Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Ulalool said on Saturday that preparations for 6G technology have begun in addition to advances in 5G-related frameworks, underscoring the importance of digital literacy and domestic innovation.
He also reiterated the goal of launching Turksat 6A, Turkiye’s first local and national communications satellite, into space this year.
Speaking at an introductory event for the Technology and Entrepreneurship Center at Terminal Istanbul, Mr. Ularoğlu emphasized that a country that does not produce information and cannot turn the produced information into products cannot develop, and that it is important to be a digital society. He called attention to the need to adapt to a digital society. process of transformation.
“A digital society means not only having access to the internet, but also having digitally skilled individuals and businesses. I would like to point out that digital literacy is very important at this time,” he said. said.
He further pointed out that the difficulties experienced during the course of the coronavirus pandemic demonstrate the importance of digitalization, noting that new concepts such as distance learning and working from home are entering human life. did.
“Thanks to the power of our country’s digital infrastructure, we were able to easily leave behind the trending process. But this process also allows everyone to have equal and secure access to the digital world. It has also become clear that we need to do more to achieve this goal. In this context, we have taken strategic steps such as expanding our country’s broadband infrastructure and strengthening our fiber optic infrastructure,” Uralor said. Stated.
He also said that it reached a total of 94.3 million broadband internet subscribers, including about 19.5 million fixed subscribers and 74.8 million mobile subscribers.
“We had planned to extend the length of our fiber infrastructure to 600,000 kilometers by the end of this year. We aim to increase this to more than 850,000 kilometers by 2028,” he said.
Uralor also emphasized the ministry’s emphasis on local, national and indigenous production. He said progress has been made in local and national frameworks on 5G-related initiatives and preparations have begun for 6G technology.
“We develop 5G-specific management, services, and software products that are critical to 5G core networks, 5G base stations, and 5G infrastructure. “I’m involved in many innovative projects. I supported online remote surgery,” he explained.
“Another important step that we will take this year from a regional and nationality point of view is Turksat 6A,” he said.
He added, “We aim to send Japan’s first domestic and national communications satellite into space in June, and preparations are continuing.”
Regarding entrepreneurship, Uralor said Turkiye ranks 10th among European countries with $1.6 billion in entrepreneurship ecosystem. He stressed that it would be easy for Turkiye to become the region’s largest production and investment center due to its proximity to Western countries and its large young population.
Finally, Uraloğlu said that with the “Terminal Istanbul” project, Ataturk Airport, which has long served as Turkiye’s gateway to the world, will become a hub for thousands of startups in the future.
“Terminal Istanbul serves all of Istanbul with unique advantages such as its physical conditions, central location, convenience of all types of transportation, including air transport, and right next to Turkiye’s largest public garden. “It develops scientific culture, technological awareness, and competence in our society,” he said.
Mr. Ularooglu highlighted that the airport hosted Turkiye’s largest technology and aerospace event “Technofest” in the previous year, and that this place has been recognized as Turkiye’s largest technopark and the country’s flagship in digital transformation and technological development. He concluded that it would also work.
