Turkey’s 5G rollout took a major step forward as the country concluded its 5G spectrum auction on Thursday, generating a total of $2.95 billion in winning bids.
The 5G spectrum auction saw major telecom operators Turkcell, Vodafone, and Turk Telekom secure critical frequency blocks in both the 700 MHz and 3.5 GHz bands, paving the way for next-generation mobile services across the nation, Reuters news report said.
Turkcell Leads with $1.22 Billion in Winning Bids
Turkcell emerged as the top bidder, placing $429 million for the A1 package in the 700 MHz band and winning four blocks in the 3.5 GHz range. The company’s total winning bids amounted to $1.22 billion, highlighting its aggressive push to establish a strong 5G presence.
Turk Telekom and Vodafone Follow Closely
Turk Telekom secured the A3 package for $425 million along with two 3.5 GHz blocks, totaling $1.1 billion in winning bids.
Vodafone won the A2 package for $426 million and a single 3.5 GHz block, bringing its total to $627 million.
The auction not only distributed 5G frequencies but also extended the usage rights of existing 2G and 3G networks until 2042, ensuring continuity for legacy services while operators prepare for next-generation deployments.
5G Rollout Expected from April 2026
Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu confirmed that Turkey’s first 5G signals will be launched on April 1, 2026, starting with major urban centers. The nationwide expansion of 5G coverage is expected to take a little over a year, initially targeting densely populated cities before reaching smaller towns and rural areas.
Tender Details and Future Network Investments
The tender offered frequencies in three 700 MHz blocks and eight 3.5 GHz blocks. While the operators have not disclosed their network investment plans, analysts predict a multi-year, multi-billion-dollar upgrade to fully deploy 5G networks across Turkey.
For context, the previous mobile frequency auction, held in 2015 for 4.5G services, raised €4 billion ($4.66 billion including VAT) for a 15-year license period. This demonstrates the growing scale and economic significance of Turkey’s 5G infrastructure efforts.
Extended Authorisation Period for Legacy Networks
In addition to 5G allocations, the auction extended 2G and 3G service authorizations — originally set to expire in 2029 — until 2042. Under this arrangement, mobile operators will contribute 5 percent of their annual sales from these services to Turkey’s Treasury, ensuring continued revenue for the government while supporting network modernization.
Looking Ahead
With 5G deployment set to begin next year, Turkey is positioning itself to compete with regional peers in mobile connectivity and digital innovation. The combined investment from Turkcell, Turk Telekom, and Vodafone signals the start of a transformative era in telecommunications, offering faster mobile speeds, low-latency services, and enhanced connectivity for millions of Turkish consumers and businesses.
Baburajan Kizhakedath