TurkNet and SOCAR Fiber announced that they have signed a strategic cooperation agreement to integrate their fibre optic networks along the TANAP natural gas pipeline to expand TurkNet's fibre business and fortify Turkey’s internet backbone.
SOCAR Fiber owns an express fibre route that runs along both sides of the pipeline from the Georgian border to the Greek border, passing near key cities such as Bursa, Eskişehir, Ankara, Sivas, Erzurum, and Kars.
Under the strategic partnership deal, TurkNet – which currently operates metro fibre networks in over 25 cities – will integrate that route into its backbone network.
That will enable TurkNet to not only offer cross-border connectivity extending to Bulgaria, Greece, Georgia, and Iraq, but also provide a terrestrial alternative to the red-sea route connecting the Gulf region and beyond to Europe.
The network also extends to Izmir and the Aegan coast, allowing any potential subsea cables landing in this area to interconnect for onward connectivity, said TurkNet CEO Cem Çelebiler.
“Through this strategic partnership with SOCAR Fiber, we are deploying a next-generation fibre network that connects Türkiye from east to west as a seamless whole,” he said in a statement. “We will be strengthening Turkey’s internet backbone, and we will also be increasing and diversifying our country’s international connectivity.”
The news comes a year after SOCAR Fiber signed a deal with EXA Infrastructure to develop its TANAP pipeline fibre network into a cross-country terrestrial route to add diversity for subsea cables in the Red Sea corridor.
Meanwhile, TurkNet said it will also leverage the integrated fibre backbone to expand its FTTH infrastructure to cover a wider user base.
TurkNet added the deal will also benefit Turkey’s major data centres that connect to its fibre network by providing lower latency for intercity and international connections.
