It is difficult to imagine your life without the Internet and mobile communication, because it is communication with family and friends, as well as work and, of course, entertainment. Each country has its own characteristics of cellular communication and the Internet, the nuances of charging and connection. And the Republic of Turkey is no exception. We will talk in detail about what cellular communication is in Turkey and how to choose the right Internet in our article.
Mobile operators in Turkey
Experienced tourists advise to familiarize yourself with the tariff plans in advance, while still in your country. It is worth deciding what package of services and the amount of Internet you need, depending on your needs and the time of your stay in Turkey.
Of course, all of this can be done in the Republic of Turkey. However, there may be some difficulties, including the language barrier, and the possibility that you will be unknowingly sold the most expensive package of services. Therefore, take some time to familiarize yourself with the tariffs before your trip.
There are quite a large number of mobile operators in Turkey, but, as a rule, most of the population uses the main three, which include:
1.Turkcell
2. Vodafone
3. Turk Telekom
Let’s talk about each operator in more detail.
Turkcell
The leading mobile operator in Turkey. Turkcell has the highest coverage rates in the country: all regions have a 2G network, 95% have 3G. There are also no problems with 4G in Turkish cities and resorts.
Internet access is available not only in megacities, but also in the Turkish hinterland, at sea and in the mountains. Turkcell is represented in all 80 provinces of the Republic of Turkey.
How much does a SIM card cost in Turkey from the Turkcell operator?
The initial activation of the card along with the basic service package will cost approximately 50 TL. The minimum cost of replenishing the packages is approximately 27 TL.
Traffic above the service package is paid separately. The cost is from 1.8 TL/100 KB.
After the Internet ends or after the package expires (30 days), you can choose another service package.
Life hack: you can check your balance by dialing *123#.
Within the Turkcell operator, you can activate separate packages aimed only at the Internet.
Prices for mobile internet per month:
• 4 GB – 75 TL (about 4 €);
• 6 GB – 80 TL (about 4-5 €);
• 8 GB – 85 TL (about 5 €);
• 22 GB – 155 TL (about 9 €).
Useful information!
Especially for tourists, the mobile operator has a profitable offer Tourism Welcome Pack . This is a mobile connection that will cost you 349 TL per month. The package includes 20 GB of internet, 200 minutes of calls within the network and unlimited use of WhatsApp. And if you plan to come to Turkey, for example, for a month, this package will be very convenient.
Vodafone
Vodafone is the second largest Turkish mobile operator. The mobile phone tariffs in Turkey are mostly similar for both operators. Some services are cheaper with one company, others with the other.
The initial connection of a SIM card and TuristKolay Paketi package will cost you 300–350 TL (about 16–19 €). This package already includes 20 GB of internet, 750 minutes within the network and 1,000 SMS. It is issued once, for a period of 28 days.
Vodafone has a huge number of different tariff plans that you can choose according to your needs. There are also nice bonuses that are provided in the first three months of connection. For example, 2 GB of internet as a gift, which is very convenient, etc.
Vodafone offers a variety of mobile internet packages to choose from. It is important to note that some plans have age restrictions (from 26 years old) and are only available to Turkish citizens.
Price of internet from Vodafone per month:
• 5 GB – 74 TL (about 4 €);
• 10 GB – 84 TL (about 5 €);
• 15 GB – 94 TL (about 6 €).
Turk Telekom
The third major mobile operator in Turkey. The company has good coverage thanks to the lease of towers from the first two leading operators.
The price of a basic SIM card starts from 250 TL (approximately 14 €). You need to connect an appropriate service package to it.
The company offers packages with Internet traffic valid for a week and a month.
Weekly package rates:
• 5 GB – 45 TL (about 3 €);
• 10 GB – 55 TL (about 3 €);
• 15 GB – 70 TL (about 4 €).
Per month:
• 1 GB – 29 TL (about 2 €);
• 3 GB – 45 TL (about 3 €);
• 4 GB – 59 TL (about 3-4 €).
BIM CELL
It is worth mentioning another mobile operator – BIM CELL. This is the so-called virtual operator, which operates on the basis of Turkcell. This cooperation provides good coverage.
Connecting to Bim Cell is beneficial for those foreign citizens who only need an Internet connection.
Cost of internet packages per month:
• 1 GB – 34 TL (about 1.2 €);
• 2 GB – 46 TL (about 1.7 €);
• 5 GB – 59 TL (about 2 €);
• 10 GB – 71 TL (about 2.6 €).
Feature and disadvantage of the operator: BimCell activation does not happen immediately and can last from 1 to 3-4 days. Consider this factor when choosing a cellular company.
Activation of the starter package for all three major operators is very quick and takes about 10 minutes, but there are some nuances:
• We recommend that you contact the seller to activate the SIM card and ask them to help you set up and check the package connection. Since often to activate the standard package, which is already included in the price of the SIM card, you will need to send an SMS to certain numbers.
• Immediately clarify how you can check your account balance.
You can top up your card in cash at supermarkets, large shopping malls, and mobile phone stores. You can go to your mobile operator’s website and reactivate your package. If your internet usage has expired before the expiration date of your tariff, you will need to top up your account and activate your selected package again.
If you are going to spend your vacation in a secluded place away from the hustle and bustle, in the mountains or going on a hike, make sure that you have enough funds in your account. For example, to stay connected if you use up your internet and minutes before the package expires.
Turkish SIM cards: what they are, where they are issued
What do you need to know about mobile communications in Turkey?
Cellular communication in Turkey is provided in packages for a period of 27–30 days.
If you do not use your SIM card for three months, it will be deactivated.
If you do not use your SIM card for three months, it will be deactivated.
SIM cards with internet in Turkey are available for purchase only with a passport. If you do not have a residence permit and you simply buy a SIM card with a passport, it will have tourist status. After three months, you have a choice: either provide a residence permit number, on the basis of which the tourist SIM card will be given the status of a regular one, or the card will be blocked and the number will automatically be transferred to another user.
Therefore, if you are moving to Turkey, do not forget to come to a cellular phone shop and re-register your SIM card three months after receiving your residence permit.
Where can you buy a SIM card? At any mobile phone shop, in small shops, shopping malls, and at the airport. However, at the airport, most often any services are offered at very high prices – consider this fact.
The total cost consists of the cost of the SIM card and the initial package connection. That is, when you buy a SIM card and a starter package, the price will be slightly higher, and then you simply top up your account by choosing the most convenient tariff plan.
Turkey has a CEIR system that monitors connections to mobile operators. Upon activation, all SIM cards are automatically entered into the CEIR system. All data about your phone (including the unique IMEI number) is tied to the SIM card number. If the gadget is purchased in Turkey, the data is transferred to the CEIR system. If you put a Turkish SIM card in a phone brought from abroad, you have 120 days, after which the mobile device is blocked. In any other country, except Turkey, the phone will work properly.
To prevent your smartphone from being blocked, you will need to pay a tax. The tax is not small and the amount is getting bigger every year. In 2023, the tax is 6091 TL (222 €).
When moving, it’s easier to buy a local smartphone with all taxes paid and use it with a Turkish SIM card. If you come once or twice a year, just buy a new SIM card each time.
Internet in Turkey: Wi-Fi vs Mobile Data
We recommend that you think in advance about how much Internet traffic you will need in Turkey and which way you will go: roaming, purchasing a local SIM card, or connecting to Wi-Fi.
Wi-Fi in Turkey is available in almost all cafes, restaurants, hotels. If you are planning to rent a property, most likely, Wi-Fi will be in the common area of the complex. Even some city buses, for example in Alanya and Antalya, have Wi-Fi from the free city Internet network.
Most hotels advertise Wi-Fi in public areas and rooms. We recommend that you be careful and prepare in advance for the fact that the Internet can be extremely slow. Therefore, if high-speed Internet and uninterrupted network connection are very important to you, it is better to take care of this in advance.
But mobile internet in Turkey works great, it’s really very fast.
In Turkey, another service is provided for those who want to always have the Internet at hand – this is renting a Wi-Fi router. You can find the service on the Internet. To order, you enter your contact details and the period for which you need to rent the device. Home delivery and unlimited 4G traffic are provided. The disadvantage of such a rental is the rather high cost. Approximately for 2 days, when connecting one person, the payment will be about €25. The longer the rental period, the cheaper the payment. Therefore, this option is beneficial if you are traveling to Turkey with a company or a large group of people.