Residents in Syria are still awaiting the transitional government to take tangible steps towards remedying and reconstructing a devastated telecommunications sector. Political work remains the new government’s priorities, but what about services to the millions in need of robust access to the internet, affordable prices, and signal coverage in rural regions?
Recently, the Syrian Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Hussein al-Masri, provided several measures to improve the telecommunications infrastructure in Syria. This includes issuing licenses for five internet service providers, with plans to grant 20 more within two weeks. Al-Masri noted that obtaining licenses took at least a year under the former Syrian government.
Investment in the reconstruction and preparation of the telecommunications infrastructure is estimated to “up to 200 billion dollars,” according to the minister. This includes interventions by non-Syrian experts and importing new equipment and technologies.
The ministry also implemented technical measures, such as unblocking banned websites (i.e., ones that supported the Syrian revolution) and lifting restrictions on network speed in the provinces of Daraa and Quneitra.
A current employee at the Ministry of Communications—who preferred to remain anonymous—told SMEX that the minister is actively inspecting various Syrian provinces.
The purpose of these visits is to assess the state of internet and telecommunications services, explore potential solutions, and engage in discussions aimed at developing the telecommunications infrastructure. The minister’s focus is on strengthening services and enhancing the quality that has deteriorated due to the prolonged Syrian war.
Telecommunications Network in Syria Prior to 2011
Syria’s telecommunications sector grew after Bashar al-Assad assumed power in 2000—a stark contrast to the era of his father, Hafez al-Assad, who followed a strict security approach. He limited the telecom infrastructure to fixed landlines without any expansion into internet services throughout the country.
In August 2000, just over a month after Bashar al-Assad assumed power, SCS-NET was established through the Syrian Computer Society (SCS). Although founded in 1989, the SCS did not provide services or input to the communications and informatics sector across Syria.
A former employee at the Damascus Directorate of Communications, who requested anonymity, told SMEX about an incident during his time working there.
“In July 2010, we were sent to Nuremberg, Germany, as part of a Syrian-German partnership for a rigorous two-month training workshop. The focus was on technologies similar to cellular networks, particularly suited for remote rural areas where the expense of installing fixed landline cables is very high.”
“To manage these costs, receivers are strategically placed in rural locales to capture signals from main towers located in urban centers, thereby facilitating landline usage in remote villages.”
During that period, al-Assad directed the Syrian Computer Society, which he closely oversaw, to create an “Information Technology Incubator” within the organization. He also spearheaded the establishment of the Syrian Virtual University, the nation’s sole institution dedicated entirely to distance-learning.
Looking at the current situation, one cannot help but wonder: What did these initiatives accomplish when the state of internet access across the country remains critically poor?
Local Initiatives to Alleviate the Crisis
The internet’s poor quality and its absence in some instances have significantly worsened the plight of residents across all Syrian provinces—a situation that continues to this day.
In an interview with SMEX, Ghayth al-Qaseer, a resident of Homs, described his struggles with securing a connection.
“The internet in Homs is unreliable and frequently disconnects, especially the home internet, which suffers due to ongoing power outages. This instability severely disrupts the activities of companies, institutions, and individuals alike.”
Lara (a pseudonym), a young woman residing in Damascus, echoed Ghayth’s struggles.
“Several neighborhoods in Damascus lack internet service due to the dilapidated infrastructure left by the previous Syrian regime, with no solutions from the new government.”
Following the fall of the Syrian regime and the establishment of a transitional government, Syrian expatriates, who were previously unable to return, have started coming back to their homeland.
They are now contributing to the redevelopment of infrastructure and leveraging the expertise they acquired during their years abroad. Among these initiatives is a notable one spearheaded by Syrian engineer Fouad al-Masadi, a telecommunications and project management specialist who has returned home after 12 years abroad.
Al-Masadi detailed the initiative’s objectives to SMEX: “We aim to develop the telecommunications and technological infrastructure in Syria and rebuild the sector leveraging expertise gained in Sweden. The initiative is focused on introducing advanced technologies, such as 5G, and enhancing internet and communication services across the country.”
Al-Masadi emphasized the importance of conducting a thorough analysis of the current infrastructure to identify weaknesses. This process involves collaborating with both local and international entities, coordinating efforts with the government, and providing training in project management and advanced technologies.
On the other hand, al-Masadi openly expressed his concerns about potential obstacles he may encounter, especially given the current context in Syria.
He outlined several challenges including the lack of financial resources, inadequate coordination between local and outside entities, and the prevailing security situation which could impact project implementation in some areas.
“I’ve held several productive meetings with ministers from the new Syrian government, yet these discussions underscore the need for greater coordination and genuine commitment from project initiators.”
“Drawing on my years of experience with European firms in the same sector, I have reached out to numerous organizations and companies within the European Union.”
“While the direction is promising, our ongoing effort is to secure partners for the effective implementation of this initiative. I have formally presented this initiative to the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, and we are actively working on developing a viable operational strategy and securing the necessary funding.”
Absence of Accurate Statistics and Data
Since the onset of 2011, Syria’s telecommunications sector and internet networks have greatly deteriorated, especially in regions affected by military conflicts or foreign intervention.
The post-war investment downturn resulted in a scarcity of resources necessary for modernizing the current network infrastructure. These challenges proved insurmountable for both the government and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.
Key network hubs and infrastructure across Syria suffered extensive damage from bombings, theft, and looting of telecommunications towers, along with the destruction of postal and communications centers, leading to substantial financial losses and infrastructural breaches valued in billions of Syrian pounds.
Moreover, the quality of mobile phone service plummeted as receivers, transmitters, towers, and their batteries, previously looted or stolen, lacked essential maintenance. This situation was worsened by persistent military conflicts and widespread power outages, rendering these telecommunications towers completely inoperative.
This remains largely unchanged to this day, mainly due to the dismissal of many experienced workers from telecommunications directorates across various Syrian provinces for reasons linked to politics, participation in popular protests, or other undisclosed factors.
Some regions under the control of the Syrian government, such as the capital Damascus and the provinces of Homs and Hama, have managed to preserve their telecommunications infrastructure.
Nonetheless, these areas have also seen a severe decline in service quality, rampant financial corruption within internet and telecommunications companies, and price increases that are out of step with the dire economic conditions that have prevailed since the onset of the Syrian war.
Additionally, the security measures imposed on the telecom sector have intensified, resulting in restricted access and a total loss of security and privacy. Consequently, residents in these regions have significantly reduced their internet usage.
The lack of regular maintenance has further degraded the quality of service. Economic sanctions have also profoundly affected the government’s ability to import modern technological equipment essential for developing and enhancing the internet network, rendering Syria’s telecommunications infrastructure outdated and highly inefficient.
For the past fourteen years, regions outside the control of the Syrian government, which constitute approximately one-third of Syria’s territory, have depended on alternative methods for accessing internet and communication services, such as satellite connections or Turkish networks. This reliance has directly impacted the economy and hindered Bashar al-Assad’s government’s financial investments in this sector.
According to previous statements from official Syrian government newspapers, the General Director of the Syrian Communications and Information Technology Company reported significant losses during al-Assad’s era. In 2024, stolen armored and unarmored cables totaled 23,996 meters, costing 6.9 billion Syrian pounds, while stolen suspended cables measured approximately 50,253 meters, incurring costs of 3.2 billion Syrian pounds. In 2023, the sector saw even greater losses with 57,079 meters of armored and unarmored cables stolen, valued at roughly 13.7 billion Syrian pounds (a little over one million US dollars), and suspended cables reaching 209,922 meters, costing about 10.5 billion Syrian pounds.
From 2011 to 2024, the state of telecommunications infrastructure across most Syrian regions has remained largely the same—characterized by destruction, neglect, and looting, particularly of towers in remote, inaccessible rural areas. The ongoing military and political conflicts have further complicated the situation.
The quality of internet services remains poor and frequently disrupted across most regions.
The same situation prevails in areas that were previously beyond the control of the former Syrian government, such as northeastern and northwestern Syria, where the telecommunications infrastructure has utterly collapsed. This breakdown has compelled residents to find alternative means of communication.
The new Syrian government, spanning all ministries, is actively engaged in addressing the extensive destruction caused by the former regime and in rebuilding the nation’s nearly shattered infrastructure.
Accomplishing this significant task, however, demands a clear vision and meticulously developed strategic plans, underpinned by precise analytical data and statistics. This structured approach is essential for the effective and methodical execution of construction and restructuring projects throughout Syria.
Main image credit: AFP.
