Should tourists choose 4G or 5G in Taiwan?

For most tourists, 4G is enough. Maps, LINE, Instagram, and YouTube 1080p all run smoothly on 4G LTE. 5G only matters for 4K streaming, large downloads, or lengthy HD video calls. 5G plans cost 30-60% more (NT$150-200 extra). Unless you're a heavy user, save the money and pick 4G unlimited.

How fast is 5G in Taiwan in real life?

Based on Speedtest by Ookla 2024 data, average 5G download speed in Taiwan sits around 250 Mbps, with peaks of 400-600 Mbps in central Taipei. Average 4G LTE is around 45 Mbps. FarEasTone leads urban speeds, Chunghwa is second, Taiwan Mobile a close third.

Do Airalo and Klook eSIMs use 4G or 5G?

Most eSIMs from Airalo, Klook, and KKday for Taiwan run on 4G LTE via Chunghwa or FarEasTone. Real speeds typically 30-80 Mbps, fine for maps, messaging, HD video, and social media. 5G eSIM plans cost 30-50% more than physical SIMs. If 5G is essential, grab a physical SIM at the airport.

How can I test my SIM's actual speed?

Open Speedtest.net or the Speedtest by Ookla app to measure download, upload, and ping. Quick alternative: load a 1080p YouTube video — instant playback without buffering means 4G is healthy. Continuous 4K streaming needs 5G or hotel WiFi.

Taiwan 4G vs 5G 2026 — Chunghwa, FET & Taiwan Mobile Compared (Prices, Speeds, Coverage)

Q: Which carrier has the best signal in Taiwan?

In Taipei, Kaohsiung, and Taichung all three carriers perform similarly. For mountains (Alishan, Hehuanshan, Wuling, Taroko) or outer islands (Penghu, Lyudao, Orchid Island), Chunghwa Telecom has by far the most reliable coverage. At many remote spots, it is the only usable network.

↔️ Also: SIM guide · SIM vs eSIM vs WiFi · eSIM Quiz

📌 TL;DR — The short version

For most travellers, 4G is plenty — Maps, LINE, IG, YouTube 1080p run smooth. 5G shines for large downloads, 4K, or long HD calls. 5G costs ~30% more. Caveat: heading to Alishan, Taroko, Wuling, Penghu, or outer islands? Pick Chunghwa.

The question

4G or 5G?

Taiwan launched 5G in 2020 and major carriers now cover 95%+ of urban areas. Average 5G download ~250 Mbps (peaks 400-600 Mbps in central Taipei); 4G LTE averages 45 Mbps. On paper 5G wins. In practice, for tourist use, the two are functionally identical most of the time.

Bandwidth needs: Maps ~1 Mbps · LINE ~0.5 · IG/YouTube 1080p ~5-8 · 4K ~25. A 1-hr Netflix offline download (~3-5 GB) = 10-15 min on 4G vs 2-3 min on 5G. Unless you stream 4K daily, you won't feel the gap.

🎯 Verdict — for 90% of travellers

Pick 4G unlimited from the carrier that covers your destinations. Saves NT$150-200/trip with no practical downside. Choose 5G if you run HD video calls, stream 4K nightly, or tether multiple devices.

Real-world speeds

4G vs 5G — average across Taiwan

From Speedtest by Ookla 2024 plus our own tests

4G LTE

Fine for 90%

~45 Mbps download

Plenty for Maps, LINE, HD streaming, IG stories · 100MB app ~20s · clear video calls

5G NSA

Shines on heavy tasks

~250 Mbps download

1-hour Netflix in ~3 minutes · 4K streaming · multi-device tether · 400-600 Mbps peaks in central Taipei

The 3 carriers

Which carrier fits which traveller?

In cities, all three are similar. Real differences: pricing and mountain/island coverage.

Chunghwa Telecom

中華電信 · CHT

Widest coverage

Taiwan's largest carrier. Only network that reliably reaches Alishan, Hehuanshan, Wuling, Sun Moon Lake far shore, and outer islands (Penghu, Lyudao, Orchid Island). Urban speeds slightly behind FET. Pick this if you're leaving the cities.

5d · 4G

NT$300

Unlimited

5d · 5G

NT$500

Unlimited

10d · 4G

NT$500

Unlimited

FarEasTone (FET)

遠傳電信

Fastest in cities

Speedtest Awards 2024 winner — highest urban 5G averages. Ideal if your trip stays in Taipei, Kaohsiung, Taichung. Slightly cheaper than Chunghwa. Mountain/outer-island coverage weaker.

5d · 4G

NT$280

Unlimited

5d · 5G

NT$450

Unlimited

10d · 5G

NT$700

Unlimited

Taiwan Mobile

台灣大哥大 · TWM

Cheapest of the three. Good for budget travellers in main cities, skipping outer islands. Taipei/Kaohsiung signal fine; mountain/outer-island coverage weakest of the trio.

5d · 4G

NT$250

Unlimited

5d · 5G

NT$400

Unlimited

10d · 4G

NT$450

Unlimited

* Prices approximate from airport counters; promos vary. One-time NT$50-100 SIM fee usually applies.

Coverage by destination

Who wins where?

🏙️

Taipei · Kaohsiung · Taichung · Tainan

5G everywhere. All three carriers competitive; FET fastest, but the gap is small.

Winner: tie (FET edge)

🏔️

Alishan · Wuling · Hehuanshan

High mountains (2,000m+) drop to 4G, sometimes 3G. Chunghwa reaches furthest.

Winner: Chunghwa

🌊

Taroko · Hualien · Taitung

East-coast networks are thin. 5G stays in town centres; Taroko canyon has spotty 4G. Chunghwa most consistent.

Winner: Chunghwa

🏝️

Penghu · Lyudao · Orchid Island

Chunghwa is effectively the only usable network. FET and TWM have dead zones across all three islands.

Winner: Chunghwa only

Comparison table

3 carriers × 4G/5G

Category	Chunghwa	FET	Taiwan Mobile
5-day 4G unlimited	NT$300	NT$280	NT$250 cheapest
5-day 5G unlimited	NT$500	NT$450	NT$400 cheapest
Urban 5G speed	~230 Mbps	~280 Mbps	~210 Mbps
5G at tourist spots	Best	Average	Average
4G mountains/islands	Most reliable	Dead zones	Many dead zones
Airport counter	All terminals	All terminals	All terminals
Best for	Mountains · islands · deep	Cities · speed	Cities · budget

Where to buy

Three ways to get a SIM

✈️

Airports (TPE / KHH)

All 3 carriers have counters in Arrivals. Some 24/7. Passport, pay, staff installs in ~5 min. Easiest.

🏪

7-Eleven · FamilyMart

Some stock FET/Chunghwa SIMs. 24/7. Self-install via QR. Prices match airport.

📱

Carrier shop · MRT

Major MRT stations have carrier shops. Wider plans, English staff, mid-trip support.

eSIM alternative

Are Klook/Airalo eSIMs 4G or 5G?

Most eSIMs from Airalo, Klook, KKday run on 4G LTE via Chunghwa or FET. Real speeds 30-80 Mbps — fine for maps, messaging, HD video. 5G eSIMs cost 30-50% more. Big eSIM win: install before you fly, online when you land. Catch: phone must support eSIM (iPhone XS+, Pixel 4+, S20+). Try the eSIM Quiz.

Test it yourself

Verify your SIM speed

Simplest tool: Speedtest.net or the Speedtest by Ookla app. Run it from your hotel day one. Expected: 4G 30-80 Mbps, 5G 150-300 Mbps. If well below, restart or toggle 4G/5G in settings. Quick proxy: load a 1080p YouTube video — instant playback = healthy. Continuous 4K needs 5G or hotel WiFi.

FAQ

Taiwan 4G vs 5G

Should tourists choose 4G or 5G?

4G is enough for most

Maps, LINE, IG, YouTube 1080p all run smooth on 4G LTE. 5G only matters for 4K, large downloads, or long HD calls. 5G costs 30-60% more — save it unless you're a heavy user.

Which carrier has the best signal?

Depends on where you go

In cities all three are equal; FET fastest. For mountains (Alishan, Wuling, Taroko) or outer islands (Penghu, Lyudao, Orchid Island), Chunghwa wins — often the only network there.

How fast is 5G in real life?