The 2nd National Communication Product Workshop, where studies on Turkey's domestic and national communication ecosystem were discussed, was held in Sakarya. Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Dr. Ömer Fatih Sayan and Chairman of the Information Technologies and Communication Authority Ömer Abdullah Karagözoğlu attended the workshop and made important evaluations regarding the domestic and national communication efforts carried out to strengthen Turkey's digital sovereignty.
Dr. Sayan stated that the works in the national communication field are not limited to merely developing domestic products, but represent a comprehensive process aimed at digital independence, strategic security, and strengthening the national will in the technology field, saying, “Now the issue is no longer just about establishing a connection; it is about ensuring that this connection is reliable, uninterrupted, and protected as much as possible with domestic and national resources.”
Emphasizing that with nearly 97 million mobile subscribers and over 77 million internet users in Turkey, communication has become an essential part of daily life, Sayan expressed that building a strong and national infrastructure has become a necessity in the face of this situation. Sayan noted that significant progress has been made in many areas, from communication satellites to data centers, from 5G technologies to cyber security solutions, under the National Technology Initiative. Sayan stated that TÜRKSAT 6A, developed entirely by Turkish engineers, has placed Turkey among the limited number of countries capable of producing communication satellites, and that investments ensuring data remains within the country reinforce digital sovereignty.
Touching on the efforts in the 5G field, Sayan recalled that the 5G frequency auction held on October 16, 2025, generated 3 billion 534 million dollars in revenue, stating that this step is a strong indicator of Turkey's determination toward technological sovereignty. Indicating that they aim for 5G to begin active nationwide use as of April 1, 2026, Sayan said that on-site transformation efforts are progressing rapidly. In this context, he noted that ULAK Communication has begun upgrading more than 3,200 4.5G sites to 5G compatibility, the 5G Valley Open Test Field provides a significant R&D environment for collaboration among operators, academia, and industry, and the fiber network length has exceeded 637 thousand kilometers, forming the critical infrastructure for the 5G transition process.
Emphasizing that Turkey is among the few countries preparing to transition to 5G with domestic and national products, Sayan said, “This success is the concrete reward for the sweat of our engineers.”
Devoting considerable attention to cyber security efforts in his speech, Sayan stated that USOM, Turkey's invisible shield against national cyber threats, plays a crucial role with its proactive monitoring capabilities. Expressing that AVCI, AZAD, KASIRGA, and ATMACA—entirely domestic software—form the foundation of the national cyber defense structure, Sayan noted that SOME teams established in public institutions and critical infrastructure operate a coordinated nationwide system 7/24. He added that trainings delivered to millions of citizens through BTK Academy enhance the capacity of qualified human resources, serving as a critical complement to domestic product development processes.
Sayan concluded his speech by saying, “Turkey must be a country that produces its own technology, builds its own networks, and protects its own data.”
Chairman Karagözoğlu: Turkey's 5G and Beyond Vision is Shaped by the Sentiment of National Will
Information Technologies and Communication Authority Chairman Ömer Abdullah Karagözoğlu, who spoke at the event, stated that Turkey's 5G and beyond vision is being shaped toward a common goal with domestic intellect, national will, and a strong sense of responsibility.
Karagözoğlu said, “In this framework, the 5G frequency auction we completed on October 16, 2025, went beyond being a mere technical process. This auction, which will pioneer a new era in communications, should also be viewed as a concrete reflection of Turkey's digital sovereignty resolve, cyber security sensitivity, determination to produce national technology, and the Turkey Century vision.”
Stating that domestic product usage, which was 45% during the 4.5G period, has been increased to 60% in the 5G period, Karagözoğlu said, “In addition, depending on product availability, we have mandated the use of products whose all rights belong to domestic and national companies—at least 30% in the initial phase, starting at 15%. In other words, our operators are now obligated to prefer solutions owned by Turkish engineers and Turkish companies. I believe that in the end, these figures will exceed our targets,” concluding his remarks.