Turkey Raises Mobile Phone Fees with 5G Launch

The Information and Communication Technologies Authority in Turkey announced a new increase in mobile phone service fees, coinciding with the rollout of 5G technology at the beginning of April.

The new rates indicate an average rise of 15.8% in maximum mobile communication fees, continuing last year’s annual increase of over 30%.

The hike included local calls, which rose to 4.75 TRY per minute, international calls to 56.37 TRY per minute, and text messages to 3.39 TRY locally and 9.88 TRY internationally.

The increase also affected administrative fees, such as number porting (91.38 TRY), line activation or cancellation (212.70 TRY), and SIM or number changes (over 208 TRY per transaction).

The authority confirmed that these prices represent the maximum rates, and telecom companies may offer lower packages based on available promotions for subscribers.

This update coincides with the launch of 5G services, expected to significantly improve internet speed and communication quality in Turkey, posing a challenge for users to balance better service with higher costs.

Analysts indicate that the increase may impact users’ budgets, while authorities view it as a necessary step to ensure the sustainability of the telecommunications infrastructure and keep pace with technological advancement.

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