Buying mobile phone + call package in TRNC

[blueparrot]

Hello, everyone.

When you buy a mobile phone + call package in the TRNC, does the network
operator give you the phone for free, as in the UK? Or do you have to buy
the phone yourself?

Many thanks for your help.

Dana

[blueparrot]

Does anyone know the answer to this? I am sorry if it's a stupid question!

I want to be sure that mobile network operators in TRNC will provide a free phone when I buy a call package. Otherwise I will buy a phone in UK.

Please could someone let me know?

Thanks for your help.

Dana

[Groucho]

No free phone but why do you need to buy a phone? The SIM here is standard so as long as your phone is not locked to a particular UK network all you need to do is buy a SIM for either Pay As You Talk or enter into a contract.... I suggest Turkcell as most people we know are on that network and it makes calls cheaper.

[blueparrot]

Thank you, Groucho!

In UK, I am on Pay-as-You-Go. Have avoided taking out a 12-month contract with a mobile operator (and thus getting a free smart phone) as I knew I was moving to TRNC.

Now I know there's no advantage in waiting, so I will get a smart phone in UK by signing up to the cheapest call plan I can find.

Thanks again very much for your help.

Dana

[Agobard]

It's not necessarily cheaper to go to Turkcell. I have had, for quite a few years now, a package deal with Telsim/Vodaphone which gives me 500 minutes a month to any phone in TRNC - mobile or landline - for the princely sum of 69TL plus a small standing charge. Things may have changed but Turkcell packages used to only cover calls to other Turkcell phones. Best to make enquiries of both of these suppliers before deciding.

[Groucho]

It's not necessarily cheaper to go to Turkcell. I have had, for quite a few years now, a package deal with Telsim/Vodaphone which gives me 500 minutes a month to any phone in TRNC - mobile or landline - for the princely sum of 69TL plus a small standing charge. Things may have changed but Turkcell packages used to only cover calls to other Turkcell phones. Best to make enquiries of both of these suppliers before deciding.

I was making the point that if all your friends are on one network then that's the best option.... as almost all bar two of my regular contacts are with Turkcell - that's the supplier of choice for me... I hope that was clear? However I would not have a contract unless you are a heavy user - it's not worth having more than PAYT to start with and if that's your usage profile in the UK I'd guess it will be right for you here - you can always upgrade to a contract if you find that's more economical... no point jumping in at that level until you know.

Agobard It's Vodafone not Vodaphone and I can tell you they bought the wrong Turkish mobile telecomms company (not for the first time! What disaster US company Verizon turned out to be)

[mickhm]

If you are in the UK call into car phone wharehouse to see about an up grade to your PASG phone. It will be quite cheap and all the phones from them come unlocked

Mick

[jazzdolly]

Go to Telsim in Central Girne. ( red shop opposite Nike!)
They do a contract and no, we didn't pay for the phone. We saw it advertised in Cyprus Today.
Take your passport and proof of address if you don't have a kimlik.
I hope this helps .

[Keithcaley]

jazzdolly,

If you got a 'phone (smartphone or 'other') 'For Free', then you'll be paying for it one way or another

Bearing in mind that the person posing the question is in the UK, & can't just pop into the shop to ask (or read Cyprus Today ), you didn't really give any details that would help them to compare and decide, such as:

monthly cost
minimum contract period
number of included calls / minutes
number of included texts
if it's a smartphone, what data allowance is included?
what is the cost if / when you exceed the data allowance or the number of minutes or texts?
permitted destinations within call plan - e.g. Turkey / UK / other networks etc.
cost of calls / text messages to destinations not included in above
do they allow 'roaming' in say, UK / Turkey / other?
if they do allow 'roaming' does it include 'data' (internet)?
if they do allow 'roaming' are there any additional charges / restrictions?
make / model / specification of the 'phone that they supplied
any other features / restrictions of the contract
& - do you get to keep the 'phone at the end of the contract ?
was it a 'special offer' that might have expired by the time that they actually get here?

[erol]

http://kktcell.com/en/personal/discover ... d-packages

Gives an idea of the kind of prices for monthly deals including phones. It does not say what the minimum contract period is but I would guess 24 months.

Telsim dont have english version on their website but chrome / google transalte kind of works

http://www.kktctelsim.com/samsung_galaxy_s6

Basically looks like an S6 on 24 month contract is 99TL per month and the s6 edge 119TL. I am not sure but I do not think this has any calls allowance, that would be extra. Or you can go for 12 month contact at same monthly price but pay 1188 or 1428 TL up front respectively.

[waddo]

Have had a contract phone with Turkcell for the last 8 years, monthly bill around 15 to 20TL. Don't make many calls but then never run out of credit. Last year I added the 3G package for 29TL a month so now never without Internet as well. Now monthly bill around 35 to 40TL which is around £20.00 cheaper than the one I had in the UK.

[Keithcaley]

waddo, sorry to be pedantic (yes, honestly!) but did you have a 'contract phone' or just a 'phone contract' using your own phone?

[Groucho]

Have had a contract phone with Turkcell for the last 8 years, monthly bill around 15 to 20TL. Don't make many calls but then never run out of credit. Last year I added the 3G package for 29TL a month so now never without Internet as well. Now monthly bill around 35 to 40TL which is around £20.00 cheaper than the one I had in the UK.

Running out of credit is not a problem with a PAYT arrangement because you can top-up over the internet.

Your contract does sound like good value - but I would still go PAYT/PAYG to start with and see if your usage warrants a contract - rather go straight for a 24 month contract and wish you hadn't...

[JoandJelly]

I have the same as Waddo and mine is phone contract but not contract phone. I believe the advantage over PAYG is that the call rate is cheaper with the bill paid monthly via my bank.

[JoandJelly]

Does anyone know how much it is to buy an unlocked Samsung S4 or S5 here?

[waddo]

Keith - Guilty as charged! The phone is mine (ebay rubbish to start with then bit the bullet and bought one from Turkcell anyway) so I have a "Phone Contract".

Can't help you with the Samsung S4 or S5 - BUT - on the 26/12/2014 (Happy Christmas Waddo) I bought a Samsung S3 Neo from Turkcell at a cost of 800TL. That would be £186.00 at today's exchange rate. Always stay behind the "Kiddy Curve" because they have too much loaded on them that I don't need - still waiting for the Bakelite handset to come back in fashion!!!!

[Keithcaley]

...waiting for the Bakelite handset to come back in fashion!!!!

I'm not sure that would be a good mix, Li-ion batteries have a tendency to overheat, and bakelite don't 'arf pong when it catches fire...

[Groucho]

...waiting for the Bakelite handset to come back in fashion!!!!

I'm not sure that would be a good mix, Li-ion batteries have a tendency to overheat, and bakelite don't 'arf pong when it catches fire...

I'm too young to remember bakelite....... but I guess you remember the day it was invented!

[waddo]

Keith, you are trying to mix efficient with technology! Li-ion batteries in a bakelite handset - no chance, I will stick to the bakelite handset and the trolley ack so I don't have to recharge so often and I always have a seat when tired - lol.