Minister Uraloğlu provided a figure! 63 million people will have to change their phones for 5G.

15.10.2025 15:58

The Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, stated that there are approximately 85 million phone users in Turkey, adding, "Out of these, 22 million, which is about a quarter, have 5G-compatible phones." According to the figures shared by Minister Uraloğlu, 63 million subscribers who do not have 5G-compatible mobile phones will have to change their devices if they want to use this feature.

The Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, participated in a special broadcast held at the Information Technologies and Communications Authority (BTK). Minister Uraloğlu stated that there will be a 10-fold increase in speed in daily use with 5G, saying, "Our main goal is to enable communication between machines, to accelerate image transmission, to perform surgical operations remotely, and to ensure that it can be reflected instantly to students and colleagues. If we come a bit more into our field, the Ministry's field, our goal is to implement smart transportation systems throughout the country."

Uraloğlu, who announced that smart transportation systems will be tested in a 40-kilometer area between Hasdal and Istanbul Airport with 5G, stated that sensors have been installed in this context and that the application will likely be put into operation next month. Uraloğlu noted that with the system in question, drivers will receive warnings about an accident a few kilometers ahead, even if they cannot physically see it.

"THE TENDER IS TOMORROW, WE WILL START RECEIVING THE FIRST SIGNALS IN APRIL"

Uraloğlu expressed that great efforts have been made in the works related to the 5G tender, stating, "With the right arguments, to protect both the rights of the public and the rights of the operators involved in this business, we worked on how we can provide more services and how we can contribute to the public. We previously experienced this service in Turkey. We tested it at Istanbul Airport, in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, and in the stadiums of our four major clubs. We granted trial permissions in a total of 41 areas, especially for production facilities. The tender will be held tomorrow, and we will start receiving the first signals at the very beginning of April 2026."

"THERE WILL BE OPERATORS' CAMPAIGNS"

Uraloğlu reported that there are approximately 96 million mobile subscribers in Turkey, sharing that about 11 million of them are subscribers providing communication between machines. Uraloğlu stated that there are about 85 million phone user subscribers, saying, "Of these, 22 million, or about a quarter, have 5G-compatible phones. Gradually, as phones are replaced, those citizens who do not have them will change their phones. So I can say that our current figure is 26 percent. As for SIM cards, those using 4.5G are already compatible, there is no problem with them. If we look at those with 2G and 3G, especially 2G, I should mention that 2G has the capability for voice transmission and messaging. They will not be able to use it; if they want to use it, they will need to change both their phone and their SIM card."

Regarding whether operators will offer campaigns for 5G-compatible devices, Uraloğlu said, "There will definitely be campaigns for their widespread adoption. Because they will make significant investments. There will be campaigns to ensure the return on that investment. Of course, we will support this as well." Uraloğlu noted that with the completion of the 5G infrastructure, access issues experienced in rural areas could also be resolved.

"WHEN THERE IS SPEED, RISK INCREASES"

Uraloğlu drew attention to the need for new base stations to be installed, stating that the coverage area will expand with their installation and activation, and made the following evaluations: "The operators' 4.5G obligation covered 95% of the population. Did it cover 95% of the population? Yes, it did. In this sense, there is no general problem. Especially in rural areas, with the emergence of remote working habits due to the pandemic, there are demands for not only voice but also internet access to remote points. 5G will provide significant contributions here. We will have the opportunity to bring the rates from 95% to 97%, 98%, and close to 100%. Perhaps with some satellite solutions, which we are currently using, but we will use them more effectively in 5G. We will have the opportunity to provide this service without establishing a base station there. During my visits, I received requests from citizens regarding the road, but recently, requests related to coverage have also been coming at a high level, which is valuable to us, and we are taking it into account."

Uraloğlu pointed out that the issue of cybersecurity will also come to the fore with the transition to 5G technology, stating that there is a National Cyber Incident Response Center (USOM) at BTK, and that the center continuously monitors 17 million IP addresses 24/7. Uraloğlu stated that they have prevented many large and small attacks with these inspections, saying, "When there is speed, risk increases, but especially with our domestic software and artificial intelligence, you need to prevent attacks. Turkey is one of the role model countries in Europe in this regard. According to the criteria of the International Telecommunication Union, we are doing this job well. We have a Cyber Incident Response Center. In general, there are certainly risks, but I can say that we are a successful country."

"THE FIRST EFFORTS FOR 6G HAVE STARTED IN OUR COUNTRY"

Uraloğlu stated regarding the operators' concession agreements for 2G, 3G, and 4.5G, which will expire in 2029, "We will automatically extend the 2G and 3G contracts that expire in 2029 with the 5G tender." Uraloğlu stated that they will also receive 5% of the revenue generated from these services as the state, indicating that 3G and 4.5G will no longer be significant, and that 2G will continue to exist only in terms of voice and message transmission. Providing information about 6G studies, Uraloğlu expressed that processes related to this have been initiated worldwide and that they do not want to miss this process.

Minister Uraloğlu emphasized that they have set a 60% domestic production requirement for 5G, highlighting that this will enable local manufacturers to develop economically, saying, "Essentially, the biggest support we provide is the condition we put in the tender. We say, 'You will buy from locals.' Therefore, as we support them, we cannot keep our entrepreneurs. They are already acquiring whatever exists in the world. They are going beyond that or surpassing it. That is why I congratulate them. We will continue to support this 6G process, just as we did with 5G, both financially and morally. So I can say that the first efforts have also started in our country."

"WE EXPECT A COMMUNICATION WITH LESS DELAY"

Speaking about the impact of 5G technology on his personal life, Uraloğlu explained that the technology will make his work as a minister much easier. Uraloğlu emphasized that they will be able to track all kinds of transportation systems in real-time, making the following evaluation: "Sometimes, if we do not have a system there, we may hear about an event on the road from you."Elbette, metni İngilizceye çevirebilirim. İşte çeviri:



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Uraloğlu expressed that he tries to watch movies whenever he gets the chance, stating that the quality there is valuable to him. He mentioned that he watched the A National Football Team's match last night and that with 5G, they will now be able to enjoy the match experience along with the stadium.

Uraloğlu noted the following regarding the activities to be carried out at the stands set up before the tender to be held tomorrow: "The area where our tender commission will be is the area where our three operators, Vodafone, Turkcell, and Türk Telekom, will be present. We have members of the communication technologies cluster. I enjoyed visiting each of them one by one. I already follow what we are capable of, what our entrepreneurs have dared to do, and what they have achieved, but seeing it like this honestly makes me happy. I congratulate them. This is a matter of courage; it is a risk. They take that risk and do it. They are doing all this work for our three operators. Here, we expect all kinds of communication with much shorter timeframes and much less latency.