Türksat to decommission 3A satellite and transfer broadcasts

Türksat is decommissioning its Türksat 3A satellite, which has been in service since 2008, as it reaches the end of its technological lifespan. During the night between August 15 and August 16, approximately 130 television and radio broadcasts will be transferred to higher-capacity satellites within the Türksat fleet, including Türksat 4A, 5B, and 6A.

Because the replacement satellites occupy the same orbital position, users will not need to adjust their satellite dishes. While devices equipped with the Türksat Channel Update System (TKGS) will update automatically, users with older receivers will need to perform a manual channel scan using specific frequency settings to avoid losing channels.

The transition also highlights upcoming developments in Turkey's satellite program. A protocol for the Türksat 7A satellite was signed in June 2025, with service expected by 2029. The project involves several major entities, including TÜBİTAK UZAY, ASELSAN, TUSAŞ, and CTech. The new generation of satellites is expected to offer higher data capacity, stronger coverage, and flexible resource management.