كيف تخطط سوريَة لإعادة تشكيل قطاع الاتصالات والبنية التحتية الرقمية؟

Syria faces a significant challenge regarding its digital infrastructure, requiring a complete reconstruction of the telecommunications sector. The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has unveiled a comprehensive plan to improve internet quality and enhance market competition, with the introduction of new operators as a primary focus.

Minister Abdul Salam Hekal confirmed that the Syrian market will see the entry of new operating companies soon. This follows the resolution of legal hurdles and ongoing consultations with regional and international firms interested in investment. The Ministry anticipates this move will mark a turning point, leading to a tangible improvement in internet quality within the coming months.

These developments occur amid rising internet usage, which increased by 35% in the last quarter of the previous year alongside a 200% surge in network capacity. Minister Hekal described the current reality as “far from ambitions,” acknowledging that weak connectivity acts as an obstacle to digital business growth. The government now views internet access as a fundamental right rather than a luxury.

To address this, the Ministry is implementing infrastructure updates, highlighted by the “Silk Link” project. Signed in February 2026, this initiative involves a Saudi investment of approximately $1 billion to develop the national network and strengthen international digital connectivity. The project, led by the Saudi STC group, aims to lay fiber optic cables, establish data centers, and position Syria as a data transit hub between Asia and Europe within 18 to 24 months.

On the regulatory front, the Ministry attributes previous service quality declines to “accumulated market failure.” Efforts are underway to strengthen the supervisory authority and establish an advisory council involving citizens to evaluate service packages. Additionally, the government plans to lower phone fees to facilitate device updates and mandate the new operators to invest in 5G technology.

Other reforms include reopening blocked digital applications gradually and reforming the postal service to support e-commerce. Collectively, these measures aim to fundamentally reshape the telecommunications sector, though their success depends on translating these strategic plans into measurable improvements for users.