Wedoany.com Report-Oct. 17, On Thursday, Turkey’s 5G spectrum auction concluded, generating $2.95 billion in winning bids. Major telecom operators Turkcell, Vodafone, and Turk Telekom acquired key frequency blocks in the 700 MHz and 3.5 GHz bands, marking a significant step toward advanced mobile connectivity in the country.

A logo of the telecom company Turkcell is seen at a Turkcell shop in central Istanbul, Turkey June 18, 2020.

Turkcell secured the A1 package in the 700 MHz band for $429 million and four blocks in the 3.5 GHz band, with its total bids amounting to $1.22 billion. Turk Telekom obtained the A3 package for $425 million and two 3.5 GHz blocks, with bids totaling $1.1 billion. Vodafone won the A2 package for $426 million and one 3.5 GHz block, with its bids reaching $627 million.

The auction, with a minimum fee of $2.13 billion (excluding VAT), allocated three blocks in the 700 MHz band and eight blocks in the 3.5 GHz band. Beyond 5G frequencies, the tender extended the usage rights for 2G and 3G network frequencies until 2042, previously set to expire in 2029. Operators will contribute 5% of their annual revenue from these services to the national treasury.

The deployment of 5G services is slated to begin on April 1, 2026, starting in major urban centers, with a nationwide rollout expected to take just over a year. “The first 5G signal will be launched on April 1 and will gradually expand nationwide, starting with densely populated cities,” said Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu on Wednesday.

This auction follows Turkey’s 2015 mobile frequency auction, where operators paid €4 billion ($4.66 billion, including VAT) for 4.5G spectrum licenses valid for approximately 15 years. While the operators did not disclose network investment estimates for the 5G rollout, industry analysts anticipate a multi-year, multi-billion-dollar effort to upgrade infrastructure for next-generation connectivity.

The successful bids by Turkcell, Vodafone, and Turk Telekom reflect their commitment to enhancing Turkey’s telecommunications landscape, with 5G expected to deliver faster and more reliable mobile services across the country.