# Post-paid SIM only package recommendations? **URL:** \ **Category:** Living in Taiwan\ **Created:** [January 17, 2023, 8:41am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/post-paid-sim-only-package-recommendations/226749 "2023-01-17T08:41:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![NomadCapitalist](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/n/9e8a1a/32.png) [@NomadCapitalist](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/NomadCapitalist)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2023, 8:41am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/post-paid-sim-only-package-recommendations/226749/1 "2023-01-17T08:41:56Z")
Any recommendations on whether there are better deals around? Chunghwa were offering a NT$599/month for unlimited data on 4G. It has a 2 year contract. I have some PTSD from previous internet and phone providers who provided terrible service (like very slow speeds) and you couldn’t escape from them because the contract tied you down to them, and the fine print said there may be limitations to their bandwidth due to network issues (i.e. other heavy users, not necessarily yourself). The 2 year contracts give me flashbacks. Am I unduly worried with CHT? I would mostly use the data for Google Maps and Google Translate, so for me coverage is the most important. Especially since one of my hobbies is hiking in remote places. According to my research online, CHT has the best coverage. In distance second place for priorities, it would be reading the news or watching Youtube videos, if I am somewhere and have time to spare. I do not believe I need 5G as of yet. ---
**Author:** ![Marco](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/user_avatar/tw.forumosa.com/marco/32/179744_2.png) [@Marco](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/Marco)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2023, 8:51am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/post-paid-sim-only-package-recommendations/226749/2 "2023-01-17T08:51:22Z")
Do you need home Internet as well? ---
**Author:** ![NomadCapitalist](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/n/9e8a1a/32.png) [@NomadCapitalist](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/NomadCapitalist)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2023, 9:15am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/post-paid-sim-only-package-recommendations/226749/3 "2023-01-17T09:15:50Z")
I already signed up for CHT’s home fiber package, the cheapest one. Because the salesperson said I can upgrade the package with a phone call, and without any penalties, but I cannot downgrade my package without penalties. ---
**Author:** ![Marco](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/user_avatar/tw.forumosa.com/marco/32/179744_2.png) [@Marco](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/Marco)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2023, 9:16am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/post-paid-sim-only-package-recommendations/226749/4 "2023-01-17T09:16:58Z")
Ah that sucks. My plan is $999 and comes with both the home internet and unlimited 4G. I love it. Taiwan Mobile and Taiwan Broadband. ---
**Author:** ![NomadCapitalist](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/n/9e8a1a/32.png) [@NomadCapitalist](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/NomadCapitalist)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2023, 9:23am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/post-paid-sim-only-package-recommendations/226749/5 "2023-01-17T09:23:00Z")
What are the terms of your home internet and 4G? Up/down speed, and possibly ping if you have it? Above all, for me the coverage of my mobile phone provider is the most important (even more so than the quality of the home internet). The last thing I need would be to be hiking or driving in the middle of nowhere, and I am lost because Google Maps has no internet connection and can’t ask for help because Google Translate doesn’t work. ---
**Author:** ![Marco](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/user_avatar/tw.forumosa.com/marco/32/179744_2.png) [@Marco](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/Marco)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2023, 9:37am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/post-paid-sim-only-package-recommendations/226749/6 "2023-01-17T09:37:07Z")
> [@NomadCapitalist](#): > > What are the terms of your home internet and 4G? 120/40 mbps for home internet. 4G I get about 40-100 both ways. Can go lower in congestion but never had an issue with Google Maps. I am signing a new contract and apparently it has 5G as well with a soft cap of 60 GB from there goes to 4G speeds. I don’t have a 5G phone and am not intending to upgrade soon. > [@NomadCapitalist](#): > > and possibly ping if you have it? 2-30 > [@NomadCapitalist](#): > > Above all, for me the coverage of my mobile phone provider is the most important (even more so than the quality of the home internet). Taiwan Mobile is part of the ‘big three’ that I like to call. Chunghwa, TWM and Fareastone while APT and Taiwanstar are the minor discount brands. The big three have similar coverage. > [@NomadCapitalist](#): > > The last thing I need would be to be hiking or driving in the middle of nowhere, and I am lost because Google Maps has no internet connection and can’t ask for help because Google Translate doesn’t work. Then I’d suggest downloading the translations library to your phone on Google Translate as none of the carriers have full service in all of the mountainous areas. I would bear that in mind when doing serious hikes. All of the big carriers make an attempt to cover major roads, but there are mountainous dead zones with all three. The mountainous spine of the country is a major telco black hole. > **[台灣大哥大 - 用戶服務：查詢行動上網網路涵蓋率](https://www.taiwanmobile.com/mobile/calculate/cover_map.html)** > > 台灣大哥大提供用戶線上立即查詢行動上網網路涵蓋率，包含行動寬頻系統(5G NR)、行動寬頻系統(4G LTE)、行動寬頻系統(UMTS)涵蓋率。 ![image](https://forumosauploads-12829.kxcdn.com/original/3X/6/3/63c4322ef426c1675547f66182598cbf873654bd.jpeg) [https://coverage.cht.com.tw/coverage/tw.html](https://coverage.cht.com.tw/coverage/tw.html) ![image](https://forumosauploads-12829.kxcdn.com/original/3X/3/c/3cacf8d50af83ddb02238fcf0df448b6eac40911.jpeg) ![image](https://forumosauploads-12829.kxcdn.com/original/3X/2/e/2e519e688eed97281f942cf9d7f1db3c3769e712.jpeg) [https://ecare.fetnet.net/DigService/serviceCoverageController/serviceCoveragePage?\_ga=2.238319304.997906208.1645069201-930182724.1632364946&\_gac=1.28340558.1645069201.Cj0KCQiA3rKQBhCNARIsACUEW\_ZcavrQ3Y7KeGKaUKUCJvdXcovWMCpOFI-yLWzdg4ZJS273msfoIX0aAqcpEALw\_wcB](https://ecare.fetnet.net/DigService/serviceCoverageController/serviceCoveragePage?_ga=2.238319304.997906208.1645069201-930182724.1632364946&_gac=1.28340558.1645069201.Cj0KCQiA3rKQBhCNARIsACUEW_ZcavrQ3Y7KeGKaUKUCJvdXcovWMCpOFI-yLWzdg4ZJS273msfoIX0aAqcpEALw_wcB) * * * So… Definitely don’t break down here. ![image](https://forumosauploads-12829.kxcdn.com/original/3X/f/7/f713933095ce4272976cf7cc45af9e53ab58399c.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![NomadCapitalist](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/n/9e8a1a/32.png) [@NomadCapitalist](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/NomadCapitalist)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2023, 9:42am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/post-paid-sim-only-package-recommendations/226749/7 "2023-01-17T09:42:32Z")
The closest comparable CHT package to yours, is the 100/40 home fiber package ($466/month) and their 4G unlimited package ($599/month). What are your contract periods and termination terms like? The salesperson estimated about NT$1300 if I terminate mine with about 300 days remaining in the 2 year period. Not the end of the world, but the freer customers are to walk the better the incentive for them to give good service, I think. Does Taiwan have cooling-off periods under Consumer Law for customers who sign a contract in person, but change their mind? ---
**Author:** ![Marco](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/user_avatar/tw.forumosa.com/marco/32/179744_2.png) [@Marco](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/Marco)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2023, 9:44am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/post-paid-sim-only-package-recommendations/226749/8 "2023-01-17T09:44:56Z")
> [@NomadCapitalist](#): > > The closest comparable CHT package to yours, is the 100/40 home fiber package ($466/month) and their 4G unlimited package ($599/month). Yea. The TWM does go up. I believe $1199 comes with 300 mbps for home internet $1399 comes with unlimited 5G > [@NomadCapitalist](#): > > What are your contract periods and termination terms like? Not exactly sure, I’d have to ask. I just completed my two year contract. > [@NomadCapitalist](#): > > but the freer customers are to walk the better the incentive for them to give good service, I think. I agree, but they don’t think that way here. You finish the contract, you are given a grace period to sign a new one or they cut you off. No telco has a retentions team and nobody will express that kind of american-style customer service sorrow when you threaten to leave. They just don’t respond to threats to leave. In almost every service here. This is not TWM. It’s EVERYONE. EVERYONE is rigid in their rules. In banks, in telcos, in everything. They will not budge because they are more afraid of defying the boss than keeping you a customer. The market is just dying for a venture capitalist to shake shit up. Personally, I am with TWM because their customer service is the best, but it doesn’t mean I have been complaint-free. > [@NomadCapitalist](#): > > Does Taiwan have cooling-off periods under Consumer Law for customers who sign a contract in person, but change their mind? I need to check. ---
**Author:** ![Shaun008](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/user_avatar/tw.forumosa.com/shaun008/32/209482_2.png) [@Shaun008](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/Shaun008)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2023, 10:27am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/post-paid-sim-only-package-recommendations/226749/9 "2023-01-17T10:27:40Z")
> [@Marco](#): > > > [@NomadCapitalist](#): > > > > The last thing I need would be to be hiking or driving in the middle of nowhere, and I am lost because Google Maps has no internet connection and can’t ask for help because Google Translate doesn’t work. > > Then I’d suggest downloading the translations library to your phone on Google Translate as none of the carriers have full service in all of the mountainous areas. I would bear that in mind when doing serious hikes. All of the big carriers make an attempt to cover major roads, but there are mountainous dead zones with all three. The mountainous spine of the country is a major telco black hole. Just to add too this I have Polnav with the Taiwan map as a back up, its free to download and can be used offline. ---
**Author:** ![Marco](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/user_avatar/tw.forumosa.com/marco/32/179744_2.png) [@Marco](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/Marco)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2023, 10:31am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/post-paid-sim-only-package-recommendations/226749/10 "2023-01-17T10:31:17Z")
Yep. And Google supports it for Taiwan too. ![Screenshot_20230117-183003924](https://forumosauploads-12829.kxcdn.com/original/3X/a/6/a670842fe360433139c840e418232737159582bb.jpeg) Can download the entire Taiwanese mainland. ---
**Author:** ![TaipeiGuy2000](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/user_avatar/tw.forumosa.com/taipeiguy2000/32/155716_2.png) [@TaipeiGuy2000](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/TaipeiGuy2000)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2023, 8:06am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/post-paid-sim-only-package-recommendations/226749/11 "2023-01-18T08:06:10Z")
I signed up for an unlimited 4G SIM from circles.life. I forget the price, but it is around 450/month and there is no contract. There are other posts on here about them. I will hopefully receive in a few days. ---
**Author:** ![Marco](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/user_avatar/tw.forumosa.com/marco/32/179744_2.png) [@Marco](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/Marco)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2023, 4:13pm UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/post-paid-sim-only-package-recommendations/226749/12 "2023-01-18T16:13:54Z")
> [@NomadCapitalist](#): > > What are your contract periods and termination terms like? New update. Taiwan Mobile’s maximum cancellation is $5500. The formula for counting is… x = y(5500/z) x is the amount you have to pay. y is the remaining time you have on your contract z is the length of contract in months. 24 month contract with 12 months remaining is 12(5500/24) = $2750. > [@NomadCapitalist](#): > > The salesperson estimated about NT$1300 if I terminate mine with about 300 days remaining in the 2 year period. I am always sceptical of employee speculation. People can and often do get it wrong or say something wrong to save face. You will be screwed over, they will sleep just fine with no consequences. Trust me. I’ve been burned by employee speculation multiple times and they didn’t care or didn’t believe. Get it in writing or video. My contract is in writing. ---
**Author:** ![NomadCapitalist](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/n/9e8a1a/32.png) [@NomadCapitalist](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/NomadCapitalist)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2023, 6:49am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/post-paid-sim-only-package-recommendations/226749/13 "2023-01-27T06:49:11Z")
I am curious what phone companies get out of post-paid handset plans, vs SIM only plans? It seems the only difference between the two is the duration of the contract. The monthly price is the same. ---
**Author:** ![rooftopclown](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/user_avatar/tw.forumosa.com/rooftopclown/32/58063_2.png) [@rooftopclown](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/rooftopclown)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2023, 6:57am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/post-paid-sim-only-package-recommendations/226749/14 "2023-01-27T06:57:48Z")
> [@NomadCapitalist](#): > > It seems the only difference between the two is the duration of the contract. That’s your answer. They get (almost) guaranteed revenue for a longer period. ---
**Author:** ![NomadCapitalist](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/n/9e8a1a/32.png) [@NomadCapitalist](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/NomadCapitalist)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2023, 2:01am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/post-paid-sim-only-package-recommendations/226749/15 "2023-01-29T02:01:06Z")
> [@rooftopclown](#): > > That’s your answer. They get (almost) guaranteed revenue for a longer period. May be the case of guaranteed revenue, but if you consider the pricing of the 5G handset plans such as that here: > **[5G Rate Plans - Taiwan Mobile: Open Possible | Prepaid Cards|Monthly...](https://english.taiwanmobile.com/product/5Grateplan.html)** > > We're here to open your world to more possibility. The possibility of connecting with each other, of being inspired by new views and cultures, of more intelligent ways of living, and of everything in between. NT$599 x 24 months works out to be NT$14376. So a cheap new 5G phone is NT$5000 - effectively about a third of the total revenue to the telecom company, goes to buy the new phone. I’m curious what sort of phones they offer with the handset plans? This is something I can’t check at least on the English versions of the websites. ---
**Author:** ![Taiwan\_Luthiers](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/73ab20/32.png) [@Taiwan\_Luthiers](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/Taiwan_Luthiers)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2023, 2:36am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/post-paid-sim-only-package-recommendations/226749/16 "2023-01-29T02:36:45Z")
They have different plans and tiers of service where you can get free/reduced price phones. Last I heard for iphones you had to get a plan that costs about 1500 a month, which gives you a lot of voice/land line minutes. The problem is often you had to prepay a year up front to get them. So it makes handset plans not worth it. ---
**Author:** ![thpsycho](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/ea5d25/32.png) [@thpsycho](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/thpsycho)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2023, 2:54am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/post-paid-sim-only-package-recommendations/226749/17 "2023-01-29T02:54:48Z")
Try Circles.life they use CHT network. My second month with them, I’ve been quite happy with the service so far. > **[最有彈性的上網吃到飽 | 無框行動](https://www.circles.life/tw/)** > > 全方案不綁約，顛覆對電信的想像！快來和我們一起重新定義吃到飽！用不到18GB回饋$100、不到3GB回饋$300，吃不完還給你！ - I pay NT 550 for unlimited data - NO CONTRACT, if you try it for two months and decide it’s not for you just port your number out. - speed quite good. Some places I get over 100mpbs - Online process so you don’t need to spend time at the shop. Just have your ARC and NHI ID ready as you’ll need to take photos for the online system. - have your address is Chinese ready Use my referral link and both of us can get NT 100 off our bills for 6 months. Liberty is life! Join Circles Life and get $100 discount for first 6 months. Use my LCHBQ9VB to apply! Learn more [https://tw-shop.circles.life/cl/ref\_url-add-LCHBQ9VB&da=%5B%22Unlimited%20Data%22%5D](https://tw-shop.circles.life/cl/ref_url-add-LCHBQ9VB&da=%5B%22Unlimited%20Data%22%5D) There’s also a thread about it. The good and bads from different people who have used it. \>\> [Circles.Life Taiwan](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/circles-life-taiwan/198125) ---
**Author:** ![izzy](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/i/c2a13f/32.png) [@izzy](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/izzy)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2023, 3:20am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/post-paid-sim-only-package-recommendations/226749/18 "2023-01-29T03:20:51Z")
They dont pay retail prices, they have a steep discounts for buying big amounts of handsets. for most consumers the handeet deal is mot worthwhile, you can buy a stand alone device cheaper than through the carrier. ---
**Author:** ![boaz25](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/d78d45/32.png) [@boaz25](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/boaz25)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2023, 9:31am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/post-paid-sim-only-package-recommendations/226749/19 "2023-01-29T09:31:23Z")
The only two downsides of Circles.Life (I have been a happy customer for over 3 years now) to date are: 1. I encountered issues with my phone number and government apps like NHI. The system labeled it as a prepaid card and rejected it. 2. They don’t offer international roaming of any sort. My phone wouldn’t even connect to a network when overseas. No way to even receive SMS, which is a problem when you need 2FA for i.e. banking services. ---
**Author:** ![topofan](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/b38774/32.png) [@topofan](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/topofan)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2023, 3:50pm UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/post-paid-sim-only-package-recommendations/226749/20 "2023-01-29T15:50:23Z")
1. you likely could solve by transferring a contract number and not a prepaid number into Circles.Life 2. Cannot be solved - and I clearly would not use it as my main SIM as a person traveling a lot - due to 2FA. [Next page](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/post-paid-sim-only-package-recommendations/226749.md?page=2)