2015 Annual Report

i
INDEX
INDEX ..................................................................................................................................... i
LIST OF TABLES .................................................................................................................. ix
LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................................. x
LIST OF ACRONYMS .......................................................................................................... xii
Quality Management System .................................................................................................. 3
ICTA Chairman and Board Members ................................................................................... 4
Information and Communications Technologies Authority ................................................ 7
Financial and Institutional Information .............................................................................. 13
1.
ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS MARKET ............................................ 17
1.1.
Fixed Market ............................................................................................................ 20
1.2.
Internet and Broadband ............................................................................................ 24
1.3.
Mobile Market .......................................................................................................... 28
2.
ECONOMIC REGULATIONS ............................................................................ 32
2.1.
Authorization ............................................................................................................ 32
2.1.1.
Authorization Regulations and Activities ................................................................ 33
2.1.1.1. ICTA Board Decision on Fixed Telephone Service Operators ................................ 33
2.1.1.2. The directive on Calling Line Identification ............................................................ 33
2.1.1.3. GSM 1800 Mobile Phone Services for HT-GSM 1800 MTH Air Vehicles ............ 33
2.1.1.4. Treasury Share.......................................................................................................... 34
2.1.1.5. Trial Permissions ...................................................................................................... 34
2.1.1.6. 4,5G Authorization ................................................................................................... 35
2.1.2.
Authorization Types ................................................................................................. 35
2.1.2.1. Satellite Communication Service ............................................................................. 35
2.1.2.2. Satellite Platform Service ......................................................................................... 35
2.1.2.3. Infrastructure Operating Service .............................................................................. 36
ii
2.1.2.4. Internet Service Provision ........................................................................................ 36
2.1.2.5. Fixed Telephony Service .......................................................................................... 36
2.1.2.6. Wired Broadcasting Service ..................................................................................... 36
2.1.2.7. GMPCS Mobile Phone Service ................................................................................ 37
2.1.2.8. Mobile Virtual Network Service .............................................................................. 37
2.1.2.9. Public Access Mobile Radio Service ....................................................................... 37
2.1.2.10. Directory Services .................................................................................................... 37
2.2.
Numbering Regulations............................................................................................ 38
2.2.1.
Regulation Activities Regarding Number Portability .............................................. 38
2.2.2.
Number Assignments ............................................................................................... 38
2.3.
Access and Interconnection ...................................................................................... 39
2.3.1.
Reference Access Offers .......................................................................................... 39
2.3.1.1. Türk Telekom Reference Leased Line Offer ........................................................... 39
2.3.1.2. Türk Telekom Reference Wholesale ATM/FR/ME Internet Resale Offer .............. 40
2.3.1.3. Türk Telekom Reference IP Level Bit Stream Access Offer ................................... 41
2.3.1.4. Türk Telekom Reference Wholesale xDSL Internet Resale Offer .......................... 41
2.3.1.5. Türk Telekom Reference Facility Sharing and Dark Fiber Offer ............................ 41
2.3.2.
Interconnection Rates Regulations ........................................................................... 42
2.3.2.1. Promotional Discounts on Fixed Interconnection Rates .......................................... 42
2.3.3
Other Access and Interconnection Regulations ....................................................... 43
2.3.3.1
Duct, Conduit and Inner Duct Sharing Regulations ................................................. 43
2.3.3.2
New DSL Tariffs ...................................................................................................... 44
2.3.3.3
ISP Switching ........................................................................................................... 44
2.3.3.4
Approval of Different Promotions for Broadband and Leased Line Services ......... 44
2.3.4
Dispute Resolutions.................................................................................................. 45
2.3.5
Access Agreements .................................................................................................. 45
2.3.6
Mobile On-Net Price Regulation.............................................................................. 47
iii
2.3.7
Retail Price Regulations ........................................................................................... 47
2.3.7.1
Telephony Services .................................................................................................. 47
2.3.7.2
Regulation Regarding Tariff Comparison Websites ................................................ 48
2.3.8
Accounting Separation and Cost Accounting .......................................................... 48
2.4
Competition Regulations and Activities .................................................................. 49
2.4.1
Margin-Squeeze Remedy and Procedures & Principles Regarding Determination
and Remedies of Margin Squeeze ............................................................................................ 49
2.4.2
Market Analysis ....................................................................................................... 50
2.5
Postal Services Regulations ..................................................................................... 50
2.5.1
Authorization of the Postal Service Providers ......................................................... 50
2.5.2
Determination of the basic tariff .............................................................................. 50
3 TECHNICAL REGULATIONS ........................................................................................ 51
3.1
Spectrum Management Regulations and Activities ................................................. 51
3.1.1
Transactions of Imposition, Notification and Accruement ...................................... 51
3.1.2
Public Access Mobile Radio (PAMR) ..................................................................... 51
3.1.3
Temporary Allocation Issues .................................................................................. 52
3.1.4
Notification Form (Class 2)...................................................................................... 53
3.1.5
Maritime Communication Systems .......................................................................... 54
3.1.6
Satellite Systems International Frequency Coordination Activities ........................ 56
3.1.7
Aeronautical Communications Systems................................................................... 56
3.1.8
Radio/TV Systems.................................................................................................... 57
3.1.8.1
Studies Pertaining to 694-862 MHz Frequency Band .............................................. 57
3.1.8.2 International Frequency Coordination Process of Terrestrial Digital Television
Systems .................................................................................................................................. 58
3.1.8.3 Extension of Time for The Use of Radio-link Used by Radio and Television
Broadcasters ............................................................................................................................. 59
3.1.9
Other Frequency Assignments ................................................................................. 59
3.1.9.1
450-470 MHz Frequency Band ................................................................................ 60
iv
3.1.9.2
Update of the Frequencies Bands Assigned to Turkish Armed Forces .................... 60
3.1.9.3
Frequency Coordination Activities with Neighboring Countries ............................ 60
3.1.10
National Monitoring System (NMS) Activities ....................................................... 61
3.1.11
Revision of MOBDF and NMS Modernization ....................................................... 62
3.1.12
Electromagnetic Field Measurement Authorization Certificate ............................... 63
3.1.13 Revising the By-Law on determination, control and inspection of the limit values of
electromagnetic field strength from the electronic communication devices according to
international standards.............................................................................................................. 63
3.1.14 "Communique on Acquiring Quality of Service Criteria of 3G Mobile
Communication Service" ......................................................................................................... 63
3.1.15 Updating the By-Law on Procedures and Principles Regarding Design, Installation,
Sharing of Cellular System Antenna Facilities ........................................................................ 63
3.1.16
Performing Studies to Extend Mobile Coverage Areas ........................................... 64
3.1.16.1 GSM coverage expanding studies in rural areas ...................................................... 64
3.1.16.2 GSM Coverage Measurements................................................................................. 65
3.2
Information Technologies Activities ........................................................................ 65
3.2.1
Electronic Signature ................................................................................................. 65
3.2.2
Internet Domain Names ........................................................................................... 66
3.2.3
Registered E-Mail System ........................................................................................ 67
3.2.4
Network and Information Security ........................................................................... 68
3.2.5
Cyber Security .......................................................................................................... 69
3.2.5.1
Awareness Raising Programs ................................................................................... 69
3.2.5.2
Cyber Exercise ......................................................................................................... 69
3.2.5.3
Preparation of Procedures and Principles for Sector Specific CSIRT ..................... 70
3.3
Market Surveillance Activities on Radio and Telecommunicaitons Terminal
Equipment ................................................................................................................................ 70
3.3.1
Harmonised Standards.............................................................................................. 70
3.3.2.1 Accreditation of Market Surveillance Laboratory and Calibration Process of the
Equipment ................................................................................................................................ 71
3.3.2.2
Inter-laboratory Comparison (ILC) Tests and Proficiency Testing (PT) ................. 71
v
3.3.2.3
Testing Activities ..................................................................................................... 72
3.3.2.4
New Test Instructions and Other Issues ................................................................... 74
3.4
Sector
Technical Regulations and Activities Relating to the Electronic Communications
.................................................................................................................................. 74
3.4.1
Communiqué on Enhancement of Communiqué on Quality of Fixed Telephone
Services .................................................................................................................................. 74
3.4.2
Communiqué on Enhancement of Communiqué on Quality of Internet Service
Providers’ Services ................................................................................................................... 74
3.4.3
Electronic Communications Infrastructure Information System (ECIS) Software ......
.................................................................................................................................. 75
3.4.4
Reporting and Monitoring Fixed Broadband Service Quality with the Aid of
Independent Body .................................................................................................................... 76
3.4.5
By-law on the Determination and Auditing of Electronic Communications
Infrastructure Underground Facilities Minimum Requirements .............................................. 76
3.4.6
In the Electronic Communications Sector, Coordination Studies about Next
Generation Mobile Communication (5G) Technologies .......................................................... 77
4.
INSPECTION ......................................................................................................... 79
4.1
Inspection of authorized operators and legal and real persons subject to ICTA
inspection ................................................................................................................................. 79
4.2
Inspection of Operators in 2015 ............................................................................... 80
4.3
Consequences of Inspections in 2015 ...................................................................... 82
4.4
Works within the context of Article 19 of the Communique on Inspection Activities
of ICTA .................................................................................................................................. 83
4.5
Electromagnetic Interference ................................................................................... 83
4.6
Spectrum Monitoring ............................................................................................... 85
4.7
Continuous Monitoring System of Electromagnetic Fields ..................................... 86
4.8
The Inspection Activities on Market Surveillance ................................................... 87
5.
REGULATIONS AND ACTIVITIES ON THE RIGHTS OF CONSUMERS 89
5.1
Processing of Personal Data and Protecting the Privacy.......................................... 89
5.2
Consumer consent about mobile data services ......................................................... 89
5.3
Regulation about how to calculate prorated charges and prorated credits is in effect
.................................................................................................................................. 90
vi
5.4
Regulation regarding Interrogation of the Debt and Credit Information ................. 90
5.5
Transactions carried out with the agency ................................................................. 91
5.6
Communications Made For Marketing and Sexual Purpose .................................... 91
5.7
Activities Related to Internet Security and Internet Regulations ............................. 91
5.7.1
Awareness Raising Activities................................................................................... 92
5.7.2
Safer Internet Service ............................................................................................... 92
5.7.3
Child and Family Profiles Criteria Working Board Activities ................................. 93
5.7.4
Categorization Activities .......................................................................................... 93
5.7.5
R&D Activities ......................................................................................................... 93
5.7.6
Internet Hotline Service ........................................................................................... 94
5.8
Mobile Device Registration System ......................................................................... 95
5.9
Consumer Complaints ............................................................................................ 100
5.10
Right to Access to Information and BİMER Applications .................................... 101
6.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS ..................................................................... 102
6.1
The Relations with the European Union ................................................................ 102
6.2
Relations with International Telecommunications Organizations ......................... 104
6.3
World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC – 15) .......................................... 106
6.4
Bilateral Cooperation ............................................................................................. 107
6.5
10th International Electronic Communications Regulators Conference ................ 109
6.6
International Seminar on Spectrum Regulations .................................................... 109
6.7
World Trade Organization and Free Trade Agreements Studies ........................... 110
7.
PROJECTS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES ......................................................... 111
7.1
EU Supported Technical Assistance Project .......................................................... 111
7.2
Views Given to the Competition Authority ........................................................... 111
7.3
Legal (Consultancy) Activities............................................................................... 112
7.4
Updating the Official Websites of ICTA ............................................................... 113
7.5
Consultancy Service for ICTA Information Management System ........................ 113
vii
7.6
Data Center Studies ................................................................................................ 114
7.7
Preparation of Mobile Spectrum Strategy .............................................................. 115
7.8
Satisfaction of External Customer Survey ............................................................. 115
7.9
Application of OHSAS 18001 Occupational Health and Safety Management
Standards for ICTA ................................................................................................................ 116
8.
PUBLICATIONS ................................................................................................. 117
8.1
Quarterly Electronic Communications Market Data Reports ................................ 117
8.2
The Bulletin of Developments in International Electronic Communications Sector ...
................................................................................................................................ 117
8.3
Electronic Communications Statistics at Provincial Level .................................... 118
8.4
The Statistics of the Equipments Having Electronic Identity Information ............ 118
8.5
The Research Report about Mobile Payment Services .......................................... 118
8.6
Turkey
The Report of the Importance of Expanding Green IT and Recommendations for
................................................................................................................................ 119
9.
ICTA ON PRESS ................................................................................................. 120
viii
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1:Number of Internet Subscribers .................................................................................. 24
Table 2: Number of Authorization ........................................................................................... 32
Table 3: Number of Assignments in 2015 ............................................................................... 39
Table 4: Discounts rates within the scope of promotion .......................................................... 42
Table 5: Call origination rates within the scope of promotion ................................................. 43
Table 6:MMS call termination rates......................................................................................... 43
Table 7: Dispute Resolutions in 2015 ...................................................................................... 45
Table 8: Access and Interconnection Agreements Submitted to the ICTA ............................. 46
Table 9: Statistical Information for Notification Form (Class 2) ............................................. 54
Table 10: Total Number of Tested Devices ............................................................................. 73
Table 11:The Device Groups in the Market Surveillance Inspections in 2015 ....................... 87
Table 14: Ranking of Complaints According to the Categories ............................................ 101
Table 12: The range of cases that the ICTA has adhered as respondent in the year of 2015 112
Table 13: The range of cases that the ICTA has adhered as Claimant in the year of 2015 ... 112
Table 15: Media Relations 2015 ............................................................................................ 120
ix
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: ICTA Organizational Chart as of December 2015 ..................................................... 9
Figure 2 : Borders and responsibilities of proviences of regional directorates ........................ 10
Figure 3 :The personnel distribution of the ICTA’s central and regional organizations ......... 11
Figure 4 :Personnel Distribution .............................................................................................. 11
Figure 5 :Distribution of the personnel according to their educational levels ......................... 12
Figure 6 :Distribution of the personnel in terms of the gender ................................................ 12
Figure 7: ICTA Budget ............................................................................................................ 13
Figure 8: Distribution of ICTA Revenues ................................................................................ 14
Figure 9: Budget Expenditures ................................................................................................. 14
Figure 10: Transfers From Budget ........................................................................................... 15
Figure 11: Net Sales (Billion TL) ............................................................................................ 17
Figure 12: Share of Operators in Net Sales (%) ....................................................................... 18
Figure 13: Total Investments of Operators (Million TL) ........................................................ 18
Figure 14: Total Traffic Volume, Billion Min. ........................................................................ 19
Figure 15: Total Traffic Distribution (%) ................................................................................ 19
Figure 16: Fixed Subscribers and Penetration.......................................................................... 20
Figure 17: Türk Telekom Traffic Distribution (%) .................................................................. 21
Figure 18: Shares of FTS – Türk Telekom in Call Origination (local) Traffic ........................ 21
Figure 19: Shares of FTS – Türk Telekom in Call Origination (National) Traffic .................. 22
Figure 20: Shares of FTS – Türk Telekom in Call Origination (to mobile) Traffic ................ 22
Figure 21: Shares of FTS – Türk Telekom in Call Origination (to abroad) Traffic ................ 23
Figure 22: FTS-Türk Telekom Shares’ in Total Fixed Traffic ................................................ 23
Figure 23: FTS Revenues – Türk Telekom Voice Services Revenues Comparison % ........... 24
Figure 24: Number of xDSL Subscribers ................................................................................. 25
Figure 25: Fixed Broadband Penetration Rates in Turkey and OECD .................................... 26
Figure 26: Breakdown of Fixed Broadband Subscribers by Access Speeds ............................ 26
Figure 27: Distribution of Fixed Broadband Technologies,% ................................................. 27
Figure 28: Fixed-Mobile Broadband Penetration Rates, % ..................................................... 27
Figure 29: Number of Mobile Subscribers and Penetration Rates ........................................... 28
Figure 30: Mobile Penetration Rates in Turkey and Some European Countries, (%) ............. 28
Figure 31: Prepaid/Postpaid Mobile Subscriptions in Some European Countries ................... 29
Figure 32: Market Shares of Mobile Operators by Subscriber Numbers, 2015 ....................... 29
Figure 33: Number of SMS and MMS ..................................................................................... 30
Figure 34: Average ARPU Values for Türk Telekom and Mobile Operators ......................... 30
Figure 35: MoU Values for Turkey and European Countries .................................................. 31
Figure 36 : Cumulative Number of ISP Switching .................................................................. 44
Figure 37:Notification Form (Class 2) Monthly Application Statistics for 2015 .................... 54
Figure 38: Components of NMS .............................................................................................. 61
Figure 39 :Settlements that offered coverage by Universal Service Fund ............................... 64
Figure 40 : Total Number of Devices and Applied Tests ........................................................ 73
Figure 41 : Inspections Launched in 2015 ............................................................................... 80
Figure 42 : Inspections Launched in 2013 and 2014 and Ongoing in 2015, and Inspections
Launched in 2015 ..................................................................................................................... 81
Figure 43 :Inspections conducted in 2015................................................................................ 81
Figure 44 : Statistical Graphic of EMI Complaints about ........................................................ 84
Figure 45 : Source of EMI Complaints Graphic ...................................................................... 84
Figure 46 : Screen of Analyse Frequencies .............................................................................. 85
Figure 47: Operation of Continuous Monitoring System of Electromagnetic Fields System . 86
x
Figure 48: Number of Reports by Year .................................................................................... 95
Figure 49 : Distribution of IMEIs Registered in Mobile Device Registration System ............ 96
Figure 50: Number of IMEIs Registered Through Importation ............................................... 96
Figure 51: Number of IMEIs Registered Through Manufacturing .......................................... 97
Figure 52: Number of IMEIs of Equipment Brought and Registered by Individuals .............. 98
Figure 53: Ratio of Registrations Through E-Government ...................................................... 98
Figure 54: Registration Documents Audited By ICTA ............................................................ 99
Figure 55: Number of Calls ...................................................................................................... 99
Figure 56: Ranking of Complaints According to Services .................................................... 100
Figure 57: Data Center Plan ................................................................................................... 115
xi
3G
:
LIST OF ACRONYMS
Third Generation
4G
:
Fourth Generation
4.5 G
:
4.5 Generation
4G
:
Fourth Generation
ADSL
:
Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line
AFAD
:
Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency
ARE
:
Regulatory Authority of Mauritania
ARGEK
:
Research and Development Committee
ARPU
:
Average Revenue per User
ATM
:
Automatic Teller Machine
ATRA
:
Afghanistan Telecom Regulatory Authority
BEREC
:
Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications
BRIFIC
:
BR International Frequency Information Circular
BS
:
Bachelor of Science
BSA
:
Bit Stream Access
CA
:
Competition Authority
ccTLD
:
Country-Code Top-Level Domain
CEPT
:
European
Conference
of
Postal
and
Telecommunications
Administrations
CERT
:
Computer Emergency Response Team
CMS
:
Content Management System
DDoS
:
Distributed Denial of Service
DMR
:
Digital Mobile Radio
ECIS
:
Electronic Communications Infrastructure Information System
ECSP
:
Electronic Certificate Service Providers
EMC
:
Electromagnetic Compatibility
EMERG
:
Euro-Mediterranean Regulators Group
EMF
:
Electromagnetic fields
EMI
:
Electromagnetic Interference
ENISA
:
European Union Agency for Network and Information Security
ESA
:
European Space Agency
ESIS
:
Continuous monitoring system of electromagnetic fields
ETSI
:
European Telecommunications Standards Institute
xii
EU
:
European Union
FTA
:
Free Trade Agreements
FTS
:
Fixed Telephony Services
GIS
:
Geographical Information Systems
GMPCS
:
Global Mobile Personal Communications by Satellite
GSM
:
Global System for Mobile Communications
GSMA
:
GSM Association
HAKOM
:
Croatian Post and Electronic Communications Agency
HST
:
High Speed Train
ICANN
:
Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers
ICAO/FMG
:
International Civil Aviation Organization/ Frequency Management
Group
ICSE
:
International Cyber Shield Exercise
ICT
:
Information and Communications Technologies
ICTA
:
Information and Communication Technologies Authority
IGF
:
Internet Governance Forum
ILC
:
Inter-laboratory Comparison
IMEI
:
International Mobile Equipment Identity
IMT
:
International Mobile Telecommunications
IP
:
Internet Protocol
IPA
:
Instrument for Pre-Accession
IRG
:
Independent Regulators Group
ISP
:
Internet Service Provider
ITRs
:
International Telecommunication Regulations
ITU
:
International Telecommunication Union
KEGM/TİM :
Directorate
General
of
Coastal
Safety/Directorate
of
Radiocommunication
LLB
:
Bachelor of Laws
LTE
:
Long Term Evolution
LVD
:
Low Voltage Directive
M2M
:
Machine to machine
MBA
:
The Master of Business Administration
MMS
:
Multi Message Service
MNOs
:
Mobile Network Operators
xiii
MoU
:
Minutes of use
MS
:
Master of Science
MSI
:
Market surveillance and inspection
MTR
:
Mobil Termination Rates Regulation
MVNO
:
Mobile Virtual Network Operator
NATO
:
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
NFV
:
Network virtualization function
NGOs
:
Non-govermental Organizations
NMS
:
National Monitoring System
NTD
:
Notice and takedown
OECD
:
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
OHSAS
:
Occupation Health and Safety Assessment Series
PAMR
:
Public Access Mobile Radio
PGM
:
Directorate of Market Surveillance Labarotuary
PhD
:
Doctor of Philosophy
PMO
:
Project Management Office
PMP
:
Point to Multipoint
PT
:
Proficiency Testing
PTT
:
General Directorate of Post and Telegraph Organization
QMS
:
Quality Management System
QoS
:
Quality of Service
R&D
:
Research and Development
R&TTE
:
Radio and telecommunications terminal equipment
RAO
:
Reference Access Offer
REM
:
Registered E-Mail
REMSP
:
Registered e-mail service providers
RF
:
Radio Frequency
RLLO
:
Reference Leased Line Offer
RMC
:
Regional Monitoring Centers
RTÜK
:
Radio and Television Supreme Council
SAR
:
Specific Absorption Rate
SDN
:
Software-defined networks
SIM
:
Subscriber Identity Module
SIS
:
Safer Internet Service
xiv
SMOS
:
Soil moisture and ocean salinity
SMP
:
Significant market power
SMS
:
Short Message Service
SRD
:
Short Range Devices
TAIEX
:
Technical Assistance for Information Exchange
TBD
:
Turkey Informatics Association
TCDD
:
Turkish State Railways
TCRA
:
Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority
TETRA
:
Trans-European Trunk Radio
TiSA
:
Trade in Services Agreement
TiSA
:
The Trade in Services Agreement
TOKİ
:
The Housing Development Administration of Turkey
TRABİS
:
Network Information System
TRC
:
Telecommunications Regulatory Commission
TRCSL
:
Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka
TSE
:
Turkish Standards Institute
TÜBİTAK
:
The Scientific and Technological Reserach Council of Turkey
TURKAK
:
Turkish Accreditation Agency
UDHB
:
Ministry of Transportation, Maritime Affairs and Communications
UN
:
United Nations
UPU
:
Universal Postal Union
VAT
:
Value Added Tax
WACC
:
Weighted Average Cost of Capital
WGSE
:
Working Group Spectrum Engineering
WiMAX
:
Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access
WRC
:
World Radiocommunication Conference
WSIS
:
World Summit on the Information Society
WTDC
:
World Telecommunication Development Conference
WTO
:
World Trade Organization
xDSL
:
Digital Subscriber Line
xv
FOREWORD
As we experience in our daily lives,
information and communication
technologies
(ICT)
sector
contributes to economic efficiency
in all sectors and paves the way for
momentum to the growth of the
country and the impact of ICT on
economic and social life of the
countries increases day by day.
While information technologies, in
the information era that we live in
bring many opportunities such as
economic efficiency, being able to
have immediate access to the whole
world, enabling to offer a value that
we obtained to the benefit of all
people instantly, if we can't have the appropriate competencies to the requirements of the era,
it may also be an important threat like lagging behind our competitors not only individualy
but also at institutional and national level.
Although I deem that it is very important to provide ICT services to our citizens and
increasingly usage of those services by our citizens like all over the world, I believe that being
only the consumers of ICT devices that makes easier our lives and became indispensable
assets for us, it doesn't make great importance for the future of our country. Today as
accessing the information, those who build the ICT infrastructure has become more important
than ever. Countries which can control these infrastructures, able to prevent information and
communication possibilities or may use according to their own interest unless necessary
precautions are taken.
In this context, on the purpose of the studies to seize the opportunities of our time, minimize
the threats, and as a part of the domestic and national production vision of His excellencies
the President and the Prime Minister, mobile operators were obliged by 4.5G authorizations to
supply up to 45% of the products used in their networks from domestic goods certificated
products and 10% from manufactured by SMEs in Turkey. Having an import based electronic
communication infrastructure in our country increases further the importance of these
1
regulations. For this reason, not only our public institutions but also our operators and
manufacturers must show their maximum effort to achieve the objectives of these regulations.
Migrating from import based ICT infrastructure ownership to the ICT infrastructure
developed with domestic and national resources will only be possible with our hard work,
patience, perseverance and determination with all of our stakeholders.
In addition to these important developments towards domestic and national production we
carried out many activities in 2015 such as from regulatory studies to protect consumer rights
that is one of the reason of the presence of ICTA to the establishment of electronic
communication infrastructure information systems and the studies to improve national
broadband strategies, from activities to improve cyber security capacity to activities to
enhance the institutional capacity. Within the scope of the important studies that we carried
out in international area it is worth to mention that being chosen for vice presidency of
European Independent Regulators Group is very important for our country to be represented
in
the
presence
of
European
regulators
for
the
electronic
communications sector. In the meantime, in 2015, our country were represented effectively at
the meetings and conferences organized by international organizations besides international
conferences and meetings organized by ICTA.
On the other hand, there have been significant developments in the sectoral data in 2015. In
this context, net sales of operators which are authorized by ICTA became 39.6 billion ₺, total
investments including tender price of 4,5G authorization reached to 17.3 billion ₺. The number
of authorized operators and authorizations has decreased to 672 and 1.088 in 2015 which were 686
and 1.127 respectively in at the end of 2014. While the number of fixed telephony subscribers has
decreased from 12,5 million in 2014 to 11.5 million, the number of mobile phone subscribers
has increased from 71,9 million to 73,6 million in the same period. Similarly, the number of
broadband internet subscribers has increased from 41,2 million to 48,6 million.
In this context, I kindly present "Information and Communication Technologies Authority
2015 Annual Report" which consists of the details of the activities that performed by ICTA
and sectoral developments, and I'd like to express my wishes for 2016 to be more productive
year for our sector and our country.
Yours respectfully,
Ömer Fatih SAYAN, PhD
Chairman of the Board
2
Quality Management System
Information and Communications Technologies Authority (ICTA) predicates its management
system on Total Quality Management concept, which has proved its success in international
level in order to provide services regarding regulation, authorization and supervision within
contemporary management system as a Regulatory Authority in electronic communication
and postal sector. ICTA established “Quality Management System (QMS)” and got it
approved by Turkish Standards Institute (TSE) which is an independent licensing institution,
in 11.12.2002. Thus, ICTA became the first regulatory and supervisory Authority owing TS
EN ISO 9001:2008 QMS certification. ICTA has established its Quality Management System
basing on 5 main processes which are Regulation, Permission, Supervision, Dispute
Settlement, Management and Support.
Quality Policy
ICTA's quality policy is to provide effective and sustainable competition in the information
and communications sector by regulating and supervising in accordance with international
norms and standards; to protect the rights and interests of the related parties and to improve its
service quality continuously.
Mission
Creating an effective and sustainable competition in the information and communications
sector, enhancing the satisfaction of all related parties by protecting their rights and interests
and providing the transformation into an information society by encouraging technological
developments.
Vision
In the field of information and communications, make our country reach a level of effective,
competitive and innovative state in international scale.
Basic Values

Impartiality and Reliability

Openness and Transparency

Predictability and Consistency

Participation and Teamwork

Basing on Science and Information
3

Innovation and Continuous Improvement

Efficient Use of Resources

Social Responsibility and Sensitivity

Focusing on End User (Consumer)
ICTA Chairman and Board Members
Board of Information and Communications Technologies Authority (Board), the decisionmaking body of the Authority, consists of a chairman and six members. Chairman, as the top
manager of the Authority, is responsible for general administration and representation of the
Authority. Board selects one of its members as a Deputy Chairman upon request by
Chairman. Members of the Board represent telecommunications sector, telecommunications
services, radio-communications services and consumers.
ICTA is a state organization with a special budget, financial and administrative autonomy,
and is responsible to fulfill its powers and functions given by the Acts in force. The Authority
is related to the Ministry of Transportation, Maritime Affairs and Communications.
Omer Fatih SAYAN PhD, Chairman of the Board
Mr. Sayan was born in Istanbul on June 10th, 1977. He holds a BS
degree from Istanbul University Engineering Faculty Electronics
Engineering Department, LLB degree from Bahcesehir University
Faculty of Law, MS degree from Munich Technical University
Electrical-Electronics
Engineering Communications
Engineering
Department and PhD degree from Istanbul University Graduate
School of Natural and Applied Sciences Biomedical Engineering
Department. In his earlier career he worked in private sector in Turkey, Germany and USA
for microchip production, mobile phone design and R&D. He worked as Adviser and
Principal Adviser for the Prime Minister between the years 2007-2014.Mr. Sayan was
appointed as the President of ICTA on August 25th, 2015.
4
Ihsan KULALI PhD, Board Member
Mr. Kulali was born in Corum on August 13th, 1969. He holds a BA
degree
from
Middle
East
Technical
University
Business
Administration Department, MBA degree from Leeds University and
PhD degree from Ankara University, Social Sciences Institute,
Business Administration Department. Previously, he worked as the
Head of Tariffs Department in ICTA. His first appointment as a Board
Member representing consumers was on September 19th, 2007. After expiration of his term in
the office, he served as the Vice Chairman of ICTA until he was appointed as the Board
Member representing postal services for the second term on January 13th, 2014.
Musa ŞAHİN, Board Member
Mr. Şahin, was born in Ankara in 1969, he completed his primary
and secondary education in Ankara. Mr. Şahin has a BS degree from
Gazi University, Electrical-Electronics Engineering Department. He
holds MS degree from Hacettepe University, Electric-Electronics
Engineering Department. After graduation, he worked as a research
assistant for a while. Then, he worked as a manager in public and
private sector companies. Mr. Şahin was appointed as a Board
Member, representing telecommunication services, on 28th January, 2009. He was elected as
deputy chairman with the board decision dated 16.01.2014 numbered 2014/İK/29. Mr. Şahin
was re-appointed on June 23rd, 2015, representing telecommunications services.
Celalettin DİNÇER, Board Member
Celalettin Dinçer was born in Trabzon in 1966. He has a BS degree
from İstanbul Technical University, Department of Electronics and
Communications Engineering. In his earlier career he worked in Turk
Telekom as IT Director, Deputy Director General, and board member
in Pantel. Mr. Dinçer was appointed as a Board Member, representing
telecommunications sector on 17th of January, 2015.
5
Hidayet YILDIZ, Board Member
Mr. Yıldız was born in Karaman in 1966. He has a BA degree from
Ankara University, Faculty of Political Science, Labor Economics
and Industrial Relations Department. He holds MA degree from
Sakarya University, Social Sciences Institute. He has been working in
ICTA since 2001, worked as the Head of Consumer Rights
Department of ICTA and consultant to Minister of Transport,
Maritime Affairs and Communications. Mr. Yıldız was appointed as a
Board Member, representing radio-communications services on 17th of January, 2015.
Figen KILIÇ, Board Member
Ms. Kılıç was born in Gaziantep in 1970. She has a BS degree from
Selçuk
University,
Department
of
Electrical-Electronics
Engineering. She holds MS degree from Gebze Technological
University, Electrical-Electronics Engineering Department. She
worked as Director of Business Development and PMO in Çalık
Holding and Product Development Manager in Turkcell. Ms. Kılıç
was appointed as a Board Member on June 23rd, 2015, representing
telecommunications services.
6
Information and Communications Technologies Authority
Policymaking, regulation and operation functions are separated by the Law No 4502 dated
27.01.2000, amending the Laws No 406 and 2813, which are the basic laws of
telecommunications sector3. While policy making is the responsibility of Ministry of
Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications, regulation function is given to
Telecommunications Authority. Telecommunications Authority, established in 2000, is the
first sectoral regulatory body of Turkey. The Authority is 102nd compared to similar
authorities in the world.
To remove the legislative untidiness, create competition in the sector, reduced the
uncertainties for operators and transfer resources to Research and Development (R&D)
activities, Electronic Communications Law has come into force on 10 November 2008 and
the name of the Authority has changed ICTA.
The duties of the Authority described in Electronic Communications Law No 5809 can be
given below:

Creation and maintaining the competition in the sector,

Protecting the rights of subscribers, users, consumers and end users,

Carrying out dispute resolution procedures between operators,

Tracking the developments and stimulating the development of the electronic
communications sector,

Planning and allocation of the frequencies, satellite position and numbering,

By taking into consideration the strategies and the policies of the Ministry of
Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications, performing necessary regulations
and supervisions, including:

Authorization

Tariffs

Access

Numbering

Spectrum management
7

Licensing for the installation and use of radio equipments and systems,

Monitoring and supervision of the spectrum,

Market observance and supervision,

Detection and elimination of electromagnetic interference,

Transferring a specific financial resource to the Ministry of Transport, Maritime
Affairs and Communications for research, development and training activities
pertaining to electronic communications sector,

Approval and supervision of the tariffs,

Approve the reference access offers submitted by the operators,

Ensuring publication and implementation of the harmonized national standards for all
kinds of systems and equipments,

Conducting frequency planning, allocation and registration procedures pertaining to
radio and television broadcasting,

Coordinating with the authorized organizations that will perform the construction,
measurement, maintenance and repair activities in electronic communications sector,

Conducting
market
analyses
regarding
electronic
communications
sector,
determination of the relevant markets and the operator/s with significant market power
(SMP) in relevant markets,

Participation in the works of international electronic communications associations and
organizations, pursuing the implementation of decisions,

Taking necessary measures specified by the legislation in force with a view to ensure
that the national security, public order or public services are duly,

Setting, auditing and/or having audited QoS standards of all types of services
including universal service and determination of principles and procedures regarding
setting and auditing of quality of services standards of services.
ICTA also performs duties assigned by the Law No:5070 on “Electronic Signatures” came
into force in 23.01.2004, the Law No:5397 on “Law Concerning the Amendments of Some
Laws” came into force in 23.07.2005, the Law No. 5651 on “Regulating Broadcasting in the
Internet and Fighting Against Crimes Committed through Internet Broadcasting” came into
force in 23.05.2007, the Law No 6475 on “Postal Services” came into force in 23.05.2013 and
other relevant legislation.
8
Based on the Law No: 5809 dated 10.11.20084, the organization structure of ICTA has
changed according to ICTA Organization Ordinance published on Official Gazette dated on
08.06.2011. The Authority consists of 4 Vice Presidents, 17 Departments, Legal Consulting
Office, 5 Offices and Telecommunication Communications Presidency with 5 Departments.
By the end of 2015, the organizational structure of Authority is given below.
Main Services Department
Supportive Services Department
Figure 1: ICTA Organizational Chart as of December 2015
9
The service units of the ICTA consist of main service units including departments and
directorates, advisory service units and auxiliary service units as well as the provincial units
including regional directorates. According to 5809 Electronic Comminications Law in order
to provide sufficient organizational services, maximum ten regional directorates can be
established. There already exit seven regional directorates which locate in Ankara, İstanbul,
İzmir, Diyarbakır, Mersin, Samsun and Erzurum for carrying out fast field audit tasks.
Regional directorates borders and provinces to be responsible are given in Figure 2.
Figure 2 : Borders and responsibilities of proviences of regional directorates
The distribution of the personnel at the ICTA’s headquarters and the regional directorates is
shown as follows:
10
Regional;
172; 23%
Central
Regional
Central; 570;
77%
Figure 3 :The personnel distribution of the ICTA’s central and regional organizations
The ongoing fundamental tasks and services that were assigned to our Authority pursuant to
relevant legislation are performed by “occupational personnel” and “other staff”. As a
specialist foundation, our organization acts predominantly through occupational personnel.
These personnel consist of chief ICT expert, ICT expert, technical expert, administrative
expert and assistant ICT expert, technical assistant expert and administrative assistant
expert. The schematic distribution of our personnel is presented in Figure 4 as follows.
Figure 4 :Personnel Distribution
11
The way to employ new personnel for our Authority is to employ occupational personnel as
assistant experts. These assistant experts, who would need to be recruited, are employed in
terms of the availability of the position and the needs of the Authority. The candidates are
requested to take both written and oral examinations on the dates previously assigned by the
Authority. Although Authority personnel generally hold bachelor and graduate degrees, their
educational level can range from accosiate’s degrees all the way to doctor of philosophy
(Ph.D.) degrees (Figure 5).
600
533
500
400
300
200
103
100
70
22
14
0
Doctorate
Graduate
Undergraduate
Associate
Other
Figure 5 :Distribution of the personnel according to their educational levels
The distribution of the personnel of our Authority by gender is as follows:
Female; 214;
29%
Male
Female
Male; 528;
71%
Figure 6 :Distribution of the personnel in terms of the gender
12
Financial and Institutional Information
ICTA is a state organization with a private budget and possesses administrative and financial
autonomy. Financial operations are conducted in accordance with provisions of Public
Financial Management and Control Law No. 5018. Estimated budget of ICTA for 2015 was
2.000 million TL, while realized budget for 2015 was 2.266 million TL (Figure 7).
Figure 7: ICTA Budget
Total revenue of the budget equals to 2.266 million TL consisting of 1.784 million TL from
radio usage charges, 255 million TL from radio certificates of approval, 129 million TL from
contribution and administrative share for the Authority’s expenditures and 98 million TL from
other sources.
13
Figure 8: Distribution of ICTA Revenues
4,18% of the budget expenditures (88 million TL) consist of personnel expenditures, 3,19%
(67 million TL) consists of acquisition of goods and services, 4,28% (90 million TL)
percentage consists of capital expenditures and 88,35% (1.858 million TL) percentage
consists of transfer expenditures.
Figure 9: Budget Expenditures
14
The remaining 58,77% (1.092 million TL) consists of transfers to Treasury, 19,86% (369
million TL) consists of Universal Service Fund, 21,05% (391 million TL) consists of R&D
Fund, 0,32% (6 million TL) consists of Membership Fees to International Organizations and
the Social Security Institution.
Figure 10: Transfers From Budget
New Building Construction
Regarding the construction of new building of ICTA, process is going on based on the
agreement signed with Housing Development Administration of Turkey (TOKİ) in
15.08.2012. Construction process is being followed by ICTA. The entire building is planned
to be completed in May 2016.
15
Training Activities
Training activities are performed in order to increase the administrative, technical and legal
capacity of ICTA. These activities increase the related practical and theoretical knowledge of
our personnel regarding their duties, assist them in gaining the relevant information, abilities,
and attitudes needed for them to be more successful in their occupation and to prepare them
for promotions. The training activities are performed according to annual training plans that
are communicated to relevant units, and are finalized by taking into account the needs of the
units and personnel. Along with planned training activities, the personnel also have the
opportunity to participate in any national and international symposium, conferences, training
courses, and congresses arranged by other organizations. ICTA’s occupational personnel have
also had the chance to pursue foreign language education opportunities covered by the related
legislation.
16
1. ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS MARKET
The trend in total sales revenues in electronic communications sector, which has expressed a
sustainable growth beginning with the liberalization process (started in 2004) and regulations,
and the share of the operators within these revenues are shown in the Figure 11 and Figure
126.
The revenues of 2015 are calculated according to the quarterly total revenues of
operators that are sent to ICTA and they are not precise.
As of the end of 2015, total sales revenues of all operators have reached to approximately
39,6 billion TL. The share of mobile operators in total revenues became 59.3 and Turk
Telekom’s share became 20.1%.
Figure 11: Net Sales (Billion TL)
17
Figure 12: Share of Operators in Net Sales (%)
Similar to developments in electronic communications sector, the amount of investments also
tends to increase. Total amount of investments carried out by the operators in 2014 and 2015
are shown in Figure 13 comparatively7. In 2015, total investments reached to 17.3 billion TL
with a increasing rate of 205%.
Figure 13: Total Investments of Operators (Million TL)
18
Total annual traffic volumes and their distributions in terms of fixed and mobile operators in
Turkish electronic communications market are given in Figure 14. As shown in the figure,
mobile traffic volumes increased significantly since 2009. In 2015, total mobile call volume
reached to 222.6 billion minutes with an increasing rate of 7% since last year. On the other
hand, representing 5% of total call volumes, fixed call volume decreased by 19% since 2014
to 11.3 billion minutes.
250
233,920
219,14911,317
202,55513,973
189,154
16,682
168,943
19,400
149,450
21,802
200
150
100
50
0
132
86
86
74
65
12
20
2003
2004
90
28
33
38
53
103
90
87
24
108
37
48
57
2005
2006
2007
23,632
222,603
205,176
185,873
169,754
147,141
125,819
74
2008
2009
Mobile
2010
Fixed
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Total
Figure 14: Total Traffic Volume, Billion Min.
On the other hand, the figure shows that fixed to fixed call volume has been followed a
decreasing trend since 2007. While representing 32% of total call volume in 2007, fixed to
fixed call volume now accounts only 3% of total call volume.
2015
90,5
2014
88,7
2013
4,9 4,3 2,0
86,8
2012
5,1 5,7 2,4
84,5
2011
5,2
81,9
2010
78,8
2009
77,7
2008
2007
4,7 3,11,7
5,2
5,4
4,2
69,8
60,9
Mobile-Mobile
2,4
2,6
Mobile-Other
Fixed-Fixed
10,6
13,5
15,6
24,3
32,3
8,1 2,1
2,3
2,3
2,5
3,5
4,1
Fixed-Other
Figure 15: Total Traffic Distribution (%)
19
1.1.Fixed Market
The number of subscribers and penetration rates for fixed telephony since 2004 is given in
Figure 16. The number of fixed subscribers decreased to 11.49 million with a penetration rate
of 14.6%. Considering the fact that average household size1 in Turkey is around 3.60 in
Turkey, it can be concluded that fixed line services reach to a significant proportion of
Turkish citizens.
Figure 16: Fixed Subscribers and Penetration
Figure 17 illustrates the distribution of Türk Telekom’s fixed voice traffic by call types since
2008. The figure shows that on-net traffic volume2 keeps its share and represents 66.8% of
total traffic. On the other hand, the share of mobile traffic increases constantly. While the
share of mobile traffic was 9.6% in 2008, it increased to 26.3% in 2015.
1
2
2015 Turkish Statistical Institute (TSI) data. Average number of people living per household.
Local and national traffic
20
Figure 17: Türk Telekom Traffic Distribution (%)
Fixed Telephony Services (FTS) operators provide local, national and/or international telephony
services to the end users by using any technology over any telecommunications network and
infrastructure.
In Figure 18, the local traffic volumes of FTS operators and Türk Telekom are presented from
2010 to 2015. According to this figure, FTS operators reached a share of 15% as of 2015
while it was 3.9% in 2010.
Figure 18: Shares of FTS – Türk Telekom in Call Origination (local) Traffic
21
Figure 19 illustrates national traffic volumes of FTS operators and Türk Telekom from 2010
to 2015. In this period, the share of FTS operators and Türk Telekom accounted 42.4% and
57.6% respectively.
Figure 19: Shares of FTS – Türk Telekom in Call Origination (National) Traffic
Shares of FTS operators and Türk Telekom to mobile (based on traffic data) are given in
Figure 20. Share of FTS operators’ calls in total traffic to mobile is increased to 44.4 whereas
2010 was %21.7.
Figure 20: Shares of FTS – Türk Telekom in Call Origination (to mobile) Traffic
22
Shares of FTS operators and Türk Telekom based on call volumes destinating abroad are
illustrated in Figure 21. While having a share of 13,8% in 2008, FTS operators’ market share
was 34.3% in 2015.
Figure 21: Shares of FTS – Türk Telekom in Call Origination (to abroad) Traffic
Shares of FTS operators and Türk Telekom in total call volumes that originated from fixed
networks are given in Figure 22. While the share of FTS operators is 3.2% in 2008, it reached
to 30.4% in 2015.
100
96,8
95,8
92,5
88,7
82,1
76,4
73,1
69,6
%
80
60
40
23,6
26,9
30,4
17,9
20
3,2
4,2
7,5
11,3
0
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
TT
2013
2014
2015
FTS
Figure 22: FTS-Türk Telekom Shares’ in Total Fixed Traffic
23
The comparison of FTS operators’ total revenues with Türk Telekom’s total voice services is
given in Figure 23. Market share of FTS operators is 15.6% and market share of Türk
Telekom is 84.4% in 2015.
Figure 23: FTS Revenues – Türk Telekom Voice Services Revenues Comparison %
1.2.Internet and Broadband
The breakdown of internet subscribers by connection type and growth rates is given in Table
1 on an annual basis. By the end of 2015, number of internet subscribers in Turkey reached up
to 48.6 million. The amount of annual increase in the internet subscribers is approximately
18%.
Table 1:Number of Internet Subscribers3
2005
2006
2007
2008
xDSL
1.539.477
2.813.143
4.545.795
5.894.522
6.216.028
6.640.911
6.776.036
6.643.299
6.644.543
6.799.100
7.157.200
Cable
31.729
27.804
41.109
67.408
146.622
273.908
460.451
500.658
486.497
558.456
629.064
Mobile
-
-
-
-
2.067.122
7.219.288
14.708.427
19.720.341
24.173.143
32.360.661
39.067.554
Fibre
-
-
-
-
-
154.059
267.144
645.092
1.193.704
1.457.397
1.672.628
Other
17.121
21.699
22.181
24.171
23.644
155.478
159.383
139.665
116.043
97.326
90.845
Total
1.590.332
2.864.652
4.609.085
5.986.101
8.453.416
14.443.644
22.371.441
27.649.055
32.613.930
41.272.940
48.617.291
-
80,1%
60,9%
29,9%
41,2%
70,9%
54,9%
23,6%
18,0%
26,6%
17,8%
Growth
Rate
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
3
Mobile broadband ratio given here is updated. Currently, it includes the subscribers who have used packages
less than one month period, who have used packages longer than one month period and who have accessed
internet without any packages. Before, it was just consisted of the subscribers who had packages longer than one
month period.
24
The majority of fixed broadband subscribers prefer xDSL (Digital Subscriber Line)
technology in Turkey. The number of XDSL subscribers is 7.2 million (Figure 24). On the
other hand, with the authorization of 3G services in July 2009, the number of mobile
broadband subscribers had been increased significantly and reached up to 39 million at the
end of 2015, constituting 80% of total internet subscribers.
Figure 24: Number of xDSL Subscribers
The breakdown of broadband technologies in Turkey and Organization for Economic
Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries are compared in Figure 25. OECD average
penetration rates as of June 2015 are 13.4% for xDSL, 9.1% for cable and 4.8% for fibre. For
Turkey, xDSL penetration is 9.1%, cable penetration is 0.8% and fibre penetration is 2.1%.
25
Source: OECD Broadband Portal,
June 2015 data for OECD, December 2015 data for Turkey
Figure 25: Fixed Broadband Penetration Rates in Turkey and OECD
Fixed broadband subscribers according to access speeds are given in Figure 26. As it is seen
from the figure, 23.5% of fixed broadband subscribers prefer the packages of 4-8 Mbps
connections. While the rate of the subscribers who prefer less than 1 Mbps is 2.8%, the rate of
those who prefer the speed between 10-30 Mbps increases to more than 66.4%.
Figure 26: Breakdown of Fixed Broadband Subscribers by Access Speeds
26
Figure 27 indicates the distribution of fixed broadband technologies including the
differentiation of market shares between TTNet and other ISPs since 2006. In xDSL market,
alternative operators’ market share increased to 16% in 2015, whereas market share of TTNet
decreased from 95,9% in 2006 to 59.3% in 2015.
Figure 27: Distribution of Fixed Broadband Technologies,%
Fixed and mobile broadband penetration rates in Turkey and OECD countries are given in
Figure 28. Fixed broadband penetration rate in Turkey is 11.2%, while OECD average is
28.8%. Mobile broadband penetration rate in Turkey is 45.6%, whereas OECD average is
85.4%.
180,0
160,0
120,0
100,0
80,0
60,0
40,0
20,0
0,0
31,7
138,8
29,3
130,5
41,9
112,6
50,5
103,8
34,4
118,1
32,6
117,7
38,6
106,5
32,1
111,3
28,1
114,2
28,5
104,3
39,0
92,9
37,2
92,3
37,4
84,6
33,9
85,4
41,2
75,1
27,8
86,8
28,1
80,4
39,7
68,5
36,6
65,4
24,1
75,3
22,7
76,1
28,6
69,7
36,4
61,7
27,9
67,2
35,8
54,6
27,0 49,7
25,8 49,9
28,9 45,9
30,5 43,8
18,4 55,2
14,6 52,6
26,9 34,4
12,1 49,6
11,2 45,6
28,8
85,4
140,0
Fixed
Mobile
Source: OECD Broadband Portal
June 2015 data for OECD, December 2015 data for Turkey
Figure 28: Fixed-Mobile Broadband Penetration Rates, %
27
1.3. Mobile Market
There are 73,639,261 million mobile subscribers with a penetration rate of 93.5%. Annual
growth of mobile subscribers and penetration rates are given in Figure 29. The figure also
reflects the number of 3G subscribers that approached 64.3 million in 2015 since the
authorization of 3G operators in July 2009.
Figure 29: Number of Mobile Subscribers and Penetration Rates
Mobile penetration rates in some European countries and Turkey are compared in Figure 30.
Average mobile penetration rate in European Countries is 135% whereas it is 94% in Turkey
as of the end of 2015.
Source: Wireless Intelligence, 2015 Q4, BTK.
Figure 30: Mobile Penetration Rates in Turkey and Some European Countries, (%)
28
Profile of mobile subscriptions in Turkey is compared with some European countries in
Figure 31. Prepaid subscribers represent 52% of total mobile subscribers and postpaid
subscribers represent the remaining 48%. In European countries prepaid and postpaid mobile
subscribers represent 38% and 62% of total subscribers, respectively. Share of prepaid
subscribers in mobile market is much higher than European average.
Source: Wireless Intelligence, 2015 Q4, BTK.
Figure 31: Prepaid/Postpaid Mobile Subscriptions in Some European Countries
Market shares of mobile operators in terms of subscribers are given in Figure 32. The market
shares of Turkcell, Vodafone and Avea are 46.2%, 30.4% and 23.4% respectively.
Figure 32: Market Shares of Mobile Operators by Subscriber Numbers, 2015
29
The annual growth of total SMS and MMS numbers are given in Figure 33. As it can be seen
from the figure, the number of MMS fluctuates at low levels while the number of SMS tends
to decrease. In the fourth quarter of 2015, the number of SMS numbers passed 24 billion and
the number of MMS was 17.5 million.4
Figure 33: Number of SMS and MMS
Annual trend of ARPU for Türk Telekom and the average ARPU of three mobile operators
are given in Figure 34. Average ARPU for mobile operators reached to 23.84 TL in 2015 and
ARPU of Türk Telekom increased to 23.40 TL.
Figure 34: Average ARPU Values for Türk Telekom and Mobile Operators
4
Because of the SMS containing any one of a Turkish characters is seen as multiple SMS in the interconnection
system and the number of SMS reported drawn from the billing system instead of interconnection by all
operators due to an annual data improvement process, SMS numbers decreased as compared with the previous
years since the first quarter of 2014. Also the reason for the decline in the numbers of SMS is considered to be
the due to the data servise alternatives instead of SMS and MMS.
30
Another indicator that is widely used for measuring mobile telephony usage is “minutes of
usage” (MoU) that represents the average usage amount. MoU values in mobile telephony for
some European countries and Turkey are given in Figure 35. Average mobile MoU in Turkey
is 399 minutes.
Source: Wireless Intelligence (2015-2), BTK.
Figure 35: MoU Values for Turkey and European Countries
31
2. ECONOMIC REGULATIONS
2.1. Authorization
Turkish electronic communications market has developed rapidly since liberalization on 1st
January 2004. The number of players in the market tended to increase continuously after
liberalization. As of 2015, there exist 672 operators with 1116 authorizations in the electronic
communications market.
Table 2: Number of Authorization
Authorization
Type
Authorization
Agreement
Concession
Agreement
Authorized
Notification
Authorized
Rights of Use
TOTAL
Services
Satellite and Cable TV Services
Number
Authorizations
1
GSM Services
3
IMT-2000/UMTS Services
3
Various Telecommunications Services
1
IMT (4,5G) Authorization
3
Satellite Telecommunications Services
46
Satellite Platform Services
21
Infrastructure Operation Services
176
by Internet Service Providers
429
Wired Broadcasting Services
25
GMPCS Mobile Telephony Services
11
Mobile Virtual Network Operator Services
58
GSM 1800 Mobile Tefone Service on Aviation
3
GMPCS Mobile Telephony Services
3
PMR/PAMR Services
82
by Infrastructure Operation Services
of
9
Fixed Telephone Services
194
Directory Information Services
12
Mobile Virtual Network Operator Services
36
1116
32
2.1.1. Authorization Regulations and Activities Carried Out in 2015
2.1.1.1.
ICTA Board Decision on Fixed Telephone Service Operators
It is determined a certain time for the Fixed Telephone Service operators to establish the
necessary infrastructure in connection with
Presidency of Telecommunication and
Communication in accordance to regulatory Board Decision dated 09/07/2015 and numbered
2015/DK-YED/302. In the relevant period, failure to establish the technical infrastructure is
considered as gross negligence.
2.1.1.2.
The directive on Calling Line Identification
Final draft of the directive which aims to identify the basic principles regarding the
national/international numbering plan and the obligations of the operators about “Calling line
identification” mentioned in the article 19 of “Ordinance on Authorization for Electronic
Communications Sector” studies have been continued and regulation has been brought to be
stage of completion.
2.1.1.3. GSM 1800 Mobile Phone Services for HT-GSM 1800 MTH Air
Vehicles
This service, covers providing of GSM 1800 mobile phone services for air vehicles within
Turkish Air Space within 1710-1785 MHz and 1805-1880 MHz frequency bands. Operator is
obliged to get necessary allowances from Directorate General of Civil Aviation for the
provision of this service.
Utilization of GMS 1800 mobile phone system to be
installed and operated in air vehicles using Turkish
Air Space but not registered in Turkey; is not subject
to authorization with the condition of complying
provisions set out under relevant legislation.
However these systems are obliged to have
necessary allowance from the country where the said
air vehicle is registered for the installation and
operation of GSM 1800 mobile phone system.
33
2.1.1.4.
Treasury Share
All necessary activities have been carried out to provide the operators who have an obligation
to pay treasury share, performed their so-called obligation properly with respect to the related
legislation and consession agreements.
2.1.1.5.
Trial Permissions
Pursuant to “Procedures and Principles Regarding the Provision Of Trial Permission in the
Electronic Communications Sector” regulation, trial permissions covers procedures and
principles concerning the provision of permissions for the establishment and use of electronic
communications infrastructures, networks and services, on temporary basis, by the capital
stock companies which were founded in line with the Turkish Laws, universities, researchdevelopment institutions and the public institutions, for research and development and/or
testing and/or trial and/or demonstration purposes.
In 2015, twenty two “LTE” and “LTE-Advanced”, one LTE-A on the e-GSM band, one
WiMAX and one “Wi-Fi for Air Vehicles”, trial permissions – including demonstration
purposed ones - were granted.
34
2.1.1.6.
4,5G Authorization
Mobile electronic communications market has shown significant progress within the scope of
mobile data services together with the authorization of 3G. In addition, wide spread usage of
smart phones has increased the consumers’ demand for internet speed. In this point, the tender
for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) Authorization, considered as of great
importance not only for the development of market and meeting the consumers’ expectations
but also for meeting the goals of our country proceeding in the way of becoming an
information society was carried out on August 26, 2015, just after a while all winning
operators are authorized on October 27, 2015. Total number of frequencies allocated for
mobile electronic communications services are risen threefold after the aforementioned
authorization, and a revenue of 3.960.212.918,74 Euro (VAT included) is obtained as a result
of the tender. It is aimed that with the aforementioned authorization to form a competitive and
innovative electronic communications market providing more developed and much faster
broadband services.
2.1.2. Authorization Types
As of 2015, in Turkish electronic communication industry 672 operators operate under 1116
authorizations.
2.1.2.1.
Satellite Communication Service
Satellite Communication Service covers providing of voice, data, image communication
services for its subscribers/users excluding telephone services between geographical far points
via electromagnetic waves as single or two-way via satellites and satellite ground stations
and/or satellite terminals and installation and operation of relevant infrastructure.
2.1.2.2.
Satellite Platform Service
Satellite Platform Service is the service for converting voice,
data and image signs excluding telephone services taken from
different transmission environments with the assistance of
encoder and multiplexers groups in digital satellite platform
and their transmission to satellite as digital packages and
transmission of digital signs received from satellites to
35
subscribers via proper terminal devices.
2.1.2.3.
Infrastructure Operating Service
Infrastructure
Operating
Service
is
the
installation and operation of transmission
infrastructure
serving
providing
operator
and
opportunity
users
for
electronic
communication services excluding telephone
services.
2.1.2.4.
Internet Service Provision
Internet Service Provision covers accessing of its
subscribers/users to Internet network to provide their
benefiting from electronic communication services
and hosting services provided over Internet.
2.1.2.5.
Fixed Telephony Service
Fixed
Telephony
Service
covers
providing
of
fundamental and value added phone services to its
users/subscribers over phone network without any
technology limitations.
2.1.2.6.
Wired
Wired Broadcasting Service
Broadcasting
Service;
is
the
electronic communication service covering
transmission of signals (excluding phone
and Internet) relevant to auxiliary services
with digital/interactive such as encoded /
clear radio, TV and video signals, games,
instant massaging to subscribers over wired
networks such as coaxial, copper, fiber.
36
2.1.2.7.
GMPCS Mobile Phone Service
GMPCS Mobile Phone Service, covers providing
direct voice, data, fax and similar services besides
providing of services estimated under the framework
of GMPCS-MoU for users/subscribers over a satellite
group which its position and operating frequencies are
determined or supplied by ITU, fixed or mobile, wide
or narrow band, global or non-global, immobile or
mobile, current or planned.
2.1.2.8.
Mobile Virtual Network Service
It covers mobile electronic communication services to its subscribers with its own brand
under the scope of authorizations granted by the Authority for the operator hosting over
infrastructures of operators signing Concession Agreement with the Authority to provide
mobile electronic communication service without having frequency band assigned to itself.
2.1.2.9.
Public Access Mobile Radio Service
Public Access Mobile Radio Service covers,
electronic communication service accompanying
one or more closed user groups within the same
system
by
utilizing
analog
and/or
digital
technologies, consisting of minimum one central
wireless or role and adequate numbers of
subscriber
wireless
devices,
consisting
of
providing service for its subscribers such as voice, data and optimized package data, massage,
call, video services as single and/or two-ways, cellular and/or non-cellular, local and/or
regional and installation and operation of relevant infrastructure.
2.1.2.10. Directory Services
Directory Information Service is to supply information obtained from phone operators by
accessing to their directory databases to its users via 118XY numbers.
37
2.2. Numbering Regulations
2.2.1. Regulation Activities Regarding Number Portability
In order to harmonise number portabilitiy
regulations with international regulations and to
resolve the problems that faced during the
number portability process, ICTA carried out a
study. As the result of the study Amendments on
Procedures
And
Principles
Of
Number
Portability Proceses and draft By Law on
Amendments Regarding By Law on Number Portability was approved by the ICTA Board
with the desicion dated 19/11/2015 and numbered 2015/DK-YED/503. The said By Law was
published on the Official Gazette dated 28/11/2015 and numbered 29546. With the new By
Law, number portability process is shortened, the rule regarding 3 months waiting period is
removed for fixed subscriptions and mobile subscriptions with taken over numbers, the time
frames of operators regarding deactivation and activation are improved, some performance
criteria is defined regarding the time frames of operators in number portability process, also
the article regarding tarif transparency is changed in line with the Decisions of Council of
State.
2.2.2. Number Assignments
Number of allocated numbers in 2015 is presented at the Table 3 below. Totaly 9,73 million
TL (included VAT ) is paid to Treasury account by operators as number right of use fee. Also
in 2015, short number 176 was allocated as to Ministry of Culture and Tourism as
“Communications Center of Ministry of Culture and Tourism”, short number 191 was
allocated as to Ministry of Health as “Fight Aganist Drugs Information and Support Line” and
short number 132 was allocated to Ministry of Health as “Immediate Aid Services Support
Line”, short number 134 was allocated as to The Union of Municipalities of Turkey “Alo Taxi
Line”, short number 140 was allocated to Ministry of Interior as “Terrorism Denunciation
Line”.
38
Table 3: Number of Assignments in 2015
Number Type
Allocation
Geographical Numbers
826.000
Location Independent (Nomadic)
641.000
Numbers
Mobile Numbers
60.000
Short Numbers
5
NSPC
12
Access Numbers
214
Directory Enquiry Numbers
4
Value-added Service Numbers
585
Mobile Network Code
1
2.3. Access and Interconnection
2.3.1. Reference Access Offers
Reference access offers have a great
importance in the sense that the conditions for
interconnection with operators having SMP
can be set forth, projections regarding the
sector can be clarified and especially the new
operators can estimate under what conditions
they will enter the market. Obliging the
operators having SMP to publish reference
offer is a widely accepted regulatory practice
across the world.
2.3.1.1.
Türk Telekom Reference Leased Line Offer
Türk Telekom Reference Leased Line Offer (RLLO), which approved for the first time in
2011, was approved completely for second time in 2015 and the new version entered into
force in October 2015. In this context, some improvements and updates have been made in
RLLO such as;
39

Point to point Metro Ethernet, TTunnel and Partial TTunnel tariffs were discounted by
approximately 25%.

Fiber optic cable prices which is one of the factors determining subscriber connection
fees were discounted 24%.

Point to point ATM services are excluded from the scope of the reference offer.

Procedures of churn and migration operations were included in the reference offer for
the first time.

Türk Telekom obliged to install and operate an automated system for accepting and
replying all of the notifications about services defined in the reference offer.

In order to eliminate market entry barriers, conditions for utilizing wholesale tariffs
(number of circuits, bandwidth etc.) had been reduced by 50%.

A one-time operator identification fee was introduced into reference offer to prevent
excessive costs / workforce losses because of the operators do not provide services
after signing an access contract.
2.3.1.2. Türk Telekom Reference Wholesale ATM/FR/ME Internet Resale
Offer
Türk Telekom has SMP in the Wholesale Broadband Access Market including Bit Stream
Access and in this context, has been imposed to provide wholesale access to the ATM, FR
and Metro Ethernet Internet services. Türk Telekom Reference Wholesale ATM/FR/ME
Internet Resale Offer (RAFMET) was approved for second time in 2015 and the new version
entered into force in October 2015. In this context, the following changes were made in the
reference offer.

Metro Ethernet internet service tariffs were discounted by approximately 25%.

Fiber optic cable prices, which is one of the factors determining subscriber connection
fees, were discounted 24%.

Procedures of churn and migration operations were included into reference offer for
the first time.
40

Türk Telekom obliged to install and operate an automated system for accepting and
replying all of the notifications about services defined in the reference offer.

A one-time operator identification fee was introduced into reference offer to prevent
excessive costs / workforce losses because of the operators do not provide services
after signing an access contract.
2.3.1.3.
Türk Telekom Reference IP Level Bit Stream Access Offer
IP Level Bit Stream Access (IP Level BSA) is the main input for the retail broadband services
and still the most common method preferred by ISPs among the wholesale broadband access
models. In 2015, Türk Telekom Reference Offer for IP Level BSA, which includes the terms,
conditions and charges for IP Level BSA services, was approved in May 2015 and entered
into force in June 2015 considering recent legislation and the public opinions. The main
revisions are as follows: subscribers will be able to change their operator or service performed
with minimal service interruption, installation process of naked DSL service has been
improved, revision for service level agreements. The aim of these revisions is to create a
uniform structure among all reference offers.
2.3.1.4.
Türk Telekom Reference Wholesale xDSL Internet Resale Offer
Türk Telekom Reference Wholesale xDSL Internet Resale Offer was finally approved in
November 2008. With the BSA becoming more widespread, its prevalence decreased. But the
reference offer has been revised in parallel with the other reference offers. In this context,
tariffs and rules and procedures have been revised and updated in a parallel condition with the
Reference Offer for IP Level BSA.
2.3.1.5.
Türk Telekom Reference Facility Sharing and Dark Fiber Offer
Türk Telekom Reference Offer for Facility Sharing and Dark Fiber was firstly approved in
June 2014 and then it was revised by the Board Decision dated 29.07.2015 and numbered
2015/DK-ETD/359 to enter into force from 01.09.2015. Revisions such as transmitting the
requests with the electronic map, decisions on whether the specific or alternative routes are
involved to evaluation, the limitation of maximum route length which is demanded from Türk
Telekom in the same month at the same city is determined as 100 km, determination of
encountered additional costs will be borne by whom, cancelling the obligation to set
connection manhole by operators were made.
41
2.3.2. Interconnection Rates Regulations
2.3.2.1.
Promotional Discounts on Fixed Interconnection Rates
With the Board Decision dated 01.12.2014 and numbered 2014/DK-ETD/622, named as “The
Promotion of Call Origination Rates of Türk Telekom For Alternative Fixed Network
Operators”, current call origination rates for alternative fixed network operators were declined
(for the period 01.01.2015 – 31.03.2015) in order to grow fixed voice market, encourage the
usage of fixed telephony, facilitate the acquisition of
fixed telephony services, extend the usage area of fixed
telephony and enable alternative fixed network operators
to compete with Turk Telekom retail tariffs. In this
respect, discount rates and call origination rates for
alternative fixed network operators after discounts are
shown below. Moreover, Turk Telekom’s offers for
extending the duration of promotion until 30.06.2015, and after this time until 31.12.2015 was
approved by Board Decisions dated 18.03.2015 and numbered 2015/DK-ETD/161; and dated
09.07.2015 and numbered 2015/DK-ETD/300 respectively.
Within the scope of promotion, discounts rates and call origination rates are given in Table 4
and Table 5 respectively.
Table 4: Discounts rates within the scope of promotion
Monthly Usage Discount
Limit (min)
Rate
At Local Layer
Discount
At
Rate Discount
In-Zone At
Layer
Rate
Out-Zone
Layer
1. Level
0-2.8 Million
90%
90%
90%
2. Level
2.8-5.6 Million
55%
55%
55%
3. Level
5.6-11.2 Million
20%
20%
20%
42
Table 5: Call origination rates within the scope of promotion
Call Origination Rates Call Origination Rates
At Local Layer (Kr)
-
At In-Zone Layer (Kr)
Call Origination Rates
At
Out-Zone
Layer
(Kr)
3. Level
0.28
0.34
0.45
4. Level
0.83
1.03
1.34
5. Level
1.25
1.54
2.02
Rates indicate net values (excluding taxes).
According to article 20 of Electronic Communication Law numbered 5809; ICTA approved
the access tariffs and these tariffs shall remain in force until a new version is published by the
Authority. Within this scope, MMS call termination rates that are terminated ATM and 3N
networks of mobile operators were approved and published by the Board Decision dated
16.10.2014 and numbered 2014/DK-ETD/522.
Table 6:MMS call termination rates
MMS Call Termination Rates
(Kr/unit)
-
Avea
Turkcell
Vodafone
0.94
0.86
0.86
Rates indicate net values (excluding taxes).
2.3.3 Other Access and Interconnection Regulations
2.3.3.1 Duct, Conduit and Inner Duct Sharing Regulations
Firstly, all operators which are authorized to set up and operate fixed electronic
communications infrastructure are obliged to provide facility sharing services with the Board
Decision dated 12.04.2013 and numbered 2013/DK-ETD/187. After that, procedures and
principles of this obligation has been revised with the Board Decision dated 29.07.2015 and
numbered 2015/DK-ETD/359. The most important revisions are as follows: addition of penal
sanctioning for exceeding the specified time by operators which there is not before,
transmitting the requests with the electronic map, whether specific or alternative routes is
subject to evaluation, encountered additional costs will be borne by whom.
43
2.3.3.2 New DSL Tariffs
New unlimited DSL internet tariffs have been added to tariff portfolio which is provided by
Türk Telekom to ISP’s at wholesale level in order to increase end user’s choices.
2.3.3.3 ISP Switching
As it is known, end users of DSL internet have been able to switch their ISPs via an
application to the ISP that they are want to switch with a minimum service cut-off since
October 2010 by the help of regulation on ISP Switching. While, in October 2010, the first
implementing date of churn process, market share of ISPs other than TTNET was 7.77 %, this
rate has reached to 21.73 % in November 2015. (Figure 36) It is considered that there is a
significant contribution of ISP switching regulation to the increase of market share of the ISPs
other than TTNET during this four-year- period.
Figure 36 : Cumulative Number of ISP Switching
2.3.3.4 Approval of Different Promotions for Broadband and Leased Line Services
Considering issues such as enabling users to benefit the electronic communications services
for reasonable fee, protecting consumer rights and interests, encouraging the supply of
electronic communications services, promoting the usage of the wholesale broadband access
and leased line services and providing and protection of free and effective competition
44
environment; several promotion offers submitted to ICTA by Türk Telekom and these
promotions came into force with the approval of Board Decisions on various dates.
2.3.4 Dispute Resolutions
In accordance with the relevant legislation, in case that the operators cannot reach an
agreement on access, including interconnection, any of the
parties may apply to the Authority for running the dispute
resolution procedure. If the dispute is accepted, the
Authority has been entitled to determine the prices and
provisions subject to dispute. With the changes in the ByLaw, compliance with the EU acquis has been achieved
regarding non-court disputes, and also the Authority had the right to reject the request for
dispute resolution in some circumstances.
Within the framework of dispute resolution procedures carried out by the Authority, the
settlement applications of operators' access and interconnection disputes were evaluated, and
2 (two) cases were concluded in 2015.
Table 7: Dispute Resolutions in 2015
Parties In Dispute
Finalised
MVNO – Turkcell
1
ISP – Türk Telekom
1
Total
2
After the Electronic Communications Law which has a provision that SMP operators are
obliged to provide access under the procedures, principles, and prices laid down in their
reference offers approved by ICTA, the number of dispute resolution procedures has declined
considerably.
2.3.5 Access Agreements
Access and interconnection agreements that have been signed
between the operators are submitted to the Authority in accordance
45
with the relevant legislation. In this context, there are totally 1.133 agreements submitted to
the Authority by the end of 2015.
Table 8: Access and Interconnection Agreements Submitted to the ICTA
Parties to the Agreement
Number
Parties to the Agreement
Number
Türk Telekom – Mobile
3
Türk Telekom – GMPCS
2
Mobile – Mobile
8
Mobile – GMPCS
9
Türk Telekom – FTSP
55
FTSP – GMPCS
1
Others: 17
Local Loop Unbundling
8
55
(Türk Telekom-ISP;
FTSP etc)
Bit Stream Access
Directory Service
Providers – Mobile
19
15
(Türk Telekom-ISP;
FTSP etc)
xDSL
Wholesale
Directory Service
Providers – Türk
Telekom
97
Directory Service
Providers – FSTP
4
Mobile – FTSP
182
Mobile – MVNO
7
FTSP – FTSP
462
A Type: 11
B Type: 9
C Type: 9
WLR: 9
(Resale)
(Türk Telekom-ISP)
Local Loop Unbundling
(Türk Telekom-ISP;
FTSP etc)
Bit Stream Access
(Türk Telekom-ISP;
FTSP etc)
Total
8
xDSL
Wholesale
(Resale)
38
160
(Türk Telekom-ISP)
1.133
46
Agreements on access and interconnection submitted to ICTA are examined in accordance
with the relevant legislation. The provisions that include contradictions to the relevant
legislation are notified to the operators, and they are entitled to make them appropriate with
the relevant legislation.
2.3.6 Mobile On-Net Price Regulation
With the Board Decision dated 25.03.2009 and numbered 2009/DK–07/149, an internal nondiscrimination remedy is imposed to Turkcell, where the average MTR charged by Turkcell to
other operators can not be higher than the weighted average retail on-net tariffs it uses in each
of its retail offers. Campaigns are also included in the scope of the obligation with Board
Decision dated 25.04.2012 and numbered 2012/DK–07/181.
On 13.03.2013, the ICTA decision comparing Turkcell’s on-net retail prices and its MTR is
modified and new rules regarding the relation between the two prices are imposed. The
modified obligation requires Turkcell to compare its retail on-net prices with its new
wholesale on-net prices published in Turkcell’s Reference Access Offer which was approved
on 05.02.2013. According to this modification, Turkcell is obliged to ensure that the average
price applied to other operators for wholesale on-net calls is not higher than its weighted
average retail on-net tariffs. Turkcell is also obliged to ensure that the average price applied to
other operators for wholesale on-net SMS calls is not higher than its weighted average retail
on-net tariffs. And also Board Decision dated 25.04.2012 and numbered 2012/DK–07/181 is
suspended.
The developments in the sector and Turkcell’s compliance with aforementioned Board
decisions were monitored in 2015.
2.3.7 Retail Price Regulations
2.3.7.1 Telephony Services
Pursuant to the provisions in GSM Concession Agreements, which was signed between
mobile network operators and the Authority, mobile operators submit their end-user tariffs to
the Authority before their launch. The tariffs should be compatible with and should not
exceed the price ceilings (maximum values) for retail tariffs being approved by the Authority.
On August 2014, ICTA took a decision that Avea shall be exempted from the retail price cap
obligation. ICTA’s decision was based on an earlier decision by the State Council. Mobile
47
Electronic Communication Services Price Ceiling Chart have been approved twice during
2015 (March and September). To be valid from the November 1st 2015, there have been some
changes in the level of price ceilings compared to the previously approved price ceilings. As
follows, the upper price limits of ‘Name/Title Change’ was decreased from 17,57 TL to 6 TL
per transaction, upper price limits of ‘Number Change’ was decreased from 52,69 TL to 20
TL per transaction, upper price limits of ‘SIM Card Change due to Loss, Theft, User Failure’
was decreased from 43,90 TL to 20 TL per transaction and ‘SIM Card Change Under
Warranty’ transactions was made free of charge.
The mobile operators notify their tariffs and campaigns at least 7 days prior to their entry into
force. Besides, with the Board Decision dated 14.07.2015 and numbered 2015/DK-ETD/324
“Tariff Notification Procedures and Principles for Mobile Electronic Communications
Services” was updated. As a result of this decision, tariffs and campaigns notification can be
made electronically.
2.3.7.2 Regulation Regarding Tariff Comparison Websites
The obligation, which has been introduced for each of the mobile and fixed telephony
operators to launch a web site which provides a platform for the consumers to compare their
tariffs by entering their usage profiles in order to make the tariff selection easier and more
accurate for the consumers in 2012. The framework and the content of the web sites were
determined by the Authority and the operators have prepared the web sites accordingly. The
obligation has been extended to include the promotional offers of the operators. Therefore the
comparison websites were reviewed in 2015. These sites are planned to be launched for the
use of consumers after the test stage of the web sites are completed.
2.3.8 Accounting Separation and Cost Accounting
Electronic Communications Law No. 5809 has a specific provision regarding to accounting
separation and cost accounting whereby ICTA has been empowered to impose accounting
separation and cost accounting obligation to the operators having SMP in the relevant
markets. While By-Law on Access and Interconnection includes some general provisions,
Principles and Procedures Regarding Accounting Separation and Cost Accounting (Board
Decision, numbered 2013/DK-ETD/557, dated 21.10.2013) sets the detailed terms regarding
the issue.
48
In the current situation, SMP operators which are subject to accounting separation and cost
accounting obligation (Avea, Turkcell, Türk Telekom and Vodafone) prepare and submit their
accounting separation reports to ICTA according to mentioned Principles and Procedures.
These reports are subject to detailed analysis of ICTA. The accounting separation reports
were submitted by the relevant operators in 2015.
Besides, the information and documents regarding the variables to be used in the calculation
of Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC - the ratio to value the cost of capital in
accounting separation reports) are submitted to ICTA by the obliged operators every year.
Then, ICTA either defines WACC ratios for those operators or lets the operators define their
WACC ratios pursuant to the Principles and Procedures.
2.4 Competition Regulations and Activities
2.4.1
Margin-Squeeze Remedy and Procedures & Principles Regarding
Determination and Remedies of Margin Squeeze
In order to create effective competition in the sector and to prevent price-based
anticompetitive conducts by ensuring that the relevant tariffs do not lead to margin squeeze,
within the context of Market for Call Origination on Fixed Telephony Networks, Margin
Squeeze
Remedy
was
imposed
on
fixed
incumbent (SMP operator) Türk Telekom who
still keeps its position of vertically integrated in
the market, with ICTA Board Decision No.
2014/DK-SRD/171 and dated 26.03.2014. In the
context of Procedures and Principles Regarding
Determination and Remedies of Margin Squeeze, which lays down the principles that apply to
the said (margin squueze) remedy, was entered into the force by 01.07.2014 with ICTA Board
Decision No. 2014/DK-SRD/332 and dated 26.06.2014. The margin squeeze tests must be
performed at least at the end of every quarter unless otherwise determined by the Authority by
taking into account the “flagship products” on the basis of the reports that include necessary
information (including income, traffic, subscriber number, etc.) to be submitted monthly by
Türk Telekom to ICTA as a general and primary rule. Within the scope of this remedy, in the
course of the year, 2015, the margin squeeze tests were performed at the end of every
quarters.
49
2.4.2
Market Analysis
Regarding the regular market analysis, EU Funded Project (IPA) titled “Technical assistance
for achieving the information society and stimulating high-speed broadband services to the
benefit of consumer” is being carried out. The project includes improvement of cost models,
reference offers and market analyses within the EU regulatory framework and national
legislation. The project also includes a report on preparation of a concise national broadband
plan and the study related to market analyses are being carried out in this context.
2.5 Postal Sector Regulations
The new Postal Services Law numbered 6475 (the Law numbered 6475) has been enacted by
the publication in Official Gazette dated 23/05/2013 and numbered 28655. According to the
Law numbered 6475, regulation and supervising tasks related to the postal sector are given to
ICTA.
2.5.1
Authorization of the Postal Service Providers
According to Law numbered 6475, equity companies wishing to obtain authorization licences
apply to the Authority within the context of relevant provisions of "Authorization Ordinance
on the Postal Sector" which was published in the Official Gazette on June 06, 2013 since
those companies are required to be authorized by the Authority. As of 31/12/2015, 21 equity
firms (including PTT) in nation-wide and 5 equity firms in county-wide have been authorized
by the Authority for the provision of postal services.
2.5.2
Determination of the basic tariff
Basic tariff, which is defined as the fee of domestic items of correspondence at minimum
weight, have to be determined by the Authority pursuant to the Law. In this context, by the
Board Decision 23/07/2015 No. 2015/DK/347, the basic tariff was revised as “1,40 TL (18%
value-added tax included)” to be effective from the date of 03/08/2015.
50
3 TECHNICAL REGULATIONS
3.1 Spectrum Management Regulations and Activities
3.1.1 Transactions of Imposition, Notification and Accruement

Transactions of imposition of the
authorized operators in the scope of
responsibilities and duties of Department
of Spectrum Management,

Transactions of imposition, notification
and accruement of the temporary
permissions given for testing-demo in
the scope of responsibilities and duties
of Department of Spectrum Management
and Licenses and Agreements,

Transactions of imposition, notification and accruement regarding the radio and TV
broadcasters,

Giving opinion regarding the transactions of imposition of radio communication users
in the scope of responsibilities and duties of regional directorates

have been conducted in 2015.
3.1.2 Public Access Mobile Radio (PAMR)
The organizations which applied for installing
and providing analog and digital Public Access
Trunk/Tetra and Community Repeater Service /
DMR
(Digital
Mobile
Radio)
throughout
Turkey, of the ones which were authorized in
accordance
with
frequency demand
the
related
legislation,
applications have been
evaluated during the year 2015. Currently, there
are 86 PAMR operators which serve on the VHF and UHF frequency bands throughout the
51
country for regional and local levels. And, frequency demand applications of the PAMR
operators have been continued today.
It has been recognized that some public agencies and establishments have not any provision
authorizing them to offer electronic communication service and/or install networks and
infrastructures related their services. So, revision of By-Law On Procedures And Principles
About Radiocommunication Systems No:27291 dated and named 17.07.2009 was completed
taking into account possibilities of these agencies and establishments to not apply for
renewing their licences or experience difficulties from operators to get neccessary services
and it was published. Also, licences of them were renewed until end of 2015.
Spectrum Department, taking into account applications that Mayoralties, İrrigation
Corporations and some establishments that their licence expired and conducted to PAMR
operators making an agreement with their infrastructures to get service from
PAMR
operators. Provided that the acceptance of conditions, demands of municipalities consisting
conditions have been evaluated as appropriate. It is still continue these applications and
evaluations. Also, this implemention has been made for Irrigation Corporations within this
context too.
It was allocated frequencies of campanies which their licence expired and conducted to
PAMR operators making an agreement with their infrastructures to get service such as
electricity transmission, electricity distribution and electricity production campanies, mininig
and coal campanies.
3.1.3 Temporary Allocation Issues
Applications for installing and providing wireless systems via Foreign Minitry by
Diplomatic Offices, international organizations and representatives of foreign countries
demand for use their wireless equipment/systems during visiting our country have been
evaluated and their licences have been given.
52
Within this context, licences of many foreign state representatives were given for wireless
equipment which they use during visiting our country by allocating frequency.
Also, licences of all country delegations attended “Summit G20” for their equipment were
given by allocating frequency.
Some temprorary frequency assingnments
have been done for varius sportive activities
and races or ect. organizations.
Temporary satellite up-link device using
permissions were given to many foreign press
and TV companies.
3.1.4 Notification Form (Class 2)
Due to the Board Decision of ICTA dated 17.04.2006 and numbered 2006/TK-13/260,
regarding the prerequisites sought in manufacturing and importation of Radio and
Telecommunication Terminal Equipments, the responsibility of the assessments and approval
transactions in terms of frequency band, output power and antenna information using
Notification Form (Class 2) has been conducted in the year 2015.
In this context, the devices which have restrictions on their frequency bands and licenses have
been evaluated according to the annual Ordinance published by Ministry of Economy, by
Spectrum Management Department.
53
Statistical information about the transactions performed in between 01.01.2015 and
31.12.2015 is shown in the Table 9 below.
Table 9: Statistical Information for Notification Form (Class 2)
Number Of
Documents
Applıed
Number Of
Devıces
Approved
Number Of Devıces
Not Approved, No
Need To Approve
Average Number
Of Documents
Assessed Monthly
Number Of
Personnel
Assessıng The
Forms
591
373
218
49
3
Figure 37:Notification Form (Class 2) Monthly Application Statistics for 2015
Devices approved in scope of Notification Form (Class 2) are updated at the official website
of the Authority.
http://www.btk.gov.tr/tr-TR/Sayfalar/Sinif-2-Bildirim-formu-Uygulamalari
3.1.5 Maritime Communication Systems
The maritime communication related Agenda Items of the WRC-15 conference are studied
and considered having regard to benefits of Turkey. World Radiocommunications Cenference
was held on 02-27 November 2015 in Geneva /SWITZERLAND and it has been participated.
54
Due to the protocol that was signed with Directorate General of Coastal Safety/Directorate of
Radiocommunication (KEGM/TİM) in accordance with Electronic Communication Law
Articles 42, 43 and Temporary Article 4, various works were done regarding the maritime
communication systems. According to this protocol;

Frequency assignments were done from maritime VHF/FM band to the related
maritime companies regarding the applications done by KEGM-TİM.

Additional sea craft sign block and MMSI have been assigned upon the request made
by KEGM/TİM.
About maritime systems, the information received from KEGM-TİM every month about ships
which have been made modifications, newly registered and cancelled are sent to ITU and the
ships were registered to international ship lists.
Furthermore, list of Coast Stations and Special Service Stations (List IV) Edition of 2015 has
been reviewed and Turkey data notified to the International Telecommunication Union
Radiocommunication Bureau-ITU/BR. Besides, participation was provided to international
exercises, meetings and conferences related to the task of ICTA.
55
3.1.6 Satellite Systems International Frequency Coordination Activities
International frequency coordination for the GOKTURK 1, GOKTURK, TURKSAT Satellite
Networks and the corresponding terrestrial systems is carried out by the studies in the
presence of ITU and the related countries according to the procedures of Radio Regulations.
3.1.7 Aeronautical Communications Systems
297 frequency assignments have been made in 2015 from aeronautical band to the related
airline companies regarding the applications done by Directorate General of Coastal Safety/
Directorate of Radiocommunication (KEGM-TİM) and to General Staff. Assigned
frequencies were registered to ICAO/COM Tables (COM 2, COM 3, COM 4) by ICAO/FMG
(International Civil Aviation Organization/ Frequency Management Group) in coordination
with Directorate General of Civil Aviation in accordance with international rules and
frequency coordination.
56
3.1.8 Radio/TV Systems
3.1.8.1 Studies Pertaining to 694-862 MHz Frequency Band
Currently, 470-790 MHz part is allocated to the broadcasting service on a primary basis in
Turkey and 790-862 MHz part of UHF band (470-862 MHz), has been allocated the other
than broadcasting services including mobile services in the National Frequency Plan.
The part 694-790 MHz of the mentioned band has been allocated to the mobile services
(except
aeronautical
mobile
services)
as
primary
basis
at
the
ITU
World
Radiocommunications Conference (WRC-15) held in Geneva on November 2015. Depending
on international developments, aiming usage
of 694-862 MHz frequency band for mobile
services in also Turkey, required studies have been carried out by the Authority.
57
3.1.8.2 International Frequency Coordination Process of Terrestrial Digital
Television Systems
National Terrestrial Digital Television Frequency Plan completed by RTÜK has been
submitted to ICTA for international frequency coordination process. In accordance with
Geneva 2006 Agreement (GE06), the studies concerning international frequency coordination
for frequency assignments or frequency allotments to the television broadcasting stations
appearing or not appearing for Turkey in the GE06 Terrestrial Digital Television Plan in the
frequency range 470-790 MHZ have been carried out in coordination with RTÜK. The
studies pertaining to objections to assignments registered in ITU/R records received from the
other countries for these notices are going on.
Concerning frequency coordination request of the other countries for their radio and television
systems, necessary process has been made for both direct request from countries and ITU/R
BRIFIC records.
58
3.1.8.3 Extension of Time for The Use of Radio-link Used by Radio and Television
Broadcasters
Concerning the extension of time demand of radio and television broadcasters using radio
link, a coordination meeting has been held. Following this, radio and television broadcasters
are provided to use radio-link under the conditions specified by Board Decision dated
23.12.2015 and numbered 2015/DK-SYD/544 until the end of 2016.
3.1.9 Other Frequency Assignments
As part of frequency assignment activities following issues has been done in 2015:

Some frequency assingnments have been done related to test and trial permission.

Some frequency assingnments have been done for General Staff’s military needs.

R/L (Radio link) frequency assignments of about 2000 links were made to some
Governmental bodies and operators. A study for updating the R/L Frequency Plan was
conducted.
59
3.1.9.1 450-470 MHz Frequency Band
The use of 452-457 MHz/462-467 MHz frequency range by Directorate General of Security
was extended up to 31/12/2020 based on the decision dated 19/11/2015 and numbered
2015/DK-SYD/507.
3.1.9.2 Update of the Frequencies Bands Assigned to Turkish Armed Forces
NJFA 2014 identifying NATO harmonized band has come into force as of 19/02/2015, in the
context of this agreement harmonization studies of military frequencies were studies and it is
planned to finalize this study until the end of first half of the year.
3.1.9.3 Frequency Coordination Activities with Neighboring Countries
In order to release 700 MHz frequency band to mobile broadband services, the frequency
coordination agreement with Ukraine was signed in the last day of WRC-15.
In order to overcome electromagnetic interference issues at the border area between Turkey
and Iran, a meeting was held in Tehran/Iran in 8-9/03/2015. The studies have been carried on
in this regard.
60
3.1.10 National Monitoring System (NMS) Activities
The duties of the Authority that are described in Electronic Communications Law No 5809
are the supervision of the installation and the operation of the radio equipment and systems
according to the techniques and the orders, monitoring and supervision of the spectrum
including detection and elimination of Electromagnetic Interference (EMI). Within these
duties NMS has been used effectively to provide; an efficient and effective usage of spectrum
effectively and efficiently as a scarce resource, detection and elimination of electromagnetic
interference and the duties given to the Authority by Law. NMS consists of one National
Control Center installed in Ankara and seven Regional Monitoring Centers (RMC) and quite
a few fixed and mobile monitoring stations.
Figure 38: Components of NMS
The capabilities of NMS are; to analyse the used frequencies, detection of electromagnetic
interference, checking the technical parameters of licensed and unlicensed radio stations,
confirming the unauthorized usage and spectrum occupancy of dedicated frequencies. The
frequency range of NMS is 10 kHz to 2.5 GHz.
61
To be able to continue more efficient Spectrum monitoring and inspection activities within
NMS, it is necessary to purchase a service for maintenance and operational support of all
components (hardware, software) of fixed and mobile stations in NMS. This purchasing of
service for maintenance and operational support is provided by tender for each year.
3.1.11 Revision of MOBDF and NMS Modernization
In order to update of components, software and hardware for a mobile statiton of NMS
according to today’s conditions and requirements, a new study for new prototype mobile
station development project has been completed. This new designed prototype mobile
direction finding station is working between 20 MHz and 6 GHz. Within this new MOBDF,
operating frequency range of NMS has been increased to frequency 6 GHz. Preparatory work
for NMS modernization according to today’s conditions is still being carried out at present.
62
3.1.12 Electromagnetic Field Measurement Authorization Certificate
5 new pieces Measurement Authorization Certificate were given, 18 pieces Measurement
Authorization Certificate were renewed.
3.1.13 Revising the By-Law on determination, control and inspection of the limit
values of electromagnetic field strength from the electronic communication
devices according to international standards
The By-law5 relating to determine changes in the device and the frequency range and was
published in Official Gazette No. 29265 on date 12/2/2015.
Similarly, the Council of State, 13. Agency decision is made in accordance with the required
changes was published in Official Gazette No. 29497 on date 9/10/2015.
3.1.14 "Communique on Acquiring Quality of Service Criteria of 3G Mobile
Communication Service"
Quality of service criteria and related target values have been determined in order to ensure a
service in national and international quality standards for 3G service in areas where liabilities
of coverage for 3G ( IMT-2000 / UMTS) operators completed based on By-Law6 and
Concession Agreement. In order to determine the principles and procedures for obtaining
these criteria "Communique on Acquiring Quality of Service Criteria of 3G Mobile
Communication Service"7 was published in the Official Gazette.
3.1.15 Updating the By-Law on Procedures and Principles Regarding Design,
Installation, Sharing of Cellular System Antenna Facilities
A working party started to work on updating the By-Law on Procedures and Principles
Regarding Design, Installation, Sharing of Cellular System Antenna Facilities in accordance
with the obligations in the Right of Use Authorization License Relevant to IMT Services and
Infrastructures, demands of the sector and the experience gained.
Law No:27912 dated 21.04.2011”
“By-Law of Quality of Service in Electronic Communications Sector” was published in the Official Gazette
dated 12.09.2010 and no. 27697.
7
"Communique on Acquiring Quality of Service Criteria of 3G Mobile Communication Service" was published
in the Official Gazette dated 16.02.2015 and no. 29269.
5
6
63
3.1.16 Performing Studies to Extend Mobile Coverage Areas
3.1.16.1 GSM coverage expanding studies in rural areas
Within the studies carried out together with Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and
Communications-Directorate General of Communications and GSM operators, GSM
coverage expanding and improvement studies in areas which are especially rural and do not
have GSM coverage have continued during the year of 2015.
Within this scope, the studies according to the agreement signed between Ministry of
Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications-Directorate General of Communications in
order to offer coverage in residential areas (Figure 41) which are populated less than 500 and
do not have GSM coverage with Universal Service Fund is being followed.
Figure 39 :Settlements that offered coverage by Universal Service Fund
Besides, Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications-Directorate General of
Communications has launched a new project in the scope of Universal Service in 2015. The
aim of this project is to ensure mobile internet services for the settlements that are in the
previous project and the settlements that have request and complaints. A working party was
established for this reason and it is supported on behalf of the Authority.
64
3.1.16.2
GSM Coverage Measurements
Field tests were conducted with our staff and set of measurements in different settlements
according to the demands and complaints related with GSM coverage problems. In this
context, field tests were conducted in residential areas connected to İstanbul, Sivas, Konya,
Yozgat, Adana and Antalya cities in 2015 and the data that was obtained by measurements
was analyzed and reported.
3.2 Information Technologies Activities
3.2.1 Electronic Signature
As of the end of November 2015, five (three in 2005, one in 2006 and one in 2012) Electronic
Certificate Service Providers (ECSP) were authorized according to the Law on Electronic
Signatures No 5070 and the number of qualified electronic certificate generated by ECSPs in
Turkey is 1.991.132. 333.746 of these certificates are revoked, 638.515 number of them have
expired and 114.582 of these certificates are suspended.
As of the end of November 2015,
the number of active qualified electronic certificates is 904.289 in Turkey. 874.830 of them
are used for electronic signature and 29.45 of them are used for mobile electronic signature.
With the Article 15 of the Electronic Signature Law No. 5070, the task of the inspection of
Electronic Certificate Service Providers’ operations and transactions regarding the
implementation of the Law was given to ICTA. In this context an audit started on EBG
Information Technologies and Services Corp. (e-Tuğra) in 2014 and completed in 2015. The
audit processes started in 2015 on TürkTrust Information Communication and Information
Security Services Corp. and Electronic Information Security Corp. (E-Güven) are continuing
and audit process on TUBİTAK-UEKAE (Governmental Certification Center) completed in
2015.
Between the dates 16-17 March 2015 a TAIEX workshop organized about interoperability
between REMSPs, applications about REM and E-signature and sharing experiences about
international standards with the participation of experts from the EU, Registered Electronic
Mail Service Providers (REMSP), ECSPs and entities operating in the electronic signature
and registered electronic mail market.
65
In 2015 participation was provided to conferences, seminars and meetings in order to increase
the awareness about electronic signature, courses have given to the relevant personnel of
public institutions and public organizations and supports have given to the trainings organized
by Public Administration Institute for Turkey and Middle East (TODAİE).
3.2.2 Internet Domain Names
By the Article 35 of Electronic Communications Act, designation of the organizations or
institutions which shall carry out registration of internet domain names, and the principles and
procedures concerning the management of domain names shall be determined by the Ministry
of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications. Also, by the Article 6 of the mentioned
Law, Authority is entitled to fulfill the duties entrusted with the Authority by the Council of
Ministers, the Ministry and/or the Cyber Security Board in respect of the matters concerning
cyber security and internet domain names by means of the Presidency of Telecommunication
and Communication or by means of other units/departments of the Authority.
By-law on Internet Domain Names8 was put into force by the Ministry. In this regard,
Authority is entitled to set up and operate “.tr” Network Information System (TRABİS) or to
have a third party for setting up and operate TRABİS within the framework of the principles
and procedures determined by the Authority.
With the activation of TRABİS, domain name allocation will be carried out in a more
transparent and competitive environment. Also disputes concerning domain names will be
solved in a short time by alternative dispute resolution mechanism. It is planned to increase
the number of domain names with the launch of “.tr” flat names.
8
By-law on Internet Domain Names that was published in the Official Gazette No. 27752 dated 7 November
2010
66
After the re-delegation of “.tr” Country Code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) by Internet
Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and transferring the data in Nic.tr,
TRABİS system will be activated. In this respect, administrative and legal process regarding
the re-delegation of the domain name management is still going on.
3.2.3 Registered E-Mail System
With the second paragraphs of Article 1525 of the
Turkish Trade Law No. 61029 the task of determining
the principles and procedures relating to Registered email system rights, obligations, authorization, and
supervision of registered e-mail service providers
(REMSP), rights and obligations of individuals,
businesses and companies regarding to REM, transactions using REM and their results was
given to ICTA.
Potential REMSPs applied to ICTA and their applications were evaluated in the framework of
regulations relating to the REM system. eFinans Electronic Commerce and Information
Services Corp. was authorized on 5 February 2015, KepKur Software, Information
Technologies, Registered Email Services Corp. was authorized on 11 September 2015 and
F.I.T. Information Technology Systems and Service Inc. was authorized on 11 September
2015 by the ICTA as REMSP. Studies have started to interoperate new REMSPs in REM
system.
Article 26 titled as “Inspection” of the Ordinance on the Procedures and Principles Pertaining
to the REM System which is published regarding to the Article 1525 of the Turkish Trade
Law No. 6102 has provision of “The Authority can inspect or made inspected whether or not
REMSP provides a proper service in accordance with this By-law at least once every two
years with its own initiative or upon complaint thereunder By-law on The Principles and
Procedures of Information Technologies and Communications Authority’ Inspection Activities
which is prepared based on Article 6 and Article 59 of the Electronic Communications Act
No. 5809.” In this context the audit processes started in 2015 on The General Directorate of
9
“Turkish Trade Law” published in the Official Gazette No. 27846 and dated 14 February 2011
67
Post and Telegraph Organization (PTT), TNB Registered Electronic Mail Service Provider &
Trading Inc. and TÜRKKEP Registered Electronic Mail Services Inc. are continuing.
As of the end of November 2015, the number of REM account number has reached to
136.305 in Turkey.
In addition, in 2015 participation was provided to conferences, seminars and meetings in
order to increase the awareness about registered electronic mail, courses have given to the
relevant personnel of public institutions and organizations and supports have given to the
trainings organized by TODAİE.
3.2.4 Network and Information Security
International security standards were examined and the awareness of the sector regarding
security standardization were raised as part of the activities of security group which is one of
the standardization working groups consist of representatives from ICTA, manufacturers,
importers and operators, A workshop about security standards was organized in 12-13 May
2015 with the participation of national and international experts. In the meeting of ITU-T
SG17 which was held in September, a proposal document for the draft recommendation on
security assessment techniques in telecommunication/ICT Networks (X.samtn) was
submitted.
The report titled “Network and Information Security in Electronic Communications Sector:
Evaluation on Scope and Application of the Regulations” was written. In the report, basic
information security concepts were mentioned and network and information security practices
of various countries were analyzed. Additionally, history and current situation of the relevant
regulations were explained and applications of the operators were evaluated.
As part of the 2015 Inspection Plan, 8 operators were inspected in order to control their status
of conformity to requirements defined in “By-Law on Network and Information Security in
Electronic Communications Sector”10. The reporting process regarding these inspections was
completed.
“By-Law on Network and Information Security in Electronic Communications Sector” published in the
Official Gazette dated 13 July 2014 and numbered 29059
10
68
3.2.5 Cyber Security
3.2.5.1 Awareness Raising Programs
A protocol was signed between ICTA and Microsoft on 29/05/2015. The protocol will be held
on cyber security with various purposes such as increasing cyber security awareness, ensuring
use of the Internet in a secure manner, reducing the bad effects of cyber incidents, making
contributions to internet literacy and education. Within the scope of protocol, awareness
activities for end users are planned in 2016.
Security Standards working group has been established in cooperation with operators in
coordination of ICTA. Raising awareness of the operators and making contributions to
security standards that are being studied within ITU-T are main objectives of the working
group. In this context, regular meetings are conducted with operators and opinions which
have prepared related standards has been conveyed to ITU.
3.2.5.2 Cyber Exercise
Crisis Management Exercise is being held every year by NATO and other countries. At the
NATO CMX-2015 exercise which was held on 4th to 10th of March 2015 in Ankara,
according to the generic scenario against conventional and cyber attacks targeting NATO
member countries, principles of the Alliance at crisis management were evaluated and
Alliance's conventional reactions against cyber attacks were examined in detail. ICTA has
participated to this exercise as player.
Within the scope of the exercise, preparations against cyber attacks targeting civilian
infrastructures and essential services were requested by NATO. In this context, National
CERT and Institutional CSIRT which are under ICTA were informed about being prepared
against cyber attacks. In addition, by establishing inter-agency coordination countermeasures
were performed and information flow has been provided.
Also, Stars War Games 2015 exercise was performed between 07-15 / 5/2015 in Istanbul.
ICTA participated to this exercise as observer.
69
Within the Sectoral Cyber Security Exercise preparations, with the participation of
representatives from Institutional CSIRTs Sectoral Working Group was established. In
coordination with this group, meetings have been made and scenarios were prepared.
3.2.5.3 Preparation of Procedures and Principles for Sector Specific CSIRT
In the electronic communications sector, studies were initiated to determine the procedures
and principles for sector specific CSIRT and a draft regulation has been prepared in this
context.
3.3 Market Surveillance Activities on Radio and Telecommunicaitons
Terminal Equipment
3.3.1
Harmonised Standards
In the scope of R&TTE (1999/5/EC) by-law, the Communique (no 2012/1) that is prepared to
publish the list of the harmonized European Standards and corresponding harmonized
national standards entered into force on the date of the date of July 3rd 2012.
However, it is needed to be revise the respective Communique by the reason of updating
regularly of harmonized standards list which was published in European Union Official
Gazette and publishing by preparing these final list of harmonized national standards which is
corresponding harmonized standards by the Turkish Standards Institute (TSE). In this context,
the Communique of the Standards Referenced in Radio Telecommunications Terminal
Equipment (2015/1) by-law was published in the Official Gazette dated on 20.11.2015 and
entered into force at the same time.
3.3.2 Market Surveillance Laboratory
ICTA Market Surveillance Laboratory which began serving in 2007 established its quality
system in accordance with the "TS EN
ISO
/
IEC
17025
General
Requirements for the Competence of
Calibration and Testing Laboratories"
standard
Turkish
and
was
accredited
Accreditation
by
Agency
(TURKAK) on 28th April 2009.
70
Currently, “market surveillance and inspection (MSI)” activities conducted for “radio and
telecommunications terminal equipment (R&TTE)” and testing of sample devices with the
demands of third party devices are carried out in EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility), RF
(Radio Frequency), LVD (Low Voltage Directive) and SAR (Specific Absorption Rate)
laboratories.
3.3.2.1 Accreditation of Market Surveillance Laboratory and Calibration Process of
the Equipment
ICTA Market Surveillance Laboratory was re-accredited by Turkish Accreditation Agency
(TURKAK) with TÜRKAK Accreditation certificate dated 23rd August 2013 and numbered
AB-0259-T with the purposes of having international validity for tests and experiments and
getting higher reliability for test results.
Second surveillance audit which should be
done every year for the necessity of
accreditation was performed on September
30th, 2015. Laboratory units and staff were
examined during the audit. Compliance of
test and experiment activities that EMC
(Electromagnetic compatibility), RF (radio
frequency), LVD (Low voltage directive and safety) and SAR (Specific absorption rate) to the
relevant standards was audited on site. Additionally, applied methods, test records, calibration
status of the equipment used in tests and similar issues are controlled.
3.3.2.2 Inter-laboratory Comparison (ILC) Tests and Proficiency Testing (PT)
ILC tests were carried out in 2015 with the
participation of VESTEL for EMC and RF tests,
and ELDAŞ and EMİTEL-TR for LVD tests.
Relevant calculations were made on the results
obtained from these tests and the reports were
sent to the participants.
71
Proficiency tests by comparison are performed with related laboratories in certain intervals. In
this scope, ILC tests were performed with the EMC and RF laboratories of VESTEL in a total
of three test categories and the results of all tests were determined as appropriate. For LVD
tests, three safety ILC tests were performed on a DECT phone sample by the agreements with
Emitel-TR A.Ş. and Eldaş Test and Calibration Center and the results for all tests were found
to be appropriate.
3.3.2.3 Testing Activities
In 2015, 168 qty of equipment in EMC laboratory, 12 qty of equipment in RF laboratory, 149
qty of equipment in LVD laboratory and 70 qty of equipment in SAR laboratory were tested.
72
Figure 40 : Total Number of Devices and Applied Tests
Table 10: Total Number of Tested Devices
APPLIED TESTS IN 2015
PGM
GSM
DECT
PSTN
PMR
Other
Smart
Watch
DECT
Baby
Monitor
Other
Distribution of Tested Devices
Number of
Tested Devices
EMC
168
RF
12
LVD
149
SAR
70
-
Number of
Applied Tests
EMC
358
RF
110
LVD
1089
SAR
650
-
EMC
158
1
3
6
-
RF
10
2
-
LVD
135
1
3
10
6
SAR
68
2
-
-
-
4
-
-
-
-
-
6
-
-
2
-
-
-
-
At least one or more tests have been applied in each laboratory for each device. In this
context, a total of 2207 tests were applied in 2015 including 358 EMC tests, 110 RF tests,
1089 LVD tests and 650 SAR tests and the results of these tests were reported.
73
3.3.2.4 New Test Instructions and Other Issues
SAR-body test instruction relating to the
testing of the SIM carded-Tablet PC has been
prepared after completing the research and
investigations of applications regarding SAR
body tests in the scope of TS/EN 62209-2
standard for performing market surveillance
and inspection of SIM carded-Tablet PC
devices which is one of the devices that are
held close to the body. Additionally, SIM carded-Tablet PC devices tests and USB Data
Modem devices tests were accredited with the 2015 Accreditation audit.
Battery test equipment were purchased in the context of performing safety tests regarding
batteries used in ICT devices. It is aimed to perform relevant tests as a result of examining
and assessing of the battery test standards.
3.4 Technical Regulations and Activities Relating to the Electronic
Communications Sector
3.4.1 Communiqué on Enhancement of Communiqué on Quality of Fixed
Telephone Services
By publishing in the Official Gazette with no of 28889 and date of 21 January 2014, it entered
in the force, By-law on Enhancement of By-law on Quality in Electronic Communications
Sector. On the other hand, the need of enhancement of the by-law is initiated in the request of
service providers and the difficulties experienced in its implementation. In this context, after
rigorous hard work, it is finalized by publishing it in the Official Gazette with no of 29548
and date of November 30, 2015.
3.4.2 Communiqué on Enhancement of Communiqué on Quality of Internet
Service Providers’ Services
By publishing in the Official Gazette with no of 28889 and date of 21 January 2014, it entered
in the force, By-law on Enhancement of Bylaw on Quality in Electronic Communications
Sector. On the other hand, the need of enhancement of the by-law is initiated in the request of
74
service providers and the difficulties experienced in its implementation. In this context, after
rigorous hard work, it is finalized by publishing it in the Official Gazette with no of 29548
and date of November 30, 2015.
3.4.3 Electronic Communications Infrastructure Information System (ECIS)
Software
It aims collecting of our country’s information about electronic communication infrastructure
in one center, displaying this information in a Geographical Information Systems (GIS) based
map, contributing to the effective and quickly implementation of processes related to the right
of way and facility sharing, instant monitoring of processes of right of way, keeping inventory
information of disaster and emergency communications, assisting in determining policy
related to become widespread of broadband access within the scope of universal service and
disaster and emergency communications, contributing to the decision support system of other
institutions.
With this project infrastructure of operators will be followed easily and it will be possible to
display the instituted infrastructure with starting the operation of ECIS. On the other hand,
transactions carried out between providers and operators using the right of way could be
monitored and the problems about implementation of the right of way and facility sharing
could be detected and solutions could be provided.
The information that relevant operators have about their infrastructure was asked and several
meetings were held about the project. As an output, technical specifications was prepared.
75
3.4.4 Reporting and Monitoring Fixed Broadband Service Quality with the Aid of
Independent Body
Currently, operators set up their test procedures and store the data in their databases according
to current regulations. They quarterly reports to ICTA. Thus, it is difficult to create reliable
and
accurate
service
quality
results. At the same time it is
aimed to monitor the service
quality
by
independent
monitoring.
employing
third
The
party
necessary
studies has been done and the
needed regulations have been
determined. Moreover, national
and
international
firms
monitoring service quality have
been contacted. Preparing the
technical reference terms in order
to hold the bidding process has been continuing.
3.4.5 By-law on the Determination and Auditing of Electronic Communications
Infrastructure Underground Facilities Minimum Requirements
The acceptance of building of infrastructure is granted according to "By-law on Passing All
Forms Cable and Related Materials Used in Fixed and Mobile Communication Infrastructure
or Networks through Real Estates", prepared by Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and
Communications. As a requirement of by-law, our Authority prepared "Electronic
Communications Infrastructure Minimum Requirements" to monitor the building facilities. In
this context, “Draft of By-law on the Determination and Auditing of Electronic
Communications Infrastructure Underground Facilities Minimum Requirements” has been
prepared.
76
3.4.6 In the Electronic Communications Sector, Coordination Studies about Next
Generation Mobile Communication (5G) Technologies
By our Authority, in order to encourage domestic manufacturing for new generation mobile
communication system (5G), to follow up the work and activities carried out by universities,
public bodies and agencies, institutes, operators, firms and other private entrepreneurs in our
country, to make meetings and joint efforts, to follow along with sector the 5G studies of the
international organizations such as the ITU, ETSI and with this study, in August 2015
established a working group within ICTA and this group has started to work.
In addition to the studies done within the ICTA, meetings, presentations and visits have
carried out with sector representatives.
In the current situation, our Authority assessed the work done in our country about 5G,
identifying the necessary actions and recommendations to be presented in order to progress
with concrete steps are being prepared a 5G report.
And also, on behalf of our country, between ICTA and the Japanese government signed a
protocol for cooperation in 5G.
77
78
4. INSPECTION
Regulation and inspection serve as fundamental
instruments to achieve the mission of and to use
the power given to the ICTA through laws.
Stated in the first paragraph of Article 59
entitled
as
"Inspection"
of
Electronic
Communication Law that "The Authority shall
be entitled to inspect or to have third parties
inspect real and legal persons which are
engaged in electronic Communications sector, pertaining to the tasks prescribed by this Law
on its own motion or upon notification or complaint" and in the sixth paragraph it is also
stated that "Procedures and principles pertaining to the implementation of this Article shall
be determined by the Authority through the By-law".
By-law on the Inspection Activities of the ICTA which is published in Official Gazette dated
14/12/2011 and numbered 28142, in order to determine principles and procedures in regard to
works of stated Department, relevant Department and inspectors, and Communique on
Inspection Activities of ICTA.
4.1 Inspection of authorized operators and legal and real persons
subject to ICTA inspection
In the first paragraph of Article 59 entitled "Inspection" of Electronic Communication Law
numbered 5809, it is stated that "The Authority shall be entitled to inspect or to have third
parties inspect real and legal persons which are engaged in electronic Communications
sector, pertaining to the tasks prescribed by this Law on its own motion or upon notification
or complaint." and in the paragraph (a) of Article 29, which determines the tasks of Sectoral
Inspection Department, of By-law on Organizational Structure of ICTA it is stated that "To
examine and inspect all kinds of activities including operations and accounts of operators,
real and legal persons and those who has test permissions within the sector in conformity
with legislation" and in the paragraph 1 of Article 10 entitled "Inspection" of By-law on the
Inspection Activities of the ICTA, which is published in Official Gazette dated 14.12.2011
and numbered 28142, it is stated that "The Authority may conduct inspection automatically or
79
upon any information or complaint it receives, in order to determine whether the activities
are in compliance with the relevant legislation." Within the framework of these provisions,
ICTA continued inspection activities in 2015.
4.2 Inspection of Operators in 2015
A total of 32 inspections have been conducted in year 2015 and among these inspections, 105
operators (same operators might be subject to different inspections, therefore number is
cumulative) have been included in these inspections. One of these inspections was held as
“Investigation” and the others were as “Inspection”. 22 of these inspections were planned
inspections while 10 of them were unplanned.
Among the inspections launched in 2014 according to the “2014 Inspection Plan”, 14
Inspections have been concluded in year 2015 and based on the number of operators 47
inspections have been held. Similarly, 4 unplanned inspections have been concluded in 2015
which have been launched in 2014. Based on the number of operators, 13 unplanned
inspections have been executed (Figure 41).
Figure 41 : Inspections Launched in 2015
3 inspections were concluded in 2015 which were launched in year 2013 as unplanned and
hereby there is no inspection going on from 2013. Similarly 12 of 18 inspections which were
launched in 2014 were concluded. 3 of that 18 inspections are at decision stage (by ICTA
80
Board) and the other 3 of them are ongoing (Figure 44). 9 of 32 inspections launched in 2015
were concluded, 8 inspections are at the decision stage and 15 inspections are ongoing (Figure
44).
Figure 42 : Inspections Launched in 2013 and 2014 and Ongoing in 2015, and Inspections
Launched in 2015
Consequently, out of 53 inspections that are held in 2015, 23 are concluded, 15 of them are at
the decision stage and 15 of them are going on (Figure 43).
Figure 43 :Inspections conducted in 2015
81
4.3 Consequences of Inspections in 2015
2 of that 3 inspections launched in 2013 and continued in 2015 were resulted imposing fines
and one of them is at the decision stage.
5 of that 18 inspections launched in 2014 and continued in 2015 were resulted imposing fines,
4 of them were resulted with “Warning”s and 6 of them are at the decision stage. No
infringements were found in 3 of that inspections (Figure 46).
32 inspections were launched in 2015 and 17 of them were concluded. In one of that
inspections launched in 2015, infringements were detected and the matter is brought to
Regional Directorates’ attention in order to impose administrative fines. In 8 of the
inspections, no infringements were found, other 8 inspections are at the stage of decision.
Inspections launched in 2014 and
Inspections launched and completed in
completed in 2015
2015
Figure 44 :Distribution of Inspections Launched in 2014 and Completed in 2015, and
Distribution of Inspections Launched and Completed in 2015
A total administrative fine of 31.229.167 TL’s have been imposed in 2015.
82
4.4 Works within the context of Article 19 of the Communique on
Inspection Activities of ICTA
In the fourth paragraph of Article 19 entitled "Infringements which does not necessitate
inspection", of the Communique on Inspection Activities of ICTA, it is stated that "If relevant
department is of the view that infringement does not necessitate inspection, relevant
department requests statement regarding the infringement from real or legal persons in
written up to 30 days. Statement which is not presented to ICTA in due time, is not taken into
consideration. Relevant department, if any, following to written statement, takes action within
the framework of applicable law." Under the scope of this provision, there are 18 Board
decisions resulted in administrative fines for relevant operators in 2015. In addition to that, 41
warning fines were imposed to operators and authorizations of 23 operators’ were cancelled.
4.5 Electromagnetic Interference
National Monitoring System (NMS) is used for the activities about detection and elimination
of electromagnetic interference. Electromagnetic interference complains that affected
communication of the radio systems of the public institutions especially the ones which are
serving public safety and private institutions permitted by our Authority were efficiently
detected and eliminated in 2015.
83
140
120120
124124
120
100
74 74
80
63 63
60
40
16 16
20
14 14
4 4
0
DHMİ
GSM
Police
EMI Complaint
Others
Emergency
Military
MİT
Solving of EMI
Figure 44 : Statistical Graphic of EMI Complaints about
Apart from EMI complaints about the complaints which are about EMI of the operators
having usage right and users authorized to use radio systems are detected and eliminated.
Within this scope it is determined that most of the electromagnetic interferences reported to
Authority and detected by the Authority are caused by Radio/TV, cordless telephones and
radio systems. The statistical information about this matter is shown in Figure 48.
Figure 45 : Source of EMI Complaints Graphic
84
4.6 Spectrum Monitoring
NMS can be used for analyse frequencies check the technical parameters of licensed or
unlicensed radio stations, detecting unauthorized use of frequencies, and also determining the
intensity of use of frequencies allocated. In 2015, the various activities were carried out on the
use of frequency bands and espically 4.5 G frequency bands.
After detection of the use of unauthorized or non-standard system/device, use of them was
stopped. By making required operations like this study, it has been provided for operators and
users to use clean frequency without any interference by. In addition, for the effective and
efficient use of the frequency spectrum which is scarce resource, study of the frequency
spectrum occupancy was done.
For especially interference free usage of allocated frequency bands of 4.5 G (800 MHz, 2100
MHz, 2600 MHz), monitoring studies were carried out.
Figure 46 : Screen of Analyse Frequencies
85
4.7 Continuous Monitoring System of Electromagnetic Fields
Continuous
monitoring
system
of
electromagnetic fields (ESIS) is a Project
that makes long-term measurements (7
days/24 hours)
for the monitoring of
electromagnetic fields (EMF) in the
selected areas which have multiple base
stations and high population (such as
school, hospital, kindergartens, apartment)
buildings in order to show whether EMFs
are under control according to the limits of
international standards. The purpose of
this project is to provide for the general
public clear and easily available data concerning electromagnetic field levels
simultaneously in the form of results of continuous measurement on a specially prepared
web site (www.ema-olcum.btk.gov.tr) of ICTA.
Web site of ESIS (www.ema-olcum.btk.gov.tr) has been opened to our people on
January 6, 2014. Initially, 10 pcs of measuring devices in Ankara and 5pcs in İzmir was
installed near multiple base stations of selected areas. One of measuring device in Ankara
was removed and installed in İstanbul,Taksim Square in July 2014. The system continues
to work.
Figure 47: Operation of Continuous Monitoring System of Electromagnetic Fields System
86
4.8 The Inspection Activities on Market Surveillance
The market surveillance activities are carried out by the Authority based on the provisions of
the Law numbered 4703 and the Law numbered 5809 in order to ensure that the radio and
telecommunications terminal equipment are compliant with the technical regulations defined
by the Authority and with the related safety rules. The authorized personnel participates the
inspections throughout the year in this respect. The inspections are conducted in accordance
with the inspection plans and spontaneously when needed. Furthermore, the complaints and
denunciations are taken into consideration in determination of devices to be inspected.
374 companies and 1222 devices were inspected in the scope of market surveillance activities
in 2015. Inspections were mainly performed based on the planning in 2014 while the
inspections of the equipment reported by complaints and denunciations were included
monthly plans. 268 non-compliant equipment have been reported as the results of those
inspections. Additionally, 260 sample devices were taken to be tested in the laboratory. The
data related to the inspections, samples and non-compliances including the inspected device
groups are summarized in the following Table 11:
Table 11:The Device Groups in the Market Surveillance Inspections in 2015
DEVICE GROUPS
Mobile Handsets
Short Range Devices
WEARABLE WATCHES
DRONE
Tablet PC
PSTN Terminal Equipment
DECT Terminal Equipment
PMR 446 Radio
Baby Monitor
Radio Equipment
IP Terminal Equipment
FM Transmitter
Navigation Equipment
Telemetry Equipment
TOTAL
NUMBER OF
INSPECTIONS
520
287
32
17
161
22
38
30
40
22
1
18
34
-1222
NUMBER OF
NON
SAMPLES TAKEN COMPLIANCE
224
26
2
105
14
26
6
10
-46
-3
3
4
-7
11
14
-8
---5
-14
--260
268
87
It can be seen in the above Table 11 that the biggest group of inspected devices is mobile
handset group having 520 members. Furthermore, the number of inspections on tablet PC and
short range devices are noticeably high.
Based on the inspections conducted in 2015, administrative fines of a total of 411.655 TL for
22 equipment types were applied to the producers of equipment due to the lack of information
and certificate including technical documentation and non-compliance with the essential
requirements after the laboratory tests.
4.9 The Inspection Activities on Safer Internet Service
The on-site inspection activities were realized to control the service of internet service
providers which are obliged to give safer internet service if they provide the services precisely
within the scope of “The Principles and Procedures for the Safer Internet Services” and to
measure their service quality.
88
5. REGULATIONS AND ACTIVITIES ON THE RIGHTS OF
CONSUMERS
5.1 Processing of Personal Data and Protecting the Privacy
Turkish Constitutional Court made a decision (09.04.2014 dated and No:E.2013/22
K.2014/74) annulling the
11
Article 51 of the Electronic Communications Law12. With this
decision, the basis of By-Law on Processing of Personal Data and Protection of Privacy13 in
the Electronic Communications Sector has not gone away as of 26.01.2015.
In this context, changes relating to Article 51 of the Electronic Communications Law were
prepared and put in force by 26.01.2015 by Grand National Assembly of Turkey.
5.2 Consumer consent about mobile data services
The use of smartphones is increasing rapidly along with the use of data because of availability
of various applications and content. Since smartphones are loaded with a lot of applications
which require regular update using data services and consumers may not know about such use
of data until most of the balance in the account might be consumed, ICTA decided to take
measures about potential consumer complaints due to unauthorized or unintended mobile data
usage. Board Decision dated 19.11.2015 and numbered 2015/DK-THD/510 on “Consumer
Consent About Mobile Data Services” mandates mobile telecom operators to send alert to
consumers who do not have data plan (except those who have data plans exhausted),
immediately after they attempt to access mobile internet, in order to inform consumers about
they don’t have any data plan and they will access internet only after they give their consent.
Mobile telecom operators will only be able to charge these consumers for data usage only if
they give their consent upon the alert. Besides, consumers will be able to activate or
deactivate mobile internet service on their account through SMS, call centers, websites or
agencies.
11
The article 51 of Electronics Communications Act has been annuled by the Turkish Constitutional Court with
decision dated 09.04.2014 and numbered No:E.2013/22 K.2014/74, and the article 51 is rearranged on 27/3/2015
dated and numbered no 6639/31.
12
Electronics Communications Act numbered 5809 was published in the Official Gazette dated 10.11.2005 and
numbered 27050.
13
By-Law on Processing of Personal Data and Protection of Privacy was published in the Official Gazette dated
24.07.2012 and numbered 28363.
89
5.3 Regulation about how to calculate prorated charges and prorated
credits is in effect
Based on consumer complaints related to invoices which reflect a full month of charges for a
partial month of service in cases where the consumer put a request to end contract, switch to
another operator or suspend the account etc, ICTA decided to regulate the way to calculate the
prorated charges and prorated credits that appear on the bills. In order to protect the rights of
consumers in electronic communications industry, how to calculate prorated charges and
prorated credits according to the actual amount of service received rather than a standard sum
is regulated by the Board Decision dated 30.04.2014 and numbered 2014/DK-THD/237 on
“Regulation About How to Calculate Prorated Charges and Prorated Credits is in Effect”,
which is in effect by 01.04.2015.
5.4 Regulation regarding Interrogation of the Debt and Credit
Information
Regulation regarding Interrogation of the Debt and Credit Information was adopted by the
Board Decision numbered 2014DK-THD/466 and dated 22.09.2014 on “Regulation
Regarding Interrogation of the Debt and Credit Information” and has entered into force on 02
March 2015. Later, with the Board Decision numbered 2015/DK-THD/278 and dated
27.05.2015 on “The new article was added about the Regulation Regarding Interrogation of
the Debt and Credit Information” additional regulation was made about paying the debt and
applying for a refund credits.
The Regulation enabled subscribers to learn and pay easily the amount they owe operators
and to learn and apply for a refund credits in their accounts via the agencies of operators of
their websites. Additionally, citizens that have e-government password will be able to inquire
and pay the amount they owe operators and apply for a refund credits in their accounts
through e-government portal, but only on the condition that the operator has more than
200.000 subscribers.
90
5.5 Transactions carried out with the agency
It is possible to obtain provable documents and information regarding subscriber transactions
via customer services, SMS etc. from the operators. However, since subscriber transactions
are processed verbally by dealers/resellers of the operators and because of the arising
problems about lack of proof regarding complaints about these transactions; a need for
regulation is required . In this context, a Board Decision of "Transactions via resellers" dated
05.10.2015 and numbered 2015/DK-THD/445 is adopted. According to the Decision, the
operators are obliged to take proven declaration of intention regarding the transactions via
dealers/resellers of the operators (tariffs/packages/value-added service purchases or changes,
termination request, delivery of equipment etc.), and also obliged to give subscribers
information and/or documents about the said transactions. For these practices, a period of 6
months is determined for the operators.
5.6 Communications Made For Marketing and Sexual Purpose
Law on the Regulation of Electronic Commerce14 No. 6563 prepared by the Ministry of
Customs and Trade was published in the Official Gazette No. 29166 and dated 05.11.2014
and has entered into force on 01.05.2015. Article 14 of the Law also makes changes on the
article 50 of the Electronic Communication15 Law No. 5809.
With revised articles of Electronic Communication Law, communications made by operators
with their users/subscribers for marketing and sexual purposes has been regulated.
In addition, secondary matters relating the issue are handled by Board Decision dated
09.07.2015
and
numbered.
2015/DK-THD/313
on
“Regulations
on
Unsolicited
Communications” .
5.7 Activities Related to Internet Security and Internet Regulations
Alongside the developments of the internet, malicious uses of the internet and cyber fraud are
increased, too. Therefore, necessary structures should be maintained in order to provide safe,
Regulatıon of Electronıc Commerce Act numbered 6563 was published in the Official Gazette dated
05.11.2014 and numbered 29166.
15
Electronics Communications Act numbered 5809 was published in the Official Gazette dated 10.11.2005 and
numbered 27050, 23/10/2014-6563/14 article was made changes.
14
91
conscious and efficient use of the internet for all internet users especially for kids and young
people.
5.7.1 Awareness Raising Activities
In the scope of awareness activities, different awareness guide booklets and brochures were
distributed to schools and different institutions on demand. For the conscious, safe and
effective use of Internet, many booklets and brochures have been distributed free of charge.
5.7.2 Safer Internet Service
Safer Internet Service (SIS), is a filtering system which is freely offered to internet users by
the authorized Service Providers they are subscribed. It is a network level filtering system.
There are 2.5 million subscribers which are currently using it. In order to protect children and
young people from harmful content and enable them to use the Internet in a more secure way
by Safer Internet Services.
White lists and black lists are determined by Safer Internet Services and sent to CSPs
periodically. Additionally we have been working with CSPs for setting out safer search
engines for SIS subscribers.

Safer Internet Portal
For Safer Internet Service (SIS), which is freely offered to internet users by the Service
Providers they are subscribed, an official promotional website on guvenlinet.org.tr is being
operated. On this portal, information about SIS and awareness raising suggestions are given,
also there are pages for denunciations and objections, domain name profile querying and
profile
test

interface.
Tips for Families
New articles are added for the content to be richer, in addition to present articles and
animations about “rules to follow while on the Internet”, “using the Internet efficiently” and
92
“awareness to malicious content on the Internet”. Over time, the number of articles will be
increased and subjects will be handled more comprehensively.

Domain Profile Control Interface
This interface (http://www.guvenlinet.org/tr/domain_sorgula.html) lets users to query which
profile a website (domain or subdomain) belongs to. Consequently, query users may report
their opinions and help keeping the lists accurate.

Profile Test Interface
This Interface lets users to check whether their ISP’s infrastructures serve SIS well. This page
(http://www.guvenlinet.org/test) tests sites from different categories and determines which
profile is being applied.
5.7.3 Child and Family Profiles Criteria Working Board Activities
Child and Family Profiles Criteria Working Board’s meetings are organised, recorded and
reported by Safer Internet unit of Internet Department. Internet trends, website categorization
criteria, view of Safer Internet Service (SIS), assessments of some objections, strategies to
promote SIS are discussed in a regular board meeting. Apart from meetings, board members
are consulted within the scope of SIS according to their speciality.
5.7.4 Categorization Activities
Aproximately 500 thousand denunciations and objections are evaluated according to criteria
determined by Child and Family Profiles Criteria Working Board. Evaluation of
denunciations made to ihbarweb.org.tr portal is also continued.
5.7.5 R&D Activities
To improve the quality of service and diversify options, R&D activities are performed.

Safer Internet on Web Browsers
Currently Safer Internet Service is held via ISP membership, and families which have single
internet subscription in their house can use one profile at a time with their devices.
In order to use different Safer Internet Service profiles with different computers at the same
time, set profiles automatically in a hour based system, let parents to create their own
93
allowed/blocked lists for their children, force safe search in YouTube and search engines like
Google, Yandex, Bing, Yahoo and test routinely whether ISPs filter websites correctly;
browser plug-ins and a management module is being developed. This plug-ins will work on
Internet Explorer, Firefox and Chrome which are the most used web browsers in Turkey. Beta
version of the product is released and necessary enhancements are held according to
feedbacks.

White List Search Engine
This project is being developed especially for children and it lets users to make search from
only websites in SIS Child Profile and list the results in the web browser. Currently search
and result listing features work practically, and for the results to be more accurate and
significant some improvements still continues.
5.7.6 Internet Hotline Service
Internet Hotline Service is a department of ICTA- Communications Presidency. Reports can
be submitted via “www.ihbarweb.org.tr” web site, phone (166) or short message service
(1199).
Communications Presidency assesses the reports and performs technical and legal analysis
according to the law number 5651. Notice and takedown” (NTD) is adopted as the principle
methodology in order to remove the illegal content mentioned in the law 5651 without the
necessity of blocking the web sites.
According to the law 5651, websites may be blocked if there is a satisfactory suspicion that
all of the web site contain content of the crimes mentioned in the law 5651 and if it is not
possible to communicate the service or hosting provider of the content (usually when the
content is not hosted in Turkey).
Report Statistics
Statistical information of all the reports submitted to Internet Hotline of ICTACommunications Presidency as of 31.12.2013 is shown in the graph below:
94
Total report Figure 52 from beginning to 31.12.2015: 1.049.709
250000,0
199803,0
200000,0
182645,0
156856,0
156399,0
150000,0
132133,0
103221,0
100000,0
82270,0
50000,0
33899,0
2483,0
,0
2007(2
ay)
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Figure 48: Number of Reports by Year
5.8 Mobile Device Registration System
In 2015, 20.127.203 IMEIs belonging to 17.958.467 equipments were registered to Mobile
Device Registration System. This registration consists of imported and manufactured devices
or devices brought by individuals while returning from abroad.
95
Figure 49 : Distribution of IMEIs Registered in Mobile Device Registration System
Based on number of IMEIs registered through import, there is a 2,46 % annual increase
between 2014-2015. Number of IMEIs registered in 2014 was 16.743.007 while the same
Figure 54 is 17.205.520 in 2015.
Based on number of devices registered through importation, there is a 6,90 % annual decrease
between 2014-2015.
Figure 50: Number of IMEIs Registered Through Importation
96
Number of IMEIs registered was 1.633.489 in 2013 and by 34,57 % increase it reached
2.198.151 in 2015.
Based on number of devices registered by manufacturers 70,23 % annual decrease was
encountered between 2014-2015.
Figure 51: Number of IMEIs Registered Through Manufacturing
Number of IMEIs of equipments brought and registered by individuals while returning from
abroad in 2014 was 610.044 and by an annual increase of 18,60 % this number reached
723.532 in 2015.
97
Figure 52: Number of IMEIs of Equipment Brought and Registered by Individuals
After the change of secondary legislation regarding the registration of mobile equipment in
July 12th, 2014, to a great extent, registration of mobile equipment to MDRS has been
transferred to e-government platform.
Following these regulations, registrations through e-government increased by 81 % from 2014
to 2015.
Figure 53: Ratio of Registrations Through E-Government
98
Registrations by ICTA personnel was terminated after the change of legislation in July 12th,
2014.
Number of registration documents audited by ICTA in 2015 was 42.102 which corresponds to
a decrease by 85,53 % compared to previous year, thanks to change of legislation and
increasing use of e-government process.
Figure 54: Registration Documents Audited By ICTA
Number of calls received by ICTA Call Center (Information and Notification Center) in 2015
was 571.014. Number of received calls increased by 2,96 % compared to previous year.
Figure 55: Number of Calls
99
5.9 Consumer Complaints
In 2015, 91.431 consumer complaints were received by ICTA. Considering 72.311 consumer
complaints in 2014, there is a 26 % increase.
Distribution of consumer complaints by services is given below. Accordingly; GSM, ISP and
cable TV services are among those receive the most consumer complaints.
Figure 56: Ranking of Complaints According to Services
The ranking of complaints according to the categories is given below. Invoices, cancellations
of contracts and connection problems are among those receive the most complaints.
100
Table 12: Ranking of Complaints According to the Categories
Complaint
Ranking
5.10
Subject
1
Invoice Objections
2
Termination /Temporary Suspension
3
Connection Problems
4
Churn Rate
5
Penalty Clause/ Withdrawal fee
6
Subscription Contracts
7
Content Service Provider
8
Service Quality
9
Transparency and Informing
10
Call Centers
Right to Access to Information and BİMER Applications
The number of applications for the access to information was 6.045 and the number of
BİMER aplications was 26.780 in 2015. These figures represent 1,39 % and 31,27 % annual
increase respectively.
101
6. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
ICTA maintained close ties with European Union (EU) and all the international organizations
including International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Universal Postal Union (UPU)
European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT), which are
international and regional telecommunication organizations, in 2015, took part in the
activities performed under these organizations and contributed to capacity of the Authority by
transferring developments and experiences concerning worldwide technology and regulations
in order to improve corporate capacity so as to perform the task of regulating the sector in
more efficient and international standards as well as representation of our country in
international organizations as a member administration.
Besides, ICTA implemented bilateral and multilateral cooperation projects in the field of
telecommunications with countries which have historical and geographical similarities with
Turkey. In addition, in the field of electronic communications, ICTA has set up bilateral and
multilateral co-operation projects, and organized training seminars with regulatory institutions
in different countries in this context, especially for beginners and professionals working in the
field of telecommunications, spectrum and information technology arrangements.
6.1 The Relations with the European Union
The relations with the EU in the related areas continued in 2015 in parallel with Turkey's
relations with the EU. These relations and the activities can be summarized under four main
headings which are accession negotiations, meetings with the European Commission and
participation in the committees, contributions related to basic documents within the context of
the EU activities, and benefiting from the EU pre-accession financial and technical assistance
tools.
After the decision concerning start of accession negotiations with Turkey was made by the
EU on October 3, 2005; 35 negotiation chapters were designated through publication of
negotiating framework. In this context, “Chapter 10 - Information Society and Media”, which
mostly relates ICTA because of the legislation it is responsible for, was opened for
negotiations and the benchmarks of the aforesaid chapter were declared at the
Intergovernmental Meeting which was held in Brussels on 19 December 2008. In line with
102
the resolution for establishment of the Customs Union between Turkey and the EU,
“Subcommittee on Technological Innovations, Education and Research Programmes”, which
enables bilateral meetings with the Commission side and evaluation of the issues concerning
the Acquis Communitaire and annually assembles, convened in Brussels on March 26, 2015.
Participation in the EU Committees is among the priority policies of ICTA. ICTA, which
represents our country as an observer in Body of European Regulators for Electronic
Communications (BEREC) and as a member in Independent Regulators Group (IRG), takes
part in General Assemblies and Contact Network meetings of the said groups at the highest
level. Dr. Ömer Fatih SAYAN, Chairman of the Board and President of the ICTA has been
elected as the Vice President of Independent Regulators Group (IRG) at the Group’s General
Assembly in London on 10-11 December 2015.
On the other hand, ICTA made the necessary contributions to the Progress Report published
by European Commission in 2015.
The activities with regard to technical assistance continued in 2015 in line with the objective
of ICTA on utilizing various funds and programmes of the Union in the fields which ICTA is
103
responsible for. Within the context of 2015 applications of TAIEX that is one of the short
term technical assistance tools of the EU Commission and some Member Countries to assist
candidate countries on the transposition of the EU legislation into the national legislation,
ICTA's 1 project proposals in various fields have been approved by the European
Commission.
Furthermore ICTA contributed to the works of Euro-Mediterranean Regulators Group
(EMERG) which was founded with a vision to establish a platform like IRG and provide a
multi-lateral dialog and share experience between European Union and Mediterranean
countries.
6.2 Relations with International Telecommunications Organizations
Turkey as a member of ITU Council participated in the Council meeting held in Geneva
between 12-22 May 2015. During the Council meeting, ITU's 150th anniversary has been
celebrated on 17 May 2015. In the celebration which UN member states, the private sector,
academic organizations, UN specialized agencies and international organizations participated,
the 150. Year Certificate has been presented to 20 founding member countries including
Turkey.
104
ICTA
participated
10th Internet
to
Governance
Forum (IGF-2015) which
was held in Joao Pessoa,
Brazil
between
November
10-13
2015.
In
the
opening session of the IGF
2015,
as
previous
host
country, first speech was
given by ICTA President Dr.
Ömer Fatih SAYAN on
behalf of Turkey. ICTA President Dr. SAYAN touched on ICT 2023 goals of Turkey,
Turkey’s aim to be one of the first countries in 5G, efforts of Turkey enabling a safe online
environment for kids and international cooperation for combat against terrorism in his speech
to more than 2000 participants from 112 countries.
Important activities towards the postal sector was carried out international area. In this
context, ICTA participated to the meeting of Council of Administration and Postal Operations
Council of Universal Postal Union which were held in Bern/Switzerland between 19 October13 November 2016.
In the meetings, the UPU's biennial budget and accounts, human
resource
and
policies
proposals by the Postal
Operations
Council
has
been approved. Also, a
signing
arranged
ceremony
was
during
the
Council of Administration
and
host
country
agreement concerning the
realization of the UPU
Congress in Istanbul from
105
19th September to 7th October 2016 was signed between Turkey and UPU. İstanbul Congress
will determine the future of the UPU and postal sector objectives and strategies for the period
of 2016-2020.
United Nations General Assembly High Level Meeting on Review of WSIS +10 held in New
York on 15-16 December 2015. In this significant UN meeting, ICTA President Dr. Ömer
Fatih SAYAN addressed the high level representatives of the UN member states and civil
society organizations' representatives. Dr. SAYAN gave detailed information about the point
Turkey has come regarding information and communication technologies.
6.3 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC – 15)
World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) was held between 02 November to 27
November
2015
in
in
Geneva/Switzerland. Some matters were
discussed in scobe the scobe of The
Conference’s Agenda
Items, such as
regional or general frequency planning
of
all
telecommunication
radiocommunication
and
services,
determination of system technic criteria,
using of radio spectrum shared by
all
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countries and
determination of procedures how to use frequency spectrum when all
telecommunication services develop and become widespread .
It was attended WRC-15 by Turkish Delegation included ICTA, establishments and
institutions related. WRC-15 was followed and its results were evaluated within the scope
of national interests by Turkish Delegation.
6.4 Bilateral Cooperation
Through bilateral cooperation with the various countries, the ICTA aims to develop its
regulatory capacity, to develop mechanisms for sharing experiences and information with
countries that are developed in terms of telecommunications regulations, to support and guide
the neighbouring countries that have similar historical and cultural values, to strengthen
current relations by creating common starting points, to increase recognition of the ICTA and
to benefit from international platforms by establishing good relations. The activities of
bilateral cooperation continued during the year 2015 and in this context, the following
developments were made:
A delegation from Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) paid a visit to
ICTA on 10-11 March 2015. During the visit, the delegation was briefed about Mobile
Equipment Identity Register System in Turkey.
Within
the
scope
of
bilateral
cooperation
activities
between
ICTA
and
the
Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL), a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) was signed on 7 May of 2015 in Istanbul. The signed MoU aims at
development of cooperation through exchanging information, experience and experts in the
field of electronic communications.
In order to carry the cooperation between ICTA and Cameroon Telecommunications
Regulatory Board (TRB) into effect, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on
8 May of 2015 in Istanbul. The signed MoU aims at development of cooperation through
exchanging information, experience and experts in the field of electronic communications.
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A
delegation
from
Central
Communications Office of the Republic
of Kazakhstan, led by Director Mr.
Erzhan BABAKUMAROV paid a visit to
the ICTA on 15 July of 2015. The
delegation was accompanied by the
representatives
of
Embassy
of
Kazakhstan in Ankara and Directorate
General of Press and Information of the
Republic of Turkey. A briefing about the
organization of the ICTA, its activities,
internet governance and combat against
illegal content on internet was given to the delegation.
In order to establish cooperation in the
field of ICT, particularly 5G, between
Turkey and Japan, a Joint Statement
was signed by Dr. Ömer Fatih SAYAN,
President of ICTA for Turkey and by
Mr.
Yasou
SAKAMOTO,
Vice-
Minister for the Internal Affairs and
Communications
for
Japan
on
7
October of 2015 in Tokyo. Joint
Statement
foresees
exchanging
information and experiences on policy
and regulation in the field of 5G
between the two sides and enhancing
relationship in private sector between
the two countries.
108
6.5 10th International
Conference
Electronic
Communications
Regulators
The 10th International Electronic Communications Regulators Conference was organized in
Istanbul on 7-8 May of 2015 by the ICTA. The main theme of the conference was “Trends in
the Mobile Future”. The conference to which more than 200 participants attended including
representatives of the ministries and national regulatory authorities from various countries as
well as academics and operators served as a platform to discuss and exchange views on
current issues. 17 countries were represented at the conference.
6.6 International Seminar on Spectrum Regulations
ICTA launched training seminars in 2011 to support the countries that Turkey shares common
historical and cultural values and that Turkey have and will have mutual relations currently
and in the future in overseas geographies as well as to exchange information and views
between ICTA experts and experts who work in regulatory authorities responsible for
electronic
Communication
telecommunication
sector
regulations,
in
various
spectrum
countries.
regulations
and
These
seminars
information
include
technologies
regulations.
In this context, A seminar was organized in İstanbul on 14-18 September 2015. The seminar
was on Spectrum Regulations. 52 participants from 30 different countries have discussed
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issues such as spectrum management, national frequency plans, spectrum monitoring and
market surveillance.
6.7 World Trade Organization and Free Trade Agreements Studies
After Doha round of World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations have stalled,
to spur
service trade, a new service trade agreement studies has been started. The Trade in Services
Agreement (TiSA) is a trade agreement currently being negotiated by 23 members of the
WTO, including the EU and Turkey. TiSA aims at opening up markets and improving rules
in areas such as licensing, financial services, telecoms, e-commerce, maritime transport, and
professionals moving abroad temporarily to provide services. Similarly free trade agreements
studies have accelerated recently.
All studies about TISA and Free Trade Agreements (FTA) Studies are being coordinated by
Ministry of Economy and ICTA contributed to the agreement studies actively in 2015 in
scope of ICTA’s duties and responsibilities.
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7. PROJECTS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES
7.1 EU Supported Technical Assistance Project
The tender and agreement processes of “Technical assistance for achieving the information
society and stimulating high-speed broadband services to the benefit of consumers” which is
within the scope of 2011-2013 program of Pre-accession Financial Assistance Part 1 (IPA-1)
were completed on 28.01.2015 and execution of the project started on 28.04.2015.
The basic activities within the project which are to be finalized in 18 months are as follows:
i. Development of cost models, pricing methodologies and charging mechanisms for
current and next generation fixed and mobile network operators (NGN, FTTX, 3G, LTE etc.),
ii. Relevant market analyses, determination of specific remedies to be imposed on the
operators having SMP,
iii.
Review
of
current
access/interconnection
services
and
reference
access/interconnection offers,
iv. Preparation of concise National Broadband Plan.
It is evaluated that the project in which relevant instruments will be developed for Turkey to
reach the information society and promote high speed broadband services will contribute to
the further achievement of sustainable competition and to maximization of consumer welfare.
7.2 Views Given to the Competition Authority
The Article 7 of the Electronic Communication Law numbered 5809 and dated 05.11.2008
states that “The Competition Board while performing examinations and supervisions and
while making any decisions on electronic communications sector, including decisions about
merger and takeovers, takes into consideration primarily the Authority’s view and the
regulatory procedures of the Authority.” By taking into account of this provision, it has been
ensured that mutual cooperation and continuous coordination became more efficient within
the context of “the Coorperation Protocol Between Competition Authority (CA) and ICTA”
entered into force on November 2nd, 2011, and the required studies have been realized in 2014
accordingly.
In this context, with the entry of Postal Services Law numbered 6475 into force, regarding the
new tasks assigned for the regulation of postal services to ICTA, the Cooperation Protocol
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was revised on January 22, 2015. In addition to this, in accordance with that provision and
protocol, Competition Authority (CA) requests view and information from ICTA whilst
investigating and making decisions about electronic communications sector. In this context, in
2015, a total of 8 Authority (ICTA) view and information in response to the applications
made before CA about merger/takeovers and breaches of competition were sent to CA by
ICTA.
7.3 Legal (Consultancy) Activities
In 2015, it has been proceeded to provide litigation and resolution of the case and execution
proceeding. Also, warrants has been replied that coming from variety of court and
Prosecution Offices.
There are 1485 pending case of which ICTA adhered by 2015. The table of cases that has
been proceeded in 2015 as follow;
Table 13: The range of cases that the ICTA has adhered as respondent in the year of 2015
Type of Case
Amount of Case
Criminal Cases
99
Administrative Cases
312
Civil Cases
330
TOTAL
741
Table 14: The range of cases that the ICTA has adhered as Claimant in the year of 2015
Type of Case
Amount of Case
Criminal Cases
8
Administrative Cases
-
Civil Cases
5
TOTAL
13
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In 2015, the amount of 84 warrants has been replied that coming from a variety of court and
Prosecution Offices.
7.4 Updating the Official Websites of ICTA
The official main websites and official consumer website of ICTA (www.btk.gov.tr,
eng.btk.gov.tr and tuketici.btk.gov.tr) and their Content Management System (CMS) have
been renewed and modified in order to provide modern, dynamic and ergonomic appearance.
Furthermore, content management activities whose some deficiencies have support of English
can be managed more reliable and effectively.
7.5 Consultancy Service for ICTA Information Management System
Consultancy service which is provided by TÜBİTAK BİLGEM Software Technologies
Research Institute since 5 January of 2015 for ICTA continued for five months.
Within the scope of the service, current situation analysis was performed with the following
purposes: to conduct organizing and auditing processes of electronic communications sector
in congruence with information management system which is compatible with the
international standards, to improve the infrastructure of sectoral data analysis and reporting
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thereby strengthening the decision support processes. Additionally, ICTA Information
Management System’s current situation analysis was carried out concerning ten different
dimensions including;
-regulations,
-strategic plan,
-service inventory,
-business processes,
- current data,
-current software,
- examples from both domestic and abroad,
- internal and external stakeholders,
-information technologies infrastructure.
Technical solution proposal was prepared by the some analysis results of the software. And
the technical requirements drafts documents to be used during procurement process were
prepared too. And also analysis results assessment continues in ICTA.
7.6 Data Center Studies
The process of changing the service building of ICTA is continuing, At the same time,
existing systems should be moved to this newly constructed building. Moreover, projects
which are not in use yet, will be included to the newly developed system for the so-called
building. Thus, it is planned to form a data center.
In this context, for the purpose of describing national and international quality standards,
identifying the areas to be included in the data center, making a plan according to the business
continuity principles, ensuring organization's system security and reliability, it has been
analyzed what kind of system room we need, then Data Center Specification has been
prepared according to these analyses.
114
Figure 57: Data Center Plan
New technologies in the data center need to take into account affordability, information
security, stability and sustainability. It is also considered while working on the data center
project that our institution should have an example data center as regulation studies about data
centers has been performing by ICTA. Therefore, the international principles are accepted as
our base. It is planned with a supplementary design to ensure the sustainability of the system
against 72-hour outage.
7.7 Preparation of Mobile Spectrum Strategy
Considering the usage of mobile spectrum and mobile broadband, the studies regarding
preparing a report on the time of IMT spectrum assignment and amount of spectrum needed
in the future, began.
7.8 Satisfaction of External Customer Survey
It was aimed to measure external customer satisfaction in order to determine the needs of the
sector served by ICTA and to learn ICTA’s success in meeting the expectations of sector and
to determine areas that are open to improvement and need to making regulations. Evaluating
the result of this survey, Satisfaction of External Customer Report will be prepared and
presented to Senior Management.
115
7.9 Application of OHSAS 18001 Occupational Health and Safety
Management Standards for ICTA
Specifying factors and conditions that promotes a safe and healthy working environment for
all people’s (personnel, subcontactor staff, visitors and any other person at the buildings)
affected by activities of ICTA and taking necessary cautions are also specified by regulations.
And OHSAS 18001 management system began to be implemented in ICTA and studies of
process documentation have been conducted regarding to this standard.
116
8. PUBLICATIONS
8.1 Quarterly Electronic Communications Market Data Reports
Electronic Communications Market Data Report has been prepared based on the data obtained
from the authorized operators, operating in the Turkish electronic communications market.
The purpose of the report is to observe and analyze the development of the industry, and to
inform operators, public and stakeholders of the performance of the sector. In quarterly
reports; graphics, tables, and figures are used to release detailed information such as number
of subscribers, penetration rates, revenues, investments, market shares of operators and
information about consumer complaints etc. Quarterly Electronic Communications Market
Data Reports have been published regularly since 2009. In this context, the 4 report was
published in 2015.
More information of reports can be accessed from:
http://www.btk.gov.tr/en-US/Pages/Market-Data
8.2 The Bulletin of Developments
Communications Sector
in
International
Electronic
The Bulletin of Developments in International Electronic Communications Sector is prepared
and published every month via the web site of ICTA to benefit from the experiences and
follow the agenda of countries like Germany, France, Italy, Sweden, United Kingdom, The
Netherlands, South Korea, China, Ireland, USA and international organizations like BEREC,
OECD, ITU, ICANN, European Union Agency for Network and Information Security
(ENISA), CEPT, ETSI, GSM Association (GSMA).
Within the scope of the bulletin not only the information about the regulations in European
countries but also the developments in electronic communications markets, broadband, cloud
computing, software services, open internet, security, developing technologies and the future
of internet are also examined. In addition to these, the regulations in countries like USA,
South Korea and China which have well developed broadband infrastructure are presented. In
this context, the 12 bulletins were published in 2015.
117
A full copy of the Bulletin can be accessed from:
http://www.btk.gov.tr/tr-TR/Sayfalar/Elektronik-Haberlesme-Sektorunde-Gelismeler-Bulteni
8.3 Electronic Communications Statistics at Provincial Level
Electronic Communications Statistics at provincial level covers indicators about fixed and
mobile telephony as well as broadband internet at provincial level for last 6 years. It is hoped
that this work will be useful for individual researchers, actors from sector and public policy
makers who deal with electronic communications sector. The annual statistical bulletin at
provincial level has been published for the 2009-2014 period in 2015.
The Bulletin can be accessible from:
http://www.btk.gov.tr/kutuphane_ve_veribankasi/yil_istatistikleri/ehsyib.pdf.
8.4 The Statistics of the Equipments Having Electronic Identity
Information
Within the scope of the statistics regarding electronic devices that having identity
information, equipments; imported, manufactured or brought by individuals while returning
from abroad and devices belonging IMEIs are registered to Mobile Equipment Registration
System. Moreover with the prescription of Court/ Prosecutor and in consequence of
notifications to ICTA Notification Center, mobile devices can be closed or opened to the
communication.
In this context, the statistical data about the operations done by ICTA in 2015 can be
accessible from:
http://btk.gov.tr/tr-TR/Sayfalar/Istatistikler- .
8.5 The Research Report about Mobile Payment Services
With the rapid development of mobile electronic communication technology consumers
began to use mobile technology as means of payment as well as the communication
technology. In this context a research report has been prepared regarding the usage and
development of mobile payment services in our country and in the world.
“Mobile Payment Services” report can be accessible from:
118
http://btk.gov.tr/tr-TR/Sayfalar/Arastirma-Raporlari.
8.6 The Report of the Importance of Expanding Green IT and
Recommendations for Turkey
A report has been prepared about Green IT, including an analysis of current developments
and recommendations for Turkey in order to recycle of waste matters in the electronic
communications sector and increase the awareness of industry stakeholders.
The report can be accessible from:
http://btk.gov.tr/tr-TR/Sayfalar/Arastirma-Raporlari
119
9. ICTA ON PRESS
As seen on Table 15 below, 365 daily press files were prepared including weekends in 2015,
136 media releases were submitted and Chairman of the Board Ömer Fatih Sayan PhD.
performed 2 press conference. ICTA attended 90 meetings and activities and 3 corrections
have been sent to media institutions regarding the news on ICTA. Furthermore, 44 press
informative notes were sent to media institutions. In addition that electronic brochure of 4.5 G
is published in 2015.
Table 15: Media Relations 2015
Daily Press Files
365
Number of News on Press Regarding ICTA
1540
Number of Press Releases
136
Number of Press Conferences
2
Number of Meeting and Activities Attended
90
Corrections Sent to Media Institutions
3
Press Informative Notes
44
Electronic brochure of 4.5 G
1
120