Türk Telekom has climbed to the second‑largest mobile subscriber base in Turkey, driven by an aggressive fiber‑optic rollout that now connects 58 % of its base stations. The extensive fiber backbone accelerates 5G deployment, boosts network performance, and enables bundled digital services, positioning the operator as a strong challenger to the market leader.
The Numbers Behind the Surge
BTK’s third‑quarter 2025 report confirms Türk Telekom’s jump to second place, trailing only the market leader. While exact subscriber counts remain undisclosed, the ranking shift reflects the impact of a 535,000 km fiber network and a majority of cell sites linked to high‑capacity fiber.
Fiber‑Backed 5G as a Competitive Edge
Türk Telekom’s strategy turns its “strong fiber backbone” into a 5G advantage. Continuous investment in fiber expansion and mobile radio access modernization enables launch of 5G services in key urban and suburban markets, alongside bundled digital products such as cloud storage, IoT platforms, and entertainment portals.
End‑to‑End Connectivity Packages
By integrating fixed‑line broadband with mobile coverage, the operator offers seamless home‑to‑mobile connectivity, a value proposition increasingly demanded by residential and enterprise customers.
Promotional Push Reinforces Momentum
To celebrate the milestone, Türk Telekom offered 20 GB of free mobile data to all existing subscribers on 24–25 January 2026. Activation was available via the self‑service portal or mobile app, showcasing the capacity gains from the fiber‑backed 5G network.
Market Context and Competitive Landscape
Turkey’s mobile market remains highly competitive among Turkcell, Vodafone Turkey, and Türk Telekom. The shift toward infrastructure convergence—combining fiber‑optic broadband with mobile radio access—has become a key differentiator, especially for data‑intensive applications like video streaming, cloud gaming, and enterprise IoT.
Implications for the Future
With 58 % of base stations fiber‑connected, Türk Telekom can expand 5G coverage faster than rivals relying on microwave backhaul. The focus on “digital solutions” signals a move toward higher‑margin services such as platform‑as‑a‑service, smart‑city initiatives, and content delivery networks, diversifying revenue beyond traditional mobile subscriptions.
What to Watch
- Continued growth of fiber‑backed 5G sites.
- Adoption of bundled digital services by residential and enterprise users.
- Potential impact on pricing, service bundles, and market‑share dynamics.
