Locking English mobiles

[booo]

I get the dreaded text message yesterday about the government locking my phone. They are working fast.
Was told the government are systematically locking the english phones that have the turkish sim cards by tracing the registration number inside the phone. Apparently the reason for this is because a lot of English people are getting their phones stolen so they are trying to clamp down on it, in the future will just be able to use phones bought in Turkey.

[KKOB]

I don't think they've invested in the system because a few hundred Brits have had their phones stolen.

The main reason for them blocking "foreign" phones is to protect their own economy. In the past there have been thousands of phones "imported" from Europe and Russia which have caused a huge loss of revenue in the Turkish mobile phone businesses and therefore loss of KDV to the treasury.

When we moved over here we gave away several old English mobile phones to Turkish friends and I know other ex-pats have done the same in the past.

[booo]

It is terrible really cos the price of phones compared to what people earn means that people cant afford them. I know I will be without  mobile now.

[Linda1953]

yup that happened to me recently but not sure of the reason why.  Had to buy a new mobile.

[Jacqui Harvey]

How much is a mobile in Turkey? are they expensive? what's the cheapest one cost?
 Thanks - Jacqui.

[braveheart]

I have a scottish mobile - no problem - still in use

[booo]

just seems to have been this past few days that it has started, there must be someway around it.

[Cavfan]

Left ours in Calis with brother in law- they got the dreaded text about 2 days ago- now locked!

[doll]

you can pick one up for about 100 tl about £40

[Cheryl]

As far as I am concerned I hope they lock the british phones soon so that the btd that stole mine cant use it.