4G Tender Terms Changed, Turkey To Proceed With 4.5G

The terms of Turkey's upcoming 4G telecommunications technology tender have been changed, and a tender for 4.5G technology will be held on Aug. 26, Information Technologies and Communications Authority (BTK) Deputy Chairman Ömer Fatih Sayan told the media on Thursday.

Sayan said the country would use the 4.5G technology to make the transition to 5G, effectively bypassing the 4G step. He said Turkey aims to be among the first countries to use 5G technology.

In April, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan suggested moving directly from 3G to 5G.

“We're still discussing 4G, but I think the world is talking about 5G. Therefore, we don't need to lose time pursuing 4G. Let's be patient a little while longer [and continue] with 3G," Erdoğan said in April. "Within two years Turkey will be on 5G. Otherwise, it will be a garbage dump with 4G. Let's be patient and jump from 3G to 5G. Can we do this? We definitely can," he said.

The BTK had set a May 26 deadline for a 4G tender involving 20 frequency segments at a minimum value of around 2.3 billion euros ($2.5 billion), but an announcement from the Ministry Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications last month said the tender will now be held on Aug. 26. (Cihan/Today’s Zaman)