Setting Up Your Family's Phone Service After Moving from Taiwan to USA
Moving your family from Taiwan to the United States is exciting but overwhelming—especially when it comes to phone service. Whether you're relocating for work, education, or family reunification, staying connected to both your new American life and your loved ones back in Taiwan is essential. This complete guide walks Taiwanese families through choosing the right prepaid plans, keeping your Chunghwa Telecom (中華電信) or Taiwan Mobile numbers active, and calling Taiwan affordably.
Why Taiwanese Families Choose Nexitel Prepaid Plans
After arriving in the USA, many Taiwanese immigrants discover that traditional postpaid carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile require:
- Social Security Numbers (which take weeks to obtain)
- Credit checks (impossible with no US credit history)
- Long-term contracts with early termination fees
- High monthly costs ($50-80+ per line)
Nexitel offers prepaid wireless service with no contracts, no credit checks, and immediate activation—perfect for families who just arrived and need phones working immediately. You can activate service at your temporary Airbnb, relative's house, or even at the airport.
Nexitel Blue vs. Purple Plans: Which Network is Best?
Nexitel offers two excellent options for Taiwanese families:
Nexitel Blue Plans run on the AT&T network, starting at just $10/month:
- Excellent coverage in major cities where Taiwanese immigrants settle (San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, New York, Seattle)
- Strong indoor building penetration for apartments and offices
- Reliable service in suburban areas
- Great for families settling in California, Texas, or East Coast cities
Nexitel Purple Plans use T-Mobile's network, starting at just $6/month:
- Best 5G coverage nationwide
- Excellent international roaming options if you travel back to Taiwan frequently
- Strong performance in urban tech hubs
- Ideal for budget-conscious families or students
Pro tip for Taiwanese families: Order one Blue SIM and one Purple SIM when you first arrive. Test both networks at your new home and workplace for 2-3 days, then choose the better performer for your family's remaining lines. Both networks cover 99% of Americans, but local performance varies by neighborhood.
Step-by-Step: Phone Setup Timeline for Your First Month
Week 1: Immediate Arrival (Days 1-7)
Before leaving Taiwan:
- Contact Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile, or FarEasTone to enable international roaming
- Understand their roaming rates in USA (usually NT$300-500/day—very expensive!)
- Consider suspending service temporarily (保號, keep your number) instead of canceling
- Back up all WeChat, LINE, and contacts to cloud storage
Upon USA arrival:
- Order Nexitel SIM cards for delivery to your temporary address
- Use your Taiwan phone with international roaming ONLY for emergencies
- Connect to WiFi wherever possible to use LINE, WeChat, and WhatsApp for free
Week 2-3: Getting Settled (Days 8-21)
Activate Nexitel service:
- Receive your Nexitel SIM cards (2-3 day shipping)
- Activate online in minutes—no store visit needed
- Insert SIM into unlocked phones (most modern Taiwan phones work on US networks)
- Port your temporary US number later if desired, or keep the new number
Family plan strategy:
- Parents: Choose data-rich plans ($25-35/month) for GPS navigation, job searching, apartment hunting
- High school/college kids: Mid-tier plans ($15-25/month) for staying connected with new American friends
- Elementary-age children: Basic plans ($6-10/month) for emergency contact only
- Grandparents: Talk/text plans with minimal data for family contact
Week 4+: Long-Term Setup (Day 22 onwards)
Apply for Social Security Numbers for family members eligible to work. This takes 2-4 weeks after application.
Decide on your Taiwan numbers:
- Keep active remotely: Use Nexi Volt to recharge Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile, or FarEasTone from USA
- Suspend service (保號): Pay minimal monthly fee (~NT$100-150) to keep your number reserved
- Cancel completely: If you don't plan to return soon or don't need Taiwan SMS verification codes
Keeping Your Chunghwa Telecom & Taiwan Mobile Numbers Active
Many Taiwanese families want to keep their Taiwan phone numbers active for several important reasons:
Why Keep Your Taiwan Number?
- Bank accounts: Taiwan banks send SMS verification codes to your local number
- Government services: National Health Insurance, tax filing, household registration updates
- Property management: If you own property in Taiwan, building managers need to reach you
- Business contacts: Maintaining professional relationships with Taiwan-based clients
- Family emergencies: Relatives who only know your 09XX number can still reach you
Remote Top-Up Made Easy with Nexi Volt
Nexi Volt is Nexitel's international mobile recharge service that lets you top up Chunghwa Telecom (中華電信), Taiwan Mobile (台灣大哥大), FarEasTone (遠傳), Taiwan Star, or APTG directly from USA using your US credit card.
How it works:
- Visit Nexi Volt website or app
- Select Taiwan as country
- Choose your carrier (Chunghwa, Taiwan Mobile, etc.)
- Enter your Taiwan mobile number
- Select recharge amount (NT$100, NT$300, NT$500, etc.)
- Pay with US credit card in USD
- Recharge processes instantly—your Taiwan number stays active
Cost comparison: Nexi Volt charges small conversion fees but is still much cheaper than:
- Asking relatives in Taiwan to pay for you (relationship burden)
- Keeping full monthly plans active (NT$499-999/month wasted)
- Losing your number and having to get a new one when you visit Taiwan
Calling Taiwan Affordably with NexiTalk VoIP
Your family will need to call Taiwan frequently—grandparents, siblings, business partners, government offices that don't use LINE or WhatsApp. Long distance rates from regular US carriers are expensive (25-50 cents per minute).
NexiTalk: International Calling Made Affordable
NexiTalk is Nexitel's VoIP service starting at just $4.99/month with:
- Calling to Taiwan landlines and mobiles: As low as 2-3 cents per minute
- Unlimited calling plans available: Talk to Taiwan without watching the clock
- US phone number included: Relatives in Taiwan can call you affordably
- Works on any internet connection: Home WiFi, office network, or your Nexitel mobile data
Perfect for:
- Weekly video calls with grandparents (using WhatsApp for video, NexiTalk for voice backup)
- Calling Taiwan banks, government offices, hospitals during their business hours
- Coordinating property management or tenant issues in Taiwan
- Business calls with Taiwan suppliers or clients
Parent tip: Set up NexiTalk on your home WiFi router. Give the US number to elderly parents in Taiwan who may not be comfortable with LINE or WeChat. They can call your "US landline" (actually VoIP) at reasonable Taiwan international rates.
Family Plan Cost Optimization Strategies
Here's how a typical Taiwanese family of four can optimize their phone costs:
Scenario 1: Family with Two Working Parents + Two School-Age Children
Dad (主要聯絡人): Blue Plan $35/mo — 15GB data for work, GPS, job searching
Mom (主要聯絡人): Purple Plan $25/mo — 8GB data for daily use, family coordination
High schooler: Purple Plan $15/mo — 5GB data for school, social media, friends
Elementary child: Blue Plan $10/mo — 2GB data for educational apps, parent contact
Total: $85/month for 4 lines (compare to $200-300/month with traditional carriers)
Add-ons:
- NexiTalk VoIP: $9.99/month for 500 minutes to Taiwan (shared by whole family)
- Nexi Volt: ~$15-20/month to keep parents' Taiwan Chunghwa numbers active
Grand total: ~$115/month for complete family connectivity to USA and Taiwan
Scenario 2: Retired Couple Joining Adult Children in USA
Husband: Blue Plan $15/mo — 5GB data for light use, family photos, news
Wife: Purple Plan $10/mo — 3GB data for LINE, WeChat with Taiwan friends
NexiTalk: $14.99/month for unlimited Taiwan calling (calling siblings, doctors, banks daily)
Total: $40/month — Perfect for retirees on fixed income who need to stay connected
Technical Setup Tips for Taiwan Phones
Will Your Taiwan Phone Work in USA?
Most modern smartphones sold in Taiwan after 2018 are compatible with US networks, but check these specifications:
必須支援的頻段 (Required frequency bands):
- For Nexitel Blue (AT&T): LTE Bands 2, 4, 5, 12, 17, 66
- For Nexitel Purple (T-Mobile): LTE Bands 2, 4, 12, 66, 71
Taiwan phones that work well:
- iPhone 8 and newer (any Taiwan model)
- Samsung Galaxy S9 and newer (Taiwan variants)
- Google Pixel (any model sold in Taiwan)
- ASUS ZenFone (most recent models)
- HTC U11 and newer (Taiwan's own brand!)
Phones that may have issues:
- Very old models (pre-2016)
- Budget phones from Taiwan-only brands
- Phones locked to Chunghwa/Taiwan Mobile (get them unlocked before leaving)
Setting Up Your Taiwan Phone on Nexitel
- Check if phone is unlocked: Insert SIM from different carrier in Taiwan before leaving
- Back up everything: Photos, contacts, LINE chat history, app data
- Enable roaming temporarily: For first few days until Nexitel SIMs arrive
- Insert Nexitel SIM: Power off phone, swap SIM, power on
- Configure APN settings: Usually automatic, but Nexitel provides manual settings if needed
- Test thoroughly: Make calls, send SMS, use mobile data in different locations
Maintaining Connections: Apps Taiwanese Families Need
Essential Apps for Taiwan-USA Communication
Free messaging/calling over WiFi or data:
- LINE (most important—everyone in Taiwan uses it)
- WeChat (for Chinese-speaking relatives)
- WhatsApp (for communicating with non-Taiwanese in USA)
- Facebook Messenger (common among Taiwanese Americans)
VPN services (if you want to access Taiwan streaming services):
- TunnelBear, NordVPN, ExpressVPN
- Watch 公視, 台視, 三立 content from USA
News and media:
- Apple Daily (蘋果日報), Liberty Times (自由時報) apps
- CNA (中央社) English for improving English while staying informed
- Taiwan News, Taipei Times
Community connection:
- 北美台灣人社團 (North American Taiwanese) Facebook groups
- Taiwan chambers of commerce in major US cities
- 台美人社群 in your metro area
Financial:
- Wise (formerly TransferWise) for USD to TWD transfers
- Western Union for emergency money sending
- Remitly for sending money to relatives in Taiwan
Common Mistakes Taiwanese Families Make (And How to Avoid Them)
Mistake #1: Keeping Expensive International Roaming Active Too Long
The error: Using Chunghwa Telecom's international roaming at NT$300-500/day for weeks or months.
The fix: Use roaming only for first 2-3 days while waiting for Nexitel SIMs. A family of four can waste $2,000+ USD in the first month doing this.
Mistake #2: Getting Locked Into Contracts Before Establishing Credit
The error: Signing 2-year postpaid contracts at Verizon/T-Mobile stores with huge deposits ($500-800 per line without credit history).
The fix: Start with Nexitel prepaid plans. After 6-12 months of building US credit history, decide if postpaid is worth it (usually it isn't—you'll save money staying with Nexitel).
Mistake #3: Canceling Taiwan Numbers Immediately
The error: Canceling Chunghwa/Taiwan Mobile service completely, then realizing you need it for bank verification, government services, etc.
The fix: Suspend service (保號) for 6-12 months or keep it active with minimal prepaid top-ups via Nexi Volt. You can always cancel later if you're sure you don't need it.
Mistake #4: Buying Phones from USA Carriers
The error: Purchasing "discounted" phones from AT&T/Verizon stores that are locked to their networks and overpriced.
The fix: Bring your unlocked Taiwan phones, or buy unlocked phones from Apple Store, Best Buy, or Amazon. This gives you flexibility to switch carriers anytime.
Mistake #5: Not Testing Coverage Before Committing
The error: Buying 4-5 SIMs on one network without testing your home/work locations.
The fix: Order one Blue plan and one Purple plan initially. Test both for a week, then order more SIMs on the better network.
Special Considerations for Different Visa Types
H1B/L1 Work Visa Families
You'll likely stay 3-6+ years. Invest in:
- Mid-tier data plans ($25-35/month) for adults
- NexiTalk for frequent Taiwan business calls
- Keep Taiwan numbers active for job opportunities back home
F1 Student Families (Parents Accompanying)
Cost-conscious solutions:
- Students: $15-25/month plans with enough data for school WiFi gaps
- Parents: Basic $6-10/month plans if mostly at home with WiFi
- Rely heavily on campus/home WiFi and LINE for Taiwan communication
Investment Immigration (EB-5)
You can afford premium plans but Nexitel still saves you money:
- Top-tier Nexitel plans ($35-45/month) rival postpaid quality
- No contracts mean flexibility if you travel frequently to Taiwan
- Premium NexiTalk plans for unlimited international calling
Retirement Immigration (Following Adult Children)
Fixed income optimization:
- Basic plans ($6-15/month) are perfect for retirees
- NexiTalk unlimited Taiwan calling ($14.99/month) for daily calls home
- Nexi Volt to keep Taiwan numbers active for pensions, property management
Getting Started Today: Your Action Plan
Immediate Actions (Before Leaving Taiwan)
- ✅ Unlock your Taiwan phones from Chunghwa/Taiwan Mobile/FarEasTone
- ✅ Check phone compatibility with US networks (LTE bands)
- ✅ Back up all data, contacts, LINE chats to cloud
- ✅ Set up international roaming (but plan to use minimally)
- ✅ Get US shipping address (relative, temporary housing, mailbox service)
First Week in USA
- 📱 Order Nexitel SIM cards for family (select Blue, Purple, or mix)
- 📱 Use Taiwan roaming sparingly (WiFi + LINE for most communication)
- 📱 Receive and activate Nexitel SIMs
- 📱 Test coverage at home, work, school locations
First Month in USA
- 🌐 Set up