Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu announced that efforts to roll out 5G technologies nationwide in Turkey have reached their final stages. Sharing the progress of 5G deployment, the Minister stated that a total of 400 MHz of frequency will be made available to mobile network operators in the 700 MHz and 3.5 GHz bands.

Turkey is getting ready for 5G

The official process for the 5G tender began with a Presidential Decree published in the Official Gazette on August 16. Minister Uraloğlu stated that mobile communication technologies in Turkey began with 2G, continued with 3G and 4.5G, and are now transitioning to 5G.

Uraloğlu emphasized that 5G will offer internet speeds 10 to 100 times faster than 4.5G. The published decree set separate minimum values for each frequency band for the tender. Uraloğlu stated that due to the nature of mobile networks, new standards build upon previous ones, and that existing authorizations are also included in the tender. The date and key elements of the tender will be announced to the public shortly after the minimum values are determined.

It is reported that 5G technology is currently being tested by citizens at Istanbul Airport and the stadiums of Beşiktaş, Fenerbahçe, Galatasaray, and Trabzonspor. It is also known that trials are ongoing with closed user groups in approximately 40 locations.

This continuous development in mobile communication technologies not only increases individual internet speeds. 5G serves as a fundamental infrastructure for many sectors, including the Internet of Things, smart city applications, and industrial automation. This step by the Ministry is considered a strategic move to achieve Turkey’s digital transformation goals and to stand out in the global technology race.