Keeping Turkcell payg SIM alive when in the uk

[CatalkoyChris]

Does anyone know how to keep a Turkcell sim card alive?
I purchased a kktcell sim card when I was over in April, and put 20 TL on it.
I was only over for a week and did not use it that much but on the last night it ran out of credit.

I noticed it sends me a lot of messages in Turkish which I don't understand. Any way of stopping them? Or turn these into English?

I have looked on their website now I am back in the uk and cannot find a way to top it up, ready for my next visit to the uk.

Or am I doomed to forever buying a new sim every time I visit?

[davedee]

Just top it up when you return the sim will still work.

[mickhm]

the sim will stop working after 3 months of no use but can be re-activated by topping it up. After 6 months of non operation it can not be re-activated and the phone number will be re-issued to some one else

[How188]

I switched my phone to a contract and then pay the monthly charge, about 5TL, by direct debit from my UK bank. Means I can also use phone in uk if I want.
It has been working well now for two years and I have never been cut off.
I also think my call charges when in TRNC are cheaper as well both local and international.

[CatalkoyChris]

That sounds like a good idea How

I assume you just set it up in a shop?
Or is there a specific shop you go to?
Or a website?

Chris

[Deniz1]

Go to the main office in Girne and take your passport with you.

[Jasja]

Like Deniz1. I changed my phone to contract years ago now and if it is a Turkcell sim you have they don't charge anything to convert to contract and you keep the same number. I converted mine from pay as you go to contract before I moved here permanently and I used to top it up with say TL50 credit before I left so when I came back I didn't have to worry and I could use it immediately. It's a cheaper option than paying via your UK bank as you will pay charges and also exchange rate differences on top of your Turkcell bill. I don't use my Turkcell in the UK it is too expensive an option. Don't forget we aren't classed as in the EU here so phone charges are high compared to those in the EU.