WiFi

[PaulW]

I'm in the UK at the moment but our neighbours came out from the UK last week and went to Laconic Alsancak to purchase a mifi, which gives you internet access for five devices. They were told that they needed permission from the Muhtar to purchase one?
I told them to use mine, so that they had internet but after purchasing "data" it wouldn't work.
Has something happened so that permission is now needed to use the internet and/or get the sim card data updated?
Thanks (Keith Caley, probably)

Paul

[Keithcaley]

I'm in the UK at the moment but our neighbours came out from the UK last week and went to Laconic Alsancak to purchase a mifi, which gives you internet access for five devices. They were told that they needed permission from the Muhtar to purchase one?
I told them to use mine, so that they had internet but after purchasing "data" it wouldn't work.
Has something happened so that permission is now needed to use the internet and/or get the sim card data updated?
Thanks (Keith Caley, probably)

Paul

Hi Paul, I've not heard anything specifically about 'MiFi's, but as they are basically a cell phone, requiring a SIM card to access the cellular network, and with 3G capability, IMEI etc, there is no reason to suppose that they would not be subject to the same regulations as mobile 'phones. You have possibly read some of the posts regardıng registratıon of 'phones on the forum.

In the absence of a Koçan, a 'Muhtar's letter' is normally required to establish Identity / Place of Residence, so that's not too surprising - 'Permission from the Muhtar' sounds a little odd, and I wonder whether something got 'lost in translation' there...

If they pop along to have a word with the Muhtar, I've no doubt that he will clarify - the one at the Auto Electrical place next to Ya Beleş would be my choice!

I would just mention that any Android 'phone can be used as a 'Wifi Hotspot' - effectively a router, to all intents and purposes - so if they have a suitable 'phone with a TRNC SIM card, all they need is to buy a 'Data Package' - I bought a MiFi when I first got an Android tablet, but quickly realised that it was redundant because I could use my 'phone for the same thing, and there was no point in having 2 x SIM cards and 2 x Data packages.

Let us know how they get on!

Best regards to you and Jeannie. (And a belated 'Happy New Year!)

[PaulW]

Thanks Keith
I'll try and sort it out next time we are over, hopefully April. Our neighbours return to the UK today so they won't be able to sort it out, I use our mifi for internet access in our apartment but if I can't then there's plenty of places with Wifi.
Jeannie sends her love and also belated new year wishes to you both, from both of us.

[wanderer]

If you are only here in short bursts and mainly uk based switch to vodafone with a data package all europe and turkey part of the feel at home package
one phone to control it all

[Terri299]

When did you buy the sim as I was advised a Turkcell sim is only valid for 3 months if you don't top it up. Never registered our mifi, but bought it about 3 years ago

[Keithcaley]

When did you buy the sim as I was advised a Turkcell sim is only valid for 3 months if you don't top it up. Never registered our mifi, but bought it about 3 years ago

Hi Terri, I'm not sure who your question is directed towards, but you are correct.

Bear in mind that you can top up Turkcell SIMs online (I don't have a Telsim card, so I don't know about them). I think that the minimum top-up amount is (or used to be) 150 Kontors, which costs about 9 TL or thereabouts, so if you're diligent about watching the dates, you can keep a SIM alive for years at minimal cost - and you'll probably use the credits up quickly enough once you are actually in TRNC again...

I don't know whether your mifi will follow the exact same rules as a 'phone, but it's possible that provided that it was used in TRNC prior to the introduction of the new rules, all you'll need to do is put credit onto a valid SIM, and as long as you have the correct 'profile' on the SIM, it should work. Just my opinion, but 'Live in Hope', eh?

[Terri299]

Hi Keith, question was directed at Paul, if his mifi sim hadn't been topped up recently it could be beyond the 3 months before they become invalid. I did once top up an old sim and told it would work, but had to take it back the the Turkcell shop and a guy there did something so I could use it, but they usually get you to buy a new sim. No point topping them up if not using as the data runs out after a month, so it's cheaper to pay 15 lira for a new sim than keep topping up

[Keithcaley]

... No point topping them up if not using as the data runs out after a month, so it's cheaper to pay 15 lira for a new sim than keep topping up

I never thought of that! - of course, that's one difference between buying credit for a 'phone, and data for a mifi...

Mind you, I wonder if you could just buy 'credit' for the mifi SIM, and then, when you were here, use the credit to pay for a bunch of Data - I've no idea whether that would work or not!

I do find it easier to put a Data package on my 'phone and use that as a Hotspot while I'm out and about with a laptop or a 'Pad' - I've never bothered to consider whether there's a cost advantage to doing one or the other, because I don't use enough data that way for it to matter, but if you are using it as your primary method of connection to the Internet for watching TV etc., then it might be worthwhile to compare the difference in price, if any...

[PaulW]

Terri, sorry I have been at work today so did not see your message. We are over on a regular basis and for the last three years have not had any problem with topping up our data card, thus giving us internet access.
We will see what's the best option when out next.
Thank you for your input and once we are out again I'll come back on here and let you know if we have any luck.
It's good to know that advice is still readily available, so thanks.