Footprints Recruiting

First question Footprints teachers often asked in regard to phones in Taiwan is, "Can I bring my cell phone to Taiwan?".

Simple answer, maybe.

The mobile network operates on GSM 900MHz / 1800MHz – Check the GSM on your phone before bringing it with you. Phone in Taiwan are pretty cheap and are awesome! Often cell phones in Taiwan are much better than the phones you can get back home as they are cutting edge in Taiwan - heck, this is where they are made and tested before they hit market back home.

More often than not, the easiest way to obtain a cell phone is to purchase a GSM phone in Taiwan or to bring one with you from your home country (ensuring ofcourse that you have the proper MHz capabilities). Once you have the phone, you now have to decide which company you want to go with, you can go to any convenience store and for as little as NT$ 600, you can buy a cell phone number. You'll have to fill out a simple form and they'll give you a SIM card. This SIM card provides a phone number and voice mail. Your SIM card will be activated within 24 hours.

Learn more about the phone system providers at the bottom of this page.

When you've used up the initial phone credit (usually NT$600), people will still be able to call you, but you won't be able to call out or listen to your voice mail messages. All you have to do then is go on back to the local 7-11 and buy some more time.

The 7-11 clerk will give you a card that looks like a calling card, that has a scratch-off serial number. You can use your cell to call the 24 hour help line to activate your calling credit.

If you want to run with traditional means of communicating, there is always a public phone around every corner.