October 7, 2015
Transportation, Maritime Affairs and Communications Minister Feridun Bilgin said, "The number of broadband internet subscribers in our country, which was around 6 million in 2008, has approached 47 million as of the end of August 2015."
Bilgin provided information on Turkey's information technology industry at the B20 Turkey Digital Economy Conference.
Stating that all sectors meeting society's needs are directly related to technology, Bilgin used the following expressions: "The increase in productivity and innovation observed in sectors that intensively use information technologies also makes a positive contribution to national economic growth through total factor productivity."
Sharing information from a study, Bilgin noted that half of the world's population will have internet access next year and stated the following:
"It is predicted that the size of the G20 countries' internet economy, estimated at 2.3 trillion dollars in 2010, will nearly double to reach 4.2 trillion dollars in 2016.
On average, in 2016, the internet economy size of the G-20 countries will reach 5.3% of their total GDP. Another point emphasized in the study is that while a slowdown is expected in the economic growth rates of G-20 countries in the coming years, the internet economy is expected to grow around 8%, far exceeding the general economic growth rate."
Sharing figures from the study by the Informatics Industrialists' Association (TÜBİSAD), Bilgin said that the market size of Turkey's information sector in 2014 increased by 12.7% compared to the previous year to reach 70 billion liras. Bilgin stated, "At the end of 2014, direct employment was provided to 103 thousand people in the information sector in our country. The total annual investment amounts of the 4 major operators providing electronic communication services have reached 6 billion liras. Research also shows that the size of Turkey's e-commerce market grew by 35% compared to the previous year in 2014, reaching approximately 19 billion liras."
Explaining that as the Ministry, they are working to establish information and communication infrastructures suitable for the information and communication needs of all sectors in society and human life, Bilgin pointed to infrastructure investments made in the broadband field in recent years.
Drawing attention to the significant contribution of broadband internet access to economic growth, Bilgin said, "The number of broadband internet subscribers in our country, which was around 6 million in 2008, has approached 47 million as of the end of August 2015. Undoubtedly, the significant progress our country has made in mobile broadband subscription and usage plays a major role in this increase. As of the end of August 2015, the number of mobile broadband subscribers has approached 37.6 million. Of our total approximately 73 million mobile subscribers, 62.4 million are 3G subscribers." He provided this information.
Saying "With 4.5G technology, we will access data and information faster and easier," Bilgin stated that the steps taken in the technology field will continue.
Stating that they aim for a human resource that produces technology with the FATIH Project, Bilgin used the following expressions: "Within the scope of this project carried out by the Ministry of National Education, the education of primary and secondary school students will be provided through interactive whiteboards and tablet computers. This project will form the most important component for our future generations to grow not only as consumers but as producers of technology."
Bilgin stated that the e-Government Gateway application, which started in 2008 with 22 pilot public services, has now turned into 1,299 electronic government services provided by 197 institutions, and said, "Today, 20 million registered users benefit from e-Government."
Bilgin added that the ministry continues to distribute devices containing map and navigation programs for disabled citizens to ensure equal opportunities, as well as devices that can be used by disabled individuals who cannot use their hands for any reason.
Explaining that the infrastructure for developing the digital economy should not be considered limited only to electronic communication infrastructure, Bilgin drew attention to personality rights and data security and stated the following:
"The necessary legal infrastructure is equally important. The legal structure, which includes transparent, open, effective, and dynamic regulations defining the rights and obligations of consumers and entrepreneurs, as well as complaint mechanisms, and which will form the basis for the development of the digital economy, will facilitate and accelerate our benefiting from the gains of the digital economy.
Therefore, regulations on personal data protection, electronic signatures, e-commerce, and cyber security are important steps in forming this legal framework. Additionally, I particularly want to emphasize the urgent need for international cooperation and universal regulations on issues such as the protection of personality rights, family protection, and preventing child abuse via the internet.
On the other hand, I think it is important for administrations to complete and update the necessary regulations in sync with this development, or even somewhat proactively."
