Turkey has taken a notable step on its road to 6G. TÜBİTAK, the country's scientific and technological research council, and Turkish mobile operator Turkcell have tested smart surface technologies — considered one of the key components of the future mobile communications standard — under real conditions on commercial test infrastructure for the first time.

The locally developed prototypes, produced through joint R&D work, have moved beyond the laboratory and into field trials. That marks the first time this technology has been applied on a commercial-grade infrastructure in Turkey.

Measurements at 3.7 GHz and 26 GHz

Turkcell and TÜBİTAK logos side by side on a blue circuit-board background symbolizing their 6G collaboration.
Turkcell and TÜBİTAK logos on a circuit-board style background, representing their joint 6G smart surfaces testing.

The tests were carried out simultaneously at two commercial test environments: Turkcell's Kartal Plaza and the TÜBİTAK Gebze Campus. Different smart surface prototypes designed by TÜBİTAK teams were examined in the 3.7 GHz band and the 26 GHz band, known as mmWave — two of 5G's most critical frequency ranges.

These frequencies are regarded as the main carriers of a future 6G infrastructure because they offer high data rates, wide bandwidth and low latency. According to the field measurements, the developed systems significantly improved signal performance. The goal is to deliver stronger and more uninterrupted connectivity in difficult areas where signal coverage is weak.

Aiming for a seat in global 6G standardization

The project was led by Turkcell's 6GEN.LAB, with teams from TÜBİTAK MAM MİLTAL and TÜBİTAK BİLGEM HİSAR Lab. collaborating on both static and adaptive (reconfigurable) smart surface designs.

The results showed that the domestic designs are viable not only in theoretical calculations but also in real-life scenarios. By moving ahead of the start of global 6G standardization processes, the partners hope to sharpen their competitive position — and the work also underlines the productization potential of the R&D output.