The 5G era begins in Türkiye: What do we know about the new technology?

Turkcell secured the highest frequency allocation in the tender, followed by Türk Telekom and Vodafone in third place. The three operators committed to a total payment of $2.945 billion. In the 700 MHz band, all three operators received equal amounts of frequency, providing equal performance in rural areas.

Launch will be held in April 2026

This development means much faster, more reliable, and lower-latency internet for users in the near future. 5G is planned to be initially available in densely populated areas in Türkiye, followed by nationwide expansion. The official launch date is April 1, 2026.

5G isn't just a technology that offers faster download and upload speeds. Its low latency also lays the groundwork for technologies like smart cities, autonomous vehicles, and the Internet of Things (IoT). This means it has the potential to revolutionize everything from daily life to industrial automation.

5G MAKES A DIFFERENCE

The generational transformation in mobile communications has been ongoing for a long time. While 1G was limited to analog voice, 2G brought digitalization, 3G mobile internet, and 4G broadband. 5G, however, stands out not so much for its network speed but for its flexibility, latency, and the number of devices it can connect.

The concept of IoT, or the "internet of things," is particularly closely linked to the development of 5G. Connecting many devices, from home appliances and healthcare devices to traffic and manufacturing systems, over the internet will become more efficient thanks to 5G.

The delays Türkiye experienced in the 4G era also shed light on this new transition process. In 2016, the transition was made directly to LTE-Advanced, or "4.5G," instead of 4G. This decision was driven by economic and strategic considerations. Now, Türkiye is charting its own course in the 5G transition.

Not all infrastructure is suitable yet

While not all infrastructure is yet compatible with 5G, operators are starting to offer 5G services with a temporary system called NSA (Non-Standalone). This method allows 5G antennas to operate over 4G infrastructure. However, switching to SA (Standalone) is essential for all the most powerful features 5G offers.

With the new technology, users will be able to experience ultra-fast internet, especially in densely populated urban areas. The high frequencies used for 5G signals will ensure uninterrupted connection even in busy environments like stadiums.

Finally, the World Health Organization has also investigated claims that 5G poses health risks. Current scientific findings indicate that 5G technology poses no proven public health risk if used within exposure limits.