Turkey to conduct 5G and 4G tender together


Former transport, maritime affairs and communications minister and Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Antalya deputy candidate Lütfi Elvan said Saturday that the recently postponed 4G, or fourth generation, tender will also include development stipulations and support for 5G.Elvan said when 3G was introduced, Turkey adopted an advanced version of 3G. Although the tender concerns 4G technology, all technologies may compete, Elvan said. In a sense, Turkey will enter the market with 4.5G, an advanced version of 4G technology, while operators will also be able to switch to 5G technology.GSM operators in particular asked for the tender to be postponed, Elvan said.Elvan highlighted that 5G technology will reach consumers after 2020, and the Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications supports research and development efforts regarding 5G technology, especially to increase domestic productivity.On April 21, two weeks after the tender for 4G technology was announced, which was scheduled to be held on May 26, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Turkey should begin developing 5G networks instead of wasting money on 4G investments, adding, "There is no need to waste time with 4G. Turkey must switch to 5G within the next two years. Otherwise Turkey will turn into a 4G garbage dump."