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Türkiye's state-run telecommunications firm Turkcell has surpassed $31 billion in total investment in the country, CEO Ali Taha Koc said, adding that the company is preparing for a new phase of digital growth driven by cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and 5G deployment.
The figure includes legacy infrastructure, ongoing capital expenditures, and a new $3 billion investment package tied to a strategic partnership with Google.
Building on decades of infrastructure development, the telecom operator is now targeting a sharp increase in service revenue and technology integration throughout 2026.
As part of the latest investment phase, Turkcell signed a partnership with Google Cloud, aiming to accelerate its transformation into a high-margin digital services provider. Of the $3 billion earmarked for this initiative, $1 billion will come from Turkcell itself.
According to Koc, the collaboration is expected to be a key catalyst in expanding Turkcell’s cloud revenues. The company forecasts 50% growth in its cloud segment and anticipates that total revenues in this area could eventually surpass the billion-dollar threshold.
"We aim to create a ‘second Turkcell’ from within the company, driven by cloud-based services," he said.
Turkcell paid $1.22 billion for a 17-year license to operate 160 MHz of 5G spectrum, the highest band available in Türkiye’s auction, Koc underlined.
In parallel, the company secured a 15-year nationwide fiber leasing agreement with Türkiye’s state energy company BOTAS, reinforcing its network continuity.
"We eliminated key risks by securing both the 5G license and long-term fiber infrastructure. That gives us the foundation to grow in 2026 and beyond," Koc said, highlighting that the company projects real growth above Türkiye’s inflation rate in 2026, with an expected EBITDA margin of 42%.
Looking ahead, Turkcell expects to maintain its investment-to-revenue ratio at around 23%, meaning one-quarter of earnings will continue to be allocated to infrastructure and R&D.
Founded in 1994, Turkcell is Türkiye’s largest mobile operator, reporting ₺158.85 billion ($4.84 billion) in revenue and $717.57 million in net income for 2024.
Since 2020, a 26.2% stake in the company has been held by the Türkiye Wealth Fund (TWF).
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