Sorry, just a little question re mobile phone!!!

[Lizilu20]

Sorry to bring this subject up again, I know there's already been lot's of posts re mobile's, but just to clarify....if we bring a mobile that has already been unlocked in the UK, will we just be able to by a Turkish SIM and use it without a problem?

We are taking OH's parents with us this year and will be staying way up the hill near the petrol station so we will need a phone to ring for taxi's for them. 

Linkback: https://www.enjoykalkan.com/forum/index.php?topic=8941.0

[Cuddles]

http://enjoykalkan.com/forum/index.php?board=1.0

or    Kalkan Discussion »General Discussion »mobile phones in kalkan


I think that this is about the most recent posting on this subject. Try searching for 'mobile' in the box at the top right hand side of the page and you will get several results.

[Lizilu20]

Thanks for your reply BubblesG. I have already searched but I keep reading that you have to take your phone to Fethiye to get it unblocked/unlocked and that it may well work for 3 weeks or so without having to do this.

We already have a mobile that we don't regularly use at home that was unlocked in the UK and I just wondered if this could be used with a Turkish SIM rather than ending up taking a trip to Fethiye. 

[Blue Lizard]

Why not ask if the person you are renting off supply a phone?..more and more do, we have a turkish mobile but for the last several visits a phone has been supplied by the very thoughtful owners...local calls only  ideal for takeaways and taxis and booking tables

[Lizilu20]

Thanks Blue Lizard, I will do this. Some of the places we have rented have had phones and they were great, we just topped up and like you, used it for taxi's, reservations etc. but not sure if this villa has one.
If I'm unable to find out if an unlocked UK phone is ok, we will probably just take it anyway and try it or possibly buy a (hopefully) cheap turkish mobile while we are on holiday. Seeing as we come to Turkey every year, I don't know why we haven't sorted this already! 

[kevincat99]

If you want to use the phone permanently in Turkey using a Turkish SIM card you need to have it registered here 
For this you need to go to the Turkcell shop in Fethiye along with your passport and Ikamet [you need to have Residency in Turkey] and they will register it for you
You are allowed to register a maximum two foreign phone within a two year period

[Lizilu20]

Hi Kevincat99, thanks for the info. I guess I'm getting a little confused. Unfortunately we aren't residents so that option is out for us but thanks for clarifying the Fethiye thing.
So I'm assuming that an unlocked phone is needed to actually use a turkish SIM and then you have about 3 weeks before it locks up or blocks or something because it's not registered? Does this sound right?
If we bought a mobile from Kalkan I presume there will be no fuss and we can just use it and top up as we desire every time we come on holiday?
Sorry for all the questions but I just need clarification.

[kevincat99]

Yes you are correct...

You need an unlocked phone to use a Turkish SIM card...but if it is a UK phone at some point it will be blocked from use

If you buy a phone in Turkey and put a Turkish SIM card in it, the shop will register it and you have to do nothing, produce nothing  at all and it will work for ever...or longer even 

[Charlie]

I have a Turkish mobile that I bought for around 60 lira from the shop at the bottom of Kalamar Road however before buying it I used an old UK phone that I had and it seemed to work ok for around 2 weeks, I think after that time it was blocked.  So if you're only going for one or 2 weeks maybe worth trying your own one first.

[Lizilu20]

Thanks Kevincat and Charlie for your advice, at last I understand!!
We are not coming to Kalkan until July but  I wanted to get this clear in my head. We will be staying for 17 days so may just try our old unlocked one. If the exchange rate stays good we may well invest in a basic Turkish mobile as 60lira doesn't seem too bad a price.
Thanks again Guys for your help, much appreciated 

[Cuddles]

Don't count on a new phone only being 60TL in Kalkan now. In October they were from 119TL at the Turkcell shop next to Parc Kalkan.
If you can, go into Fethiye and get one there. Last May I paid 45TL for a basic Samsung from the main Avea shop on the right as you go down the main road past the big mosque on your left. (It is not the one on the corner.)
Personally I use Avea as they seem to leave any credit I have left, when I leave in October, on the phone. When I go out again in May, I just top up and the remaining credit from my last top up is added back on too. Friends with Turkcell phones have theirs wiped away after 3 months inactivity.

[Lizilu20]

Thanks BubblesG. I'll bear that in mind. It would be nice to take a trip to Fethiye. We could combine it with a trip to the market and maybe have a meal at the Levissi in Kayakoy. It would bring back happy memories. Might even persuade my OH to call in at Telmessos gold!!!