Fiber internet infrastructure access issues in Turkey

In Gaziantep, residents of the Cebeler neighborhood in the Şahinbey district have protested the lack of fiber internet infrastructure. Approximately 160 households have relied on insufficient VDSL connections for nearly two years. Residents reported that Türk Telekom classified the area as a “special investment zone,” a designation that allows the provider to deem current VDSL infrastructure sufficient based on subscriber numbers and return on investment.

Community members expressed frustration over claims that they might need to personally cover costs for excavation, piping, and cabling. They argued that reliable internet is a fundamental necessity for education, work, and security.

In a separate instance in Ankara, residents of Bulut Apartmanı in the Altındağ district gained access to fiber internet following a seven-month delay. While a fiber infrastructure box had been previously installed, technical issues prevented the signal from reaching 12 apartments. Following media attention, Türk Telekom Field Operations Manager Gökhan Yıldız coordinated with technical teams to resolve the signal problem and complete the installations.