Turkey’s Information and Communication Technology industry is estimated at $23.8 billion and increased 10% in 2009. The breakdown of the ICT market gross revenue is as follows: 68% carrier services, 11% hardware sales, 10% telecom equipment, 7% services, 3% software, and 1% consumer goods.
Turkey’s hardware and software market are rapidly growing industries. Turkish IT hardware constitutes nearly 50% of the IT market and has experienced double-digit growth over the past five years. Vestel, Beko Elektronik, Casper, and Escort are major players in Turkey’s IT market. With over 7 million personal computers in Turkey and 16.5 million internet users, PC sales are still the main driver for gross IT sales. The introduction of ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) by Turkish Telecom is providing internet speeds up to 50 times faster than the normal dial up speeds resulting in increased e-commerce transactions. Leading mobile operators like Turkcell, Vodafone and Avea have completed technical preparations for transition to 3G technology. The technology will increase the speed of the current internet connection in Turkey by 10 times.
Turkey’s software industry grew 28.5% billion in 2008 and increased 20% in 2009. The Turkish software industry is a dynamic and fast growing industry due to the availability of a well-educated and energetic pool of computer and software engineers. There are approximately 20 large companies in Turkey’s software industry. Major players include Milsoft, Havelsan, Meteksan, Logo Business Solutions, Ayesas, Likom, Gantek Technology, Koc System, Oracle and Microsoft.
Turkey’s audiovisual and consumer electronics market is also seen as a future prospect as LCD/plasma TVs, digital cameras, removable data storage and PDAs are in demand. 97% of Turkish families see television as their prime source for entertainment and news and consumer trends indicate that large screen LCDs and Plasma TV sales are increasing as well as free satellite receivers. The estimated investment for the audiovisual industry to move into digital broadcasting, new studios, and transmitters is about $5 billion over the next 10 years.
For more information on Turkey’s information and communication technology industry:
Turkish Informatics Industry Association (TUBISAD)
www.tubisad.org.tr