Travel Cyprus eSIM | Cyta, Epic & PrimeTel Coverage
Roami
Roami is a global eSIM carrier focused on travel connectivity. This guide is compiled from network data, official carrier and manufacturer documentation, and traveler inquiries.
📑 Table of Contents
Cyprus is the one European destination where the carrier question is not only “which network is fastest” but “which side of the island are you on?” The Republic of Cyprus in the south is served by Cyta, Epic (formerly MTN Cyprus), PrimeTel and Cablenet. The Turkish-administered north runs on completely separate Turkish operators — Turkcell KKTC and Telsim Vodafone — that a standard Cyprus eSIM does not include. Cross the Green Line and your southern eSIM simply stops, and your phone may quietly grab a northern signal. This guide answers which southern carrier your eSIM should ride, how to buy as a visitor, and how to handle the line.
Quick answer: Go with Cyta if coverage matters more than price, PrimeTel if you are staying around the main urban centres. First, confirm your phone actually supports eSIM — the compatibility checker sorts it out in a minute.
A carrier is only as strong as the profile install behind it — if either part feels shaky, begin with the eSIM compatibility tool and the eSIM activation guide. Then come back for the network verdicts.
Quick verdict: A Cyprus eSIM only covers the Republic. Staying in the south? Cyta has the widest reach into the Troodos mountains; Epic (the old MTN) is repeatedly rated fastest by Ookla; PrimeTel is the urban-coastal value pick; Cablenet bundles mobile with its cable TV/internet. All four cover the Republic only. Heading north to Kyrenia or Famagusta? Your southern eSIM goes dark — plan for it. A travel eSIM on the southern networks means no passport queue and automatic EU roam-like-home on some carriers.
Where does a Cyprus eSIM work, and where does it stop?
Cyprus eSIM coverage, south versus north:
| South (Republic of Cyprus) | North (Turkish-administered) | |
|---|---|---|
| Regulator | OCECPR | Turkey’s BTK framework |
| Operators | Cyta, Epic, PrimeTel, Cablenet | Turkcell KKTC, Telsim Vodafone |
| Standard Cyprus eSIM works? | Yes | No |
| EU roam-like-home | Yes, on Epic/Cyta prepaid | No |
| What to do up north | Use Wi-Fi, or a separate Turkish/regional eSIM | Local SIM from a northern operator |
The practical rule: a Cyprus eSIM covers the Republic and stops at the Green Line. Whether you pick Cyta, Epic or PrimeTel changes fine coverage differences; the far bigger fact is the border itself.
Cyta, Epic, PrimeTel or Cablenet: which network should I use?
| Cyta (Cytamobile-Vodafone) | Epic (formerly MTN) | PrimeTel | Cablenet | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market role | State-owned, largest | Monaco Telecom-owned, rated fastest | ~10.7% share, urban-strong | Cable operator turned MNO |
| Coverage | Widest, incl. remote/rural | 99%+ population, fastest 5G | Strong in towns/coast | Good in populated areas |
| eSIM for prepaid | Yes | Yes | Yes (first to offer prepaid eSIM) | Yes |
| Best for | Mountains, reliability | Speed, city 5G | Value, coastal stays | Bundle with home broadband |
| EU roaming | Yes (prepaid) | Yes (“roam like home”) | Limited vs Cyta/Epic | Limited |
Note the rebrand: MTN Cyprus became Epic after Monaco Telecom’s acquisition — if you see “MTN” in older guides, it means Epic today.
Before you buy a local eSIM: documents, euros, border reality
Cyprus is in the EU, so registration rules are the EU standard — but the border changes how you should think about connectivity.
| What | Detail | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Passport or EU national ID | Physical document only — a phone photo is refused | Mandatory prepaid SIM registration by EU law |
| Unlocked phone | Carrier-lock blocks any eSIM | Check Settings → About; the lock field must show an unlocked handset |
| EUR cash or card | Southern kiosks take both, village shops vary | Small top-up points can be card-only or cash-only |
| Wi-Fi | Install a travel eSIM at home, not at Larnaca/Paphos | Airport counters keep limited hours |
| Plan for the north | A southern eSIM does not cover the north | Buy a separate Turkish/regional eSIM or rely on Wi-Fi up north |
| EU roam-like-home awareness | Only on Cyta/Epic prepaid, subject to fair use | Don’t assume it on PrimeTel/Cablenet or on the north side |
If your home SIM is EU/EEA-issued, you may not need a local SIM at all — roam-like-home applies. Everyone else (UK post-Brexit, US, and most other visitors) should plan for a local or travel eSIM.
What do Cyta, Epic and PrimeTel prepaid plans cost?
The four southern operators are genuinely close on everyday coverage. The Cyprus eSIM decision is plan value, airport convenience and — for PrimeTel/Cablenet — bundle fit.
Cyta — the widest reach
Cyta (Cytamobile-Vodafone) is the former state monopoly and still the safest pick for driving beyond the resort strip: it reaches the Troodos mountains and rural villages where the others thin out. It also has the most tourist-convenient sales points — kiosks in arrivals at both Larnaca (LCA) and Paphos (PFO) airports, per this 2026 provider guide.
Cyta prepaid plans (EUR, ~VAT incl.):
| Plan | Data | Validity | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soeasy 5GB | 5 GB | 30 days | ~€10 | Available at airport kiosks |
| eSIM 20GB | 20 GB | 30 days | ~€10 | Buy in Cyta shops / by phone 132 |
| Unlimited Week | Unlimited | 7 days | ~€5 | Activate via SMS “ΜΙ UNL7” to 8000 |
How a visitor buys Cyta:
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At a Larnaca/Paphos airport kiosk, any Cyta shop, or by calling 132.
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Present a physical passport or EU ID for registration.
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For eSIM, buy the eSIM line online or in store and scan the QR.
Quirk: Cyta’s eSIM is most readily available on postpaid; prepaid eSIM is sold but confirm at the counter. EU roam-like-home is included on prepaid.
Cyta vs Epic Cyprus: which Cyprus carrier is faster?
Epic (ex-MTN) is repeatedly rated fastest in Cyprus by Ookla and tends to undercut Cyta on data-per-euro, which matters for stays longer than a fortnight. eSIM works on both prepaid and postpaid.
Epic prepaid / tourist plans (EUR):
| Plan | Data | Validity | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pay As You Go | base €2 + data-on | top-up | ~€2 start | “data on month” = 12 GB/30 days; “month 2000” = 25 GB |
| Traveller 10GB | 10 GB | 30 days | ~€15 | Tourist-friendly |
| Traveller 20GB | 20 GB | 30 days | ~€20 | Best prepaid value |
| Holiday Internet | 20 GB | 15 days | ~€20 | Unlimited-capped for a 2-week break |
How a visitor buys Epic:
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Order the eSIM online and activate via QR, or visit an Epic store in Nicosia, Limassol or Paphos malls.
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Present physical ID for registration.
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Set the line as your mobile-data line on arrival.
Quirk: Epic’s “data on month” and “month 2000” SMS activations (to 6040) are the cheapest per-GB if you are comfortable with the top-up menu. Roam-like-home is included on prepaid.
PrimeTel: the cheapest option in towns and on the coast
PrimeTel is the mobile arm of a cable/broadband company. It is the cheapest of the four in towns and along the coast, and it was the first southern operator to sell a prepaid eSIM — but it is not the first pick for remote routes.
PrimeTel prepaid / PAYG plans (EUR):
| Plan | Data | Validity | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Go 8GB | 8 GB | 30 days | ~€12 | Auto-renew option |
| PAYG 60GB | 60 GB | 30 days | ~€10 | Data-only |
| PAYG 250GB | 250 GB | 60 days | ~€20 | Data-only |
| PAYG 500GB | 500 GB | 90 days | ~€50 | Data-only |
| eSIM 250GB | 250 GB | 30 days | ~€20 | Prepaid eSIM |
How a visitor buys PrimeTel:
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PrimeTel shops (fewer locations, mainly cities) or online.
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Physical ID for registration.
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eSIM issued for a fee (~€16.95 with 10 GB in some offers, per NextExpat’s Cyprus SIM prices) and tied to the device — reinstall needs a store visit for a new QR.
Quirk: PrimeTel eSIM is device-tied, so if you change phones mid-trip you must revisit a store for a fresh QR — a travel eSIM avoids that.
Cablenet — bundle it with your broadband
Cablenet is a cable operator that became a full mobile network. It is worth considering mainly if you already take its home internet, since bundled discounts appear. Mobile prepaid uses the APN cablenet.
How a visitor buys Cablenet:
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Cablenet stores or online; physical ID required.
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Choose a mobile line, often pitched alongside a home-broadband bundle.
Quirk: Coverage is best where its cable footprint runs, and EU roaming on Cablenet prepaid is more limited than on Cyta/Epic — fine if you stay in the Republic, weaker if you roam onward in the EU.
Should I buy a local SIM or a travel eSIM in Cyprus?
| Step | Local prepaid SIM | Travel eSIM |
|---|---|---|
| ID required | Passport; address may be requested | None at point of sale |
| Where | Airport (Larnaca LCA / Paphos PFO), carrier stores, kiosks | Before departure, by QR |
| Local number | Yes | No (data-only) |
| EU roaming | Included on Epic/Cyta prepaid | Depends on plan |
| Best for | Longer stays, local calls | Short trips, instant landing |
Prepaid SIMs in the Republic must be registered to an ID — bring your passport. EU rules also mean Epic and Cyta prepaid lines include roam-like-home in the EU/EEA + UK at domestic rates (as long as you use the line more at home than abroad). A travel eSIM skips the counter but is data-only.
The Green Line and your Cyprus eSIM
This is the uniquely Cypriot trap for any Cyprus eSIM, and it bites near the buffer zone — most sharply in central Nicosia, where the line runs through the city.
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Your phone seeks the strongest signal. Near the line it may lock onto a northern Turkish network even while you stand in the south.
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If that happens: your southern eSIM data stops (it doesn’t cover northern masts), and your home line, if its roaming is on, can bill Turkish roaming.
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Fix: glance at the network name when near the line. If it shows a Turkish operator, go to Settings → Cellular → Network Selection, switch from automatic to manual, and pick Cyta, Epic or PrimeTel. Toggling airplane mode also forces a re-scan.
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Prevent: keep data roaming off on your home line the whole trip. That alone blocks any surprise northern charge.
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Away from the line — the coast, the resorts, the Troodos interior — none of this applies; the phone stays cleanly on a southern network.
Cyprus eSIM coverage and the Green Line crossing points
If you do go north, knowing the crossing points saves time — and explains why your eSIM dies the moment you pass.
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Ledra Street (Nicosia) — pedestrian only, the most central crossing, open limited daytime hours. Walk through the heart of the divided city.
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Ledra Palace (Nicosia) — pedestrian only, just west of the old town; the main foot crossing for NGO/UN traffic and visitors.
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Metehan / Agios Dometios — the principal vehicle crossing on the western edge of Nicosia; this is where most rental cars and buses go through.
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Astromeritis / Zod — the western vehicle crossing toward Morphou and the north-west; quieter than Metehan.
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Pyla — a village that sits inside the buffer zone, reachable from both sides without a full crossing; a useful reminder that the line is not a single wall.
All of these are in the Republic’s buffer zone, so your southern eSIM still works up to the checkpoint — then cuts out on the northern side, where only Turkcell KKTC and Telsim Vodafone operate. Either carry a separate eSIM/regional plan for the north, or plan to use Wi-Fi in Kyrenia and Famagusta.
Cyprus eSIM coverage: what works where
| Region | Signal reality | Best Cyprus eSIM carrier | What to watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nicosia (south) & buffer zone | Strong in the city; the line cuts through it | Epic or Cyta | Green Line signal grab near the zone |
| Limassol, Larnaca, Paphos coast | 5G along the strip, busy in summer | PrimeTel / Epic | Promenades congest July–August |
| Troodos mountains | Valleys covered; high passes patchy | Cyta (best rural reach) | Download offline maps before drives |
| Ayia Napa / Protaras / Fig Tree Bay | Fast beach-resort 5G | PrimeTel / Epic | Summer crowding |
| Larnaca & Paphos airport corridors | Solid 4G/5G to the terminals | Any | Airport counters keep limited hours |
| Paphos villages & Akamas | Coastal fine; interior thins | Cyta | Few masts in the wild west |
| West-coast quiet roads | 4G in towns, gaps between | Cyta | Don’t rely on signal between villages |
| North (Kyrenia, Famagusta, Karpaz) | Separate Turkish networks | — | Southern eSIM has no signal |
Extending the trip past the island? Here are the neighbouring guides:
💡 For most of a southern trip you just let the phone connect automatically — manual operator selection is a Green Line fix, not an everyday step.
Cyprus eSIM speeds: Cyta vs Epic Cyprus
Ookla’s Speedtest Global Index for August 2026 puts Cyprus 45th worldwide for mobile download, at a median of 109.52 Mbps and 16 ms latency — just above the 109.05 Mbps global median.
On price, Cable.co.uk values 1 GB of Cypriot mobile data at about USD 2.41 — 176th of 237 markets against a USD 2.59 global average, i.e. right around the world norm.
For context, DataReportal reports 1.29 million internet users in Cyprus (94.7% penetration) and 2.53 million mobile connections — about 186% of the population — at the start of 2025.
Cyprus has no published per-carrier Speedtest Connectivity Report either, so operator-level Mbps are left qualitative rather than estimated. The ranking above — Epic quickest on Ookla recognition, Cyta widest — comes from operator and independent reporting.
Which carrier should I choose for my trip to Cyprus?
Which Cyprus eSIM suits which trip:
| Trip type | Recommended carrier | The reason | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Troodos mountains / rural | Cyta | Best rural and mountain reach | Other networks thin out fast |
| City 5G, speed | Epic | Repeatedly rated fastest in Cyprus | Slightly pricier than PrimeTel |
| Coastal resort, value | PrimeTel | Strong coast, keen pricing | Weaker in remote interior |
| Bundle with home broadband | Cablenet | Mobile + cable TV/internet deals | Coverage best where its cable runs |
| Day trip to the north | Separate eSIM / Wi-Fi | Southern plan dies at the line | Don’t rely on a Republic eSIM up north |
| EU/EEA onward travel | Epic or Cyta prepaid | Roam-like-home included | Check fair-use on long trips |
| Week-long beach break (Ayia Napa) | PrimeTel or Epic | Fast resort 5G, good value | Summer crowding on the network |
| Long stay, data-heavy | Epic Traveller 20GB / Cyta eSIM 20GB | Best per-GB prepaid | Re-up before the 30-day expiry |
How do I enter the APN on a Cypriot carrier SIM?
Only needed if you bought a local SIM or eSIM directly from a Cypriot operator. Travel eSIMs set their own APN — leave it alone.
| Carrier | APN | Username | Password |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyta | internet |
blank | blank |
| Epic (formerly MTN) | internet |
blank | blank |
| PrimeTel | internet |
blank | blank |
| Cablenet | cablenet |
blank | blank |
When manual entry is required:
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iPhone: enter it under Settings → Cellular → your eSIM line → Cellular Data Network
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Android: add a new entry under Settings → Connections → Mobile Networks → Access Point Names
Save and reboot, then point mobile data at the eSIM line rather than your home SIM. Cablenet publishes cablenet / cablenet explicitly for its prepaid users, per Cablenet’s prepaid APN guidance.
Cyprus-specific eSIM problems and how to fix them
Ordinary eSIM failures have nothing to do with Cyprus — a code that will not scan, a profile stuck mid-install, a line that never shows up. For those, follow the step-by-step eSIM activation guide and the wider activation troubleshooting guide. The failures below are the island’s own.
Before you fly: a Cyprus eSIM covers the Republic, not the north
Install at home rather than at Larnaca or Paphos, where counters keep limited hours and arrival Wi-Fi is thin. Then be honest about scope: a Cyprus eSIM covers the Republic of Cyprus only. Plan the north from the start — either a Turkish/regional eSIM or a decision to live on Wi-Fi in Kyrenia and Famagusta. If your home line is EU/EEA-issued, roam-like-home may already cover the south and you can skip the local SIM.
Why did my signal disappear near the Green Line?
The signature Cypriot fault. A handset prefers the strongest tower, and around central Nicosia the line runs through the city, so a Turkcell KKTC or Telsim mast can win even while you stand in the south. Your Republic eSIM data then stops, and an unguarded home line can bill Turkish roaming. Go to Settings → Cellular → Network Selection, switch from automatic to manual, and pick Cyta, Epic or PrimeTel. Toggling airplane mode forces the same re-scan in a hurry.
APN values for Cyta, Epic Cyprus and PrimeTel eSIMs
Southern APNs are mostly internet (Cablenet is the exception, at cablenet), so a fresh prepaid line usually works untouched; when it does not, re-enter the value from the table above and reboot. If bars are strong and the page still hangs, the plan is probably spent — PrimeTel and Epic prepaid are data-capped rather than throttled, so the fix is a top-up, not a setting.
Does roam-like-home still apply if I stay a month?
EU fair-use rules let Cyta and Epic prepaid lines roam at domestic rates only while you use the line more at home than abroad. Spend a fortnight in Limassol on a Cypriot SIM and the operator can apply a surcharge or trim speeds. If you are in Cyprus for the long haul, budget for that rather than assuming roam-like-home is unlimited.
What happens if I switch phones mid-trip?
PrimeTel eSIMs are tied to the device that installed them. Change handsets mid-trip and you need a fresh QR from a store — there is no remote reinstall. A travel eSIM reinstalls from its own portal, which is why it suits anyone likely to swap phones.
What the support desk will ask you first
Desks in Nicosia, Limassol and Paphos start from the ID record, not an online order:
| What they ask | Where it lives |
|---|---|
| The ID the line was registered to | The physical passport or EU ID used at purchase |
| Which southern network you are on | eSIM line name in Settings → Cellular |
| Where you were when it failed | Name the town — the buffer zone changes the answer |
| Roaming status of your home line | Settings → your home line |
| A screenshot of the fault | Capture it before it clears |
| For PrimeTel, the handset IMEI, if reinstalling | *#06# — the prepaid eSIM is device-tied |
For a travel eSIM, the southern operators hold no record of the product; keep the confirmation email, your EID (*#06#) and a screenshot to hand and raise it with the provider instead.
Your questions answered
Can you buy a Cyprus eSIM from Cyta?
Yes. Cyta runs arrivals kiosks at both Larnaca (LCA) and Paphos (PFO), and the other southern operators sell through city stores. Airport counters keep limited hours though — a Cyprus eSIM bought from a travel provider before you fly is live the moment you land, with no counter visit.
Is “MTN Cyprus” still a thing?
No — MTN Cyprus was acquired by Monaco Telecom and rebranded to Epic. Any guide naming MTN means Epic today. Airport signage and some older kiosks still carry the old branding, so check the logo before paying at a counter.
Cyta vs Epic Cyprus: coverage compared
Cyta has the widest footprint, especially into the Troodos mountains and rural areas; Epic reaches 99%+ of the population and is repeatedly rated fastest by Ookla. PrimeTel and Cablenet are strong in towns and along the coast.
Will my Cyprus eSIM work in the north?
No. The Turkish-administered north runs on Turkcell KKTC and Telsim Vodafone — separate networks a Republic eSIM doesn’t include. Use Wi-Fi or a separate eSIM up there, and keep home-line roaming off near the Green Line.
Is SIM registration mandatory in Cyprus?
Yes, for a local prepaid SIM — registration to an ID is required (EU law). A travel eSIM needs no passport at point of sale.
What Cyprus carriers charge for roaming
Epic and Cyta prepaid lines include EU/EEA + UK roaming at domestic rates under the roam-like-home principle (subject to fair use). PrimeTel and Cablenet prepaid roaming is more limited, and the north side is entirely outside the EU scheme.
Is 10 GB of data enough in Cyprus?
PrimeTel is typically the value leader in towns and on the coast (e.g. 60 GB PAYG €10); Epic’s Traveller 20GB (€20) and Cyta’s eSIM 20GB (~€10) are strong too. Cable.co.uk prices local data at ≈ USD 2.41/GB, near the global average.
Where exactly can I cross the Green Line?
On foot through Ledra Street or Ledra Palace in central Nicosia, or by vehicle at Metehan/Agios Dometios (western Nicosia) or Astromeritis/Zod (north-west). Pyla village sits in the buffer zone itself. Your southern eSIM works to the checkpoint, then stops.
Is my EU home SIM enough in Cyprus?
Usually yes — Cyprus is in the EU, so roam-like-home gives you domestic rates within fair-use limits. UK, US and most other visitors will want a local or travel eSIM instead.
Can a Cyprus eSIM and my home number both stay active?
Yes — keep your home line for calls/SMS, run data on the eSIM, and switch off data roaming on the home line to avoid any border-zone charge.
Three fixes that solve most Cyprus eSIM problems
The quick fixes: near the Green Line, switch network selection to manual and pick Cyta, Epic or PrimeTel before a Turkish mast grabs the phone. In the Troodos, download offline maps before the drive — the high passes are patchy on every network. And if the bars are strong but the page hangs, the prepaid allowance is probably spent — a top-up fixes it, not a setting.
Where do I go when none of the fixes work?
Start with the island patterns above — the Green Line signal grab, an APN or spent allowance, a roam-like-home fair-use trim, a PrimeTel device-lock — and if none of them fits, our troubleshooting guide covers the rest. Bring the EID and order number, plus a screenshot of the fault.
More questions? View the full FAQ →
Sourcing behind this Cyprus carrier guide
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Ookla, Cable.co.uk, DataReportal, the Expat Focus operator overview, NextExpat pricing and Cablenet APN guidance are linked inline at each claim.
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Prepaid tariffs and airport kiosks: Expats.cy provider guide (linked inline above) and Cyprus-FAQ tourist SIM tariffs.
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Coverage notes: Expat Focus Cyprus internet guide.
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Regulator: OCECPR (ocecpr.org.cy) — no specific ruling page cited.
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Market scores sourced from GSMA Mobile Connectivity Index.
These figures are third-party, so expect your own to drift with the handset, the band in use and how busy that island cell happens to be when you run a test.
Get your Cyprus eSIM ready before you fly
A Roami Cyprus eSIM works across the southern networks — Cyta, Epic, PrimeTel and Cablenet — and moves between them as you drive from Larnaca up into the Troodos. North of the Green Line you will still want a separate plan or Wi-Fi, so settle that before you go rather than at the checkpoint. If you have not bought from Roami before, take a free Cyprus trial eSIM at no cost, or apply code WEB20 to a paid Cyprus plan for 20% off.
The free trial and the WEB20 20%-off code are for new Roami customers only.
