CEO says Türk Telekom closed down network where coup plotters were active and provided extra data services to security forces
Türk Telekom played a major role in helping the elected government overcome July’s coup attempt, the CEO has told a leading Turkish newspaper.
Group CEO Rami Aslan told the newspaper, Hurriyet, that the operator worked with the government to deactivate the network in areas where plotters were active. The company also provided extra data services at the request of the security services, Aslan said.
"Türk Telekom played a significant role in making the coup attempt fail," he told Hurriyet.
"We worked in complete connection with the Information Technologies and Communications Board [BTK] and the Transportation, Maritime Affairs and Communications Ministry," Aslan said, according to Hurriyet.
"We immediately deactivated the telecommunications services in a number of key points where the coup plotters were active, such as the presidency of general staff, the Akıncı air base and the Eskişehir air base, among others, in line with the information from the BTK and the ministry. The data speed was also accelerated in the places where security forces were needed."
He said Türk Telekom, which is 30% state owned, will continue its planned investment programme.
