Information Technologies and Communication Authority
("BTK") in Turkey has published two decisions, one at the
beginning of 2018 and the other at the beginning of 2019 related to
e-SIM technologies. The first decision was specific to e-Call
services in vehicles whereas the latter was in relation to remote
programmable e-SIM technologies. Both decisions created a big buzz,
especially with localization of SIM card requirement envisaged for
e-Call systems in vehicles (preventing permanent roaming),
automotive industry in Turkey has been very much affected and the
decision prevented importation of new models to Turkey. Although
the first decision was specific to e-Call systems in vehicles and
leaving the M2M technologies out of the scope, the second decision
of the BTK dated 12.02.2019 has turned out to be a game changer,
where it strictly requires localization of data storage and e-SIMs
regardless of the aim and type of the communication activity, for
all devices including