Mobile Phones

Mobile Telephone Operators
KKTCell - Commonly referred to as Turkcell. (0533 / 0539 numbers)
Telsim - part owned by Vodafone. (0542 / 0548 numbers).
You shouldn’t experience any issues in North Cyprus because both firms use GSM, which can be found on most modern mobile phones. GSM bands include 850, 900, 1800, and 1900. Both have agreements with all major international networks, so you shouldn’t have any trouble connecting after you arrive if you wish to use your usual mobile number while you're here.
Coming from the UK
Vodafone & O2 offer unlimited call and text roaming in North Cyprus &Türkiye at a cost. Vodafone also roams without additional charges in the South. For other networks, check with them before travelling to see what packages they’re offering. If Türkiye isn’t included, you’d be better to bring a second phone with a pay as you go Vodafone sim card in it. Alternatively, you can buy a sim card from Turkcell or Telsim. Offers available include pay as you go data packages as well as calls and texts. The larger supermarkets, including Lemar, Macro and Molto, generally have stands for both networks. There’s also one at Ercan Airport so you can buy a sim card immediately on arrival.
South Cyprus
If you have a mobile phone registered in Europe, roaming is free for South Cyprus whatever your network at home, although charges are higher in the North, unless you’re on Vodafone or O2. If you want a south Cyprus sim card, corner shops have a wide range of sim cards available.
Using Turkcell or Telsim in South Cyprus
Before crossing to the south:
TURKCELL – text "GUNEY"(South) to 1717 to start roaming in the South. Text "KUZEY" (north) to 1717 to stop.
TELSIM – text "AC" (open) to 7075 to start roaming in the South. Text "KAPAT" ( close) to 7075 to stop.
Text before you cross the border, or you’ll be hit with different rates. Be careful when close to the border as you could roam accidentally.
Using South Cyprus mobile phones in North Cyprus
Contact your service provider to see if you need to activate roaming for the north before crossing the border. It may well be automatic. Charges for South Cyprus users visiting the North, are generally cheaper than for North Cyprus users visiting the South.
Summary
UK visitors: if you're coming for short periods to North or South Cyprus, a UK Vodafone or O2 pay as you go sim card or contract will include your usage on both sides of the border.
European visitors: North Cyprus counts as Türkiye. South Cyprus is Europe. Your mobile phone will roam without additional charges in the south. It’ll incur costs in the north unless your provider includes Türkiye . Check with your provider.
Buying local sim cards: Available at supermarkets and allow roaming on both sides of the border for a cost.
Turkcell or Telsim sim card users need to activate roaming before they cross the border to avoid higher charges.
WhatsApp
WhatsApp is very popular in Northern Cyprus and many individuals and businesses use it.