Türkiye’s 5G Moment Is Coming: How GSL & Robustel are Helping Industry Get Ready

Türkiye’s commercial 5G rollout is approaching — and for industrial customers, the real challenge isn’t hearing about 5G. It’s knowing when (and how) to take it seriously.

Across manufacturing, smart infrastructure, and automation, many teams are watching the shift closely, but still asking the same questions: What will 5G change in practice? Where does the business value actually show up? And how do we prepare without over-investing too early?

That’s where strong local partners make a real difference. Since 2014, GSL has been one of Robustel’s most trusted distribution partners in Türkiye, with offices in Ankara and Istanbul and deep technical expertise across industrial automation, energy, smart city infrastructure, and public sector deployments. 

As Türkiye moves closer to 5G, GSL has stepped into a hands-on leadership role — educating the market, collaborating with mobile network operators (MNOs), and bringing industrial 5G to life through live demos and events such as the 5G Arena at WIN EURASIA. 

Why 5G readiness matters before the rollout

In many markets, 5G arrives with plenty of noise — but industrial adoption doesn’t happen through hype. It happens through proof: validated use cases, stable connectivity foundations, and partners who can bridge the gap between new technology and real operational outcomes.

GSL’s approach is a great example of that mindset. It’s not about selling a “future vision.” It’s about building clarity, reducing risk, and helping customers make smart decisions — step by step.

Turning uncertainty into tangible value

Market readiness starts with one simple reality: the closer you get to a technology transition, the louder the doubts become. Industrial customers don’t adopt new connectivity because it sounds exciting — they adopt it when the value is obvious, and the path feels safe.

With 5G still on the horizon in Turkey, how is GSL helping prepare customers and the wider market for this upcoming shift?

“One of the biggest challenges in preparing for such a transition is convincing users of the true value that new technology brings. For many of GSL’s customers, 5G is still surrounded by uncertainty. Potential adopters question whether they genuinely need 5G, and more importantly, whether the investment required for the transition—especially in a financially strained environment like Turkey’s—is truly worthwhile. 

At GSL, we address these concerns by showcasing real-world 5G demos from Turkish companies. In each case, we highlight not just the technology itself, but the specific added value 5G brings to that particular application, based on direct feedback from the demo owners. This approach helps our audience clearly understand how 5G can create tangible benefits in their own operations and daily lives. 

By demystifying the unknowns and presenting 5G in a practical, relatable context, we make the transition more approachable—and more justifiable—for our customers.”

Advocating for 5G before the network is “everywhere”

Being early in a market transition comes with a challenge: you’re asking customers to consider a shift that hasn’t fully arrived yet. But it also creates a rare advantage — you get to shape how the market thinks, tests, and adopts.

What are the unique challenges and opportunities of being a 5G advocate in a market where networks are not yet fully launched?

“The biggest challenge of being a 5G advocate in this market is the lack of real-world applications for what is still seen as a relatively costly technology. To convince a traditionally conservative user base, we must articulate the benefits in a way that clearly exceeds the value of their existing setups—otherwise, there is little incentive for them to move out of their comfort zone. 

At the same time, these challenges also create opportunities. By leveraging strong relationships with mobile operators and our established ICT customer base, GSL has been able to design and demonstrate compelling 5G use cases across industries. Being one of the few voices actively showcasing how 5G can be applied in practice has allowed us to quickly build reputation and gain recognition. In fact, this early leadership may explain why we are already successfully providing 5G routers in a country where public 5G networks are not yet available. “

Proof points matter: how the Robustel partnership supports real readiness

One of the fastest ways to accelerate readiness is to reduce “unknowns.” That includes technical support, proven deployments, and hardware that’s designed to meet industrial reality — not just lab conditions.

How has your partnership with Robustel supported GSL’s goals in 5G education, solution development, and market engagement? 

“From the very beginning, Robustel has been a key supporter in creating 5G awareness, delivering strong solutions, and driving market engagement. For instance, as one of Turkiye’s first digital factories and a technology center, MEXT hosted one of the very first 5G network installations in Türkiye a few years ago, and this deployment was powered by Robustel routers. Throughout the process, their team provided our engineers—who at the time were naturally unfamiliar with 5G—with consistent and valuable technical support at every stage. 

Beyond deployments, Robustel has also invested heavily in 5G promotion by allocating resources, sponsoring major industry events, showcasing demos, and sharing success stories from around the world. Moreover, they continue to demonstrate how closely they listen to market needs through the powerful features they integrate into each new 5G router model. Their latest 5G router, the R5030 with WiFi 6 support, is a perfect example of this commitment.”

Showing, not telling: demo-driven market engagement

The difference between “5G interest” and “5G momentum” is often simple: customers need to see the impact with their own eyes. That’s how confidence is built — and how use cases move from theory to investment.

You’ve created several demo videos using Robustel 5G routers—why was this an important investment, and how has the response been?

“When it came to creating awareness and generating demand around 5G, we had several options: we could speak in theory, paint a futuristic, almost science-fiction-like picture of a 5G-enabled world, or highlight its impact on our audience’s existing business models. We chose the latter, believing it would deliver the most meaningful results. 

But we also wanted this impact to be more than just a promise. We wanted people to see it with their own eyes. In this sense, WIN Eurasia’s 5G Arena—running successfully for the past four years—was the perfect opportunity. While the most innovative companies in the sector presented how their solutions could be taken to the next level with 5G, we demonstrated how the required 5G connectivity could be delivered stably and reliably, showcasing all the advantages of the technology through Robustel 5G routers. 

This approach allowed us to build a portfolio of real “5G-in-industry” use cases and highlight the strength of Robustel’s solutions in a very tangible way. Today, when we respond to 5G solution requests, we do so with the confidence that comes from having tested and proven them in the field. We are currently developing active projects with the companies we ran demos with—some of which are still operating on 4G. But there is no doubt that the next step for these projects will be preparing for 5G.”

Which sectors will adopt first in Türkiye?

In early markets, adoption rarely happens evenly. The first movers tend to be the industries where even small performance limits create big operational costs — and where reliability, latency, and control deliver immediate upside.

What industries or verticals in Turkey do you believe are most ready to adopt 5G—and what use cases are generating the most interest today?

“Since GSL’s core activities are focused on industrial networks and automation, my perspective may be somewhat biased. From our observations, the ultra-low latency offered by 5G will bring the greatest value to the manufacturing sector. In fact, private 5G network deployments for factories are already being explored in Türkiye. This makes sense because even a short delay or bandwidth limitation that disrupts operations can cause significant financial losses in manufacturing—every second counts. For this reason, I believe manufacturing will be among the first industries to adopt 5G. Alongside production, we are also seeing strong momentum in adjacent applications such as quality control and augmented reality. At WIN Eurasia, for example, we have already launched numerous digital twin demos that highlight these possibilities. In addition, although it feels a little unsettling, I expect we will soon see much more frequent use of 5G-enabled drones. 

As for healthcare, while the sector is often cited in theory—particularly with examples such as remote surgeries powered by 5G—I believe adoption in Türkiye will be more cautious, given the critical stakes and regulatory considerations.”

The trusted guide effect: what customers will look for next

When new technology becomes unavoidable, businesses don’t just buy hardware — they look for confidence. They want a partner that understands the technology, understands the local market, and can step in fast when something isn’t working.

As we move closer to commercial 5G rollout in Turkey, what are GSL’s next steps to stay ahead—and how can international partners support?

“When facing an unfamiliar process or technology, the first thing people look for is someone who already knows the way. With a trusted guide, the journey becomes much smoother, and you naturally rely on their advice and decisions. 

We believe the same instinct will apply as businesses transition to 5G. Users will seek partners they can trust—partners who not only understand 5G but also know their country, their sector, and their way of doing business. Finding someone who speaks their language, both literally and figuratively, will give them confidence. They won’t fear miscommunication, and they’ll know they have a reliable companion who can be on-site when needed and step in if challenges arise. 

Since 2021, GSL’s work in 5G has equipped our team with the expertise, knowledge, and credibility to play exactly that role. Our next step is to make this capability more visible—demonstrating with clear proof points that customers can confidently choose GSL as their 5G expert. 

From our international partners, we expect them to listen closely to the needs of the market and remain sensitive to customer feedback when developing new solutions. And of course, their support in amplifying our message will be invaluable as we move toward Turkiye’s commercial 5G rollout. “

5G readiness starts before the network is everywhere

As Türkiye moves closer to commercial 5G, the opportunity isn’t just being “first” — it’s being ready. The industrial organisations that get value fastest will be the ones who start early: validating use cases, stress-testing connectivity requirements, and selecting technology that can scale from pilots into real deployments without redesigning everything later.

If you’re based in Türkiye and you’re starting to explore 5G for your sites, products, or connected solutions, GSL can help you take the next step with practical guidance, demos, and local deployment support — backed by Robustel’s industrial 5G router portfolio.

Talk to GSL to discuss what 5G readiness looks like for your specific application, and how to build a roadmap that moves from proof-of-concept to production with confidence.

Your next step: prepare your technology roadmap with Robustel

If your market is starting to embrace 5G — or your customers are already asking when you’ll support it — now is the time to plan your next steps. Robustel works with partners like GSL to help industrial organisations map the right technology roadmap, choose the right connectivity foundation, and move from 5G trials to scalable, production-ready deployments.

Talk to Robustel about how we can support your 5G readiness strategy — from pilot environments to full-scale rollout planning.