2015 Turkey - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband

Turkey to see mobile broadband speeds increase in 2016

Turkey is home to a strong mobile sector with over 72 billion mobile subscribers in 2015. Mobile broadband services in Turkey have been underpinned by 3G/HSPA infrastructure and have become Turkey’s most popular broadband access method. This high usage of mobile broadband has in turn spurred on the adoption of mobile shopping and payments - and many studies now identify Turkey as one of the fastest m-commerce growth markets in the world.

Mobile subscribers will enjoy the benefits of increased mobile broadband Internet speeds in 2016 when the operators begin to provide services based on IMT-Advanced technology. In August 2015 Turkey conducted its LTE Spectrum Auction and attracted US$4.5 billion in bids. The three incumbent mobile operators, Vodafone, Avea and Turkcell all obtained licenses across the various frequencies.

While tangible 4G progress has been made in Turkey – the country is looking further ahead at the potential of 5G. For example, in 2015 Turkcell signed separate Memorandums of Understanding with both Huawei and Ericsson which will see them explore aspects of 5G development. Turkcell also signed an agreement to develop a 5G technology roadmap with defense systems company Aselsan.

Fixed broadband in Turkey is available via  xDSL, cable and fibre networks. Both Turk Telekom and Turkcell’s subsidiary, Superonline, are deploying FttX infrastructure. ADSL is still the most popular fixed broadband platform however, despite stronger growth rates recorded for fibre and cable.

Turk Telekom is the dominant ISP and has maintained this position against an influx of competitors. Turkey’s sizeable Internet user population has fostered an emerging digital economy, encompassing e-commerce, e-government, e-health and e-education services. Digital media services such as online newspapers, video streaming, social media and e-commerce are also popular amongst online users.

Key telecom parameters – 2012; 2015

(Source: BuddeComm based on industry data)

Key developments:

• In October 2015 Turksat expanded its broadcasting services and launched both a VoD service as well as 6 new channels using SPI International.
• Superonline has passed over 2.2 million homes with its fibre network.
• In February 2015, Turk Telekom became a full member of the SEA-ME-WE 5 consortium, signing a Construction and Maintenance Agreement (C&MA) agreement.
• In 2015 Turkcell trialled VoLTE in conjunction with Ericsson.
• Prepaid users account for a significant portion of all mobile users but are rapidly declining as operators encourage customers take up of postpaid services.
• Turkey offers potential for mobile commerce development with around 20% of online spending already being conducted via mobile phone.
• In 2015 Turk Telekom, in conjunction with Turkey’s Ministry of Health, launched a project to introduce a Personal Health Record System, also known as E-Nabiz.

Companies covered in this report include:

Turk Telekom, Turkcell, Vodafone, Avea, Turksat, Superonline, GittiGidiyor, Markafoni, Trendyol, Facebook, Spotify.