Farhan

Hi,

I'm planning a family visit to Turkey.. Istanbul and Ankara specifically, at end July/beg August. Can anyone guide me to what are the cell phone service companies in Turkey, that would cover both these cities with good service and call rates? I'll bring over my gsm cell phone from home, and want to buy the sim and slip it in.

How easily and widely are the connections available? What's the recharge system.. cards like most countries?

Thanks.

Farhan.

Harem

I don't think you can do that without registering your cell phone over here and apparently it isn't worth the hassle. It is much better to buy a cheap mobile phone over here.

By the way, you don't say where home is and it would be very nice to know something about you - not that we're a nosey bunch (much!!)

Farhan

Thanks for the swift reply Harem.. I'm from Pakistan (Lahore to be specific).. I'm surprised to hear about registration as most countries now just allow u to buy the sim and pop in the phone, and it starts working.. maybe the registration system is needed for post paid connection?

andy chapman

Welcome to our Forum Farhan

Farhan

Thanks Andy! glad to be here..

cheeky chops

farhan
requiring a sim for a imported mobile in turkey is not as simple as you may well think

if you intend to use a sim card purchased in turkey in an imported mobile it will not be working for long if at all. as it has already been suggested you will have to register it it is only worth doing so if you intend to visit often as it will have to be recharged every 90 days or making calls is stopped then after 180 days all calls in and out stoppped and after 210 days you would loose the number and have to re register it.
the reason you have to register the phoine is to stop phones stolen from other countries being sold in turkey. a good idea in the long run but a little complicated to sort.

i registered mine and top up every just short of 210 days so as i have a line always with for family from uk while in turkey. you would have to weigh up the cost to do this as it can cost 14ytl each top up but at least i can keep the number and my mother can always get me while in turkey .
it cost around 16 ytl for the sim (including some credit )and 5ytl for the registration
hope it helps
cheeky chops

biggles

also when you add credits [top up card ] now you get a voice msg telling you that you have added the units and then it tells you to retain the number you must recharge before a certain date [very handy ]
. you can buy a cheap turkish nokia with sim at any turkcell shop for about £30 . AT LEAST THAT WAY YOU DONT HAVE TO GET YOUR OWN MOBILE UNLOCKED OR REGISTER IT OR WORRY ABOUT THE PHONE GETTING BLOCKED .OBVIOUSLY IF YOU DONT TAKE NOTICE OF THE VOUICE MSG AND TOP UP WHEN TOLD ,THEN YOU WILL LOSE THE SIM AND HAVE TO BUY ANOTHER ONE ..