Turkiye will launch a much-anticipated 5G frequency tender on Oct. 16, with mobile operators expected to begin providing 5G services starting April 1, 2026, according to the transport and infrastructure minister, Abdulkadir Uraloglu.

The tender allows mobile operators currently holding GSM and 4.5G licenses to participate, including government-controlled Turkcell and Turk Telekom, as well as Vodafone's Turkish unit.

A total of 11 different frequency packages will be allocated to operators through the auction process, which will be conducted at a minimum value of $2.125 billion for a combined total of 400 MHz in the 700 MHz and 3.5 GHz frequency bands.

The tender specifications have been published in the Official Gazette.

As part of the new authorization regime, existing mobile network licenses are set to expire in 2029, with operators required to pay 5 percent of their annual revenues to the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK).

The authorization period will remain valid until December 31, 2042.