Turkey concludes 5G auction: all 11 spectrum packages sold

event 20.10.2025 person Admin

Turkey

Turkey completed its 5G frequency auction, selling all eleven packages for USD 2.945 billion (USD 3.534 billion including 20% VAT), above the minimum bid total of USD 2.125 billion. The tender covered 400 MHz across the 700 MHz and 3.5 GHz (3500 MHz) bands. Licences are valid until 31 December 2042.

Launch & Coverage

Commercial 5G launch: 1 April 2026, starting in major cities.
Nationwide coverage target: around mid-2027.
Device base: ~22 million 5G-compatible phones (out of 87+ million mobile subscriptions as of mid-2025).
Network evolution: 3G to be phased out; 2G retained for voice/SMS once 5G is fully operational.

Operator Results & Spectrum Allocations

Operator	Packages Won	700 MHz	3.5 GHz	Winning Bids (excl. VAT)	Winning Bids (incl. 20% VAT)
Turkcell	A1, B1, B4, B5, B6	2×10 MHz	1×140 MHz	USD 1.224 billion	USD 1.469 billion
Turk Telekom (TT Mobil)	A3, B2, B7, B8	2×10 MHz	1×120 MHz	USD 1.094 billion	USD 1.313 billion
Vodafone Turkey	A2, B3	2×10 MHz	1×80 MHz	USD 627 million	USD 752 million
Total (11 packages)				USD 2.945 billion	USD 3.534 billion

Localisation & Industrial Policy

As with the 2015 4G auction, 5G licences include localisation requirements. The BTK reports that the 4G domestic production rate target of 45% has been exceeded, reaching 52%. For 5G, the domestic equipment target rises to 60%. An additional target sets that 30% of network hardware should have IP rights retained in Turkey (initial threshold at 15%, subject to product availability). These efforts are supported by the “End-to-End Domestic and National 5G Communication Network Project,” involving 14 member companies of the Communication Technologies Cluster in partnership with all three operators.

All the details are reflected in our database and can be found here: https://www.spectrum-tracker.com/Turkey