Travel eSIMs Raise Cybersecurity Concerns; Chunghwa Telecom: Original Number Roaming Offers Security and Quality
Chunghwa Telecom emphasizes that its original number roaming service provides security and quality amidst cybersecurity concerns surrounding travel eSIMs, pointing out the opaque sources and lack of quality control in many eSIM offerings.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 13, 2026 at 14:46
- 🔍 Collected: May 13, 2026 at 15:02 (15 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 13, 2026 at 15:22 (19 min after Collected)
Taipei, May 13 (CNA) Purchasing eSIM cards for overseas travel may lead to cybersecurity concerns. Chunghwa Telecom Chairman Kuo-cheng Chien stated that while eSIMs are popular due to their affordability and convenience, many overseas eSIMs lack KYC (Know Your Customer) verification, have opaque sources and routing, and uncontrollable network quality. Although original number roaming is relatively more expensive, it offers security and quality, and "if there's a problem, you can still call customer service."
Due to advantages such as immediate purchase and use, and no need to replace physical cards, eSIM services have gradually become the preferred choice for people traveling abroad in recent years. However, research reports indicate that the IP addresses obtained by devices using mainstream travel eSIM providers often come from Chinese telecom operators, raising public concerns about cybersecurity.
Chunghwa Telecom Chairman Kuo-cheng Chien stated that the biggest reason for eSIM's popularity is its low price and convenience, but many overseas eSIMs do not perform KYC, and their sources and routing are opaque. "Consumers cannot ascertain which region or telecom company the eSIM providers are wholesaling these numbers from."
He emphasized that since internet traffic must pass through the number's registration location, passing through specific countries can raise cybersecurity concerns.
Kuo-cheng Chien stated that as a telecom operator, they naturally hope to provide good quality and affordable services, but telecom operators have cost considerations for operations, unlike eSIM providers who might wholesale in large quantities or receive special subsidies.
Regarding whether roaming is slower than native networks, Kuo-cheng Chien explained that this can be designed in technical routing, but it is not necessarily the case. On the contrary, the quality of original number roaming is definitely better because Chunghwa Telecom directly signs contracts with partner telecom operators, guaranteeing quality. However, it is completely uncontrollable whose routing an eSIM uses, and the quality may be more unstable.
He emphasized that although original number roaming is relatively more expensive, it offers security and quality, "and if there's a problem, you can still call customer service."
Chunghwa Telecom added that original number roaming provides services through a legitimate telecommunications network architecture. Data transmission only passes through local partner telecom operators and Chunghwa Telecom's network, helping to reduce the risk of data eavesdropping or leakage. Compared to some travel eSIMs or internet cards that may have cybersecurity concerns due to unknown network sources, original number roaming has a relative advantage in security and usage assurance.
At the same time, Chunghwa Telecom pointed out that original number roaming allows users to keep their original device and number without changing cards, can normally receive financial transaction verification codes (OTP), and provides 24-hour customer service support to assist travelers with communication services overseas.
Chunghwa Telecom observed that from July 2025 to February 2026, the usage of original number roaming continued to grow. Chunghwa Telecom also launched various large data plans for different usage scenarios, such as promotions for the WBC World Baseball Classic, which received positive market feedback. (Editor: Lin Shu-yuan) 1150513
Stand with the facts, every sponsorship you provide is a force to protect press freedom.
Download CNA's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.
Due to advantages such as immediate purchase and use, and no need to replace physical cards, eSIM services have gradually become the preferred choice for people traveling abroad in recent years. However, research reports indicate that the IP addresses obtained by devices using mainstream travel eSIM providers often come from Chinese telecom operators, raising public concerns about cybersecurity.
Chunghwa Telecom Chairman Kuo-cheng Chien stated that the biggest reason for eSIM's popularity is its low price and convenience, but many overseas eSIMs do not perform KYC, and their sources and routing are opaque. "Consumers cannot ascertain which region or telecom company the eSIM providers are wholesaling these numbers from."
He emphasized that since internet traffic must pass through the number's registration location, passing through specific countries can raise cybersecurity concerns.
Kuo-cheng Chien stated that as a telecom operator, they naturally hope to provide good quality and affordable services, but telecom operators have cost considerations for operations, unlike eSIM providers who might wholesale in large quantities or receive special subsidies.
Regarding whether roaming is slower than native networks, Kuo-cheng Chien explained that this can be designed in technical routing, but it is not necessarily the case. On the contrary, the quality of original number roaming is definitely better because Chunghwa Telecom directly signs contracts with partner telecom operators, guaranteeing quality. However, it is completely uncontrollable whose routing an eSIM uses, and the quality may be more unstable.
He emphasized that although original number roaming is relatively more expensive, it offers security and quality, "and if there's a problem, you can still call customer service."
Chunghwa Telecom added that original number roaming provides services through a legitimate telecommunications network architecture. Data transmission only passes through local partner telecom operators and Chunghwa Telecom's network, helping to reduce the risk of data eavesdropping or leakage. Compared to some travel eSIMs or internet cards that may have cybersecurity concerns due to unknown network sources, original number roaming has a relative advantage in security and usage assurance.
At the same time, Chunghwa Telecom pointed out that original number roaming allows users to keep their original device and number without changing cards, can normally receive financial transaction verification codes (OTP), and provides 24-hour customer service support to assist travelers with communication services overseas.
Chunghwa Telecom observed that from July 2025 to February 2026, the usage of original number roaming continued to grow. Chunghwa Telecom also launched various large data plans for different usage scenarios, such as promotions for the WBC World Baseball Classic, which received positive market feedback. (Editor: Lin Shu-yuan) 1150513
Stand with the facts, every sponsorship you provide is a force to protect press freedom.
Download CNA's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.