Like its inhabitants, Syria’s telecom sector has been caught up in the ongoing civil war. Research & Markets reports instances of information warfare, proposed sanctions against telecom companies and damage to telecoms infrastructure. The deteriorating situation is having an impact on market development with regulatory developments delayed. However given the utility nature of telecoms, services are likely to be restored once fighting ceases.
Fixed-line services remain the monopoly of state-owned Syrian Telecommunications Establishment (STE), which has focused on expanding network coverage to cater to a growing subscriber base. Broadband subscriber levels are on the rise, with fixed broadband growth in the short to medium term assured given fixed broadband makes up approximately a quarter of all fixed Internet subscriptions. The growing appetite for data coincides with Syria’s involvement with two relatively new terrestrial cables.
Recognising the potential of applying ICT to improve both social and economic development, Syria has taken steps to develop a digital economy. E-government services are available, with a national e-government policy in place to guide developments. To support e-health development, public funding has been made available for ICT equipment, software, pilot projects, skills training and scholarships. E-health initiatives also extend to the mobile sector (m-health), with m-health initiatives undertaken.
Syria's mobile market is served by a duopoly comprised of two operators, MTN Syria and Syriatel. There has been talk of a third operator, with keen investors likely given mobile penetration in Syria is the second lowest in the Middle East. Mobile data services are becoming an increasingly important source of new revenue as the mobile voice market begins to mature. With 3G/HSPA networks in place, the focus for mobile data is beginning to shift to mobile broadband offerings; already mobile broadband subscriptions exceed those of fixed broadband.
