Consultation Meeting on Service Provision via Low Earth Orbit Satellites Hosted by the Information Technologies and Communication Authority
The consultation meeting on service provision via low Earth orbit satellites, hosted by the Information Technologies and Communication Authority, took place. The meeting was attended by Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Dr. Ömer Fatih Sayan, SpaceX officials, sector representatives, and stakeholders related to satellite services.
Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Minister Sayan stated that systems deployed in space provide countries with unparalleled opportunities independent of geographical restrictions. Sayan said, “One of these opportunities and capabilities is internet service provided via satellites. While electronic communication services have long been provided primarily through terrestrial fixed and mobile networks, and alternatively via satellites, today, with the emergence of the possibility to provide broadband internet services via low Earth orbit satellites, we are experiencing the beginning of an era where communication services are shifting from ground to space.”
Noting that Turkey has strongly asserted its presence in space with the satellites it launched in recent years, Sayan stated, “With the activation of TÜRKSAT 5B, designed particularly for intelligence and communication purposes, Turkey's number of satellites in space has reached eight. The coverage areas of our satellites extend from Europe to the Middle East, from North Africa to South and Central Africa, from the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas to the Black Sea. As one of the 30 countries with orbital rights in space, with our recently launched satellites, we have secured our space rights in the eastern orbit for the next 30 years.”
Emphasizing that the next step in satellites will be TÜRKSAT 6A, Sayan noted that TÜRKSAT 6A will take its place in space within the coming year. Sayan said, “There is one point I want to emphasize here: our sensitivity regarding domestic and national production. In particular, our latest satellites were designed, produced, and tested under space conditions through the collaboration of TÜRKSAT and ASELSAN engineers. We are proudly experiencing the just pride of using 100% domestic hardware in a commercial satellite for the first time.”
Deputy Minister Sayan: We Aim to Strengthen Our Strength with Exchanges of Views and Collaborations
Stating that the provision of broadband internet via low Earth orbit satellites has once again taken its place on the global agenda, Sayan conveyed that Starlink has begun providing services in various countries around the world with more than 4,000 active satellites today. Deputy Minister Sayan noted that, alongside Türksat's efforts on satellite services in Turkey, other companies such as Plan-S, Hello Space, and Fergani Space Technologies also have projects involving low Earth orbit satellites. Sayan emphasized that companies aiming to provide services worldwide via low Earth orbit satellites are expected to comply with the regulations of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the policies and regulations of national authorities.
Expressing that they target the best in international collaborations as well as in domestic and national productions, Sayan concluded his speech by saying, “Where necessary, we aim to add strength to our strength through exchanges of views and collaborations. In this regard, whoever has made significant contributions in space, as long as they comply with our conditions and obtain the necessary permissions, working together with them makes us happy. For the future of our country, for its progress, we are open to joining hands and working with everyone who wishes to accompany and support the roadmap we will outline.”