Cell Phones in Libya

Last activity 16 February 2011 by Heethy

6046 Views

9 replies

Post new topic

Sandman6ViP22 July 2009 16:07:28

1863

Don't come to Libya expecting to make a roaming call on your non-Libya service provider's SIM card. Very few GSM operators have roaming agreements with the Libya GSM operators so you'll need a local SIM card.

There are two main providers, Libyana and Al Madar, of which Al Madar seems to have the better network coverage.

To get a SIM card, you'll have to go to their head office in Tripoli with a copy of your passport and 10 Lyd and fill in the forms....These people like their fcuking paperwork!

Getting hold of recharge scratch cards isn't a problem, most smaller grocery stores and supermarkets sell them in 10, 20 and 40 Lyd denominations.

Local calls are cheap, for international calls you'll need to load up first coz your credit will go down like a V8 petrol tank with your boot on the loud pedal...

ashokpharmMember23 July 2009 04:12:46

Hi.
How much for a minute's call to India by al madar cell?
thanks.
ashok

Sara1980Active member23 July 2009 11:21:57

Hi, it costs 1.70 LYD per one minute.

justice4palContributor11 August 2009 09:44:43

183

Can I get a recommendation on where to go to buy two cell phones?

Sandman6ViP11 August 2009 10:04:42

1863

There are cell phone dealers all over the city, Nokia & Samsung seem to be the most popular brands and all phones are SIM-free (i.e. not locked to a specific SIM card or network).

Sony Ericsson are rarer but can be found. Motorola products are a rare as rocking horse pooh due to the Jewish connection..

Rather than carrying 2 phones, try a dual-SIM phone such as the Samsung SGH-D880. Goes for around 300 Lyd.

justice4palContributor11 August 2009 10:21:00

183

Re motorola and Jewish connection... IT's actually cause the Israeli army uses Motorola equipment as part of its occupation of Palestinian land. And there is an international boycott movement against such corporate connections.

But the Libyan support of such is inconsistent. I've been out and about and have seen Caterpillar products - both earth/bulldozers (not the huge D9s used by the IDF to crush Palestinian homes) and clothing line. I crossed the "no politics line" and asked the user of the bulldozer (the homeowner/builder of the home we're interested in buying) and the clerks at the shoe store in the Souq Talat if they knew about Caterpillar - either they didn't or didn't fully understand my Arabic/English. The building owner told me that there is a VERY rich Libyan who holds the franchise for Cat sales but then implied no more Cats are being sold here.

kent73New member16 August 2009 07:25:57

sandman6, i'm to in Janzour.. tell me please where i can find chinese phone, good china phones(anycool, wholesale, and other)

Sandman6ViP16 August 2009 07:44:50

1863

kent73 wrote:
sandman6, i'm to in Janzour.. tell me please where i can find chinese phone, good china phones(anycool, wholesale, and other)

"Good Chinese Phone"

Something of any oxymoron methinks...

kent73New member16 August 2009 08:27:09

ok.. good clone of iphone, or something..

HeethyMember16 February 2011 11:12:57

#10

Hi,

I recently travelled to Libya for a short time and will be returning soon for at least a few months. I brought an Al Madar sim card from the airport on arrival and quickly used all my credit. As I'm going to be staying in quite an isolated area west of Ras Lanuf, there isn't to many places to buy top up vouchers. Is there anyway to purchase these online? If not i'll just have to plan ahead and buy what I need, as I will mainly be texting, are you charged for receiving texts from abroad, say the UK?

Articles to help you in your expat project in Libya

Using mobile phones in Libya
The good news first then:
Nursery Schools
I moved to Libya with my 2 young children now aged 4 years and 2 and a half years. Finding the right school for ...
The concerned tax with House Rent
Business Visa Process
For Business Visas
Transports in Zawia
Travelling to Zawia from outside Libya:
Finding work in Libya - a few tips
If you're looking for a job in Libya, you need to follow the same process as everywhere else but there are a ...
Flats and houses for rent - what you need to know
I will only talk about the 2 cities i've lived ...
Agents and Landlords
The Libyan renting market is a difficult one and for your first time it might be best to go through an agency. Of ...