Türkiye has entered a new phase in its digital transformation journey with the activation of fifth generation (5G) mobile communication infrastructure, marking a strategic milestone in strengthening high-capacity connectivity and enabling advanced digital applications across industry, public services, and next-generation technology ecosystems. Initially launched in the provincial centers of all 81 cities, the new-generation infrastructure is planned to expand nationwide within two years, supporting Türkiye's efforts to enhance secure digital capacity and reinforce its competitiveness in the international technology landscape.
The transition was formally inaugurated at the “Strong Türkiye in Communication with 5G" ceremony held at the Presidential Complex, with the participation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, Turkcell CEO Ali Taha Koç, Vodafone Türkiye CEO Engin Aksoy, and Türk Telekom CEO Ebubekir Şahin, highlighting the coordinated engagement of public institutions and private sector stakeholders in advancing Türkiye's next-generation communications infrastructure.
During his remarks at the ceremony, President Erdoğan emphasized that the nationwide deployment of 5G marks the beginning of a new phase in Türkiye's communications infrastructure and industrial transformation. The President noted that 5G enables real-time, data-driven production environments supported by smart sensors, robotic systems, and digitally integrated production lines, and underlined that the transition will contribute to higher productivity across industrial ecosystems while supporting the expansion of high-value manufacturing capabilities. President Erdoğan further stressed that, in the data age, digital infrastructure must be considered alongside cloud systems, data centers, artificial intelligence (AI) capacity, and cybersecurity architecture, noting that strengthening these capabilities is a strategic priority for safeguarding national data security and reinforcing Türkiye's digital sovereignty.
Offering data transmission speeds up to ten times faster than previous-generation technologies, ultra-low latency at the millisecond level, and the capacity to connect millions of devices simultaneously, 5G infrastructure is expected to accelerate the deployment of advanced applications across organized industrial zones, logistics hubs, healthcare services, transportation systems, and smart city platforms. Its cloud-native, software-defined architecture further enables the development of flexible communication environments tailored to sector-specific needs, supporting real-time analytics, intelligent mobility systems, and enhanced public service delivery.
Domestic technology development remains a central pillar of the rollout strategy. In the initial phase, operators are expected to utilize certified, locally produced components at a rate of approximately 60 percent and nationally developed communication technologies at around 30 percent, with these ratios planned to increase over time. Minister Uraloğlu emphasized that strengthening advanced communications infrastructure with strong domestic participation represents an important step toward enhancing secure data management capacity, supporting innovation-driven industrial transformation, and reinforcing Türkiye's ability to deploy resilient next-generation connectivity solutions across both metropolitan centers and regional production ecosystems.
Integrated with investments in cloud infrastructure, data centers, AI applications, and cybersecurity architecture, the nationwide expansion of 5G is expected to further support Türkiye's transition toward a productivity-focused digital economy and strengthen its position as the nexus of digital and technology within its region and across emerging connectivity corridors.