Telecommunication Lawyer in Istanbul, Turkey

What Does Telecommunications Law Cover in Turkey?

Turkish telecommunications law covers a broad range of activities involving electronic communications.

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Depending on the business model, this can include:

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• electronic communications services;

• internet access and related services;

• fixed-line communications;

• mobile communications;

• electronic communications networks;

• telecommunications infrastructure;

• fibre networks;

• wireless systems;

• satellite communications;

• numbering;

• frequency and spectrum;

• network operation;

• infrastructure sharing;

• subscriber relationships;

• consumer protection;

• service quality;

• confidentiality;

• personal data;

• network and information security;

• regulatory compliance;

• administrative proceedings;

• telecommunications contracts; and

• transactions involving telecommunications businesses.

 

BTK explains that activities falling within the statutory definitions of electronic communications services, networks and infrastructure can be subject to its authorisation regime.

 

For a business entering the Turkish market, therefore, the first legal question is often not “Which licence do we need?” but rather:

 

 

“How is our proposed activity classified under Turkish electronic communications law?”

 

That classification can determine what comes next.

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The Main Telecommunications Regulator in Turkey: BTK

The Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) is the principal regulatory authority for Turkey's electronic communications sector.

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BTK's responsibilities include matters relating to authorisation, electronic communications networks and services, numbering, spectrum, consumer protection and network and information security.

 

The Authority explains that its authorisation framework is based on Law No. 5809 on Electronic Communications and is intended, among other things, to support competition, investment, effective use of national resources, service quality and consumer protection.

 

For businesses, this means that a telecommunications project may need to be considered from both a commercial perspective and a regulatory perspective before it begins.

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The BTK electronic communications section and its official legislation resources are useful starting points when assessing the current regulatory framework.

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Law No. 5809 on Electronic Communications

Law No. 5809 on Electronic Communications is at the centre of Turkey's telecommunications regulatory system.

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Among other matters, the law establishes the legal framework for electronic communications networks and services, authorisation, operators, spectrum, numbering, infrastructure and various regulatory obligations.

 

The legislation should be read together with the applicable secondary regulations and BTK decisions. A provision in the primary law may provide the general framework, while the practical requirements for a particular service may be found in a regulation or Authority decision.

 

Businesses can consult the official Turkish legislation database and the BTK legislation section when checking the applicable legal framework.

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Telecommunications Authorization in Turkey

One of the first issues for a telecommunications business is whether BTK authorization is required.

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BTK's current explanation of its authorization regime states that companies wishing to provide electronic communications services and/or establish and operate electronic communications networks or infrastructure generally need to notify the Authority in accordance with the applicable rules. Where scarce resources such as numbers, frequencies or satellite positions are involved, usage rights may also be required.

 

This makes the authorization analysis particularly important for a new market entrant.

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Notification and Usage Rights

The Turkish system is not simply a traditional licensing system in which every operator receives the same type of license.

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BTK explains that authorization may operate through notification or through the granting of usage rights, depending on the service and whether scarce resources need to be allocated.

 

That distinction can matter significantly for businesses planning:

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• mobile communications;

• wireless networks;

• satellite services;

• numbering-dependent services;

• infrastructure operations;

• internet services; or

• other regulated electronic communications activities.

 

The BTK authorization regime should therefore be reviewed together with the specific service and resources involved.

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Are There Activities That Do Not Require Authorization?

Yes.

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Turkish law recognizes certain situations that are not subject to the ordinary authorization requirement.

 

BTK explains, for example, that certain electronic communications networks and infrastructure used exclusively for an individual's or organization's own needs within its own property, without extending beyond the relevant property and without being offered commercially or to the public, may fall outside the authorization regime.

 

That does not mean that every private network is automatically exempt.

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The actual facts matter, including:

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• who operates the network;

• who uses it;

• where it operates;

• whether it is offered to third parties;

• whether it is commercially provided; and

• whether another regulatory requirement applies.

 

Businesses should review the BTK information on services, networks and infrastructure not subject to authorization before relying on an exemption.

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Telecommunications Services and Infrastructure

Turkish telecommunications regulation distinguishes between different concepts that can look similar from a commercial perspective.

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BTK's official materials describe electronic communications, electronic communications services, electronic communications networks and electronic communications infrastructure as separate concepts within the regulatory framework.

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This distinction can be important.

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A company that operates a network for itself may have a different legal position from a company that operates infrastructure for third parties. Likewise, a business supplying a communications service may face different obligations from an infrastructure provider.

 

A proper legal assessment therefore begins by mapping the business model.

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Telecommunications Infrastructure

Infrastructure projects may involve:

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• fiber-optic networks;

• ducts;

• towers;

• transmission facilities;

• network equipment;

• data-center connectivity;

• physical network locations;

• access arrangements;

• maintenance;

• infrastructure sharing; and

• long-term operating agreements.

 

These projects can bring telecommunications law together with:

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• real estate law;

• construction law;

• commercial contracts;

• administrative law;

• competition law;

• project finance; and

• corporate law.

 

That is one reason telecommunications legal advice often needs to look beyond the telecommunications statute itself.

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Spectrum and Frequency Regulation in Turkey

For wireless telecommunications businesses, spectrum can be one of the most important regulatory resources.

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Frequency use can involve:

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• allocation;

• usage rights;

• technical conditions;

• interference;

• frequency planning;

• radio equipment;

• registration;

• regulatory fees; and

• continuing compliance.

 

BTK describes a usage right as a right granted for the use of scarce resources such as frequency, numbers and satellite positions. The Authority also publishes current usage-right fee information, including 2026 fee documents.

 

The BTK spectrum-management resources should be consulted when a proposed service depends on radio frequencies.

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Radio Equipment

Telecommunications regulation can also extend to radio equipment and connected devices.

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Depending on the product and its use, businesses may need to consider:

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• technical requirements;

• conformity;

• radio-frequency conditions;

• market placement;

• importation;

• equipment use;

• frequency exemptions; and

• applicable regulatory approvals.

 

BTK publishes information about radio equipment and applicable technical requirements, as well as frequency-allocation-exempt radio devices and systems.

 

For companies developing IoT products, wireless equipment or connected devices, telecommunications compliance should be considered during product development rather than after the product has reached the Turkish market.

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Numbering and Number Portability

Numbers are another regulated resource in Turkey.

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Telecommunications businesses may need to consider:

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• number allocation;

• use of numbers;

• numbering categories;

• number portability;

• subscriber records;

• customer migration;

• billing systems; and

• regulatory obligations.

 

BTK states that the principles governing the allocation and use of numbers by operators are established under the Numbering Regulation, published in the Official Gazette.

 

Businesses can consult the BTK numbering legislation and the BTK General Numbering Plan for official information.

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Telecommunications Contracts in Turkey

A telecommunications business can have dozens of contractual relationships running at the same time.

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There may be agreements with:

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• subscribers;

• network operators;

• infrastructure owners;

• equipment manufacturers;

• software providers;

• cloud-service providers;

• resellers;

• distributors;

• maintenance providers;

• contractors;

• roaming partners; and

• investors.

 

The contract should reflect not only the commercial bargain but also the regulatory environment in which the relationship operates.

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Subscriber Agreements

Customer and subscriber agreements may need to address:

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• service description;

• pricing;

• billing;

• minimum commitment;

• promotional periods;

• additional services;

• service limitations;

• suspension;

• termination;

• renewal;

• complaints;

• refunds;

• privacy;

• confidentiality;

• liability; and

• applicable dispute-resolution mechanisms.

 

BTK specifically identifies subscription agreements, transparency, consumer protection, service quality, personal-data processing and privacy among the matters within its consumer-protection responsibilities under Law No. 5809.

 

The BTK consumer-rights resources provide official information on these areas.

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Infrastructure Agreements

Infrastructure contracts may address:

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• access to network facilities;

• fiber deployment;

• ducts;

• towers;

• equipment locations;

• maintenance;

• repairs;

• access rights;

• service levels;

• technical responsibilities;

• insurance;

• liability; and

• termination arrangements.

 

These agreements should be drafted with the physical and regulatory realities of the project in mind.

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Technology and Vendor Contracts

Telecommunications operators often depend on specialist technology suppliers.

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Contracts may therefore need careful provisions dealing with:

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• technical specifications;

• service levels;

• availability;

• maintenance;

• cybersecurity;

• intellectual property;

• software licenses;

• source code;

• confidentiality;

• personal data;

• subcontractors;

• regulatory compliance;

• business continuity;

• liability; and

• exit assistance.

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Telecommunications and Consumer Protection

Telecommunications services have a direct and continuing relationship with consumers.

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For that reason, customer-facing compliance is an important part of telecommunications law in Turkey.

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BTK states that Law No. 5809 gives it responsibilities concerning consumer and end-user protection, transparency and information, subscription agreements, personal-data processing and privacy, service quality and equal access.

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The official BTK Consumer portal provides information for subscribers and consumers.

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Common Consumer Issues

Legal questions can arise concerning:

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• disputed bills;

• subscription termination;

• cancellation;

• additional services;

• promotional offers;

• contract changes;

• service interruptions;

• quality of service;

• number portability;

• refunds;

• unwanted communications; and

• complaints.

 

Telecommunications businesses should make sure that their customer-facing documents and operational practices tell the same story. A contract may say one thing while a website, sales representative or billing system does something different. That gap can become a legal problem.

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Telecommunications and Personal Data Protection

Modern telecommunications businesses process large amounts of information.

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This may include:

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• subscriber information;

• contact details;

• billing information;

• customer-service records;

• network information;

• location-related information;

• marketing preferences;

• employee information;

• security logs; and

• other data generated during the provision of services.

 

The Personal Data Protection Law No. 6698 (KVKK) can therefore be an important part of telecommunications compliance.

 

The Personal Data Protection Authority (KVKK) publishes legislation, Board decisions, guidance and other official resources concerning personal-data protection. The Authority was established under Law No. 6698 and has administrative and financial autonomy.

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KVKK Compliance for Telecommunications Companies

A telecommunications business may need to examine:

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• its legal bases for processing;

• privacy notices;

• data inventories;

• retention practices;

• access controls;

• data-security measures;

• processor relationships;

• international transfers;

• customer requests;

• employee data;

• marketing data; and

• incident-response procedures.

 

Telecommunications companies should also remember that KVKK and sector-specific telecommunications rules may operate together.

 

The applicable obligations should therefore be assessed according to the particular processing activity rather than assuming that one general privacy document covers every situation.

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Telecommunications Confidentiality and Privacy

Communications involve a heightened expectation of confidentiality.

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Telecommunications businesses should carefully consider the legal rules concerning:

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• confidentiality of communications;

• subscriber information;

• access to information;

• disclosure;

• data security;

• authorized requests from public authorities; and

• internal access controls.

 

BTK's regulatory materials address consumer privacy and personal-data matters as part of its telecommunications responsibilities.

 

Businesses should also distinguish between personal-data protection, communications confidentiality and network security. These issues overlap, but they are not necessarily identical.

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Network and Information Security

A telecommunications network is both a commercial asset and an important part of the communications infrastructure on which other businesses and individuals depend.

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Turkish telecommunications legislation therefore includes specific network and information-security requirements.

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BTK explains that network and information security obligations arise from Law No. 5809, authorization arrangements and the Regulation on Network and Information Security in the Electronic Communications Sector.

 

The BTK official network and information-security legislation provides further information.

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Legal Issues Around Cybersecurity

Telecommunications businesses may need legal advice concerning:

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• cybersecurity policies;

• incident response;

• supplier security;

• technical and organizational measures;

• regulatory reporting;

• contractual allocation of cybersecurity responsibilities;

• business continuity;

• access controls;

• confidentiality; and

• personal-data breaches.

 

Cybersecurity should not be treated as a purely technical exercise. The contracts, internal policies and regulatory responsibilities surrounding the technical controls also matter.

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Telecommunications and Commercial Electronic Messages

Telecommunications businesses often communicate with customers by:

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• SMS;

• telephone;

• email;

• mobile applications;

• push notifications; and

• other electronic channels.

 

Some communications may be operational, while others may constitute commercial communications. The distinction can have legal consequences.

 

The Turkish Ministry of Trade's official information on commercial electronic messages provides information concerning the Turkish framework for commercial electronic communications.

 

The Commercial Electronic Message Management System (İYS) is also an important official resource for businesses managing commercial-message permissions and refusals.

 

Telecommunications operators should nevertheless examine whether sector-specific telecommunications rules apply to the particular communication before assuming that the general commercial-message rules provide the complete answer.

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Telecommunications and Competition Law

Telecommunications markets can raise competition-law issues because companies may depend on:

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• networks;

• infrastructure;

• access;

• numbering;

• spectrum;

• wholesale arrangements;

• interconnection;

• pricing;

• distribution channels; and

• commercially sensitive information.

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Competition issues can arise in connection with:

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• market power;

• access conditions;

• infrastructure sharing;

• exclusive arrangements;

• discriminatory conduct;

• refusal to supply;

• tying;

• mergers;

• acquisitions;

• joint ventures; and

• information exchange.

 

The Turkish Competition Authority administers Turkish competition law.

 

A telecommunications transaction may also involve the interaction between sector-specific BTK regulation and general competition law. The appropriate analysis depends on the transaction or conduct in question.

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Telecommunications Mergers and Acquisitions

Buying a telecommunications business requires a different kind of due diligence from an ordinary commercial acquisition.

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An investor may need to examine:

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• BTK authorization status;

• regulatory correspondence;

• usage rights;

• numbering;

• spectrum;

• infrastructure;

• subscriber agreements;

• supplier contracts;

• data-protection compliance;

• cybersecurity;

• consumer complaints;

• administrative proceedings;

• regulatory sanctions;

• competition issues; and

• potential change-of-control consequences.

 

A telecommunications business can look financially attractive while carrying regulatory obligations that are not immediately visible from conventional corporate documents.

 

For this reason, telecommunications regulatory due diligence should form part of the transaction from the beginning.

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Telecommunications Market Entry in Turkey

Foreign technology and telecommunications companies considering Turkey often need to answer several questions before committing substantial resources.

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What exactly will the Turkish business provide?

The regulatory classification may depend on the precise service.

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Will the company operate a network or infrastructure?

If so, the relevant regulatory requirements should be assessed at the outset.

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Will the company need numbers, frequencies or satellite resources?

If scarce resources are involved, usage rights may become relevant. BTK expressly identifies numbers, frequencies and satellite positions as examples of resources for which usage rights can apply.

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Will the company deal directly with consumers?

If yes, subscription, transparency, service-quality and consumer-protection rules become particularly important.

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Will the company process personal data?

If yes, KVKK and sector-specific confidentiality requirements need to be considered.

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Will the company rely on foreign technology providers?

Vendor contracts, data transfers, cybersecurity and intellectual-property issues may need attention.

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Will the company acquire an existing operator?

Regulatory due diligence and competition-law analysis should be built into the transaction.

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The Investment Office of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye is also an official source for general information concerning investment in Turkey.

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Telecommunications Infrastructure, Property and Construction

Telecommunications infrastructure often needs physical space.

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A fiber route may cross land belonging to several parties. A telecommunications tower may require a long-term site arrangement. Network equipment may need to be installed in a building or data center.

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This can bring telecommunications law together with:

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• property law;

• lease agreements;

• easements;

• construction law;

• municipal regulations;

• permitting;

• infrastructure access;

• environmental requirements; and

• public-law restrictions.

 

The legal structure should therefore consider the physical location of the infrastructure as carefully as the technology itself.

 

Where municipal or public permissions are involved, the relevant local authority and applicable Turkish administrative legislation should also be reviewed.

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Telecommunications and Electronic Commerce

Many telecommunications businesses now provide more than connectivity.

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A telecommunications operator may also run:

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• online subscription platforms;

• mobile applications;

• digital stores;

• customer portals;

• online payment systems;

• digital-content services; or

• other electronic commerce activities.

 

Where the business falls within the scope of Turkish electronic-commerce legislation, Law No. 6563 on the Regulation of Electronic Commerce and its secondary legislation may become relevant.

 

The Ministry of Trade's official electronic-commerce legislation provides access to the applicable framework.

 

The precise legal position should be determined from the actual service rather than from the company's general description of itself as a “telecommunications company.”

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Telecommunications and Administrative Law

Telecommunications is a regulated industry, so administrative law can become important in ordinary business operations.

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A company may have to deal with:

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• regulatory applications;

• BTK decisions;

• inspections;

• warnings;

• administrative sanctions;

• compliance requests;

• objections;

• regulatory correspondence;

• administrative proceedings; and

• judicial review.

 

The legal response should take account of the specific decision, applicable legislation and procedural deadlines.

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A regulatory problem is often easier to manage when the company has kept its regulatory records, contracts, technical documentation and correspondence organized from the beginning.

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Telecommunications Disputes in Turkey

Not every telecommunications dispute is a dispute between an operator and a customer.

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Disputes can arise between:

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• telecommunications operators;

• infrastructure providers;

• subscribers;

• technology suppliers;

• contractors;

• shareholders;

• investors;

• competitors; and

• public authorities.

 

Potential disputes may concern:

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• unpaid invoices;

• service failures;

• contract termination;

• infrastructure access;

• network obligations;

• regulatory decisions;

• administrative sanctions;

• confidentiality;

• personal data;

• intellectual property;

• competition;

• shareholder matters; or

• investment agreements.

 

Depending on the circumstances, the appropriate route may include negotiation, contractual remedies, administrative proceedings, litigation, arbitration or another legally available mechanism.

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Telecommunications and Intellectual Property

Technology businesses often rely heavily on intellectual property.

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A telecommunications project may involve:

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• software;

• network-management systems;

• mobile applications;

• databases;

• technical documentation;

• trademarks;

• patents;

• algorithms;

• source code; and

• proprietary know-how.

 

The legal documentation should clearly establish who owns the relevant intellectual property and what rights each party receives.

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The Turkish Patent and Trademark Office (TÜRKPATENT) is the official authority for industrial property matters in Turkey.

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For telecommunications technology transactions, intellectual-property provisions should be considered alongside confidentiality, cybersecurity and commercial licensing arrangements.

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Telecommunications Regulatory Compliance

Compliance is not simply about obtaining authorization once and then forgetting about regulation.

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Telecommunications businesses may need an ongoing process for monitoring:

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• BTK decisions;

• regulatory amendments;

• technical requirements;

• consumer obligations;

• data-protection developments;

• cybersecurity requirements;

• numbering;

• spectrum;

• contracts;

• complaints;

• reporting obligations; and

• changes to the business model.

 

A business that launches one service and later introduces another may also need to revisit its regulatory analysis.

 

Regulatory compliance should evolve with the business.

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Telecommunications Legal Services at Kurucuk & Associates

Kurucuk & Associates provides legal assistance to telecommunications, technology and communications businesses dealing with the Turkish market.

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Our work may include:

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• telecommunications regulatory advice;

• BTK authorization analysis;

• regulatory compliance;

• telecommunications market entry;

• telecommunications contracts;

• subscriber agreements;

• infrastructure agreements;

• network and technology agreements;

• spectrum and numbering matters;

• consumer protection;

• personal-data protection;

• confidentiality and privacy;

• cybersecurity and network-security matters;

• commercial electronic communications;

• competition-law issues;

• telecommunications M&A;

• regulatory due diligence;

• administrative proceedings;

• telecommunications disputes;

• technology transactions; and

• coordination with related areas of Turkish commercial and technology law.

 

The starting point is usually straightforward: we look at what the business is actually trying to do, identify the legal framework that applies, and then work through the practical implications.

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Related Areas of Turkish Law

Telecommunications projects frequently overlap with other areas of law.

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Depending on the circumstances, a telecommunications business may also need advice concerning:

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• Turkish IT Law;

• Personal Data Protection Law;

• Fintech Law;

• Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Law;

• AI Law;

• Competition Law;

• Commercial Law;

• Contract Law;

• Mergers and Acquisitions;

• International Transactions and Disputes;

• Banking and Finance Law;

• Project Finance Law;

• Intellectual Property Law; and

• Administrative Law.

 

This wider perspective can be particularly useful when a telecommunications project involves investment, infrastructure, financing, technology development or international expansion.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Telecommunications Law in Turkey

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What is telecommunications law in Turkey?

Telecommunications law in Turkey governs electronic communications services, networks, infrastructure and related regulatory matters. Law No. 5809 on Electronic Communications is one of the principal statutes, supported by secondary legislation and BTK decisions.

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Which authority regulates telecommunications in Turkey?

The Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) is the principal regulator of electronic communications in Turkey. Other authorities may become relevant depending on the issue, including the Personal Data Protection Authority, Competition Authority and Ministry of Trade.

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Does a telecommunications company need a BTK license?

Not necessarily in the traditional sense of one universal license. BTK operates an authorization framework involving notification and, where applicable, usage rights. The answer depends on the particular service and whether scarce resources such as frequencies, numbers or satellite positions are involved.

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Does every private telecommunications network require authorization?

No. Certain networks and infrastructure used exclusively for private or institutional needs may fall outside the authorization regime where the statutory conditions are satisfied. BTK provides specific information on these situations.

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Does internet service provision fall under telecommunications regulation?

It can. The precise regulatory position depends on the nature of the service, network and business model. The relevant activity should be assessed under Law No. 5809 and the applicable BTK rules.

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What does a telecommunications lawyer do?

A telecommunications lawyer may assist with regulatory classification, BTK authorization, contracts, infrastructure arrangements, spectrum and numbering, consumer protection, data protection, cybersecurity, competition matters, M&A, administrative proceedings and disputes.

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Does telecommunications law apply to mobile communications?

Yes. Mobile communications can involve several regulatory areas, including authorization, spectrum, numbering, consumer protection, network security and data-related obligations.

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Are telecommunications customer agreements regulated?

Yes. BTK identifies subscription agreements, transparency, consumer protection and service quality among the areas covered by its regulatory responsibilities under Law No. 5809.

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Does KVKK apply to telecommunications companies?

Telecommunications companies that process personal data may be subject to Law No. 6698 on the Protection of Personal Data (KVKK), alongside sector-specific telecommunications rules concerning privacy and confidentiality.

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Are telecommunications companies subject to cybersecurity requirements?

Yes. Turkish electronic communications legislation and the applicable network and information-security regulations establish security obligations for operators. BTK publishes the relevant network and information-security legislation.

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Are telecommunications numbers regulated in Turkey?

Yes. Number allocation and use are governed by the Turkish numbering framework and applicable BTK rules. BTK publishes the Numbering Regulation and related legislation.

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Is spectrum a regulated resource in Turkey?

Yes. Frequency is treated as a scarce resource, and particular services may require usage rights. BTK publishes information concerning spectrum management and applicable usage-right fees.

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Can a foreign telecommunications company enter the Turkish market?

A foreign company may be able to operate in Turkey, but the regulatory requirements depend on its proposed activities, corporate structure, services, infrastructure and use of regulated resources. A market-entry review should therefore be completed before operations begin.

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Can a telecommunications company challenge a BTK decision?

Depending on the nature of the decision and the applicable procedural rules, administrative remedies or judicial review may be available. The specific decision and applicable deadlines should be examined promptly.

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A Practical Telecommunications Legal Checklist

Before launching, acquiring or significantly changing a telecommunications business in Turkey, it is worth asking:

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Business Model

• What service will the company actually provide?

• Who will use it?

• Will the service be offered commercially?

• Will the company operate its own infrastructure?

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Regulatory Status

• Does Law No. 5809 apply?

• Is BTK notification required?

• Are usage rights required?

• Are numbers, frequencies or satellite positions involved?

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Contracts

• Are customer agreements appropriate?

• Are infrastructure arrangements documented?

• Do supplier contracts allocate regulatory and cybersecurity responsibilities clearly?

• Are intellectual-property rights properly documented?

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Consumers

• Are pricing and subscription terms transparent?

• Are cancellation and termination procedures compliant?

• Is the complaint process workable?

• Are marketing communications handled correctly?

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Data

• What personal data is collected?

• Why is it processed?

• How long is it retained?

• Who can access it?

• Are processors or international transfers involved?

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Security

• Are network-security responsibilities clearly assigned?

• Is there an incident-response procedure?

• Are suppliers subject to appropriate security requirements?

• Are regulatory reporting obligations understood?

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Transactions

• Is the business being acquired or invested in?

• Are its BTK records and authorizations in order?

• Are there unresolved consumer or regulatory complaints?

• Could competition-law issues arise?

 

These questions do not replace a legal assessment, but they provide a useful starting point for identifying where that assessment is needed.

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Official Turkish Resources for Telecommunications Law

Businesses researching telecommunications law in Turkey should rely primarily on current official sources rather than outdated summaries.

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Useful government and regulatory resources include:

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• Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) — telecommunications and electronic communications regulation.

• BTK Authorization Regime — notification and usage-right framework.

• BTK Services Subject to Authorization — official information on activities within the authorization framework.

• BTK Services and Infrastructure Not Subject to Authorization — official information concerning statutory exemptions.

• BTK Consumer Rights — telecommunications consumer protection.

• BTK Numbering Legislation — numbering rules and official resources.

• BTK Network and Information Security Legislation — network and information-security requirements.

• BTK Spectrum Management — spectrum and frequency matters.

• BTK Usage Rights Fees — current information concerning usage-right fees.

• Turkish Legislation Database — official legislation and regulations.

• Personal Data Protection Authority (KVKK) — Turkish personal-data protection.

• Turkish Competition Authority — competition law and enforcement.

• Ministry of Trade — commercial and electronic-commerce legislation.

• Commercial Electronic Message Management System (İYS) — commercial electronic-message permissions.

• TÜRKPATENT — industrial property and intellectual-property-related resources.

• Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) — broadcasting regulation where telecommunications projects overlap with radio and television activities.

• Investment Office of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye — official investment information for companies considering Turkey.

 

These official sources are particularly useful because telecommunications regulation can change through new regulations, Authority decisions, fee schedules and other administrative developments. Current requirements should therefore be checked against the applicable official sources when a business is preparing to launch or change a regulated service.

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Telecommunications Lawyer in Istanbul

Telecommunications law is ultimately about much more than licenses and networks.

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It affects how a company enters the Turkish market, how it builds and shares infrastructure, how it contracts with customers and suppliers, how it uses spectrum and numbering resources, how it protects communications and personal data, and how it responds when a regulatory or commercial dispute arises.

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For that reason, legal advice is most useful when it begins with the actual business model.

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Kurucuk & Associates assists companies, investors and technology businesses with telecommunications and related legal matters in Istanbul and elsewhere in Turkey, bringing together regulatory, commercial, technology, data-protection, competition and dispute-resolution considerations where the project requires it.

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The Turkish telecommunications framework is detailed, but it becomes much easier to navigate when the relevant questions are identified in the right order.

Kurucuk & Associates — Telecommunications Lawyer in Istanbul, Turkey.