Google, Turkcell to build Turkey’s first hyperscale data center by 2029

Google has entered a new deal with Turkcell, Turkey’s biggest mobile operator, to build the country’s first hyperscale data center by 2029.The partnership gives Google a stronger base in one of the world’s fastest-growing tech markets and helps Turkey push its ambition to become a digital power in the region.The announcement came after Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri AS filed details of the agreement, confirming that both companies will work together to create a Google Cloud region made up of three large network clusters.Each cluster will hold thousands of servers that will support cloud, storage, streaming, and AI services across Turkey and neighboring countries.Everything to know about Turkcell’s billion-dollar cloud planAli Taha Koc, the Chief Executive of Turkcell, said the partnership will “make Turkcell a cloud center globally,” as the new hyperscale facility will transform how data is processed and stored inside the country.The company expects to spend $1 billion through 2032 to support the project, with its data center capacity set to more than double over that time.Turkcell also forecasts a sixfold increase in its cloud and data center revenue in U.S. dollar terms by the end of 2032, saying that it plans to act as both the infrastructure provider and reseller of Google Cloud services.The Google-Turkcell deal is part of Turkey’s wider goal to become a regional hub for digital services and artificial intelligence, as cloud demand grows around 20% every year, with the total market value is expected to reach $4.2 billion by 2029, thanks the rise of AI models, automation, and even crypto-linked cloud activity.While Google deepens its ties in Turkey, the company faces legal heat at home. A lawsuit filed in San Jose, California, accuses the tech company of using its Gemini AI assistant to secretly track private communications from users of Gmail, Chat, and Meet.The complaint claims that Google turned on Gemini across these apps in October without permission, allowing it to “access and exploit” every message and attachment sent or received.The case, which invokes the California Invasion of Privacy Act of 1967, argues that the company’s AI feature violates privacy laws by collecting data without consent.Although users can disable Gemini, they must dig deep into privacy settings to do so, raising concerns over user transparency.Even with the lawsuit ongoing, Google is expanding its physical presence across Europe, having recently announced a €5.5 billion ($6.4 billion) investment in Germany to strengthen its computing and data operations over the next four years.The plan includes two data centers in the Frankfurt region, though the company didn’t reveal the size of the facilities.The European Commission has encouraged companies to build “gigafactories” (massive data hubs capable of training complex AI models) to ensure Europe isn’t left behind in the global AI race. Other major tech players are following the same path.Nvidia and Deutsche Telekom are developing a €1 billion data center in Munich set to open in 2026, while Microsoft pledged $10 billion for a new data center hub in Portugal. If you're reading this, you’re already ahead. Stay there with our newsletter.