a solid 87/100 overall. Since absorbing Taiwan Star, it has expanded its spectrum holdings and improved coverage. It is the only MNO offering data rollover on select plans.

FarEasTone rounds out the three MNOs at 85/100. While its speeds and coverage are lower than the other two, it offers the only no-contract voice plan in the market — a significant advantage for flexibility.

ibon Mobile is the sole MVNO tracked by SimFinder in Taiwan. It runs on Chunghwa’s network but is limited to 4G-only, data-only plans with no eSIM support. Its value lies in contract-free simplicity at low price points.

All Plans Compared: 16 Plans Across 4 Carriers

Compare All 16 Taiwan Plans on SimFinder →

Contract Plans (24-Month Commitment)

Most 5G plans in Taiwan require a 24-month contract. The early termination fee across all carriers is NT$3,000.

No-Contract Plans

A pattern emerges: the contract/no-contract split is stark. If you want 5G or more than 1GB of data with voice, you are almost certainly signing a 24-month contract. The only exceptions are ibon Mobile’s data-only plans and FarEasTone’s basic 4G 399.

Compare All 16 Taiwan Plans on SimFinder →

Best Plans by Use Case

Lightest Use / Budget (Under NT$500/month)

ibon Mobile NT$180 4G 1GB — The cheapest plan in Taiwan. Data-only, no contract, runs on Chunghwa’s network. No eSIM, no 5G, no tethering — but at NT$180 (roughly US$5.50) it is hard to argue with. Ideal for a secondary SIM or light tablet usage.

FarEasTone NT$399 4G 399 — The only no-contract plan with voice in Taiwan’s market. Unlimited calls with 1GB of data. If you need a local phone number without a long-term commitment, this is your only option among the MNOs. eSIM supported.

Best Balance of Price and Data

Chunghwa Telecom NT$999 5G 999 — The plan SimFinder’s data suggests works for the widest range of users. You get 30GB of data on Taiwan’s highest-quality network (91/100), 5G, eSIM, and 60 minutes of voice. The 24-month contract is the trade-off, but the quality-to-price ratio is strong. At NT$999 (roughly US$30/month), this is competitive globally.

FarEasTone NT$999 5G 999 — Similar pricing with 25GB and 60 minutes. A reasonable alternative if Chunghwa is unavailable in your area, though Chunghwa’s network advantage makes that unlikely in Taiwan.

Heavy Data Users

FarEasTone NT$1,399 5G 1399 — The only unlimited data plan in Taiwan. Unlimited data, unlimited voice, 5G, eSIM, tethering — all included. If data limits are a concern, this is the only plan that eliminates them entirely. The 24-month contract and NT$3,000 termination fee apply.

Chunghwa NT$1,799 5G 1799 — Taiwan’s premium plan: 200GB on the best network (91/100), unlimited voice, 5G. For users who want the highest quality without unlimited data’s potential throttling concerns, this is the ceiling.

Data-Only / Secondary Device

ibon Mobile NT$899 4G Unlimited 30d — 40GB of data with tethering for NT$899/month, no contract. This is the best option for a tablet, hotspot device, or secondary SIM. It runs on Chunghwa’s 4G network. The lack of eSIM means you need a physical SIM card.

Short-Term Visitors

For tourists, Taiwan’s contract-heavy market is a challenge. The best options:

1. Travel eSIMs: Airalo (from US$4.50/7 days), Saily, Nomad, and others offer Taiwan data plans that activate instantly. No contract, no passport registration hassle. Compare travel eSIM plans for Taiwan →
2. Airport SIM counters: Chunghwa, FarEasTone, and Taiwan Mobile all operate counters at Taoyuan International Airport with short-term prepaid options.
3. FarEasTone 4G 399: If you need a local number, this no-contract plan works for any duration.

Find Your Best Taiwan Plan →

5G and eSIM in Taiwan

5G Coverage

13 of 16 plans (81%) include 5G access. Taiwan’s 5G rollout is concentrated in urban areas — Taipei, Kaohsiung, Taichung, and Tainan have strong coverage from all three MNOs. Rural and mountainous areas remain primarily 4G.

Taiwan Mobile is the only MNO still selling 4G-only contract plans (NT$799 and NT$1,299). These two plans include data rollover — the only plans in the entire market with this feature. This suggests Taiwan Mobile positions its 4G plans as a niche product for users who prioritize rollover over 5G speed.

eSIM Support

13 of 16 plans support eSIM — all MNO plans across Chunghwa, FarEasTone, and Taiwan Mobile. The three ibon Mobile plans require a physical SIM card.

If your phone supports eSIM, you can activate an MNO plan remotely — useful for residents moving between carriers. For visitors arriving with an eSIM-compatible device, a travel eSIM from a provider like Airalo or Saily may be simpler than navigating contract requirements.

What Users Say

Real experiences from people using mobile services in Taiwan.

“The first SIM card vending machine in Taiwan has now been introduced at terminal 1.” — @taoyuanairport (original post)

Taoyuan Airport’s SIM card infrastructure has improved over the years, making it straightforward for arriving travelers to get connected.

Individual experiences may vary based on location and network conditions.

Compare Plans on SimFinder

The data in this guide comes from SimFinder’s database, which tracks 16 Taiwan plans across 4 carriers. If you want to filter by price, data, 5G, or eSIM, use the comparison tool to find your best match.

Compare Taiwan SIM Plans →

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a contract to get a SIM in Taiwan?

Not necessarily. FarEasTone’s 4G 399 plan (NT$399/month, unlimited calls, 1GB) requires no contract. All three ibon Mobile data-only plans are also contract-free. However, most 5G plans from the three MNOs require a 24-month commitment with a NT$3,000 early termination fee.

Which carrier has the best coverage across Taiwan?

Chunghwa Telecom, with a coverage score of 96/100 and the highest overall quality score of 91/100. Its network reaches the most remote areas of Taiwan, including mountain regions and the east coast — where other carriers may have gaps.

Can I get a data-only SIM without a phone number?

Yes. ibon Mobile offers three data-only plans starting at just NT$180/month for 1GB. These are contract-free, but note that ibon Mobile does not support eSIM — you need a physical SIM card.

Is 5G widely available in Taiwan?

Yes. 13 of 16 plans in SimFinder’s database include 5G. All three MNOs (Chunghwa, FarEasTone, Taiwan Mobile) offer 5G plans. The only carrier without 5G is ibon Mobile, which operates as a 4G-only MVNO.

Do any plans support eSIM?

Yes — all 13 MNO plans support eSIM. The three ibon Mobile plans do not. If you need eSIM, you must choose a plan from Chunghwa Telecom, FarEasTone, or Taiwan Mobile.

What is the cheapest way to get mobile data in Taiwan?

ibon Mobile’s 4G 1GB plan at NT$180/month is the cheapest option — data-only, no contract. For visitors, travel eSIMs from providers like Airalo start at US$4.50 for 1GB/7 days. For residents who need voice, FarEasTone’s 4G 399 (NT$399, unlimited calls, 1GB, no contract) is the most affordable.

Which plan is best for tourists visiting Taiwan?

Short-term visitors should consider travel eSIMs (Airalo, Saily, Nomad) for hassle-free data — plans start at US$4.50 for 7 days. If you need a local number, FarEasTone’s 4G 399 (NT$399, no contract, unlimited calls) is available at airport counters. ibon Mobile’s 40GB data-only plan (NT$899, no contract) is another option for heavy data users.

Key Takeaways

The Taiwan SIM market in 2026:

• 4 carriers, 16 plans with prices ranging from NT$180 to NT$1,799 per month
• Chunghwa Telecom leads in quality: 91/100 overall, 165.3 Mbps download, 96/100 coverage — the benchmark for Taiwan’s mobile networks
• Contract vs. no-contract split is stark: 12 of 16 plans require 24 months. Only FarEasTone 4G 399 and three ibon Mobile plans are contract-free
• 5G is widely available (81% of plans), but limited to MNOs — ibon Mobile is 4G-only
• eSIM is supported on all MNO plans (13 of 16). ibon Mobile requires physical SIM
• Only one unlimited data plan exists: FarEasTone 5G 1399 at NT$1,399/month
• Data rollover is rare: only Taiwan Mobile’s two 4G contract plans offer it
• For visitors: travel eSIMs or FarEasTone’s no-contract 4G 399 are the practical options

For residents, the decision comes down to how much data you need and whether you accept a 24-month contract. If you do, Chunghwa’s 5G 999 (NT$999, 30GB, quality score 91) offers the strongest value. If you don’t, FarEasTone’s 4G 399 is the only voice option without strings attached.

Find Your Best Taiwan SIM Plan →

Plan data is current as of March 2026. Prices and inclusions may change. Check carrier websites for the latest information.

Compare all plans side by side using SimFinder’s comparison tool.