Türkiye is set to fully deploy 5G technology starting next April, marking a milestone in its digital evolution. The nation’s mobile journey, which began with 1G in 1991 and advanced through 4.5G in 2016, has now reached the final stage of 5G readiness after preparations launched in 2019.
In August, Türkiye’s Information and Communications Technologies Authority (BTK) published the minimum frequency values for the 5G rollout, setting the baseline for 11 frequency packages at $2.1 billion. The 5G tender, issued under a presidential decree, was officially announced on August 31.
Extensive test deployments have already been carried out in high-profile locations, including the stadiums of the country’s top four football clubs, IGA Istanbul Airport, parliament in Ankara, and about 30 additional sites nationwide.
The fifth-generation network promises a tenfold boost in mobile data speeds over 4.5G, near-instant latency, and the ability to connect millions of devices simultaneously—critical for powering smart cities and the Internet of Things.
Use cases will extend across nearly every sector:
- Healthcare: Remote surgeries and precision robotics will be enabled by real-time 5G systems.
- Transport & Logistics: Smart traffic systems, self-driving cars, drones, and cargo tracking will benefit from uninterrupted connectivity.
- Industry: Factories will use robots and automation powered by ultra-low latency networks.
- Agriculture: Farmers can monitor soil, irrigation, and fertilizer levels in real time.
- Education: VR- and AR-driven simulations, high-quality distance learning, and AI-enabled classrooms will transform the learning experience.
With 5G, Türkiye aims to modernize services, strengthen economic competitiveness, and unlock innovation across healthcare, education, logistics, agriculture, and energy management.
