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Cyprus Local Reference INFOrmation

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Telephone & Internet in Cyprus

Information on getting connected to, and using, land-lines and mobile (cellular) telephones and the Internet in Cyprus.

Landline Telephone Services

Historically, fixed-line telephony in Cyprus has been monopolistically provided by Cyta, an independent (but government-owned) company. PrimeTel provides packages for home and business usage.

Cyta services include: the supply of land-lines, mobile phones (on monthly payment contracts and pay as you go), data transmission, telegraph transmission, maritime, TV transmission and reception, private leased circuits, audio text, video conferencing, ISDN, DSL, Internet and ATM/Frame Relay.

Cyta
At: Telecommunications Street, Strovolos, PO Box 24929, 1396 Nicosia
Tel: 22 701 000 or 132 (from Cyprus only)
Fax: 22 494 940
e-mail
Website

Cyta service can be initiated by signing up over the phone, online, or at a CytaShop. It also has customer service offices, called CytaShops, located throughout Cyprus.

To find the nearest CytaShop: Click here
Tel: 132
For Cyta customer service phone numbers: Click here
To register for telecommunications service online: Click here
For addresses and contact information for CytaShops: Click here

PrimeTel services include: land-line telephone, Internet (ADSL2 and broadband), Free-to-Air TV, digital TV, video on demand and pre-paid talk plans. The company offers residential packages as well as services for businesses

PrimeTel PLC
At: The Maritime Center, 141 Omonia Avenue, PO Box 51490, 3506 Limassol
Tel: 22 027 300 or 25 867 289 (residential services) or 133 (from Cyprus only)
Fax: 22 102 211
e-mail
Website
PrimeTel Home
Website

PrimeTel also has customer service offices, called PrimeShops, located throughout Cyprus.

To find the nearest PrimeShop: Click here

Getting a land line connected

Contact Cyta or PrimeTel directly in order to have a land line activated or installed.

For Cyta residential services: Click here
For Cyta small to medium size businesses: Click here
For PrimeTel residential services: Click here
For PrimeTel business services: Click here

Directory Inquiries

Cyta Directory Assistance
Tel: 11892 (for Cyta customers only; charges apply)
Website
PrimeTel Directory Assistance (up to three numbers per call)
Tel: 11800 (charges apply)

Public Telephones

Cyta public phones are in all towns, villages, ports and airports. There are three types of public telephones, coinphones, outdoor cardphones and indoor cardphones. All public phones can be used for local and international calls.

Cardphones accept payment by Telecards, which are available in various denominations. They can be purchased at banks, post offices, souvenir shops, kiosks and Cyta service centres.

Mobile/Cellular Telephone Services

Mobile cellular telephones are available from major retailers and phone shops. If coming to Cyprus with a phone from another country, it may be possible to use it in Cyprus if the frequency band is the same (GSM 900/1800; UMTS 2100). The most economical way to make and receive calls will likely be to purchase a SIM card in Cyprus. All incoming calls will be free and local calls will be at a local rate.

In order to do use a foreign phone in Cyprus, the phone must be "unlocked", meaning it is not tied to a particular provider's network. If the phone is locked, it may be possible to unlock the phone at phone stores in the originating country or in Cyprus.

Once a phone is unlocked, it may be used on any network (provided the phone uses the same technology provided in Cyprus).

Pay-As-You-Go mobile phone usage

Pay-As-You-Go usage means no contract is necessary; users buy pre-paid credits for usage. In order to use the phone on a Pay-As-You-Go basis, make sure the phone is unlocked, purchase a SIM card (a very small replaceable microchip) for a small fee, remove the old SIM card (often underneath the phone battery) and install the new SIM card. The new SIM card packaging will include the new Cypriot phone number. Purchase credit (available in periptero kiosks, tobacconists, post offices and petrol stations) and redeem it with the salesperson (if purchased in a phone store) or via phone call or text message.

There are no roaming agreements with the northern part of Cyprus; Cyprus mobile phones do not work there, however a cellular handset from another country works on both sides of the island.

Cyta mobile offers pre-paid services under their SoEasy plan.

For more information on the Cytamobile-Vodaphone SoEasy plan: Click here

Monthly payment plans

Cyta offers monthly payment plans which generally offer a better rate for frequent callers.

For information on Cyta mobile phone plans: Click here

Cyta packages include:

Light: intended for customers who do not wish to make many calls
Classic: intended for customers with average to high use.

To subscribe to monthly plans a contract is necessary, with penalties for early cancellation.

MTN Cyprus

MTN Cyprus provides mobile broadband services for mobile cellular phones, Blackberrys and other 3G devices.

MTN has a comprehensive website in English: Click here

Internet Connection

CytaNET is the largest Internet connectivity provider in Cyprus. PrimeTel and Cablenet also provide connectivity.

CytaNet and PrimeTel are the two major broadband/ADSL internet connectivity providers in Cyprus. In order to obtain ADSL service, a phone line is necessary; a monthly connection fee is payable to the ADSL provider as well as the internet service provider and a fee for digital television will also be payable if this option is chosen. Digital television is available from all internet connectivity providers.

Cablenet subscribers do not connect via a phone line, rather using a coaxial cable to do so. The cable is installed upon subscription. Cablenet's service area is much smaller than that of Cytanet or PrimeTel.

Information on broadband options and internet service providers (ISPs) is available from CyprusBroadband.net.

For the CyprusBroadband.net website: Click here

CytaNET

To order a CytaNET Internet connection, subscribers must have a Cyta fixed phone line.

Cytanet for All is a subscription-free dial-up internet connection service for occasional users.

Cyta
Tel: 8000 80 80 from any Cypriot telephone
To find a customer service centre or CytaShop
For the Cyta website: Click here

Otenet

Otenet provides telephones and ADSL Internet to many locations in Cyprus; the website has a map showing locations served by the network. Product packages are available for the home user, small business and larger corporations.