Domination, exploitation in Telecommunications sector in Transitional Govt. areas

The Ministry of Communications of the Syrian Transitional Government has revoked the license of WafaTel, the third operator, which had previously obtained the exclusive rights to operate 5G services in Syria and received approval from legislative bodies through a ministerial decree.

According to ANHA agency's sources, the Ministry of Communications will rely on a company owned by a businessman affiliated with the Syrian-American Business Council, who previously operated 5G services in Idlib, to operate the third operator in the Transitional Government-controlled areas.

This investor has been incorporated into Syriatel, replacing other investors, without any official announcement from government authorities regarding these changes to date.

In a press interview, the Minister of Communications stated that the third mobile operator would be operated by one of the international operators in Syria, referring to Syriatel, while the second operator would receive support and have its operations developed, without providing further details.

It is worth noting that after tracing the ownership of the third operator, it was revealed that Asma al-Assad, the wife of the former regime's president, held a share in it. The company was preparing to launch operations at the beginning of this year, and coverage towers had been erected and are still standing in the streets of Damascus.

Sources indicated that a judicial custodian was appointed for both companies, and then the custodianship was lifted without any disclosure of these procedures or changes. The companies are supposed to submit financial disclosures regarding these changes to the Securities and Exchange Commission, as their names are listed on the Damascus Securities Exchange, and they are not permitted any administrative changes or modifications to their boards of directors.

With internet service in areas under the control of the Syrian Interim Government (SIT), and the near-total absence of cellular and internet coverage, alternative internet, or satellite internet, has become widespread. Distribution boxes are being installed in residential areas, and Starlink satellite dishes are being installed at some government companies and institutions. The SIT minister described this as a "temporary measure," and it operates without a license.

The monthly cost of a satellite internet subscription is 140,000 Syrian pounds, in addition to installation costs exceeding 600,000 pounds for cable and router.

Just days ago, the SIT authorities raised telecommunications prices by an unprecedented 1100%, sparking widespread anger among residents who rely on cheap daily packages.

While the companies justify the move as "standardizing packages," Syrians see it as an additional burden given the deteriorating services and the lack of transparency surrounding changes in operator management.

Citizens, observers, and experts say that the Minister of Communications' dreams of turning Syria into a global gateway remain far from reality, as people suffer from weak coverage and difficulty in making voice or video calls due to neglect in maintaining the power sources for communication towers, considering that the minister is promising Syrians what he dreams of, not what actually happens on the ground.

ANHA