16.10.2025 13:16
The 5G auction, which will strengthen and accelerate Turkey's communication infrastructure, has been held. In the 5G auction, Turkcell made the highest bid of 429 million dollars for the A1 package at the 700 MHz frequency, Vodafone bid 426 million dollars for A2, and Türk Telekom offered 425 million dollars for A3.
The tender for the 5G technology, which will be launched in Turkey on April 1, 2026, was held today. Turkcell, Türk Telekom, and Vodafone participated in the tender. The first site selection package was won by Turkcell with 429 million dollars. Vodafone won the second site selection package within the band with 426 million dollars.
11 DIFFERENT FREQUENCIES WILL BE ALLOCATED TO OPERATORS
A total of 400 MHz frequency in the 700 MHz and 3.5 GHz frequency bands will be allocated to 11 different frequency packages through the tender held with a minimum value of 2 billion 125 million dollars.
THE FIRST PACKAGES WERE SOLD FOR 1.3 BILLION DOLLARS
The sale of the 20 MHz A1, A2, A3 packages in the 700 MHz band has begun. In the tender, Turkcell's bid was 429 million dollars, Türk Telekom's was 425 million dollars, and Vodafone's was 426 million dollars. The auction proceeded to an open bidding phase, with bids being made in increments of 10 million dollars.
Türk Telekom announced that it did not increase its bid and withdrew. Vodafone also did not make a verbal bid. Turkcell stated that its written bid was valid and did not make an increase. Thus, the highest bid of 429 million dollars was given by Turkcell. Turkcell won the A1 abstract package and the first site selection right. Vodafone, which made the second bid, won the Az abstract package and the second site selection right. Türk Telekom, which made the third bid, won the A3 abstract package and the third site selection right within the band.
Turkcell chose the frequency range of 723-733-778-788 MHz. Vodafone preferred the 713-723 middle bands. The remaining area from the 700 MHz band, 703-713 MHz band, was allocated to Türk Telekom. The total bid for the A1, A2, A3 packages was sold for 1 billion 280 million dollars.
THE SECOND PACKAGE WAS SOLD FOR 624 MILLION DOLLARS
The sale of the 80 MHz B1, B2, and B3 packages in the 3.5 GHz frequency bands has begun. Turkcell's bid was 210 million dollars, Türk Telekom's was 209 million dollars, and Vodafone's was 201 million dollars. Turkcell, Türk Telekom, and Vodafone decided to participate in the verbal bidding. In the auction, Turkcell raised its bid to 214 million dollars. Vodafone decided to withdraw. Türk Telekom also did not change the amount in the closed envelope. Thus, the highest bid was 214 million dollars from Turkcell, the second highest was 209 million dollars from Türk Telekom, and the third highest was 201 million dollars from Vodafone. The B1, B2, and B3 packages were sold for a total of 624 million dollars.
TO BE PAID IN 3 INSTALLMENTS
The amount resulting from the tender, which will be based on minimum values, will be paid in 3 equal installments by the winners according to the method specified in the specifications prepared by the Information Technologies and Communications Authority (BTK).
If the installments are not paid on time or are paid partially, a late fee of twice the annual rate of 7.93% will be applied for the unpaid amount and duration. If the payment is not made within a maximum of 30 days from the due date at the specified interest rate, the BTK will initiate the termination process regarding the relevant authorization.
WHEN WILL 5G BE USED?
The 5G technology, which will increase mobile internet speed at least 10 times compared to the current speed, will be made available to everyone across Turkey as of April 1, 2026.