Turkey is making a decisive move to accelerate its digital transformation with a nationwide 5G rollout, highlighted by a major frequency tender scheduled for October 16, 2025. This long-awaited auction, confirmed by Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, is set to pave the way for commercial 5G services to begin in April 2026.
The tender, organized by the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK), will offer 11 frequency packages with a total minimum value of $2.125 billion. The spectrum will be allocated across the crucial 700 MHz and 3.5 GHz bands, with the 700 MHz packages being particularly valuable for broad coverage. The tender’s rules stipulate that only existing mobile network operators—Turkcell, Türk Telekom, and Vodafone Turkey—can participate, positioning them to compete fiercely for the new licenses.
This initiative is part of a broader national strategy to establish Turkey as a regional digital hub. It aims to boost industries like manufacturing, logistics, and smart cities through faster speeds and enhanced connectivity. The new licenses will be valid until 2044, a long-term commitment that signals confidence and stability for investors. Furthermore, operators are required to pay 5% of their annual revenues to extend their existing licenses, a move that provides a predictable revenue stream for the government. With the tender date set and local operators like Turkcell and Türk Telekom already preparing their infrastructure, the path to a full-fledged 5G era in Turkey is now clearer than ever.
