Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

I have read the article in Cyprus Today entitled "Unregistered SIM cards will be blocked".

The heading is not correct because the article is not about SIM cards.
It is clear that it refers to mobile phones and other devices such as tablets, laptops and computers - where SIM cards are being used to make/receive calls or internet data.

The Information Technology and Communications Authority (BTHK) is requiring the registration of such devices by IMEI number linked to the TRNC phone number for that device.

This is new initiative that we must comply with.

You can check that the IMEI number of your device is genuine, on line at http://www.bthkmcks.org.
It is fairly simple, although the website is in Turkish.
Where it says Servisler (IMEI Sorgulama), click on Sorgulama Icin Tiklayiniz and enter your IMEI number and Turkcell or Telsim number without the zero. Click Sorgulu and it will give you the make and model of your phone.

I have just done one of my phones.

The website goes on to say:
"What should I do to register my device that I presently use."
The answer is:
"There is no need to take any additional action by your GSM operator because your device information is automatically transmitted to the Authority."

So I assume that if you have a contract/agreement with Turkcell or Telsim that they have already given your IMEI number and phone number to BTHK.



It seems clear that the authorities will block access to their networks after 19 September if devices have not been registered.

To find your IMEI number you can either dial *#06# or look it up in Settings.
If you have dual-SIM phone you will have two IMEI numbers, one for each SIM slot.

I now know that when you switch on your phone the SIM card transmits the IMEI number to the carrier (network provider).
When a carrier knows that a device has been stolen, it can blacklist the IMEI code and lock it out of the network. Later on, it tells other cellular networks to do the same.

Great Tourist initiative for that relaxing holiday
"Get Away from it all in the TRNC "
your phones and internet is blocked

wanderer - I tend to agree with your first line!
This is mainly for TRNC/Turkish mobile device numbers beginning 05 ---.
You can check the IMEI number of a device with an overseas number, e.g. 02 or Vodafone UK, again omitting the zero.
And, of course, with a laptop that connects by WIFI to a hotspot there will be no problem.

Hi, I've just registered mine, and if you do a translate to English it's even easier. I'm not sure Paul why you couldn't register your overseas number as I've just registered my English phone and English sim card. Exactly the same procedure with no problem..

Stellarstar1 – you are correct, my mistake, it can be done – just omit the zero again.
So I have edited my post above.

I thought that what you and I have just done is simply checking if the IMEI numbers are the genuine ones for our phones rather than a registration process.
But on closer examination of the information that comes up it is clear that it shows that the phone is registered to the SIM card number by the phone's IMEI number. The message says "CONCLUSION: Use open IMEI (Registered IMEI. The IMEI can be used with any subscriber number)"

The website goes on to say:
"What should I do to register my device that I presently use."
The answer is:
"There is no need to take any additional action by your GSM operator because your device information is automatically transmitted to the Authority."

So I assume that if you have a contract/agreement with Turkcell or Telsim that they have already given your IMEI number and phone number to BTHK.

I've done my phone's which was easy, but do I have to register my computer which was bought from England. I use a dongle with it, so have a sim card, but can't work out how I would get the IMEI number. Thank goodness for this forum.

stellarstar - I bought a dongle and SIM card for it under a "Mobile Internet Subscription Contract" with Turkcell.
The Turkcell staff entered three pieces of information onto the contract paperwork:
Data (phone number)
SIM card number
Modem IMEI number

So it was registered at the time.

Have a look at your paperwork.

We have just been to Turkcel office to enquire about phone registration. This is what we were told.
As we have a pay as you go contract the sim card number, that's what I would call my phone number, and the phone registration number (the EMEI number) that we currently use is already registered. So every time we phone the EMEI number of the device (phone) is recognized by the provider as belonging to the phone number. That means they know that it is me as I had to provide passport details to set up the account. We have spare phones at home for the use of guests. We just get them to buy a pay as you go sim card from the supermarket for their stay. They give me the phone back and keep the sim card until next time. If we put our sim card into these other phones and make an island call then the EMEI number of the device (phone) will be registered and can be used in TRNC. They told us that will also apply to any overseas phone that is brought into the country. They did say that there will be a short period after entering the country to register your phone. Tourists beware.

Thank you for the information frogandtoad. I just wonder how many tourists will be aware they need to register their phone to be able to use it here, a lot of faff for a 2 week holiday! In this day and age a mobile phone is a necessity, what are tourists supposed to do if they have an accident in a hire car and are unable to contact the hire car company, for example?

If you look on the FAQ page of the BTHK website it says:

Q. Can I use a device brought from abroad in the TRNC?
A. Yes, for 90 days without registration. There is no restriction for 90 days, but after 90 days communication with the network is locked unless registered.

Q. I am in the country temporarily as a tourist. Do I still need to register my device?
A. You are able to use the device without time constraints due to international roaming regulations. But if you take out a subscription contract with a local mobile operator it is necessary to register the device.