24.04.2025 15:11
Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu commented on the disruption of GSM networks in the first minutes of the 6.2 magnitude earthquake in Istanbul. Minister Uraloğlu stated, "We also detected significant disruptions during the first 15 minutes due to the initial reflex. We were in constant communication with the three operators and restored normalcy. This was an experience for us."
Yesterday at 12:49, a 6.2 magnitude earthquake occurred in Silivri, Istanbul, causing great panic in the megacity. While GSM lines were cut off in the first minutes of the earthquake, this development caused a significant reaction in the public.
STRIKING WORDS FROM MINISTER URALOĞLU
Before the meeting he will hold today with GSM operator companies, Minister of Transport Abdulkadir Uraloğlu made evaluations regarding the issue, stating, "Despite our efforts to inform, there was a tendency for communication to be made over normal voice lines. In fact, there was no problem with web-based, internet-based applications like WhatsApp, Bip, and Facetime. However, we also detected serious disruptions during the first 15 minutes due to the initial reflex. Throughout the process, we were in constant communication with the Information Technologies and Communications Authority, the General Directorate of Communications, and the three operators, and we restored normalcy. However, managing such a capacity solely over voice lines is certainly challenging."
"THIS WAS A GREAT EXPERIENCE FOR US"
This was an experience for us. We received a lot of information from our colleagues. In the afternoon, we will meet in Istanbul with my colleagues who are competent in this matter at the Ministry and the technical team of the three operators. We will sit down to discuss what we should do to avoid experiencing this again, and we will also take necessary actions regarding the deficiencies that should have been addressed but were not," he stated.
"CEILING PRICES ON FLIGHTS WERE NEVER EXCEEDED"
Uraloğlu emphasized that no one could sell tickets above the ceiling price, except for "business" class seats, and noted that there was a reflex for people to leave Istanbul immediately after the earthquake. He reported that structures like the Northern Marmara Highway were not affected at all and that people used this route to exit, stating, "When there was demand for air travel, both THY and Pegasus reduced ticket prices to 1750 lira. We can do such things for free if necessary, very clearly. Therefore, there is a perception that prices suddenly increased, but ceiling prices were never exceeded."
"THE BIGGEST PENALTY FOR GSM OPERATORS IS NEW INVESTMENTS"
Uraloğlu stated that the ceiling price was not exceeded during this process and that if there are any findings regarding this, necessary actions would be taken upon their communication. In response to the reminder of the communication problems experienced during the February 6 earthquake, Uraloğlu noted that the biggest penalty for GSM operators was the requirement for new investments. He mentioned that the towers used in the GSM field in Istanbul were built with steel to prevent them from collapsing during an earthquake, stating, "They are primarily being established on public lands and then on other available lands. We all want to reach our loved ones during a crisis, but on the other hand, we want some stations to be free from health concerns; we are trying to optimize this situation."