Turkey to initiate 5G auction on October 16, with the service expected to launch in April 2026, according to the minister.

Turkey is set to launch a 5G frequency tender on October 16, 2022. The tender, which was announced recently, will offer a new authorization regime for mobile operators' infrastructure and services, replacing the existing mobile network licenses that expire in 2029.

According to the new regime, mobile operators will be required to pay 5 percent of their annual revenues to the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) starting from 2029. This change is part of a broader effort to modernise Turkey's telecommunications sector.

The tender will allocate a total of 11 different frequency packages to operators, with a focus on the 700 MHz and 3.5 GHz bands. The total frequency allocated through the tender is 400 MHz. The tender specifications for the 5G frequency have been published in the Official Gazette.

Three major players - government-controlled Turkcell and Turk Telekom, along with Vodafone's Turkish unit - are eligible to participate in the tender. However, the search results do not provide specific information on other mobile operators that may be eligible to participate in Turkey's planned 5G frequency auction.

Operators holding GSM and 4.5G licenses can participate in the tender. Once the auction is complete, operators will begin providing 5G services in April 2026. The authorization period for operators will extend until 31 December 2042, providing a long-term vision for the development of Turkey's 5G network.

The tender is expected to have a minimum value of $2.125 billion. The exact amounts that operators will pay will depend on the specific frequency packages they secure during the auction.

Turkey's move towards 5G follows a global trend, as countries around the world race to roll out the next generation of mobile technology. The new 5G network is expected to provide significantly faster speeds, lower latency, and the ability to connect a vast number of devices simultaneously, paving the way for a more connected and technologically advanced future.

Turkey to initiate 5G auction on October 16, with the service expected to launch in April 2026, according to the minister.