Turkey Plans $2.1B 5G Frequency Tender October

Turkey is set to launch its long-awaited 5G frequency tender in October, with initial 5G services expected to begin in 2026 and nationwide coverage planned within a few years thereafter. The government has consulted with the country's three major telecom operators—state-controlled Turkcell, Turk Telekom, and Vodafone's Turkish unit—and studied European 5G models to develop the tender specifications. The auction will feature 11 frequency packages across the 700 MHz and 3.5 GHz bands, with a minimum combined price of $2.13 billion, and operators will pay 5% of their annual revenues to renew mobile network licenses expiring in 2029. This strategic move aims to accelerate Turkey's digital transformation by boosting telecom investment and expanding advanced 5G infrastructure, potentially positioning the country as a digital bridge between Europe and Asia. The delay from an initial August target to October was to allow more preparation time for bidders. Officials emphasized balancing public interest with enabling operators' investment capabilities to ensure the tender's success.