Turkish SIM card for 32 days, HELP please!

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sandyrella
sandyrella

I am a Canadian tourist leaving for Turkey on September 13th for 32 days. I require a SIM card for my unlocked phone. Does anyone have current information on whether a SIM card for that length of time has to be registered with the government? I understand that registering the SIM card is an expensive, time consuming and difficult process if you are unable to communicate in Turkish. I have received conflicting information on this topic. One person said the law was changed within the last two years and a tourist can now have a SIM for 60 days without having to register it. Another said this is not the case. Has anyone had a recent experience with this.

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sfgirl42
sfgirl42

Not experience but this Wiki site has given reliable info for various countries before:
http://prepaid-data-sim-card.wikia.com/wiki/Turkey

You might also do a search (top right of page, next to Help) as I seem to remember seeing threads about SIM for mobiles in Turkey...

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ahmd
ahmd

You register the international phone NOT the SIM card

You are probably good for 2 months, at least that what I was told. I - and others- used our international phones for about one month.

Please after you are done with trip let us know about your international phone experience.

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ahmd
ahmd

Sfgirl, the link you provided was very helpful esp the questions section down below.

Thanks

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sandyrella
sandyrella
In response to #1

sfgirl42, thank you so much for your post, the information in your link is invaluable. I only signed up to Thorn tree today in order to post my question on the forum. Your tip on using the search function is helpful too. After our return from Turkey I will post our SIM card experience. Based on your link we will likely purchase a SIM card from one of the providers when we arrive at the airport in Istanbul.

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sarikanarya
sarikanarya

There are three providers,Turkecell,Vodafon and Avea.The first two have the widest coverage and quickest systems..

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sandyrella
sandyrella
In response to #5

Thank you sarikanarya we will look for a Turkcell kiosk when we arrive at Ataturk airport.

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sandyrella
sandyrella
In response to #2

Thank you ahmd for alerting me to the fact that it is the international phone that has to be registered and not the sim. I really appreciate the time people on this form devote to helping us tourists.

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