The Signing Ceremony of the Fixed Electronic Communication Infrastructure Joint Use and Cooperation Protocol, organized under the leadership of the Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communication, was held in Ankara.
The program was attended by Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım, Minister of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communication Ahmet Arslan, BTK President Dr. Ömer Fatih Sayan, TÜRKSAT General Manager Cenk Şen, Türk Telekom CEO Paul Doany, Turkcell CEO Kaan Terzioğlu, Vodafone Turkey CEO Colman Deegan, Director General of Communications Ensar Kılıç, and sector representatives.
Speaking at the ceremony, Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım stated: "In railways, infrastructure is now open to all users. Communication infrastructure is not a trading tool. If we start seeing the intermediary as the goal, we will lose. We have some new targets for the electronic communication sector. We cannot say that fixed infrastructure is out of fashion; sustainable targets are needed. Internet usage rate is another target, at 67% level. After solving our infrastructure problems, the real skill comes to providing value-added services on that infrastructure. The real competition, the real quality, are the services and differences on that infrastructure. We are not a country rich in natural resources, which is why we must avoid duplicate resources and use all resources well. The communication network removes distances, eliminates bureaucracy and intermediaries."
Minister of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communication Ahmet Arslan said: "No matter what technology comes before us, if high-quality communication infrastructure is not provided, there is no chance to utilize these technologies and offer them to our citizens. At this point, we have started implementing our 2017-2020 National Broadband Strategy and Action Plan. As the Ministry, we have clearly and decisively outlined our country's goals to develop broadband and fiber infrastructure and increase internet usage with this document. Thus, we aim to achieve the goal of 'Broadband everywhere, for everyone.' To reach the targets set by the Ministry, we need to promptly implement measures to accelerate infrastructure deployment."
BTK President Dr. Ömer Fatih Sayan, speaking at the program, highlighted the importance of all sector stakeholders participating in such a vital initiative that will ensure competition at the service level by sharing infrastructure and prevent duplicate investments in Turkey: "The signing of this protocol here today is truly very important for our country. Until now, everyone was investing in different locations, but unfortunately, we could not achieve the desired efficiency in sharing. In line with our 2023 targets, the complete passive sharing of infrastructure—not only in fixed but also in mobile—is crucial for achieving our goals. As the regulatory authority, we have the Electronic Communication Infrastructure Information System (EHABS) Project to ensure all infrastructure is available electronically and provided; our in-building communication specification making fiber infrastructure mandatory in every home; and all our regulations ready for all future infrastructure investments in this regard."
President Sayan concluded his speech with: "We will also make the related arrangements in the reference document immediately following the protocol. And hopefully, we place great importance on supporting our country's development momentum with domestic and national products. Dear Prime Minister, I would like to thank you very much for providing this determination. I also thank all our operators for collectively demonstrating the will: 'I am here too. We are one, together. We want to develop Turkey, our country.'"
The program concluded with the signing ceremony of the "Fixed Electronic Communication Infrastructure Joint Use and Cooperation Protocol."