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The Information and communication technologies (ICT) sector has become an essential part of the economy, in particular social life, since it is directly or indirectly affecting the ever-changing business world. Turkey is well aware of the fact that this sector will have a much more influential role in the future than it currently has. Searches for solutions brought about by this development and growth, which are appropriate for the requirements of today, and the efforts to enable today’s economic and social life to acquire these most up-to-date and fast solutions instantly, together form the basis of information and communications technology, since these solution searches basically require the utmost efficient utilization of both time and physical resources.
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In this regard, Turkey has increased its interest in the ICT sector further, and started the necessary studies so as to have a voice in the sector in the future. The greatest indicators of these efforts are the new initiatives and R&D Law issued for the investors.
- As the young population increases and online market expands, the total number of mobile phone subscribers is expected to reach 75 million by 2017, up from 73.2 million in 2015.
- IT spending on hardware, software, IT services and telecommunication services in Turkey is expected to increase to USD 30 billion by 2017.
- ICT spending in Turkey is expected to grow faster than the world average. With regard to its large domestic market with sizeable potential in the ICT sector, sector growth is expected to grow with a CAGR of 7.4 percent during the 2012-2017 period.
- 69.5 percent of all households in Turkey have internet access.
- The percentage of internet users in Turkey is around 56 percent and this is forecast to rise to above 60 percent in 2017.
Turkey’s ambitious vision of 2023, the centennial foundation of the republic envisages grandiose targets for the ICT sector in Turkey. These targets include:
- Reaching 30 million broadband subscribers
- Providing internet connection for 14 million houses at a speed of 1,000 Mbps
- Increasing the sector’s share in GDP from 2.9 percent to 8 percent
- Becoming one of the top 10 countries in e-transformation
- Having 80 percent of the population computer literate
- Increasing the number of companies to 5,500; employees to 65,000; and exports to USD 10 billion in TDZs
- Increasing the ICT sector’s size to USD 160 billion, with a market growth of around 15 percent each year
- Increasing the R&D expenditure to GDP ratio to 3 percent from 1 percent