Turkish Telecom Sector
Total broadband subscribers reached 99.5 million at the end of the first quarter of 2026. In Türkiye, fixed broadband usage has increased considerably thanks to the leadership of Türk Telekom’s infrastructural investments since 2005. Accordingly, the number of fixed broadband subscribers increased to 21.2 million. Fibre technology (FTTH/FTTB) increased by 23.8% year on year with number of subscribers reaching 10.3 million as of first quarter of 2026. Additionally, the number of xDSL subscribers was 8.3 million and there were also 1.5 million cable internet subscribers at the end of Q1’26. Compared to OECD average of 36.5% fixed broadband population penetration rate, Türkiye has important growth potential with its 24.7% penetration rate.
Investments for fibre optic infrastructure have increased in the country in recent years. Türk Telekom with its 550 thousand kilometre fibre network has the widest fibre infrastructure in Türkiye. Alternative operators’ fibre length was 147 thousand kilometre at the end of Q1’26.
On the mobile broadband side, the total number of users was 78,3 million corresponding to 90.9% population penetration rate at the end of Q1’26. Mobile broadband users via mobile phones reached 77.5 million while mobile broadband users via non-phone mobile devices were 762 thousand. Compared to OECD with average of 139.9% mobile broadband penetration rate, Türkiye has important growth potential in terms of mobile broadband penetration.
The total number of mobile phone subscribers in Türkiye was 101.1 million corresponding to 117.4% penetration rate at the end of Q1’26. At the end of Q1’26, number of active LTE subscribers in Türkiye reached 76.9 million. Share of prepaid subscribers was 17% in Türkiye in Q1’26, it is also around 25% in Europe.
On 16 October 2025, the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) held an authorization tender for the establishment, operation, and provision of 5G mobile electronic communications infrastructure and services. As a result of the tender, a total of 400 MHz of spectrum was allocated across 11 frequency packages in two different frequency bands (700 MHz and 3,500 MHz). The total tender value amounted to USD 2,945 mn, excluding VAT. Following the tender, the total spectrum bandwidth allocated to mobile operators increased from 549 MHz to 949 MHz. Operators began offering 5G services as of 1 April 2026.
There were 8.3 million fixed voice subscribers corresponding to 9.6% penetration rate in Türkiye at the end of Q1’26.