Telecommunications in Syria: A Sector in Ruin and Rebuilding

The telecommunications sector in Syria has been severely impacted by the ongoing conflict, with infrastructure and equipment destroyed or damaged beyond repair. The country's once-thriving mobile network has been reduced to a mere shadow of its former self.

Mobile penetration in Syria has plummeted from 120% in 2010 to just 25% in 2019. This drastic decline is a direct result of the war-torn country's inability to maintain and upgrade its infrastructure.

The Syrian government has made efforts to rebuild and restore the telecommunications sector, but progress has been slow due to a lack of funding and resources.

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The Internet in Syria has made significant progress in recent years, with a current Internet penetration rate of 46.5% as of March 2021. This growth has been rapid, increasing from 29.6% in 2016 to 46.5% in 2021.

There are several Internet service providers (ISPs) in Syria, including Tarassul, Aya ISP, E-Lcom ISP, and many others, offering a range of services to residents and businesses. These ISPs provide access to the Internet through various means, including ADSL, 3G, and 4G wireless networks.

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The country's Internet infrastructure has been upgraded with the launch of the SilkLink project, which aims to create a regional Internet hub and position Syria as a strategic data corridor between Asia and Europe. This project will span approximately 4,500 kilometers of optical fiber, connecting major cities and regional switching centers.

Here's a breakdown of the growth of Internet users in Syria over the years:

There are numerous Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Syria, catering to the growing demand for online services. Tarassul, a subsidiary of Syrian Telecom, is one of the prominent ISPs in the country.

Aya ISP, E-Lcom ISP, and View ISP are among the other notable ISPs operating in Syria. In addition, there are several other ISPs like INET, Nas, Omniya, Runnet, ZAD, Lema, Waves, ProNet, Takamol, SCS-Net, and MTN ISP.

These ISPs offer a range of services, including broadband Internet access, to individuals and businesses across Syria.

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Syria has launched the Silklink project, a major initiative to enhance the country's optical fiber infrastructure and create a regional internet hub.

The project aims to position Syria as a strategic data corridor between Asia and Europe, with Minister of Communications Abdulsalam Haykal stating that it will place Syria on the global digital map.

Silklink will span approximately 4,500 kilometers of optical fiber, connecting major cities such as Damascus and Aleppo, as well as regional switching centers in Palmyra and other southern and eastern regions.

A landing point for submarine cables will be established in Tartus, and regional connection points will be created with neighboring countries, including Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey.

This will create a new land route connecting Europe to Asia, and the project will also establish regional connection points with neighboring countries.

Minister Haykal emphasized that Silklink represents a vision for Syria's digital future, one that aligns with the country's capabilities and aspirations.

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The project follows the May 4 launch of the "Ugarit 2" project, which aims to upgrade the 30-year-old submarine cable and increase internet capacity to Syria within two months.

The Silklink project is a significant upgrade to Syria's telecommunications infrastructure, and it is expected to facilitate data movement between continents.

It's worth noting that Syria has also introduced "Wi-Fi outdoor" technology as a solution to provide digital connectivity in areas with damaged infrastructure, allowing broader internet access in underserved regions.

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Syria's Telecommunications Sector is a rapidly growing industry, with a significant increase in demand for telephone lines. The project Spacetel Syria S.A. aims to address this demand by installing and operating a mobile telephone network based on GSM technology.

Spacetel currently serves over 500,000 subscribers with a network capable of handling more than 1.3 million subscribers. The project expects to increase its network capacity to address the demand for 3 million additional telephone lines in the country.

The project is expected to provide substantial revenues to the government of Syria, with Spacetel providing the government with an increasing percentage of the revenues from operations to reach 50 percent in the seventh year.

Syria's telecoms infrastructure has been severely devastated over a decade of war and digital embargo. More than half of the country's networks were reportedly destroyed or rendered inoperable.

Connectivity was frequently manipulated as a tool of repression. The national market fractured into a patchwork of foreign-provided and informal services.

Digital penetration remains among the lowest globally. As of mid-2025, fixed-line internet speeds rank near the bottom of global indices.

Mobile services are dominated by two legacy operators—Syriatel and MTN Syria—under a largely monopolistic framework. This has led to limited competition and innovation in the sector.

Spacetel S.A is a significant player in Syria's telecommunications sector. It has a mobile telephone network based on GSM technology, serving over 500,000 subscribers with a capacity to handle more than 1.3 million subscribers.

The project addresses the increase in demand for telephone lines and the need for improved telecommunication infrastructures in Syria. It's no surprise that the demand is high, given the country's growing population.

Spacetel will gradually increase its network capacity to address the demand for 3 million additional telephone lines in the country. This expansion will bring a more efficient and reliable mobile telephone network to the Syrian Arab Republic.

The project is expected to provide substantial revenues to the government of Syria. Spacetel will provide the government with an increasing percentage of the revenues from operations, reaching 50 percent in the seventh year.

Spacetel's employees will benefit from substantial wage increases, with average workers' wages being 90 percent higher than the domestic sector standard. This is a significant improvement, and one that will have a positive impact on the local economy.

The project will also foster local enterprise development by relying on domestic companies for advertising, engineering, IT and software companies, cable installation and construction. This will help to stimulate economic growth and create new opportunities for local businesses.

Syria has a relatively advanced telecommunications system, with a high mobile phone penetration rate of 96% of the population.

International dialing code is +963, which is used for both landline and mobile calls.

There are 2.821 million landline telephones in use, as of 2021 estimates. Mobile phones in use have surpassed landline phones, with 16.991 million subscribers.

Syria has a good to acceptable call quality, but many international calls fail or are less clear over the mobile network compared to the landline network.

Mobile operators in Syria include Syriatel, MTN Syria, and Wafa, which provide mobile phone coverage in most parts of the country.

Radio broadcasting is also prevalent in Syria, with 14 AM, 11 FM, and 1 shortwave stations as of 1998.

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