First Turkish GSM station to be operational in April

Turkey's first cell tower system for GSM networks will go into service in April, according to a top representative from the main developer company.

The new station for cellphone networks, called ULAK, boasts 750 signed orders, said the vice director general of the system's main developer Aselsan, which produces electronic defense systems for the Turkish military.
        
"Due to the fast development of technology, secure communications have started to have a strategic importance. With ULAK, our communications system will be more secure," Aselsan's Yavuz Bayız told state-run Anadolu Agency at the four-day World Mobile Congress in Barcelona on March 2.    

The first cell tower system, due to be operational in April, will be located in the Black Sea province of Rize.        

Bayız said 1,799 ULAK units would be set up in mostly rural areas in order to upgrade from 2G to 4.5G, developed by the largest Turkish GSM operator Turkcell.      
 
The ULAK tower system was developed in cooperation with Turkish telecommunications company Netaş and service provider ARGELA, under the supervision of the Defense Industry Undersecratariat.