Recommend Cellphone and Provider for Turkey

**Solomon960** · 07-14-2022, 01:06 PM

Greetings. I will be spending many months (if not years) abroad; the next 12+ months in Turkey, specifically. I have been using Pay-As-You-Go TracFone (Verizon network) in the U.S. for the last five years, but TracFone isn't available overseas. I am seeking others' recommendations on a cost-effective cellphone/plan setup for my new locale. I don't make many calls or texts, but since I will likely not have internet or WIFI abroad, a low-cost "infinite minutes and texts" plan may be appropriate. I am open to using a satellite phone, if economical.

Thank you for your assistance.

**bmccull** · 07-15-2022, 01:26 PM

I suggest you get used to spelling it Türkiye. The government has asked foreigners not to use the spelling of the Thanksgiving treat.

When last in Istanbul, there were many plans available at a much better price point than TracFone.

**Solomon960** · 09-11-2022, 03:59 PM

So I should wait until I am in Türkiye before switching? This means I will be without cellphone service between leaving the states and whenever I get to finding a new service.

And handsets? Is a particular form prevalent (GSM vs. CDMA) in eastern Europe? Whichever is the dominant technology, I would prefer to pick one up now unless those prices are also far less in Türkiye than they are here.

**Aclondon** · 09-13-2022, 07:53 PM

One thing you will need to do…

https://turkeytravelplanner.com/deta...in_turkey.html

Unless you have a smartphone already, a 4G IPhone SE 2020 or IPhone 11 is probably cheaper from Tracfone, wait 61 days then request free unlock, then purchasing in Europe.

In Turkey, your looking at over 1000USD for the IPhone 11

https://www.vodafone.com.tr/faturaya...1/p/telefonlar

Originally Posted by Solomon960

So I should wait until I am in Türkiye before switching? This means I will be without cellphone service between leaving the states and whenever I get to finding a new service.

And handsets? Is a particular form prevalent (GSM vs. CDMA) in eastern Europe? Whichever is the dominant technology, I would prefer to pick one up now unless those prices are also far less in Türkiye than they are here.

**Solomon960** · 10-21-2022, 06:29 AM

Aclondon: Thank you for sharing this topic. Corresponding with my colleagues currently in Türkiye, it doesn't appear that anyone registers their cellphone - they must not be using the "three Turkish mobile phone networks" that would otherwise "block" their numbers. Perhaps, if I, too, use an international provider, the fee would not apply to me, also?

Coincidentally, I just learned that I will be moving to Tokyo (Japan) after Türkiye. T-Mobile, FreedomPop, and Google Fi have been recommended as compatible in both locales for ~$60/ea. No matter which provider I switch to, I will need a new handset. A simple interface and long battery life are all I seek as any phone can make calls and texts. I won't install apps (just like now).