If you are traveling to Turkey, you may be concerned about maintaining contact with your family and friends at home, or you may need to keep tabs on something important at the office. While it used to be difficult to communicate from across the world, now there are numerous ways you can keep up correspondence with all of the important people in your life. Read on to learn some tips for staying in touch from Turkey.
Communicating from Your Hotel in Istanbul
The easiest way to stay in communication with folks back home is to have access to the Internet. Fortunately, when you stay at Hotel Büyük Keban in Istanbul, utilizing the web to stay in touch is effortless.
All of our rooms are equipped with free wireless Internet, so if you have your own laptop, tablet or phone with you, you can use email, Skype, Facetime, Facebook or other methods of Internet communication. If you don't have a computer with you, there's no need to worry. The Hotel Büyük Keban has an Internet Corner in the lobby with two computers, webcams and other accessories. This amenity is offered any time of the day or night.
Mobile Modem Rental Service
When traveling abroad, cell phone service can get pretty expensive. To keep costs down, HotekBuyukKeban offers WiFi rental. It is available at the reception for only $10 a day, offering a selection of 5 devices with unlimited data usage. With this service, you will have reception all around Istanbul—and everywhere in Turkey!
Conversations on the Road
When you're away from the hotel in Istanbul or traveling in other parts of Turkey, you can use Internet cafes or other places with WiFi hotspots to manage your communications. However, many people find it easier these days to just rent a mobile WiFi hotspot. This handy device receives an Internet signal via satellite and functions as a modem for you.
Because it is completely wireless and not tied to any specific place on the ground, a mobile WiFi unit can be used anywhere around the world as it obtains a satellite signal. This is a great alternative if you are staying in a remote location or need to get in touch with someone while you are on a road trip.
Different companies in Istanbul rent these mobile WiFi setups, and they are also available at Istanbul Atatürk Airport. Be sure to ask about the different data plans they offer, so you wind up with enough megabytes for your personal Internet use, especially if you need to stream music or videos. Also, ask about refilling your account while on the road if you need more data than you originally purchased. Some providers offer unlimited Internet data, which will probably be your best choice.
Tips for Foreign Telecommunication
Whether you're using the WiFi at Hotel Büyük Keban or a mobile unit for your phone, be aware that leaving your phone's cellular signal on can rack up hefty charges during your trip. Between incoming phone calls and data pushing, you'd be surprised at how fast your phone bill adds up without even realizing it!
Unless you absolutely need your phone during your trip, it's best to remove your SIM card or otherwise disable your cellular service, leaving just the WiFi capability intact. Do this before you leave the country, and reactivate your mobile service once you are back at home.
If you need to make phone calls while you're in Turkey, you have the following choices:
Use a VOIP (voice over internet protocol) service, like Skype or Viber, that works via WiFi
Ask your mobile carrier about getting a temporary international plan to cut down on roaming charges
Purchase or rent an international phone and SIM card that works in Turkey
Purchase a phone and/or SIM card in Turkey just for your stay here
Use your in-room telephone for calls and add them to your hotel bill
For further assistance with your Internet and telecommunication needs, Hotel Büyük Keban is at your service. Ask our Concierge Department for help setting up a mobile WiFi rental (which is available at the reception for 10$’s per day, up to 5 devices and unlimited data usage. It has reception all around Istanbul, actually everywhere in Turkey), and feel free to avail yourself to the computers in the lobby. Contact us today about your reservation, and we can get started on your communication needs right away. By the time you arrive in Istanbul, you'll be ready to hit the ground running!
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