Mobile phones need Turkish resident permit

Did you know that your foreign mobile phone requires a Turkish resident permit?

No kidding, really, it does.

OK, it's not really a resident permit per se, but it does need to be declared as residing here with you. Huh???!

Here's how it works:

You brought your mobile phone(s) from back home, as one does. You buy a local Turkcell chip with a local number, and place it in your mobile phone. It works, no problem. You're thinking: "Great, I can switch chips according to what country I'm in."

The phone and chip work fine... for about 2 months or so.... just enough time to make sure you're not a visiting tourist.
Then one morning, you wake up to find a strange message on your mobile screen. Something like "limited network" or "no connection".
Huh?!

YOU HAVE BEEN DICOVERED BY THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT!
YOU HAVE ILLEGALLY IMPORTED YOUR OWN MOBILE PHONE
AND THEY ARE BLOCKING IT!

This is what should have happened:

Cellular Telephones entering the country must be accompanied by a certification form showing ownership. Ownership must be documented in the passport of the owner and will be checked on entry and exit.

Source: http://www.ankaracityguide.com "tips and advices for foreigners"

But of course! Silly, me! It's a well known fact, that one's mobile phone should be registered in one's passport! Duhhhh!!!

To get it working again, you actually have to show proof of purchase of the mobile phone in your name. But, of course!

Proof of purchase needs to be faxed to customs so that they can certify that you have legally imported your mobile phone and register it. If you don't have proof of purchase, don't even bother.

Once this is done, they will kindly unblock your mobile connection.

God forbid you lose this document! If they ask you for it when you leave the country - you could be fined for selling your old goods here!

OR

You can just buy yourself a new mobile phone in any Turkcell shop, that will automatically be registered in your name....thereby contributing to the local economy.

Do the big mobile phone brands even know their marketing teams have such staunch support form the Turkish government?