TRNC Parliament committee approves fiber-optic protocol: network to be extended to every home

The TRNC Parliamentary Committee on Legal, Political, Foreign Affairs and Defense approved by a majority vote an additional protocol on the development of fiber-optic infrastructure and submitted the document for a vote by the plenary session of parliament. Prime Minister Ünal Üstel said the network would be brought to the doorsteps of all homes and villages, and residents would not have to pay for the connection.

The bill introduces amendments to the protocol on cooperation in fiber-optic infrastructure signed by Turkey and the TRNC on September 24, 2025. The meeting was chaired by committee chair and National Unity Party (UBP) MP Yasemi Öztürk.

Those taking part in the discussion included Minister of Public Works and Transport Erhan Arıklı, representatives of the Prime Minister’s Office and the ministry itself, the Information Technologies and Communications Authority, professional chambers, the Tel-Sen trade union, the Internet Service Providers Association and individual providers.

Speaking in Doğanköy near Kyrenia, Üstel recalled that the protocol had previously been referred to the Constitutional Court. After the necessary amendments, the document was signed again with Turkey; on Tuesday, it was approved by the Council of Ministers and submitted to parliament. Turkey is taking responsibility for financing the project.

Üstel accused the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) of trying to stall the project at the committee stage. “Whatever they may say, this project will be implemented,” the prime minister said, thanking committee chair Yasemi Öztürk and MPs Sadık Gardiyanoğlu and Alişan Şan for their support.

According to Üstel, the goal is to turn the TRNC into a “digital island”: high-speed internet should help develop tourism, attract foreign entrepreneurs to the country and improve data security.