Turk Telekom has announced the launch of a pilot 5G network in the town of Corum to develop digital agriculture applications, enabling transformative advancements in the agricultural sector. The project, developed in collaboration with ZTE, utilises drones to monitor crops and farming installations, collecting data to support automated irrigation and fertilisation. The project integrates advanced technologies, including drones and smart agricultural machinery, with a high-speed, low-latency 5G network, the company said.
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Transforming Agriculture with Technology
Turk Telekom highlighted that the features of 5G have successfully facilitated tasks such as automated spraying, fertilising, and precision irrigation.
The Turkish operator, which focuses on implementing green networks and applications, launched the 5G agriculture project in Corum with the goal of enhancing energy efficiency and productivity. The project automates processes like precision irrigation, pesticide spraying, and autonomous sowing and harvesting, thereby improving efficiency and conserving resources.
The Deputy General Manager of Turk Telekom Network said, "The precision and data-driven capabilities brought by 5G will help us overcome the challenges of modern agriculture, increase efficiency, and support sustainable growth. Through this pioneering project, we are not only strengthening our technological capabilities but also taking a strong step towards sustainability. This aligns with our vision of empowering agriculture through technology, improving living standards, and promoting socio-economic development."
Energy Efficiency
Under the scope of the project, Turk Telekom and ZTE established a high-speed, low-latency 5G network in the region. Leveraging this connectivity, drones now carry out tasks such as automatic pesticide and fertiliser spraying and precision irrigation to optimise water usage. Additionally, farmers adopting autonomous driving technology can automate sowing and harvesting, particularly during peak agricultural seasons.
Turk Telekom noted that the pilot project demonstrated reduced energy consumption, significant increases in user speeds, and improved power efficiency. The company also aims to expand these 5G smart agriculture technologies to more regions, further enhancing agricultural productivity and resource conservation.
Also Read: Turk Telekom Expands Fiber Networks Across Turkey, Reaching 435,000 Kilometers
Trials of WiFi HaLow Technology
In December 2024, Turk Telekom announced that it had become the first operator in Europe to test WiFi HaLow, a next-generation wireless technology essential for the Internet of Things (IoT). This technology offers low power consumption and long-range connectivity, making it ideal for applications in smart cities, agriculture, and industrial environments.
According to the operator, the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) is continuing its WiFi HaLow trial program and plans to expand this initiative to include interoperability with OpenRoaming in 2025.
Fiber Network Expansion
In November 2024, Turk Telekom revealed that it had extended its fiber network to 459,000 kilometres, achieving coverage for 32.7 million households by Q3 2024. Notably, 10 million households now enjoy direct fiber-to-the-home access, while 53 percent of LTE base stations are connected to fiber, bolstering the foundation for 5G. Turk Telekom's efforts span all 81 provinces, enhancing both mobile and fixed-line connectivity, the operator said.
