Türkiye aims to play leading role in 6G development

As Türkiye advances its transition to 5G communications technology, preparations for the next-generation 6G era are already accelerating, with leading global technology companies focusing on partnerships and research projects to help shape future standards.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Ericsson Türkiye General Manager Mehmet Oğul said the company has been part of Türkiye's digital transformation journey through every major technological shift, CE Report quotes Anadolu Agency.

Highlighting Türkiye's preparations for 6G, Oğul said Ericsson's research and development investments in the country, which began in the 2010s, are now heavily focused on 6G networks and security technologies.

"Our goal is not only to make Türkiye a country that implements 5G, but also one that leads in 6G and contributes to the development of future technologies," he said.

Oğul described 5G as the "horizon" of digital transformation and noted that artificial intelligence will be naturally integrated into the transition toward 6G networks.

He emphasized that Türkiye's approach to 5G deployment provides a significant advantage for the future.

"Türkiye has become one of the first countries in the world to implement both Stand-Alone (SA) and Non-Stand-Alone (NSA) 5G modes together, giving it a major advantage in the transition to 6G," Oğul said.

According to him, wider adoption of mobile technologies across industries through 5G will enable safer and more efficient operations in sectors ranging from mining and healthcare to defense, energy, transportation, and other industries.

Roadmap Toward 6G

Oğul noted that Ericsson has signed agreements with Turkish operators and plans to deepen research and development cooperation in the coming years.

Under agreements signed in Barcelona, Ericsson will collaborate with partners in Türkiye at a time when global 6G standards are still being defined.

"The work we carry out with our customers and partners in Türkiye will be extremely important in contributing to the development of 6G standards," he said.

At the same time, Ericsson plans to introduce more advanced 5G applications to Türkiye, making them available to consumers, industries, and businesses.

Oğul stressed that continued investment remains essential, pointing out that 5G standards are constantly being updated and refined.

"These revisions are effectively preparing the road to 6G," he said. "Rapid adoption of new 5G standards and implementation of different use cases in Türkiye will also accelerate the transition to 6G."

He added that close cooperation among industry players, customers, and ecosystem partners will be crucial to preparing Türkiye for the next generation of mobile communications and ensuring the country has a voice in shaping future technologies.

Praise for Türkiye's 5G Adoption

Ericsson Europe Vice President and Head of Technology Hanna Maurer Sibley also praised Türkiye's rapid adoption of 5G technology.

She noted that the rollout process had taken considerably longer in many other European countries.

"To be honest, we started earlier, but despite joining later, Türkiyeis progressing extremely quickly in 5G adoption," Sibley said.

She also highlighted Türkiye's implementation of standalone 5G architecture and its ability to provide differentiated connectivity services tailored to different user needs.

"Impressive work is being done in terms of service quality and how efficiently data is delivered through network layers," she said.

Sibley emphasized Türkiye's strategic importance for Ericsson, noting that the company is celebrating its 150th anniversary globally this year and has maintained a presence in Türkiye since 1890.

"Türkiye is a deeply rooted and very important region for us," she said. "With its large population, technological progress, advances in artificial intelligence, local research and development activities, and domestic production capabilities, Türkiye will continue to be a major and important market for Ericsson."

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