Turksat 6A set to expand Turkish satellite services to 5B people by February

Türkiye’s very first domestically produced Turksat 6A satellite, which recently reached its permanent orbit, will become fully operational in February, expanding Turksat’s service area to reach 5 billion people.

“The most significant achievement here is ensuring that civilian and military communications, along with television broadcasting, are conducted securely and under reliable conditions,” Türkiye’s Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu told Anadolu Agency.

Once launched, Turksat 6A is expected to significantly boost Türkiye’s satellite capacity, ensuring redundancy for current satellites while expanding coverage to regions like India, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. The satellite will primarily support television broadcasting and communication services over an extensive area.

Uraloglu also confirmed plans to hold the 5G tender this year, with services expected to roll out by 2026. He noted that 5G is currently being tested in 34 locations across Türkiye.

‘Initiatives for Syria underway’

Speaking about maritime projects, Uraloglu mentioned that the Ship Traffic Management Center has been activated in the straits and various parts of the country. “We are also establishing a similar center in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. These efforts will strengthen our control and oversight of the Blue Homeland, particularly in managing commercial activity in the region. The project is expected to be operational by the end of this year or in 2026,” he stated.

The minister also highlighted preliminary assessments for projects in Syria. “We have started laying the groundwork for potential operations in Syria. Once a government is established and counterparts are clearly defined, we will determine what can be done for the Syrian people.”

He pointed to aviation initiatives, adding, “Turkish Airlines will resume flights to Damascus next week. Talks are ongoing with the other side. We have also begun assessments regarding railways, highways, and GSM communication. Once the technical teams establish contact with their counterparts, our activities will accelerate,” he concluded.