Türkiye in talks with SpaceX, Amazon over LEO satellite operations

Türkiye is in talks with major global technology companies, including SpaceX and Amazon, over the regulatory and security framework required to allow low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite systems to operate in the country, a senior official said.

Speaking on the sidelines of the SATShow 2026 expo in Washington, Deputy Transport and Infrastructure Minister Ömer Fatih Sayan told Anadolu Agency that Ankara has held meetings with SpaceX’s Starlink and Amazon’s Project Kuiper during the three-day event.

“We informed the firms about the types of regulations they have to comply with in Türkiye and our security requirements,” Sayan said, adding that authorities could present a roadmap for operations if the companies agree to meet those conditions.

Sayan also highlighted Türkiye’s growing presence in the satellite sector, noting that leading domestic companies—including Türksat, Turkish Aerospace Industries, Aselsan and Profen—are showcasing their capabilities under the Turkish Pavilion at the event. Other firms such as Fergani Space and CTech are also participating, representing the country’s domestic satellite ecosystem.

According to Sayan, Türksat has already signed two agreements at the expo with Anuvu and Viasat to provide services for the aviation sector. He added that the launch of Türksat 6A, Türkiye’s domestically produced satellite, has significantly strengthened the company’s capabilities.

“We have partnership deals in many satellite projects, and the production of new projects is focused on boosting domestic and national capabilities,” he said. “We’re planning the infrastructure for these projects with global manufacturers and Turkish firms within the domestic satellite ecosystem.”

Sayan also addressed developments in mobile communications, noting that Türkiye began transitioning to 5G following a spectrum auction held late last year, which generated a total of $3.5 billion in frequency fees. The first payments were collected starting Jan. 1, he said, with nationwide 5G services scheduled to launch on April 1.

He added that 5G deployment is expected to significantly increase data speeds and reduce latency, while also enhancing satellite capacity—an area that has been a central focus of discussions at the Washington event. 

By Tamilla Hasanova