Lynk and Turkcell Sign Agreement to Bring Sat2Phone Services to Turkiye

Rhea-AI Summary

Turkcell, the leading mobile network operator in Turkiye with approximately 40 million subscribers, partners with Lynk Global, Inc., to provide Sat2Phone services using 'cell-towers-in-space.' This collaboration aims to enhance network resiliency and mobile coverage in Turkiye, benefiting the local population, businesses, and visitors.

Insights

Telecommunications Industry Analyst

The partnership between Lynk Global, Inc. and Turkcell represents a strategic move to enhance mobile network resilience and coverage in Turkiye. The introduction of satellite-direct-to-mobile-phone (Sat2Phone) services is a significant technological advancement, as it aims to bridge the connectivity gap in remote areas. This is particularly important for Turkiye, which has diverse topography that can challenge terrestrial network coverage. The ability to provide consistent and reliable communication services across the entire country could lead to increased customer satisfaction and potentially attract new subscribers, thereby strengthening Turkcell's market position.

From an industry perspective, such innovative solutions are indicative of the evolving telecommunications landscape, where satellite technology is increasingly integrated with traditional cellular networks to offer ubiquitous coverage. This trend is likely to accelerate as customer demand for seamless connectivity grows and companies that pioneer these technologies could gain a competitive edge. However, the cost implications and the scalability of these solutions are critical factors that will influence their adoption rate and impact on Turkcell's financial performance.

Market Research Analyst

With Turkcell's extensive subscriber base and its status as a dual-listed company on NYSE and BIST, the announcement of the Sat2Phone service collaboration is likely to be perceived positively by investors and industry observers. The move aligns with global trends towards enhancing digital infrastructure and can be seen as a proactive step to safeguard the company's relevance in an increasingly digitalized world. The emphasis on innovation and the potential to deliver life-saving emergency alerts could also resonate with socially conscious investors.

Long-term benefits may include the strengthening of Turkcell's brand as an innovator in the telecom space and the potential to create new revenue streams from untapped markets within Turkiye. The expansion of services to voice and data will likely be a key driver for future growth. However, the market will be closely watching the execution of this service rollout and its operational impact, as well as the customer uptake and satisfaction levels with the new Sat2Phone services.

Risk Management Expert

Integrating Sat2Phone technology presents both opportunities and risks for Turkcell. On one hand, the enhancement of network resiliency, especially in regions prone to natural disasters, could mitigate the risk of network downtime and associated revenue loss. It also presents an opportunity to diversify Turkcell's service offerings, which is beneficial from a risk distribution standpoint. On the other hand, the implementation of new technologies carries inherent risks such as technical challenges, potential delays in deployment and unforeseen costs.

Moreover, as the service is initially rolling out with SMS and plans to expand to voice and data, it is crucial for Turkcell to manage expectations and deliver on its promises to maintain its reputation and customer trust. The company will need to invest in robust risk management strategies to monitor and mitigate these risks effectively. This includes ensuring the reliability and security of the Sat2Phone services, which are essential for customer adoption and retention.

Turkcell is the leading mobile network operator in Turkiye with approximately 40 million subscribers

FALLS CHURCH, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Lynk Global, Inc. (Lynk), the world’s leading satellite-direct-to-mobile-phone (Sat2Phone) telecoms provider, and Turkcell (NYSE: TKC), the largest mobile operator in Turkiye, jointly announced the contract signing starting initial Sat2Phone services utilizing Lynk’s "cell-towers-in-space." This collaboration is anticipated to complement network resiliency and mobile coverage across Turkiye, benefiting the local population, businesses and visitors.

Turkcell, an integrated communication and technology service player in Turkiye, offers a wide range of creative products and services through a unified mobile and fixed network platform. Turkcell believes in the importance of offering all mobile, fixed and data services to meet the expectations of individual and corporate customers. It has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Borsa Istanbul (BIST) since July 2000, and is the only dual-listed company in Turkiye. Turkcell is also included in the Borsa Istanbul Sustainability Index.

Ali Taha Koc, CEO of Turkcell, noted his excitement with this soon-to-be service, stating, “Today we are excited to announce our partnership with Lynk, the world's leading Sat2Phone telecoms provider. As Turkcell, we are proud to be a pioneer in several fields concerning current and next-generation communication services, and this deal will strengthen our positioning as a leading technology company in Turkiye, helping us to provide new innovative communication services.”

Daniel Dooley, Chief Commercial Officer at Lynk, underscored Lynk's commitment to expanding services across Turkcell’s subscriber base, stating, “Turkcell shares our commitment to connecting everyone, everywhere. By offering initial commercial service across Turkcell’s vast subscriber base, they are prioritizing innovative approaches to bring disparate geographies and communities together.”

The initial Sat2Phone service will begin with SMS with plans to expand to include voice and data, delivering an urban-like mobile experience anywhere, no matter how remote. This enhanced connectivity has the potential to offer life-saving emergency alerts and SMS warnings in areas vulnerable to natural disasters.

About Turkcell

Turkcell is a digital operator headquartered in Turkiye, serving its customers with its unique portfolio of digital services along with voice, messaging, data and IPTV services on its mobile and fixed networks. Turkcell Group companies operate in 4 countries – Turkiye, Ukraine, Belarus, and Northern Cyprus. Turkcell launched LTE services in its home country on April 1st, 2016, employing LTE-Advanced and 3 carrier aggregation technologies in 81 cities. Turkcell offers up to 10 Gbps fiber internet speed with its FTTH services. Turkcell Group reported TRY26.0 billion revenue in Q323 with total assets of TRY149.2 billion as of September 30, 2023. It has been listed on the NYSE and the BIST since July 2000, and is the only dual-listed company in Turkiye. Read more at www.turkcell.com.tr.

About Lynk

Lynk is a patented, proven, and commercially-licensed satellite-direct-to-standard-mobile-phone system. Today, Lynk allows commercial subscribers to send and receive text messages to and from space via standard unmodified mobile devices. Lynk’s service has been tested and proven on all seven continents, has regulatory approvals in at least 30 countries and is currently being deployed commercially based on more than 35 MNO commercial service contracts covering approximately 50 countries. Lynk is currently providing cell broadcast (emergency) alerts, and two-way SMS messaging, and intends to launch voice and mobile broadband services in the future. By partnering with Lynk, a mobile network operator opens the door to new revenue in untapped markets, gives subscribers peace of mind with ubiquitous connectivity, and provides a potential pathway to economic prosperity for billions. For more information, visit www.lynk.world.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240225578168/en/

Tony DeTora

tdetora@lynk.world

Burak Mergen

burak.mergen@turkcell.com.tr

Source: Lynk Global, Inc.

FAQ

What is Turkcell's ticker symbol?

Turkcell's ticker symbol is TKC.

Who is the CEO of Turkcell?

Ali Taha Koc is the CEO of Turkcell.

What is the main focus of the partnership between Turkcell and Lynk Global, Inc.?

The partnership aims to provide Sat2Phone services using 'cell-towers-in-space' to enhance network resiliency and mobile coverage in Turkiye.

What type of services will the initial Sat2Phone service offer?

The initial Sat2Phone service will begin with SMS and plans to expand to include voice and data, providing an urban-like mobile experience anywhere.

What potential benefits does the collaboration between Turkcell and Lynk Global, Inc. offer?

The collaboration has the potential to offer life-saving emergency alerts and SMS warnings in areas vulnerable to natural disasters, enhancing connectivity.