Telecommunications

Telecommunications is one of the most heavily regulated sectors globally, and the regulatory landscape is shifting as over-the-top (OTT) services, satellite connectivity, and private 5G networks blur the traditional distinctions between infrastructure and application. In Türkiye, the BTK licenses and supervises electronic communications operators under the Electronic Communications Law (No. 5809) and associated secondary legislation. In the EU, the European Electronic Communications Code (EECC) harmonises licensing, access obligations, and consumer protection requirements across member states. Cross-border operators must manage both simultaneously.

We advise operators on authorisation and licensing procedures, interconnection and access negotiations, spectrum assignment matters, and universal service obligations. For MVNOs and OTT providers seeking to enter or expand in the Turkish market, we structure the regulatory pathway from the outset, including BTK notifications, data retention compliance under Turkish surveillance law, and lawful interception obligations that apply to communications service providers operating locally.

Data protection in the telecoms context is particularly layered: subscriber data, traffic data, location data, and metadata all carry distinct obligations under KVKK, GDPR's e-Privacy regime, and sector-specific retention rules. We advise on the full data lifecycle, from collection and processing to cross-border transfers, law enforcement access requests, and subscriber rights fulfilment, ensuring operators have defensible compliance positions across every jurisdiction where they are active.