Turkcell Rumored to Acquire Türksat’s Cable Division in Major Turkish Telecom Shake-Up
Turkcell is reportedly acquiring Türksat’s cable division, expanding its fiber reach to 35 provinces under Turkey Wealth Fund oversight. Neither company has confirmed the deal.
A long-standing rumor in Turkey’s telecommunications sector appears to be coming to fruition, with sources close to the matter claiming that Turkcell, the country’s largest mobile operator, is set to acquire the cable division of Türksat, Turkey’s sole cable service provider. The deal, which has reportedly received approval, marks a significant consolidation in the Turkish telecom market, bringing together two major players under the oversight of the Turkey Wealth Fund.
The acquisition, if confirmed, would bolster Turkcell’s fiber infrastructure and expand its reach across Turkey, aligning with the company’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its position in the broadband market. Both Turkcell and Türksat operate under the Turkey Wealth Fund, which may have facilitated the transaction.
No Official Confirmation from Turkcell or Türksat
When approached for comment, representatives from both Turkcell and Türksat declined to confirm or deny the rumors, offering no official statement on the matter. Speculation about a potential deal first emerged during the tenure of Türksat’s former general manager, Hasan Hüseyin Ertok, but discussions appeared to quiet down following the appointment of Ahmet Hamdi Atalay as general manager. The recent revival of these claims has reignited interest in the telecom sector.
Türksat’s Cable Division: A Snapshot
Türksat, a key player in Turkey’s telecommunications infrastructure, boasts a fiber network spanning 43,898 kilometers as of the end of 2024, making it the second-largest fiber infrastructure owner in the country after Türk Telekom. In comparison, Turkcell’s SuperOnline operates a fiber network exceeding 60,000 kilometers, though approximately 37,000 kilometers of this is leased from Botaş on a 15-year agreement.
Türksat’s cable division, operating under the KabloNet and KabloTV brands, serves 24 provinces, including major cities such as Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir. As of 2024, Türksat reported 1.41 million KabloNet subscribers, of which 169,546 are fiber internet (GPON) users, alongside 1.15 million DOCSIS cable internet subscribers. The company also provides analog cable TV to 1.5 million households and offers additional services like KabloTV packages (1.31 million subscribers) and Kablo Bulut (933,399 users). Türksat’s fiber expansion efforts in 2024 added 325,946 households to its fiber network, bringing its total fiber-accessible households to 965,445. Overall, Türksat reaches 5.49 million households, with 17.57% of them having access to fiber services.
Turkcell SuperOnline’s Growing Footprint
Turkcell, through its SuperOnline subsidiary, has established itself as a dominant force in Turkey’s fiber broadband market. As of March 2025, Turkcell SuperOnline provides fiber access to 6 million households across 28 provinces, with a fiber subscriber base of 2.48 million. The company’s service areas include key regions such as Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, and Antalya, alongside smaller provinces like Afyonkarahisar, Diyarbakır, and Uşak.
A Combined Reach of 35 Provinces
The potential acquisition would significantly expand Turkcell’s geographic footprint. By integrating Türksat’s cable operations, Turkcell SuperOnline would extend its services to an additional seven provinces—Bolu, Erzincan, Erzurum, Karaman, Konya, Yalova, and Zonguldak—bringing the total number of provinces covered to 35. This expanded reach could solidify Turkcell’s position as a leading broadband provider in Turkey, leveraging Türksat’s infrastructure to enhance its fiber offerings.
Strategic Implications for Turkey’s Telecom Sector
The rumored deal comes at a time when Turkey’s telecom market is undergoing rapid transformation, with increasing demand for high-speed internet and digital services. For Turkcell, acquiring Türksat’s cable division could reduce its reliance on leased infrastructure and provide a more robust platform for future growth. For Türksat, the divestiture of its cable operations may allow the company to focus on its core satellite and infrastructure services.
Industry analysts are closely watching the developments, as the consolidation could reshape competition in Turkey’s broadband market. However, until an official announcement is made, the market remains in a state of cautious anticipation.
