Preparations Underway Across 3,000 Sites for a National Transition to 5G
Preparations Underway Across 3,000 Sites for a National Transition to 5G
To ensure a transition to 5G networks powered by maximum levels of domestic and national technologies, ULAK Communications Inc. is conducting preparations at more than 3,000 sites across Turkey, as the country plans to make 5G widely available in 2026.
Currently operating over 3,200 4.5G base stations nationwide, ULAK is leading a comprehensive transformation to make the country’s communication infrastructure future-ready.
Step-by-Step Field Testing of New Products
While continuing its 4.5G modernization efforts in existing commercial sites, the company is also conducting phased field tests of its products designed to enable the transition to 5G. In this process, new-generation hardware such as Massive MIMO technology, which enhances user data speeds, is being actively tested in the field.
ULAK is carrying out both testing and productization activities for key components that support the Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN) architecture, including baseband and radio units. The company’s newly developed 4.5G and 5G-compatible base station products are being tested in various locations, preparing more than 3,000 sites for 5G deployment. This transformation is also viewed as a strategic step toward establishing the groundwork for future technologies such as 6G.
Beyond nationwide coverage, ULAK is also advancing in the field of Mobile Private Networks (MPN). Through its 5G base station products, the company continues to successfully implement closed-loop private network solutions. These systems offer high-speed, low-latency, and secure communication for use cases in ports, factories, universities, mines, and organized industrial zones.
Vehicle-to-Vehicle Communication to Be Enabled by 5G by Year-End
As part of ongoing projects, preparations are actively progressing to launch Turkey’s first 5G-enabled vehicle-to-vehicle (V2X) communication system within an intelligent transportation infrastructure in Istanbul’s Hasdal region by the end of 2025. This project will utilize a 5G baseband unit, 5G-compatible roadside unit, and onboard unit, all developed by ULAK.
ULAK is already operating private network implementations in two countries abroad, and with the commercialization of its 5G products, the company aims to expand its export activities, particularly targetingTurkic republics and African markets.
Laying the Groundwork for Advanced Technologies Like 6G
ULAK Communications Inc. CEO Ruşen Kömürcü shared insights into the ongoing work, emphasizing the broader vision behind 5G development:
“Our domestic and national production capabilities in communication infrastructure play a strategic role in Turkey’s digital transformation journey. We are actively conducting technical testing for 5G in commercial sites while preparing new products for field trials. This process not only supports today’s networks but also lays the foundation for future technologies such as 6G. Through our private network solutions, we continue to deliver flexible and secure communication infrastructures tailored to the needs of various industries,” he said.
Kömürcü underlined that ULAK will continue contributing to Turkey’s nationwide 5G rollout in 2026 through its technical, operational, and product development capabilities, adding that the company’s ongoing efforts aim to make Turkey’s communication infrastructure fully ready for the technologies of the future.
