Turkcell secures 160 MHz 5G spectrum for $1.224B in Türkiye

Turkcell announced it won 160 MHz of 5G spectrum for $1,224 million (excluding VAT) in an ICTA tender, with rights valid until December 31, 2042.

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Turkcell announced it won 160 MHz of 5G spectrum for $1,224 million (excluding VAT) in an ICTA tender, with rights valid until December 31, 2042. The fee will be paid in three equal installments on January 2, 2026, December 25, 2026, and May 2, 2027, and the tender will be finalized after legal requirements are completed.

Turkcell reports it now has access to 394.4 MHz out of 949.2 MHz available in Türkiye, about 42% of total frequencies. The package includes 700 MHz (FDD) 2x10=20 MHz ($429M) and 3.5 GHz (TDD) 1x80=80 MHz ($214M) plus 3x20=60 MHz ($581M). Existing 2G/3G/4.5G authorizations can be extended to December 31, 2042; between April 30, 2029 and 2042, 5% of gross mobile service revenues (excluding VAT) will be paid annually to ICTA. 5G service is planned to launch on April 1, 2026.

Insights

Telecom regulation and spectrum finance analyst

Large 5G spectrum win with multi-year fees and launch date.

Turkcell secured $1,224 million of 5G spectrum spanning 160 MHz, with usage rights through 2042. Payments are scheduled in three equal tranches on Jan 2, 2026, Dec 25, 2026, and May 2, 2027, indicating staged cash outflows tied to the award.

The company states it holds 394.4 MHz out of 949.2 MHz available in Türkiye (about 42%), plus an extension right for existing 2G/3G/4.5G authorizations to Dec 31, 2042. From Apr 30, 2029 to 2042, it will pay 5% of gross mobile service revenues (ex-VAT) annually to ICTA.

The frequency mix spans 700 MHz FDD and 3.5 GHz TDD, covering both coverage and capacity layers. A 5G launch is planned on Apr 1, 2026. Actual financial impact depends on execution, revenue growth under the fee regime, and the completion of legal requirements that finalize the tender.

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What did Turkcell (TKC) win in the ICTA 5G tender?

Turkcell was awarded 160 MHz of 5G spectrum for $1,224 million (excluding VAT), with rights valid until December 31, 2042.

How and when will Turkcell pay for the 5G spectrum?

The payment will be made in three equal installments on January 2, 2026, December 25, 2026, and May 2, 2027.

When will Turkcell launch 5G services?

5G is planned to launch on April 1, 2026.

How much of Türkiye’s total mobile frequency resources does Turkcell control?

Turkcell states it can utilize 394.4 MHz out of 949.2 MHz, approximately 42% of available frequencies.

What ongoing fees will Turkcell pay under the extended authorization?

Between April 30, 2029 and December 31, 2042, Turkcell will pay 5% of gross sales revenues from mobile services (excluding VAT) to ICTA each year.

What frequencies and prices are included in Turkcell’s award?

The award includes 700 MHz (FDD) 2x10=20 MHz for $429M, and 3.5 GHz (TDD)—1x80=80 MHz for $214M plus 3x20=60 MHz for $581M; total 160 MHz for $1,224M.

Are there conditions before the tender is finalized?

Yes. The tender will be finalized following completion of legal requirements.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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Accepted by SEC EDGAR 10/16/2025 - 04:56 PM Learn about SEC filing dates

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16

UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the month of October 2025

Commission File Number: 001-15092

TURKCELL İLETİŞİM HİZMETLERİ A.Ş.

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

Turkcell Küçükyalı Plaza

Aydınevler Mahallesi İnönü Caddesi No:20

Küçükyalı Ofispark

34854 Maltepe
Istanbul, Türkiye

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:

x Form 20-F  ¨ Form 40-F

Enclosure: A press release dated October 16, 2025 announcing the results of the ICTA tender awarded to the registrant.

 

Istanbul, October 16, 2025

Announcement Regarding the Result of ICTA Tender

Our Company has been awarded a total frequency band of 160 MHz for USD 1,224 million (excluding VAT), valid until December 31, 2042, in the 5G spectrum allocation tender held today by the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (“ICTA”) within the scope of the “Authorization for the Deployment and Operation of Mobile Electronic Communication Infrastructures and the Provision of Related Services, and the Inclusion of Infrastructures and Services under Existing Authorizations Expiring on April 30, 2029, within the Scope of This Authorization”. The frequency payment will be made in three equal installments on January 2, 2026, December 25, 2026, and May 2, 2027.

As a result of this tender, Turkcell has obtained the right to utilize 394.4 MHz out of the total 949.2 MHz frequency resources available for use in Türkiye, corresponding to approximately 42% of the total frequencies. As in 4.5G, Turkcell has achieved the widest frequency portfolio in 5G, positioning itself as the operator technically capable of delivering the highest 5G speeds in Türkiye. With this strong spectrum advantage, Turkcell will reinforce its industry leadership by providing Turkey's highest 5G capacity.

With this tender, Turkcell has obtained the right to extend the validity period of its existing authorizations (2G, 3G, and 4.5G) until December 31, 2042. Within this scope, during the period between April 30, 2029, and December 31, 2042, each year, 5% of gross sales revenues (excluding VAT) from mobile services will be paid to the ICTA.

The 5G technology is planned to be launched for our customers starting from April 1, 2026.

The table below summarizes the frequencies which Turkcell has been awarded in the 5G tender and corresponding tender prices. The tender will be finalized following the completion of legal requirements, and the tender price will be paid through internal resources and various financing alternatives.

SPECTRUM	FREQUENCY	TENDER PRICE (USD, excluding VAT)
700 MHz (FDD)	2x10 = 20 MHz	429 Million
3.5 GHz (TDD)	1x80 = 80 MHz	214 Million
3.5 GHz (TDD)	3x20 = 60 MHz	581 Million
Total	160 MHz	1,224 Million

For more information:

Turkcell Investor Relations

investor.relations@turkcell.com.tr

Tel: + 90 212 313 1888

1

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Turkcell İletişim Hizmetleri A.Ş. has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

	TURKCELL İLETİŞİM HİZMETLERİ A.Ş.
Date: October 16, 2025	By:	/s/ Özlem Yardım
		Name:	Özlem Yardım
		Title:	Investor Relations Corporate Finance Director

	TURKCELL İLETİŞİM HİZMETLERİ A.Ş.
Date: October 16, 2025	By:	/s/ Kamil Kalyon
		Name:	Kamil Kalyon
		Title:	Chief Financial Officer