Syrian Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdul Salam Haykal announced that the ministry has issued a request for proposals for a new mobile phone license in Syria.
He added that a new partnership is expected to be concluded in the coming period, with the license replacing one of the two existing licenses by the end of June, according to the set timetable.
The minister said the ministry’s priority is to develop infrastructure and restructure Syria’s cellular telecommunications sector, while also working this year to prepare plans and implement several digital transformation projects across various sectors.
Haykal, speaking at a press conference on the sidelines of the Syria HiTech exhibition in Damascus, attended by Enab Baladi, said the ministry is working within a strategic program extending over the coming years.
According to Haykal, the ministry is focusing on building a technology industry based on innovation and renewal, developing technologies that meet citizens’ needs in telecommunications and applications, and strengthening partnerships with local and international companies.
The 12th edition of the Syria HiTech information and communications technology exhibition launched on 28 April at the Damascus Fairgrounds and will continue until 1 May.
Around 150 participants representing 20 countries are taking part in this edition of the exhibition, along with more than 350 companies and various brands.
Syrian Minister of Communications Abdul Salam Haykal during the press conference at the Syria HiTech exhibition, 28 April 2026. (Ahmad Maslamani/Enab Baladi)
In this context, Haykal said exhibitions are important as a platform for bringing together service providers and customers, an opportunity to showcase innovations and modern technologies, and a space to present progress achieved in digital transformation projects by participating entities, in a way that strengthens cooperation and encourages inspiration and exchange of expertise.
Haykal said the event represents an important milestone in the technology sector, as exhibitions play a pivotal role in developing the industry and support programs aimed at attracting national talent, building partnerships, and strengthening Syria’s relations with global service providers and platforms.
Infrastructure in the Telecom Sector
The minister explained that infrastructure in the telecommunications sector is capable of meeting a large part of current needs in some areas, but the reality shows a clear variation in readiness levels from one area to another. He said some areas inside Syria have high-quality internet and good coverage.
But after the “liberation” phase, some services declined as residents returned to their areas, increasing pressure on existing networks and raising demand beyond capacity in some locations, according to the minister.
In his remarks to journalists, Haykal said the telecommunications sector needs additional investment, including equipment development, the construction of new towers, network expansion, software upgrades, and stronger engineering and technical staff.
Partnership With STC
He also said work with STC is in its final stages, including the establishment of a joint company between the state and STC.
The company has already begun taking operational steps, including hiring, preparing offices, and securing housing for the work team, according to Haykal.
Regarding the Silk Link project, Haykal said the project is based on establishing main lines connecting governorates to one another, then developing ring routes, main routes, and extensions until exchanges are fully connected. He explained that Syria had lacked this infrastructure compared with many countries that developed it gradually over the years, while “we seek to implement it within a shorter period through a studied plan.”
In this framework, serious discussions are currently underway with major international companies to activate the “Syrian corridor” more quickly, even before the full infrastructure of the Silk Link project is ready, especially as data routes in the region are being redrawn as a result of the recent war, according to the minister.
Syria and Saudi Arabia signed an agreement on 7 February to launch the Silk Link project, with an investment worth $1 billion, to connect continents digitally through Syrian territory.
The project, led by Saudi Arabia’s STC Group, aims to build an international backbone network that ends Syria’s technical bottleneck.
The project also invests in Syria’s geographic location as the shortest route for data transmission between Asia and Europe. In addition, it aims to launch initiatives to build local software capabilities.
What Does the Exhibition Include?
The exhibition includes the latest technologies and their applications in the fields of information technology, the internet, smart cities, e-government, and e-payment.
It also includes phones, laptops, and innovations in the information and communications technology sector, with real-world applications.
The exhibition also provides a platform for research centers and universities to interact with industrial and government bodies, according to Syria’s official news agency SANA.
The post New Mobile Operator to Enter Syria in June appeared first on Enab Baladi.