Telephone Services in North Cyprus

When calling to the TRNC from abroad you have to use international access code which for North Cyprus is 00-90-392. Calls to Northern Cyprus are routed through Turkey. It means that you first dial Turkey international code (00 90), then the regional code for North Cyprus (392) and finally the local seven-digit number (Kyrenia 815 XXXX). To call from North to South Cyprus, dial 0123, wait for the dial tone and then dial the local South number. Most European countries may be dialed directly from the TRNC. Codes for countries in the world are listed in the telephone directory.

Telephone booths are widely available cross North Cyprus bigger cities. You can buy telephone cards from the Telecommunications Office (PTT) which is in Kyrenia situated opposite the post office. You may also use so-called metered counter phones that are much cheaper than hotel – room phones. Prominently signposted and fairly common in central Kyrenia, you pay after completing the call.

In North Cyprus there are currently two GSM mobile telephone networks providing international communications. These are Turkey-based Telsim and KKTCell, which is a TRNC branch of Turkcell. Since both the companies have alliances with other companies worldwide, you can use your cell phone roaming service here. Please bear in mind that there is no company that operates CDMA networks in the TRNC. If you are not sure what system your local phone uses contact your local service provider for more information. In Northern Cyprus you will find companies that operate both frequencies GSM 900 and GSM 1800 out of which GSM 900 has wider coverage. If your phone does not support these two bands you are highly improbable to use your phone here. Best case is when you have a quad band phone (that supports all four flavours of GSM 850, 900, 1800, and 1900).

If you are staying in the TRNC longer period, it is better to buy a Turkish sim card for your cell phone, since the cost for constant using of your roaming service might be quite high. The local sim card purchased from Telsim or KKTCell will let you use your phone locally without the roaming charges. Together with your new sim card you will be given a new phone number starting with 0533 for KKTCell or 0542 for Telsim. However, please note that the GSM provider from which you purchased your phone may have locked (branded) your phone. If this is your case you will not be able to swap sim cards, unless you unlock the phone or have purchased an unlocked phone.

Useful telephone numbers in North Cyprus