Türkiye is moving closer to introducing 5G services nationwide as the government finalizes preparations for a spectrum auction that will determine the allocation of key frequencies. Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu confirmed that the process has entered its last stage, with the auction date and specifications expected to be announced shortly. His comments followed the publication of a presidential decree in the Official Gazette, which set the minimum fees for spectrum licenses, a move that effectively clears the way for operators to bid for access to the 700 MHz and 3.5 GHz bands.
According to the decree, 400 MHz of spectrum will be released to mobile operators, divided into 11 packages with a total minimum auction value of $2.13 billion, excluding VAT. The allocation includes three packages in the 700 MHz band, each with a minimum price of $425 million, while the eight packages in the 3.5 GHz band are valued between $50 million and $200 million depending on their bandwidth. This structure is designed to encourage broad participation while ensuring that operators with stronger infrastructure commitments can secure the spectrum needed to deliver 5G at scale. Uraloğlu noted that the upcoming auction also takes into account existing authorizations for 2G, 3G, and 4.5G services, which are set to expire in 2029. Winning operators will be expected to make payments in three installments under guidelines prepared by the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK).
The decree further establishes a financial framework for operators beyond the auction itself. Starting in 2029, telecom companies will be required to contribute 5% of their gross sales between April 30 and December 31, with annual payments continuing thereafter until the expiration of current authorizations. These contributions will ensure that the allocated frequencies, numbering resources, and related infrastructure are fully incorporated into the new authorization framework. The detailed payment schedule and conditions will be set out in BTK’s tender specifications, which are currently under preparation. This regulatory clarity is seen as a necessary step to ensure transparency in spectrum management while providing the government with long-term revenue streams from telecom operations.
Telecom operators in Türkiye have already begun preparing for the transition, with significant investments made in infrastructure modernization. Türk Telekom has announced that it is ready for the 5G rollout, emphasizing its extensive fiber network and the strategic investments made in anticipation of the transition. CEO Ümit Önal highlighted that 54% of the company’s LTE base stations are now fiber-connected, a crucial factor in enabling high-speed and low-latency 5G services. Türk Telekom currently owns and maintains nearly 80% of Türkiye’s national fiber infrastructure under a concession agreement that is due to expire in 2026. According to Önal, the company is close to renewing this agreement, which will further strengthen its position as a backbone provider for the 5G era.
Turkcell, another major player, has also expressed readiness for the tender. CEO Ali Taha Koç stated that the company has finalized its financial planning to support the transition and that a large portion of its network has already been modernized for 5G compatibility. The operator has accelerated the fiberization of its base stations, a critical step for ensuring network stability and scalability once the new spectrum bands are deployed. Koç emphasized that the modernization effort reflects Turkcell’s strategic focus on ensuring a smooth migration to next-generation connectivity and integrating new base stations seamlessly into its existing infrastructure.
The announcement of minimum spectrum values and the imminent tender date mark a decisive step in Türkiye’s telecom evolution. With both Türk Telekom and Turkcell signaling their readiness and financial commitment, the stage is set for a competitive spectrum auction that will determine the pace and scale of 5G adoption across the country. The alignment of government policy, regulatory oversight, and operator readiness underscores a coordinated approach to ensuring that Türkiye can rapidly deploy advanced mobile communication technologies and unlock the benefits of 5G for its economy and citizens.
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