IoT connectivity in Turkey
Updated
In Turkey, permanent roaming of foreign IoT SIMs is not allowed beyond 90 days. Of the 3 mobile operators we track there, 0 have switched off 2G and 0 3G; the status of 6 networks is still unclear, as of 26 October 2026. Sources are listed below each table.
Permanent roaming
Not allowed, 90 days. A device on a foreign IMSI (not 286) that uses Turkish networks for more than 90 days cumulatively within 120 consecutive days without voice calls or SMS is defined as permanent roaming, its IMEI is blacklisted and operators must cut its connection within 30 days.
Sources: resmigazete.gov.tr, lexpera.com.tr. Confidence: high.
2G and 3G shutdowns by operator
| Operator | Network | Status | Date | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Türk Telekom | 2G | Unclear | none | takvim.com.tr, linkmobility.com Sources conflict. Takvim (Mar 2026) says BTK concession agreements set 30 Apr 2029 as the final 2G/3G switch-off (contract extended in Sep 2025). LINK Mobility (Aug 2026) says 2G and 3G remain available in Turkey with no confirmed nationwide shutdown date. Turkcell's own disclosure (see Turkcell rows) shows 2G/3G authorizations extendable to 2042, which casts doubt on the 2029 date. No operator switch-off notice found. Mobile arm formerly Avea, now TT Mobil. |
| Türk Telekom | 3G | Unclear | none | takvim.com.tr, linkmobility.com Sources conflict. Takvim (Mar 2026) says BTK concession agreements set 30 Apr 2029 as the final 2G/3G switch-off (contract extended in Sep 2025). LINK Mobility (Aug 2026) says 2G and 3G remain available in Turkey with no confirmed nationwide shutdown date. Turkcell's own disclosure (see Turkcell rows) shows 2G/3G authorizations extendable to 2042, which casts doubt on the 2029 date. No operator switch-off notice found. Mobile arm formerly Avea, now TT Mobil. |
| Turkcell | 2G | Unclear | none | kap.org.tr, takvim.com.tr Sources conflict. Takvim (Mar 2026) says BTK concession agreements set 30 Apr 2029 as the final 2G/3G switch-off for all three operators. But Turkcell's own KAP disclosure after the Oct 2025 5G auction says it won the right to extend its 2G, 3G and 4.5G authorizations to 31 Dec 2042, so 30 Apr 2029 looks like a licence expiry rather than a confirmed shutdown. No Turkcell switch-off notice found. |
| Turkcell | 3G | Unclear | none | kap.org.tr, takvim.com.tr Sources conflict. Takvim (Mar 2026) says BTK concession agreements set 30 Apr 2029 as the final 2G/3G switch-off for all three operators. But Turkcell's own KAP disclosure after the Oct 2025 5G auction says it won the right to extend its 2G, 3G and 4.5G authorizations to 31 Dec 2042, so 30 Apr 2029 looks like a licence expiry rather than a confirmed shutdown. No Turkcell switch-off notice found. |
| Vodafone Turkey | 2G | Unclear | none | takvim.com.tr, linkmobility.com Sources conflict. Takvim (Mar 2026) says BTK concession agreements set 30 Apr 2029 as the final 2G/3G switch-off (contract extended in 2023). LINK Mobility (Aug 2026) says 2G and 3G remain available in Turkey with no confirmed nationwide shutdown date. Turkcell's own disclosure (see Turkcell rows) shows 2G/3G authorizations extendable to 2042, which casts doubt on the 2029 date. No operator switch-off notice found. |
| Vodafone Turkey | 3G | Unclear | none | takvim.com.tr, linkmobility.com Sources conflict. Takvim (Mar 2026) says BTK concession agreements set 30 Apr 2029 as the final 2G/3G switch-off (contract extended in 2023). LINK Mobility (Aug 2026) says 2G and 3G remain available in Turkey with no confirmed nationwide shutdown date. Turkcell's own disclosure (see Turkcell rows) shows 2G/3G authorizations extendable to 2042, which casts doubt on the 2029 date. No operator switch-off notice found. |
What it means for IoT devices in Turkey
- Plan a local profile: foreign SIMs cannot stay indefinitely. An eSIM able to download a local profile, or a local SIM, avoids being cut off.
- Private delivery works the same from Turkey: device data reaches your cloud over private links. See private delivery.
Other countries in Europe
Full tables: permanent roaming rules by country and 2G and 3G shutdown dates.
Frequently asked questions
Is permanent roaming allowed for IoT SIMs in Turkey?
A device on a foreign IMSI (not 286) that uses Turkish networks for more than 90 days cumulatively within 120 consecutive days without voice calls or SMS is defined as permanent roaming, its IMEI is blacklisted and operators must cut its connection within 30 days.