Turkey plans 5G rollout after October auction and spectrum allocations

Following consultations with operators, Turkey will auction 11 frequency packages this October, aiming for the first 5G signals in 2026.

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Turkey’s government is preparing a long-awaited 5G frequency auction in October, with the Transport and Infrastructure Minister announcing that the first services should begin in 2026.

The auction will offer 11 spectrum packages across the 700 MHz and 3.5 GHz bands, with individual packages valued between $50 million and $425 million. The minimum total reserve price is set at $2.13 billion. Operators Turkcell, Türk Telekom and Vodafone Turkey are expected to participate.

Existing mobile licences, set to expire in 2029, will be rolled over through this process. Operators will be required to contribute 5 percent of their annual revenues as part of the renewal. The government aims for full nationwide 5G rollout within a few years following the initial launch.

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