ESIS extension / Key Person Contacts and Organisations / Turkey / Master Report

The state plays a major role in every aspect of information society issues in Turkey. The ministries, directorate generals under ministries, various governmental administrations, institutions and enterprises are key players. On the other hand, Turkey has a dynamic and fast growing private sector. NGOs and business associations have an increasing role.

Ministry of Transportation and its two directorate generals, Directorate General of Communications and Directorate General of Wireless Communications, are key organisations in telecommunication issues. Other major directorate generals of Ministry of Transportation include State Railways Administration, State Highways Administration, Post Administration, and State Airports Administration.

Other ministries involved in major information society projects include Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Education.

Turk Telekom is the sole owner and operator of the conventional telephony, satellite, and submarine communication infrastructure in Turkey. The two GSM operators (private companies) are Turkcell and Telsim. VSAT service providers are TURVSAT and Verinet.

State Planning Organisation (DPT), Higher Education Council (YOK), Higher Council of Radio and Television (RTUK), SME Development Administration (KOSGEB), Competition Council, Undersecretariat of Foreign Trade (DTM), Undersecretariat of Treasury (HM), Privatisation Administration (OIB), Central Bank of Turkey (TCMB) are other key state organisations.

Leading universities include Bogazici University, Middle East Technical University, Istanbul Technical University and Bilkent University. TUBITAK is the national science and technology council responsible for science and technology policies and support. It also has some major research institutes.

Municipalities of metropolitan cities such as Istanbul and Ankara and their utility administrations have major information society related projects.

Leading NGOs and associations involved information society related issues include Turkish Informatics Association (TBD), Turkish Informatics Foundation (TBV), Association of Turkish Informatics Industrialists (TUSIAD), Association of Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen (TUSIAD), Association of Turkish Electronics Industrialists (TESID). Also important are chambers of commerce and industry and associations such as Union of Chambers (TOBB), Union of Banks (BB), chambers and unions of professionals, Labor unions and their confederations.

Internet Higher Council, Kamunet Higher Council and Electronic Commerce Coordination Committee are semi formal advisory bodies.

All leading international IT vendors have their local companies or representatives in Turkey. Some local Turkish companies have leading role in the IT market in hardware, software, communications and Internet services. Among these are leading the PC manufacturer Escort, the leading ISP Superonline, and the leading accounting software vendor Logo.

Please note that this report has been prepared under the sole responsibility of the ESIS II contractors.
It does not necessarily reflect the views of the Commission, nor does the Commission accept responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of information contained herein.
The ESIS Team of contractors welcomes any additional information or corrections.