Mobile Phone Operators in Turkey:

In Turkey, there are 3 main GSM operators. You can buy simcard from the offices of one of these three companies. Below, we give brief information about them.

Turkcell: Turkish company

Turkcell is a converged telecommunication and technology services provider, founded and headquartered in Turkey. It serves its customers with voice, data, TV and value-added consumer and enterprise services on mobile and fixed networks. Mobile communication in Turkey began when Turkcell commenced operations in February 1994. Turkcell has a strong network and coverage in all cities in Turkey.

Vodafone Turkey: British Company

A part of the Vodafone Group, which operates as one of the world’s foremost mobile communication companies in terms of its revenues, Vodafone Turkey is Turkey’s second largest mobile communication company. As of 30 June 2016, Vodafone Turkey had 22.4 million subscribers. Offering mobile voice, fixed voice, mobile Internet, ADSL and fiber services to individuals and enterprises in line with its vision of leading Turkey’s Digital Transformation, Vodafone Turkey operates with more than 3,300 employees, over 1,200 retail stores, and a family of 43,000 stakeholders.

Turk Telekom: Turkish Company

Türk Telekom International is a leading telecommunication operator in the CEE region, Turkey, Caucasus, Middle-East and Asia. Türk Telekom International provides a full range of Internet/data services, infrastructure and wholesale voice services to incumbents, alternative carriers, mobile operators, cable TV companies, Internet service providers and corporate customers.

Türk Telekom International is 100% owned by Türk Telekom and act as its international business unit handling all international data and wholesale voice business functions. Türk Telekom International provides single account management and unified network operations over the entire Türk Telekom International network which includes 19 countries in Central and Eastern Europe, Turkey, Middle East and the Caucasus.

Physical Simcard  – Esim

In Turkey, you can use both physical simcard and e-sim. If your phone doesn’t have physical simcard slot, you can go to the store of GSM operators and ask for e-sim configuration. Note that Turkcell offers e-sim for extra 89TL and Vodafone Turkey for 100TL. Turk Telekom does not have e-sim option. For physical simcards, you can get standard, micro and nano simcards.

Required Documents for Tourist simcard:

You need to have a valid passport or recognized travel documents to buy simcard in Turkey. The simcard you are using needs to be registered to your passport. 

Also note that the foreigners can use their phone up to 120 days without registering it. If you want to use your mobile phone in Turkey after 120 days, you need to register it.

Touristic simcard is valid for 3 months. If you want to use more than 3 months, you need to have residence permit. Usually tourist simcards are active for 90? days. If you want to keep your number, you need to have residence permit and foreigner id number. You need to visit the GSM store to submit your residence permit card and keep your number. and foreigner id number

Fees and Packages

Turkcell: Price of getting simcard: 600TL (20gb and 200minutes for first month). If you want want to get additional internet: 20gb for 140TL . E-sim is extra 89TL. Vodafone:  Price per month: 415TL (20gb and 750mnts and 250sms and 1 free powerbank). 100TL for e-sim. 9gb for 110TL. Turk telekom: Price per month: 350TL (30gb, 750mnts, 750sms) 10gb for 65TL.