Fines rain down on GSM operators' 5G advertisements

Following the active launch of 5G in the country on April 1, 2026, network disruptions and the operators' ambitious advertising campaigns prompted authorities to take action. In a meeting held in May by the Advertising Board, which operates under the Ministry of Trade, misleading information and advertisements regarding 5G were placed under scrutiny.

The Board concluded that advertisements prepared by the operators using phrases such as "the best," "the fastest," and "the most widespread" provided consumers with incorrect information and led to unfair competition in the market. In this context, a total of 23 million lira in administrative fines was imposed on the three major GSM companies. Among the decisions taken at the meeting was the blocking of internet access for 17 advertisements.

Users had previously filed complaints regarding frequent connection issues, even in the centers of major cities, following the launch of 5G. Experts point out that despite such infrastructure deficiencies, the operators' marketing rhetoric, which creates a perception of "flawless service," is misleading to consumers.

It was announced that in May, not only 5G-related advertisements but also companies using "dark pattern" techniques in digital environments that steer users toward unwanted expenditures were under the radar. The Advertising Board reported that over 122 million lira in fines have been issued since the beginning of the year due to misleading advertisements and unfair commercial practices.

While it was emphasized that inspections will become increasingly frequent, consumers are also urged to report suspicious advertisements and practices they encounter to the authorized institutions. Operators are expected to be more transparent in their communication and marketing activities until the 5G infrastructure is fully established.