The Turkish Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) has recently imposed a ban on several well-known eSIM providers. These alterations might complicate your ability to access mobile data in Turkey, so here’s what you ought to know.
Details on the Ban
The Turkish authorities have not prohibited eSIM technology or all eSIM providers, only these 7 at this time:
- Airalo
- Alosim
- BNESIM
- Holafly
- Instabridge
- Mobimatter
- Saily
More names could potentially be added to this roster, but for the moment, you can still utilize any eSIM provider not included in the list if you’re currently in Turkey.
For Those Outside Turkey
You can continue to make use of the eSIM providers banned in Turkey if you procure and activate your eSIM for Turkey prior to your arrival in the country. Obtain your eSIM while still outside Turkey, and activate it the day before your arrival to maximize the duration of your eSIM plan. Your data plan will remain functional as long as you activate your eSIM before entering Turkey.
If You Are Already In Turkey
Besides opting for an eSIM provider not included in the banned list, you can also utilize a trustworthy VPN to access the eSIM online retailers. It has been confirmed that purchases can be made, and in most instances, activating your eSIM (as long as your VPN is active the entire time) should function as well. However, this process might take longer than usual (e.g., 5 minutes). Nevertheless, if feasible, it’s advisable to buy and activate outside of Turkey to ensure success or use a non-banned eSIM for the time being.
The video above discusses the potential reasons for the ban and outlines possible next steps for the Turkish government and the eSIM providers.