Turkey has become one of the most attractive destinations for foreign companies looking to expand into the Middle East and European markets. With its strategic location bridging Europe and Asia, a young and educated workforce, and competitive operating costs, Turkey offers compelling advantages for international businesses.
However, setting up IT infrastructure in a new country comes with unique challenges — from understanding local regulations to finding reliable technology partners. This guide covers everything you need to know about establishing your IT operations in Turkey.
Turkey has a well-developed telecommunications infrastructure. Major cities like İstanbul, Ankara, and İzmir offer fiber optic connectivity with speeds up to 1 Gbps for enterprise customers. Key providers include Türk Telekom, Turkcell Superonline, and Vodafone Business.
For enterprise-grade connectivity, we recommend:
• Dedicated fiber lines with SLA guarantees for mission-critical operations
- Redundant connections from two different providers
- SD-WAN solutions for multi-branch connectivity
- MPLS or IPSec VPN for secure connections to headquarters
Turkey enacted its Personal Data Protection Law (KVKK - Kişisel Verilerin Korunması Kanunu) in 2016, closely modeled after the EU GDPR. Foreign companies operating in Turkey must:
• Register with the Data Controllers Registry (VERBİS)
- Appoint a data controller representative in Turkey
- Implement technical and administrative measures for data protection
- Obtain explicit consent for data processing
- Report data breaches within 72 hours
A properly designed network is the foundation of your Turkey operations. We recommend a three-tier architecture:
Core Layer: High-performance switches (Cisco Catalyst 9000 series or HP Aruba) for backbone connectivity.
Distribution Layer: Layer 3 switches for VLAN routing, QoS policies, and security enforcement.
Access Layer: PoE+ switches for endpoints, IP phones, WiFi access points, and CCTV cameras.
Most foreign companies in Turkey adopt a hybrid approach:
• Local servers for latency-sensitive applications, Active Directory, file sharing, and print services
- Microsoft 365 for email, collaboration, and productivity (Istanbul data center region available)
- Azure or AWS for cloud workloads with Turkey-proximate regions
- Local backup with cloud DR for business continuity
Enterprise security systems in Turkey typically include:
• IP CCTV cameras with NVR recording (minimum 30-day retention)
- Card-based or biometric access control systems
- Alarm systems with 24/7 monitoring center integration
- Vehicle barrier and visitor management systems
Based on our experience setting up IT for foreign companies in İzmir and the Aegean region:
Week 1-2: Site survey, requirements gathering, and design
Week 3-4: Equipment procurement and structured cabling installation
Week 5: Server room build, network equipment installation and configuration
Week 6: Workstation deployment, testing, and documentation
Week 7: Go-live support and staff training
With over 25 years of experience in enterprise IT solutions, Teknolojik Bilgisayar is your trusted local IT partner in İzmir, Turkey. We offer:
• Turnkey office IT setup — from structured cabling to workstation deployment
- Ongoing managed IT services — 24/7 monitoring, helpdesk, and on-site support
- Certified partnerships with Cisco, HP, Dell, Fortinet, Sophos, and 40+ global brands
- Bilingual support — our team communicates in English, German, and Turkish
Ready to set up your IT in Turkey? Contact us for a free consultation and customized quote.
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