Cuba: added links to articles, some fixes
← Older revision
Revision as of 22:11, July 31, 2016
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This list shows these countries where it's impossible to buy a local prepaid SIM card (for data) at the moment. This can be because of lack of technical infrastructure or legal reasons which prohibits the purchase of a SIM card for foreigners. As you see, this list is rather short:
This list shows these countries where it's impossible to buy a local prepaid SIM card (for data) at the moment. This can be because of lack of technical infrastructure or legal reasons which prohibits the purchase of a SIM card for foreigners. As you see, this list is rather short:
−
=== '''Cuba''' ===
+
=== '''Cuba'''
(see own [[Cuba|article]])
===
−
In Cuba there are still no data on their GSM network, not even GPRS
.
The
only state-owned mobile provider "Cubacel"
only has a kind of intra-net for emails in Cuba running
. The only way to log on the internet for foreigners is to go to one of the major hotels or public WiFi hotspots. The situation is about to change with the easing of the embargo
by the US
. First 3G cells are operating in Havanna and Varadero, but for roaming customers only.
+
In Cuba there are still no data on their GSM network, not even GPRS
on the
only state-owned mobile provider "Cubacel". The only way to log on the internet for foreigners is to go to one of the major hotels or public WiFi hotspots. The situation is about to change with the easing of the
US
embargo. First 3G cells are
now
operating in Havanna and Varadero, but for roaming customers only.
=== '''Eritrea''' ===
=== '''Eritrea''' ===
−
Eritrea was the last country in the world to adopt a mobile phone system. It's sole provider Eritel is hardly accessible to foreigners as it requires a resident's permit, a very high connection fee and some weeks to get connected to a network mostly 2G-only few 3G cells. There is a separate
fixed
CDMA network covering 85%
but it's unknown whether they have data and whether they accept mobile phones. Moreover CDMA
is not compatible with most GSM phones.
+
Eritrea was the last country in the world to adopt a mobile phone system. It's sole provider Eritel is hardly accessible to foreigners as it requires a resident's permit, a very high connection fee and some weeks to get connected to a network mostly 2G-only
with
few 3G cells. There is a separate CDMA network covering 85%
which
is not compatible with most GSM phones.
−
=== '''Korea (North)''' ===
+
=== '''Korea (North)
'''
(see own [[Korea (North)|article]])
===
The state-owned provider "koryolink" sells SIM cards to foreign visitors for their 3G network on 2100 MHz: a "Visitor Line" with 3 different packages on prepaid and a postpaid "Foreigner Line" for residents. Unfortunately, the Visitor Line has voice and text only, but no data. This can only be booked on the Foreigner Line at astronomical rates, but is inaccessible to short-time visitors.
The state-owned provider "koryolink" sells SIM cards to foreign visitors for their 3G network on 2100 MHz: a "Visitor Line" with 3 different packages on prepaid and a postpaid "Foreigner Line" for residents. Unfortunately, the Visitor Line has voice and text only, but no data. This can only be booked on the Foreigner Line at astronomical rates, but is inaccessible to short-time visitors.
−
=== '''Transnistria''' (see [[Moldova]]) ===
+
=== '''Transnistria''' (see [[Moldova]]
article
) ===
Transnistria is the only populated region in Europe without a 2G or 3G GSM coverage as the only provider "IDC" uses CDMA and EVDO only which is incompatible with GSM-devices. This situation may change as a 4G/LTE network on 800 MHz is being built, but not yet open for prepaid (for details see [[Moldova]]).
Transnistria is the only populated region in Europe without a 2G or 3G GSM coverage as the only provider "IDC" uses CDMA and EVDO only which is incompatible with GSM-devices. This situation may change as a 4G/LTE network on 800 MHz is being built, but not yet open for prepaid (for details see [[Moldova]]).
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In those territories there is no mobile coverage whatsoever. Your only options might be internet café (if available), fixed internet including WiFi (if available) and satellite internet.
In those territories there is no mobile coverage whatsoever. Your only options might be internet café (if available), fixed internet including WiFi (if available) and satellite internet.
−
=== '''Turkmenistan '''([[Turkmenistan|
see
article]]) ===
+
=== '''Turkmenistan '''(
see own
[[Turkmenistan|article]]) ===
Turkmenistan is a very restricted Asian country where they sell SIM cards with data, but for visitors it proved to be impossible so far to get one. The only ways are illegal or for long-term residents with special status. </div>
Turkmenistan is a very restricted Asian country where they sell SIM cards with data, but for visitors it proved to be impossible so far to get one. The only ways are illegal or for long-term residents with special status. </div>
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== '''Greylist''' ==
== '''Greylist''' ==
−
[[File:Greylist.png|centre|thumb|590x590px]]This list shows these countries, where you should think twice of buying a local prepaid SIM card, as it may not be advisable under all circumstances. Because of procedures, legal barriers or technical restraints, you may be better off looking for alternatives like WiFi or an international roaming SIM.
+
[[File:Greylist.png|centre|thumb|590x590px]]This list shows these countries, where you should think twice of buying a local prepaid SIM card, as it may not be advisable under all circumstances. Because of procedures, legal barriers or technical restraints, you may be better off looking for alternatives like WiFi or an international roaming SIM
. But check articles first whats restricted and if it applies to you and your purposes
.
=== '''Azerbaijan''' ===
=== '''Azerbaijan''' ===
Foreigners need a registration certificate (see [http://www.azercell.com/en/help/subcription_terms/#.VbkllkbddX8 here]) in addition to their passport to buy a local SIM card. Furthermore, Azerbaijan has adopted a registration scheme of imported devices. Their IMEI codes need to be registered for AZN 5. After 30 days of non-compliance, your device will be blocked.
Foreigners need a registration certificate (see [http://www.azercell.com/en/help/subcription_terms/#.VbkllkbddX8 here]) in addition to their passport to buy a local SIM card. Furthermore, Azerbaijan has adopted a registration scheme of imported devices. Their IMEI codes need to be registered for AZN 5. After 30 days of non-compliance, your device will be blocked.
−
=== '''China ('''see [[China|
here
]]''')''' ===
+
=== '''China ('''see
own
[[China|
article
]]''')''' ===
−
Because of the "Great Firewall of China" a.k.a. censorship your internet can be severely restricted. Facebook, Twitter,
many
Google sites like Maps, Gmail or its search engine and many others are blocked. Furthermore, China is starting to clamp down on VPNs used to circumvent these blocks.
+
Because of the "Great Firewall of China" a.k.a. censorship your internet can be severely restricted. Facebook, Twitter, Google sites like Maps, Gmail or its search engine and many others are blocked. Furthermore, China is starting to clamp down on VPNs used to circumvent these blocks.
=== '''Equatorial Guinea''' ===
=== '''Equatorial Guinea''' ===
Foreigners can buy a prepaid SIM card not in usual operator's stores, but only in two special branches of GETESA (Orange) in Malabo and Bata.
Foreigners can buy a prepaid SIM card not in usual operator's stores, but only in two special branches of GETESA (Orange) in Malabo and Bata.
−
=== '''India '''(see [[India|
here
]]) ===
+
=== '''India '''(see
own
[[India|
article
]]) ===
India has a very unforeseeable policy of registration which can take a few hours but also more than a week. So you'll never know, when you will actually be connected to the network after having purchased a new SIM card.
India has a very unforeseeable policy of registration which can take a few hours but also more than a week. So you'll never know, when you will actually be connected to the network after having purchased a new SIM card.
−
=== '''Japan '''(see [[Japan|
here
]]) ===
+
=== '''Japan '''(see
own
[[Japan|
article
]]) ===
Japan is one of the few countries with no 2G/GSM network and much of its 3G is on very own frequencies. Furthermore, it bans the purchase of voice SIM cards to travelers by law. But you can still buy data SIMs or rent a device or SIM card at many rental agencies.
Japan is one of the few countries with no 2G/GSM network and much of its 3G is on very own frequencies. Furthermore, it bans the purchase of voice SIM cards to travelers by law. But you can still buy data SIMs or rent a device or SIM card at many rental agencies.
−
=== '''Palestine '''(see [[Palestine|
here
]]) ===
+
=== '''Palestine '''(see
own
[[Palestine|
article
]]) ===
The Palestine Territories have their own networks, but are restricted to 2G and data up to EDGE speed only. This is due to the refusal of Israel to grant 3G spectrum to Palestine operators. You may use Israeli providers instead.
The Palestine Territories have their own networks, but are restricted to 2G and data up to EDGE speed only. This is due to the refusal of Israel to grant 3G spectrum to Palestine operators. You may use Israeli providers instead.
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=== '''Tajikistan''' ===
=== '''Tajikistan''' ===
It seems to be prohibited in this country to buy a prepaid SIM card without holding a Tajik ID. This does not mean that it's impossible for foreigners, but officially banned. Some users have purchased a SIM card as result of a 'private agreement' between seller and buyer.
It seems to be prohibited in this country to buy a prepaid SIM card without holding a Tajik ID. This does not mean that it's impossible for foreigners, but officially banned. Some users have purchased a SIM card as result of a 'private agreement' between seller and buyer.
−
=== '''Turkey '''(see [[Turkey|
here
]]) ===
+
=== '''Turkey '''(see
own
[[Turkey|
article
]]) ===
−
Turkey has implemented a scheme of paying a TL115 tax for all imported devices to be used
on
a local SIM card. This is added by a whitelist registration system of IMEI numbers. If you don't follow the rules, your device will be blocked after a few months. So it only bothers you if you want to stay longer or keep your SIM for another visit.
+
Turkey has implemented a scheme of paying a TL115 tax for all imported devices to be used
with
a local SIM card. This is added by a whitelist registration system of IMEI numbers. If you don't follow the rules, your device will be blocked after a few months. So it only bothers you
,
if you want to stay longer or keep your SIM for another visit.
=== '''Tuvalu''' ===
=== '''Tuvalu''' ===
−
The mobile phone system of this island nation in the Pacific was destroyed in a storm. Re-established by the only provider Tuvalu Telecom in 2009, it serves
only
a few islands on 2G up to EDGE speed only. </div>
+
The mobile phone system of this island nation in the Pacific was destroyed in a storm. Re-established by the only provider Tuvalu Telecom in 2009, it serves a few islands on 2G up to EDGE speed only. </div>
[[Prepaid SIM_with_data|Back to main page]]
[[Prepaid SIM_with_data|Back to main page]]