Q: how can i determine that my iPhone 5 (A1429) is a GSM or CDMA model?

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3939#iPhone5

iPhone 5

The model number on the back cover is:

A1428 on the iPhone 5 (GSM model)
A1429 on the iPhone 5 (GSM and CDMA model)
A1442 on the iPhone 5 (CDMA model, China)

Welcome to the Apple Support Communities

The A1429 CDMA iPhone is only available in the USA with Sprint and Verizon, and in Japan, so if you didn't buy it from Sprint or Verizon, you have a A1429 GSM iPhone

Signal problems aren't related with a GSM or CDMA iPhone, so it doesn't mind. You can take it to an Apple Store to check what happens

Generally, if you bought it with Sprint or Verizon, you have a CDMA iPhone. If you bought it unlocked or on any other place, it's a GSM iPhone

Contact with Apple > http://support.apple.com/kb/HE57

Why can't you just answer a straightforward question about whether you purchased the phone from either Sprint or Verizon?

Don't really know what the problem is with that?

What country is that then?  You should be okay, unless of course the retailer has somehow imported the phones for sale from some source that he has not told you about.

Buyer beware!!

If officially unlocked iPhones are not sold in Cyprus, then if you want your phone to work, then go and purchase an offically unlocked iPhone from an Apple stores in another Euopean country such as Paris or anywhere in the UK. 

If you buy the phone in Europe, then it will work with LTE and 4G on European networks and you also have the warranty cover which is Euopean wide, so you are covered for any Euopean country.

Sometimes you need to think before you buy.