Telecoms & IT

Syria is moving ahead with three major telecommunications projects that, if completed as planned, would reshape how internet capacity reaches the country and is distributed to users. The projects cover three different layers of the network: the Ebla submarine cable would provide a new international connection through Cyprus, SilkLink would carry data across a national fibre backbone, and BarqNet would extend fibre and wireless access to homes, businesses and institutions.

Syria’s tech startup Labby has secured USD 10 million in investment to build an application that combines ride-hailing, food delivery and online payment services on a single platform.

The Syrian government has awarded Kuwait’s Zain Group a 25-year mobile telecommunications licence, replacing MTN Syria. The decision ends months of negotiations over MTN’s withdrawal from the Syrian market and opens a new phase for one of Syria’s most profitable sectors.

In recent weeks, Emirati businessman Mohammad Al-Abbar, one of the Gulf’s most influential developers and investors, has announced investments in the real estate and e-commerce sectors, reflecting the growing Emirati interest in testing investment opportunities in Syria. From the revival of the Eighth Gate project west of Damascus, to the official opening of Noon’s first office in Syria, and the near-finalisation of multi-billion-dollar urban developments through Eagle Hills, Mr Abbar’s activities increasingly position him as a key gateway for Emirati private capital entering Syria.

The Syrian Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has initiated a tender process to grant a new mobile telecommunications licence that will replace the current licence held by MTN Syria.

Syrian-Saudi economic relations have furthered over the past week following the signing of contracts and binding agreements in the fields of aviation, telecommunications, and infrastructure development. The agreements were signed during a high-level Saudi visit to Damascus that culminated in the launch of several large-scale projects and the announcement of new investment mechanisms aimed at facilitating capital inflows into Syria after the lifting of economic sanctions.

Swedish telecommunications multinational, Ericsson and air travel giant Turkish Airlines have appointed new representatives in Syria, according to issue no. 5 (2026) of the Official Gazette. 

The Ministry of Telecommunications and IT published Decision No. 6 of November 2025 (see Official gazette issue number 46) establishing the framework for the operation of business incubators and accelerators in Syria.

The Ministry of Telecommunications and IT has eased regulations governing the operation of mobile applications in Syria.

On October 25, the Syrian Telecommunications Company signed an agreement with Spain-based company Medusa Submarine Cable System to land the country’s first international submarine cable, opening the doors for the arrival of high-speed internet to Syria. Tartous will serve as a low-latency gateway, facilitating faster and more secure data exchange while supporting the growing global demand for capacity driven by AI infrastructure and digital transformation.

A delegation of French businessmen and women arrived in Syria on October 2, meeting with President Ahmad Al-Sharaa and several ministers, including those in charge of Transportation, Telecommunication and Finance. The visit was organised by the Mouvement des entreprises de France (MEDEF), a federation of business owners. This first “French-Syrian Economic Forum” included representatives of 44 large companies.

On July 28, Minister of Communications and Information Technology AbdulSalam Haykal announced the launch of the Syria Angels Network, an initiative that aims to support startups. Thirty investors have so far joined the initiative and committed an initial investment of USD 10 million.

The Syrian government is reportedly negotiating with several Gulf companies over a project worth around USD 300 million aimed at expanding the country’s fibre optic network, two unnamed Syrian officials told Reuters. The companies in question are Zein (Kuwait), Etisalat (United Arab Emirates), Saudi Telecom (Saudi Arabia), and Ooredoo (Qatar).

The Syrian Ministry of Communications and Information Technology made two announcements last week aimed at fostering the country's digital transformation.

The combined fees paid to the State in 2023 by Syria’s two mobile phone companies represented four percent of all the government planned fiscal revenues for last year.

The Syrian Telecommunication Regulatory Authority has announced a 35 percent hike in phone and internet service fees effective from March 1.

The Syrian Telecommunications Company has begun improving the country’s telephone and internet infrastructure through a Chinese grant that includes Chinese communications equipment.

Syriatel reportedly ended its three-year legal dispute with the government after paying the government SYP 134 billion as a settlement.

Only 35.80 percent of Syria’s population have access to the internet, according to a new report.

Microsoft was fined millions of dollars for selling software and technology to sanctioned individuals and entities based in Syria and elsewhere.