The upcoming rollout of 5G network connectivity in Türkiye, scheduled for next year, is expected to transform the country’s mobile market and open the door to new service models and applications, particularly in areas such as augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), according to industry representatives.
They say widespread 5G use will bring the speed, low latency and broad coverage required for next-generation digital services, but only if the proper infrastructure is built to support it.
Halil Nadir Teberci, chair of the carrier operators’ association Telkoder, recently told the Anadolu Agency (AA) that 5G users will consume far more data, prompting companies to invest in fiber networks and shared infrastructure. Such upgrades, he said, will drive growth across Türkiye’s mobile market.
"The most important factor in making 5G-compatible devices more widespread is to make a robust infrastructure available for these devices. Accelerating and expanding fiber investments will be decisive in the effective use of these devices, as without such an infrastructure, 5G services can’t be provided properly,” he said.
Teberci said sharing infrastructure could cut costs and expand access. "If relevant institutions supporting and facilitating infrastructure sharing adopt this approach, it will be key in ensuring the fair and balanced coverage of 5G nationwide," he said.
He also called for long-delayed reforms to support new entrants.
"It is also important to implement the virtual mobile network service, something that has long remained unresolved and to integrate it into the 5G tender process," Teberci said.
"With this integration into 5G, the service will facilitate new mobile carriers to enter the market and open up space for carriers who wish to offer services by leasing the infrastructure of existing carriers, which will lead to a price drop, in favor of subscribers – this will bring the greatest benefit to both the sector and the consumers," he added.
Mustafa Kemal Turnacı, chairperson of the Communications and Information Technologies Association, MOBISAD, said demand for 5G-ready smartphones will surge sharply once the technology goes live.
TurnacI projected a 20%-30% increase in smartphone sales between 2026 and 2030, with mobile service revenues also rising by 8%-15% over the same period.
He noted that while 5G phones remain costly, "carriers and manufacturers have already begun campaigns with affordable and homegrown devices," he said.
Turnacı added that 5G will fuel Türkiye’s digital economy and create new opportunities for entrepreneurs.
"Applications with high bandwidth requirements, such as AR and VR, high-definition video streaming, live broadcasting, and gaming, are expected to become more widespread,” he said.
"For instance, low-latency and secure private 5G networks will enable factories, logistics centers and mining sites to benefit from this technology, while independent carriers will be able to offer both infrastructure and software solutions.”
"Robots, production lines powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and AR-powered maintenance processes will become more efficient, and Türkiye’s local ecosystem will be strengthened with 5G," he added.
"Türkiye, as a bridge between Europe, the Middle East and Asia, can become a strategic hub for 5G-supported data and service centers."
He said carriers will likely prioritize industrial hubs such as Bursa, Kocaeli and Gaziantep, where 5G could sharply improve production efficiency.
However, Turnacı warned that it would be unsustainable for every mobile operator to build a nationwide 5G network alone. He urged regulators to make infrastructure sharing easier and legally safe. He noted that the Information and Communications Technologies Authority (BTK) should state clear rules to boost infrastructure sharing.
"Regulations on this could ease the concerns of carriers in terms of compliance with competition laws when using shared infrastructure," he said. "State funds and other support can be mobilized for shared base stations and fiber investments in rural areas, while municipalities can facilitate tower construction, licensing and excavation for fiber permits.”
"We think that this roadmap can ensure that 5G is technically and economically accessible in Türkiye," he added.
