After four months of negotiations and ‘tomorrows’ I have finally signed a contract with Taiwan dageda (Taiwan Cellular Corp.) which allows me to offer mobile phone service to foreigners in Taiwan at rates which are comparable to what you get with a standard plan.
We’re in beta testing of the accounting system now, which means I can take a few customers before officially launching the service. I need to know that the process of signing up customers, activating the accounts, billing, and collecting the money will actually work before I start advertising properly. So I’m waiving the planned set-up fee of NT$500 for the first 20 customers who will try out the service over the coming months.
You need:
- a GSM 2 or 3-band phone, which you can bring from your own country or buy locally.
- a passport, and a photocopy of the front page.
- at least NT$3000 to put down as a deposit.
You get:
- a SIM card which works in Taiwan using the TCC network.
- a monthly credit limit of at least NT$1500
- a monthly bill, by email.
- English language customer service.
You don’t get:
- a fixed-term contract. 7 days notice is required to deactivate your account and refund your deposit.
- international roaming.
- internet access or other ‘premium’ services.
This system was developed, and approved by the government, for use by foreigners making short-term visits to Taiwan. An ARC is not required, and I am not able to legally provide a service to ROC citizens.
Rates:
I’m not offering ‘low volume’ plans at the moment. The rates have to be very high in order to cover my expenses and people end up using the phone more than they planned to, which becomes ridiculously expensive. I’m working on the assumption that you’re going to be using the phone to keep in touch with friends, employers, etc. If you really don’t exect to make a lot of calls then get an IF card.
If you really use the phone a lot I can let you make calls at NT$5/minute, but you would have to guarantee spending at least NT$2000 a month. (400 minutes)
Pay NT$6/min, and the minimum monthly fee is NT$1200. (200 minutes)
At NT$6.5/min, the minimum is NT$975. (150 minutes)
At NT$7/min, the minimum is NT$840. (120 minutes)
NB: These rates are for calls to mobile phones. Calls to land lines (eg a Taipei number) cost twice as much as calls to mobile phones, and this is standard to other TCC plans. No, they never told me that either.
There are no monthly charges or line rental fees, and no charge for incoming calls.
Text messages cost NT$3.
International calls are via the 006 service, and charged at the standard rate offered by that company.
5% sales tax is included. No tips.
At the moment I am personally signing contacts with new customers, so you must be able to meet in Taipei to set up your account. Phone service is island-wide though.
contact admin@taiwancell.nett (spambot alert: delete the second ‘t’ to send email) if this is for you. DO NOT SEND A PM! My PM box is usually full.