Latest news with #Turkcell
Tahawul Tech
3 hours ago
- Business
- Tahawul Tech
Turkcell collaborates with new partners to develop quantum-safe network security
Juniper Networks, recently announced that Turkcell, Türkiye's leading telecommunications and technology company, has collaborated with Juniper and ID Quantique to successfully validate a groundbreaking proof-of-concept (PoC) for quantum-safe services to its users and customers and to protect its mobile backhaul networks against quantum threats. The PoC showcases how integrating Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) with Juniper's robust MACsec and IPsec frameworks enables quantum-resilient protection for critical mobile backhaul elements, including Precision Timing Protocols (PTP) and encrypted data, without compromising performance. As quantum computing advances, it is crucial to secure mobile networks, especially timing-reliant 5G backhaul. Precision Timing Protocols (PTP) are vulnerable and protecting them must avoid latency that could disrupt service. While MACsec offers strong quantum resistance via pre-shared keys, it lacks automated key distribution, limiting scalability. Turkcell validated MACsec and IPsec encryption using Juniper SRX Series Firewalls, MX and ACX Series Routers, first with a virtual key management system (KMS), then with ID Quantique's Clavis XG and Clarion KX delivering quantum-generated keys, ensuring seamless integration and timing accuracy. The joint solution successfully preserved 5G timing accuracy and IP traffic integrity, even with quantum-secure key exchange in place. 'Together, we have made remarkable strides in being the first to show that critical network protocols and data can be safely protected using advanced encryption methods designed for the future', said Raj Yavatkar, SVP and Chief Technology Officer, Juniper Networks. 'This sets new benchmarks for secure communication. As the industry transitions toward quantum-resistant security measures, proactive initiatives like Turkcell's serves as a model for others in the telecom sector'. 'This initiative reflects Turkcell's commitment to integrating advanced technologies that secure our encryption keys as quantum capabilities advance', said Prof. Dr. Vehbi Çağrı Güngör, Chief Technology Officer, Turkcell. 'With the trial of QKD integrating into our existing Juniper IPsec and MACsec security frameworks, we are laying the groundwork for a quantum-resilient infrastructure and preparing ourselves for future major cybersecurity challenges'. 'We are delighted to have joined this PoC with Turkcell and Juniper. By upgrading Turkcell's existing network encryption with our Clavis XG QKD system and Clarion KX platform and by validating interoperability with Juniper solutions, we are ensuring that its network is quantum-safe', said Grégoire Ribordy, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder, ID Quantique. 'Turkcell can now provide long-term protection of sensitive data for its customers that require high-level security, such as government and financial services. Staying ahead of future risks, Turkcell is positioned at the forefront of innovation in its field'. Image Credit: Turkcell & Juniper Networks
Daily Maverick
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Maverick
MTN faces legal reckoning: Turkcell's $4.2 billion claim exposes alleged corruption and bribery
A $4.2-billion corruption claim, including allegations of bribery and geopolitical interference: MTN's long-running Irancell saga is finally knocking at the doors of South Africa's highest court. More than two decades since Iran issued its first private mobile network licence, a tangled web of geopolitics, bribery allegations and courtroom battles has landed squarely at the feet of South Africa's Constitutional Court. First, some background. The stakes? A $4.2-billion claim. The claimant? Turkish mobile giant Turkcell. The accused? The MTN Group, South Africa's telecommunications crown jewel. At the heart of the matter lies the 2005 award of Iran's mobile licence to MTN – after Turkcell had already been named the winner. Now, after years of legal ping-pong, Turkcell's claim of corruption and foul play is finally inching towards a South African trial. MTN is trying to stop that from happening. The smoking gun Turkcell's legal counsel, New York-based King & Spalding's Cedric Soule, doesn't mince his words. 'MTN sought to obtain illegally what it could not win through honest competition,' he told Daily Maverick. The allegations, which are laid out in filings and interviews, read like an international spy thriller: Bribing foreign officials, including Javid Ghorbanoghli, then Iranian deputy foreign minister for the Africa Bureau, and South Africa's then ambassador to Tehran, Yusuf Saloojee; Trading influence at the United Nations nuclear watchdog, promising to help Iran avoid sanctions; Promising prohibited defence equipment, including Rooivalk attack helicopters and frequency-hopping radios, to sweeten the deal (Turkcell claims it has evidence, as yet undisclosed, that MTN communicated with Denel and Iranian officials). According to Turkcell, all this happened so that MTN could elbow its way into a $31-billion mobile market and walk away with the licence that should have gone to Turkcell. The deal was sealed days after South Africa abstained from a crucial vote related to Iran's nuclear programme at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in late 2005. The vote concerned whether to report Iran to the UN Security Council for failing to comply with its IAEA Safeguards Agreement. But the abstention was seen as a deliberate act, motivated by concerns about the procedural fairness of the resolution and a desire to maintain the IAEA's authority. Specifically, South Africa's representative to the IAEA, Abdul Samad Minty, argued that the resolution was flawed and premature, as it bypassed the IAEA board of governors' role in the verification process. Minty said at the time that 'South Africa's commitment is to the IAEA's integrity and impartiality and is reluctant to undermine the agency's authority'. South Africa has also enjoyed good relations with Iran. Crucially, this abstention was not an isolated incident. South Africa also abstained on similar resolutions in 2006, highlighting a consistent stance on the matter. Soule says Turkcell 'won the licence fair and square' and that MTN's conduct undermined the integrity of international business. 'This case is about accountability,' he says. 'And it belongs in a South African courtroom.' A strong rebuttal MTN, for its part, has always dismissed Turkcell's claims as 'a fabric of lies' and a 'frivolous shakedown'. Its legal team, speaking about background exclusively to Daily Maverick, continues to lean heavily on the Hoffmann Report – a 2013 internal investigation led by British judge Lord Leonard Hoffmann. This report found 'no conspiracy,' labelled Turkcell's key witness a 'fantasist' and said MTN executives were in the clear. It even found that although a $400,000 payment had been made to an Iranian intermediary, the money's purpose couldn't be determined – and was irrelevant to Turkcell's central claims. MTN also argues that Turkcell failed to comply with Iranian laws after a shift in government policy. 'They failed to adjust their shareholding in time,' MTN argues, 'and were lawfully excluded from the process.' As for the most salacious allegations – military gear and political favours – MTN says it would be impossible for its actions to have altered Iranian legislation or international diplomacy. The Hoffmann Report indicates that a general election took place in Iran on 20 February 2004, which resulted in a new parliament taking office in May 2004. This new Iranian parliament was overwhelmingly dominated by conservatives who opposed the government's policy of privatisation and foreign inward investment, particularly in relation to the cellphone service. The Single Article Act, designed to strengthen financial discipline, stemmed from this shift in parliamentary power. Snookered in ownership Following the Single Article Act, the parliament passed another significant piece of legislation in February 2005, known as the Irancell Act. This act imposed further conditions, requiring that 51% of the shares in the operating company be held by Iranian entities and that all board decisions require the approval of at least 50% of the shareholders. This was understood to be due to concerns about foreign entities becoming heavily involved in what was considered critical infrastructure in Iran. These legislative changes created significant obstacles for Turkcell, which had initially won the tender with a plan to control 70% of the shares. 'Turkcell was given multiple opportunities to negotiate with its existing partners to reach a compliant deal, but they didn't do that or they were not able to do that,' MTN's legal team argues. The team points to a specific deadline – 4 September 2004 – when the Ministry of Telecommunications demanded a compliant deal from Turkcell, which the Turkish company failed to deliver. 'Turkcell has never explained how MTN's [alleged] corrupt practices would have led to a change in national legislation,' MTN's lawyers emphasise, arguing that their client was simply better positioned to navigate Iran's evolving regulatory landscape. After Turkcell's 2012 US complaint, MTN commissioned the independent investigation led by Lord Hoffmann, a retired British Supreme Court judge. But Turkcell has 'strongly rejected MTN's repeated reliance on the Hoffmann Report', with Soule calling it 'unreliable and irrelevant' to current proceedings. The Turkish company has criticised the investigation, claiming: Conflicts of interest: Lord Hoffmann's daughter, Jennifer, worked for MTN Mobile Money during the relevant 2004-2006 period and also in the MTN Banking joint venture with Standard Bank, which was involved in the financial transfers. 'Lord Hoffmann had a huge conflict of interest,' Soule argues. Lack of independence: The committee was composed of MTN non-executive directors and used MTN's own external lawyers (Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer) instead of independent counsel. The committee even thanked the Islamic Republic of Iran for support – problematic given Iran's alleged involvement in the wrongdoing. Insufficient rigour: The committee didn't actually interview key witnesses like former MTN director in Iran Chris Kilowan, then commercial director Irene Charnley (to whom Jenny Hoffmann reported) or former MTN CEO Phuthuma Nhleko to determine credibility, relying only on written statements prepared with lawyers' help. The committee did not independently seek documents, relying instead on what MTN's lawyers provided. Turkcell characterises the report as essentially 'a PR exercise' to review curated evidence and reach predetermined conclusions. The company declined to participate owing to concerns about the committee's structure and independence. Where we are now In April this year, the Supreme Court of Appeal handed Turkcell what it called a 'procedural win' – confirming that South African courts do have jurisdiction to hear the matter. It dismissed MTN's argument that South Africa cannot police corporate misconduct committed abroad. 'Not on our watch' was how the court framed its message to South African firms doing business in murky waters. MTN is now seeking leave to appeal to the Constitutional Court in a last-ditch effort to stop the case from going to trial. Turkcell has filed its opposition. 'The report never seriously asked: what if we did do some of these things?' says Soule. 'It only asked: is Turkcell's story perfect?' MTN has argued that Iranian courts would offer a fair alternative venue for the dispute, but Turkcell has strongly rejected that suggestion. The Turkish company cites 'well-documented concerns regarding judicial independence and due process' in what it describes as a 'religious dictatorship where dissent is not tolerated'. More practically, Turkcell argues that Iranian courts wouldn't be able to compel MTN executives, who reside in South Africa, to appear and testify – a crucial limitation given the nature of the allegations. But the fact remains that Turkcell also refused to participate in the Hoffmann inquiry, claiming its witnesses would not be safe and due process could not be guaranteed in Iran. Although the Supreme Court of Appeal agreed that Iranian law would apply to aspects of the case, Turkcell sees this as its 'only and probably final opportunity' to get a substantive ruling on MTN's alleged misconduct. If it proceeds, this would become one of South Africa's most explosive corporate trials. MTN also faces what amounts to a 'reputational trial in the court of public opinion', regardless of the legal outcome. The company holds a 49% minority stake in Irancell, which it says is not under MTN Group's operational control. The case also highlights claims of a complex interplay between corporate interests and state foreign policy. President Cyril Ramaphosa served as MTN Group chairperson (a non-executive role) more than 12 years ago, resigning from the position in May 2013. But MTN asserts that any suggestion of improper benefit from his time at the company is 'false and misleading', and emphasises that it does not conduct business in alignment with government foreign policy. The Constitutional Court is expected to announce its decision on MTN's leave to appeal within the next three months. MTN's other Iran headache MTN just can't catch a break in the Middle East, with new scrutiny coming from the US. Congresswoman Elise Stefanik has written a letter urging Bank of New York Mellon (BNY Mellon) to investigate its ties with MTN. Her letter highlights concerns about MTN's links to Iran, Hamas and President Cyril Ramaphosa's finances. She calls for BNY Mellon to halt its role as the bank handling MTN's shares in the US, cooperate with US authorities, and disclose its involvement with MTN and its Iranian affiliates. A pending lawsuit, Zobay v MTN, accuses MTN of financing terrorism, as defined by the US Anti-Terrorism Act. Stefanik claims significant legal precedent exists, which MTN denies. Senior MTN executive Nompilo Morafo rejected Stefanik's claims in an interview with Daily Maverick, stating that the allegations have not been tested in court. Morafo also dismissed accusations against Ramaphosa, who chaired MTN 12 years ago, and insisted MTN has no operational control in Iran, holding only a minority share in Irancell. MTN says it 'remains committed to human rights', and its directors have pushed for a pivot to the company's pan-African strategy, despite litigation and pressure from US legislators. DM
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Turkcell Subsidiary Secures €100 Million Islamic Financing to Boost Data Center, Cloud Expansion
Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri (NYSE:TKC) is one of the best telecom stocks to buy according to Wall Street analysts. Towards the end of May, Turkcell announced that its subsidiary, called TDC Veri Hizmetleri (or simply TDC), secured €100 million in murabaha financing. The 5-year financing agreement was made with Emirates NBD Bank, which is a banking group in the Middle East and Türkiye MENAT region. The murabaha financing adheres to interest-free Islamic finance principles and helps TDC support its position in the data center and cloud business. The funds empower Turkcell Group's data center investments via TDC, accelerate its digital infrastructure initiatives, and align with its long-term growth objectives. A mid-rise office building bustling with employees working on various telecom projects. Turkcell prioritizes the development of high-capacity and eco-friendly data centers for cloud computing, AI, and big data demands. This approach aligns with the company's national digitalization goals. Turkcell Group offers a portfolio of voice, data, and IPTV services across its mobile and fixed networks, in addition to digital consumer, enterprise, and techfin services. Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri (NYSE:TKC) provides converged telecommunication and technology services in Turkey, Belarus, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, and the Netherlands. While we acknowledge the potential of TKC as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the . READ NEXT: and . Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Sign in to access your portfolio
IOL News
19-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
BRICS+ Series: Gulf Capital Powers BRICS+ Future
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan (rear L) and French President Emmanuel Macron (rear R) look on as France's Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot (R) and CEO of Mubadala Investment Company Khaldoon Al Mubarak (L) sign an agreement on AI during a ceremony as part of Zayed al-Nahyan's visit to France at the presidential Elysee palace in Paris, on February 6, 2025. Global experts will debate threats from artificial intelligence (AI) at a gathering in Paris on February 6-7, 2025, ahead of a summit of world leaders on the fast-moving technology. In recent years, capital from the Arabian Gulf has become an increasingly significant force in shaping the infrastructure and digital landscapes of emerging markets. While historically known for oil and gas wealth, Gulf states are now repositioning themselves as global investment hubs with a clear focus on technology, infrastructure, and sustainable development. Nowhere is this shift more evident than in the wave of Gulf-funded data centre projects emerging in BRICS+ nations—highlighting a powerful opportunity for deeper cooperation across the Global South. A compelling example of this new dynamic is unfolding in Turkey, a prospective BRICS+ partner and regional digital leader. The Turkish e-commerce platform Trendyol has entered into a landmark partnership with UAE-based Castle Investments, led by Gulf Data Hub founder Tarek Al Ashram, to build a state-of-the-art data centre in Ankara. Valued at $500 million, the facility will eventually host 48 megawatts (MW) of computing capacity. Sixty percent of that capacity will be dedicated to Trendyol's own operations, while the remainder will support external clients. As Trendyol President Çağlayan Çetin put it, the project reflects the company's "confidence in Turkey's strong digital ecosystem" and underscores its commitment to local and regional expansion. The project is only the beginning. Gulf financial institutions such as Dubai Islamic Bank and Emirates NBD have extended substantial credit lines to Turkcell, one of Turkey's largest telecom providers. These loans—totaling more than $263 million—are aimed at expanding Turkcell's infrastructure and boosting its data centre capabilities. Meanwhile, Khazna Data Centres, based in Dubai, has also confirmed its investment in the Ankara data hub and announced plans to build an artificial intelligence (AI) facility with up to 100MW of capacity. Infrastructure Investment as a Pathway to Industrialisation These developments illustrate how Gulf capital is helping to scale up critical digital infrastructure in Turkey, with ripple effects that promise to boost entrepreneurship, industrial capacity, and regional integration. This model offers critical lessons for BRICS+ nations seeking to mobilise cross-border investment aligned with their development priorities. One of the most immediate impacts of Gulf investment is its role in closing the infrastructure gap across BRICS+ countries. In many of these economies, outdated or underdeveloped infrastructure remains a constraint on growth and innovation. The injection of Gulf capital, particularly into high-impact sectors like telecommunications, logistics, and clean energy, can help fast-track infrastructure modernisation. These investments are not just financial; they often come bundled with operational expertise, technology transfers, and long-term partnerships that contribute to sustainable industrial growth. The Turkish example, where Gulf-backed data hubs are accelerating digital transformation, is a case study in how targeted infrastructure finance can act as a multiplier for broader economic development. Fueling Digital Ecosystems and South-South Cooperation Beyond infrastructure, Gulf investments are enabling the diffusion of cutting-edge technologies that support industrialisation and inclusive innovation. By establishing high-performance data centres and AI facilities, investors are laying the foundation for BRICS+ countries to harness the full potential of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. These platforms create environments in which startups, SMEs, and research institutions can flourish. According to Gökhan Say, CEO of CyBridge Capital, the more infrastructure that is built, "the more players entering the market," leading to dynamic ecosystems that empower local innovators and facilitate global integration. In Turkey, such developments are already creating cost-effective pathways for start-ups to scale globally, a pattern that could be replicated across Africa, Latin America, and Asia. At a geopolitical level, Gulf-BRICS+ investment partnerships signify a profound shift toward a more balanced and multipolar world order. As traditional Western capital flows become more risk-averse or politically conditional, countries within the Global South are increasingly turning to one another for financing, expertise, and development cooperation. The growing involvement of Gulf investors in BRICS+ economies aligns with this broader movement toward South-South collaboration. These investments offer financial autonomy while reinforcing the strategic ties that underpin the BRICS+ framework. By investing in infrastructure and technology in allied regions, the Gulf states not only diversify their own economies but also contribute to building a more resilient and interconnected Global South. The Gulf's deepening role in BRICS+ investment is more than opportunistic finance—it is a strategic lever for economic transformation. By targeting high-growth sectors like digital infrastructure, AI, and clean energy, Gulf investors are helping to realise the developmental aspirations of the BRICS+ group. The partnership between Trendyol and Castle Investments is not just about data—it's about a new architecture of cooperation where capital, technology, and trust flow southward, redefining the future of global development. Written by: *Dr Iqbal Survé Past chairman of the BRICS Business Council and co-chairman of the BRICS Media Forum and the BRNN *Chloe Maluleke Associate at BRICS+ Consulting Group Russian & Middle Eastern Specialist **The Views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of Independent Media or IOL. ** MORE ARTICLES ON OUR WEBSITE ** Follow @brics_daily on Twitter for daily BRICS+ updates and instagram @brics_daily
Zawya
17-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Turkcell seeks extension of licences to 2045, media says
ISTANBUL - Turkish mobile phone operator Turkcell has requested that its current licences be extended until 2045 and expects a 5G tender to be held this year, its Chief Executive Ali Taha Koc was reported on Tuesday as telling journalists. Koc was also cited as saying by the news website that if Turkey's current fibre infrastructure were sold off, the estimated valuation was $2.5 billion. "As Turkcell, we request that the current licences be extended until 2045 along with the 5G licence," he was quoted as saying, noting that 2G, 3G and 4G licences will expire in 2029. Turk Telekom owns and maintains 78% of Turkey's 577,000-kilometre (359,000-mile) national fibre network through a concession agreement that is set to expire in 2026. Last November, a senior official told Reuters that Turkey was considering adopting a unified fibre optic telecoms entity to expand its network, signalling it could create a separate manager for the expensive infrastructure investments, though no decision on this has been announced. "We need fibre optic cable infrastructure," Koc was reported as saying. "We have put bulk fibre infrastructure purchase as an option to move forward quickly, especially in 5G. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare the financing." "If the fibre cable infrastructure of the operator in question is put out to tender, a value of $2.5 billion could be possible," he added.
