Türkiye has received its first signal from a domestically developed 5G portable private network, marking a crucial step toward establishing a fully independent 5G infrastructure. ULAK, Türkiye’s indigenous telecom equipment manufacturer, has been at the forefront of advancing 5G infrastructure and showcased the first successful 5G signal during a 6G conference in Istanbul.
Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu announced that Türkiye is set to hold a 5G auction next year, with the first nationwide signal expected in January 2026. ULAK’s portable 4.5G base stations have been instrumental in expanding coverage and connectivity, now evolving into 5G capabilities. The new 5G private network will deliver ultra-fast data speeds and low latency, catering to both industrial enterprises and telecommunications operators.
ULAK demonstrated the capabilities of its fully domestically produced 5G radios, base stations, and core network components, achieving data speeds of up to 1.4 gigabytes per second. ULAK General Manager Ruşen Kömürcü emphasized the significance of this achievement, highlighting the development of Türkiye’s self-reliant telecommunications sector. The 5G network is expected to provide speeds up to 50 times faster than the current 4.5G technology.
This milestone demonstrates Türkiye’s commitment to reducing reliance on foreign tech providers and establishing a robust, homegrown telecommunications infrastructure. With approximately 3,000 4.5G base stations already in operation, ULAK is well-positioned for the upcoming 5G rollout.
