Cell Phones in Libya

Sandman6 ViP

Member since 17 May 2009

Rocking in the free world

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...

See also

Using mobile phones in Libya - Guide
Blackberry in Libya - 9 Replies
blackberry in libya - 9 Replies
What is the speedest internet service in Libya? - 6 Replies
Broadband and Cell Phone Usage - 14 Replies
HTC Mobile Phones official reseller in Libya - 9 Replies
Phones and Wifi - 6 Replies

ashokpharm Member

Member since 18 July 2009

ashokpharmMember23 July 2009 04:12:46

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

Sara1980 Active member

Member since 22 July 2009

Sara1980Active member23 July 2009 11:21:57

Hi, it costs 1.70 LYD per one minute.

justice4pal Contributor

Member since 09 November 2008

justice4palContributor11 August 2009 09:44:43

183

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

Sandman6 ViP

Member since 17 May 2009

Rocking in the free world

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.

justice4pal Contributor

Member since 09 November 2008

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.

kent73 New member

Member since 16 August 2009

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)

Sandman6 ViP

Member since 17 May 2009

Rocking in the free world

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...

kent73 New member

Member since 16 August 2009

kent73New member16 August 2009 08:27:09

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

Heethy Member

Member since 16 February 2011

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?