Communications in Syria

This article lists details of communications networks in the Arab Republic of Syria.

Telecommunications System

Landlines in use:

3,500,000 (2005)

Cellphone/Mobile Operators:
Syriatel http://www.syriatel.com
MTN http://www.mtn.com.sy

Radio broadcast stations: AM 14, FM 2, shortwave 1 (1998)

Television broadcast stations:

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

• Syrian Telecommunications Establishment
• Runnet
• AYA
• E-LCOM
• SCS
• ZAD
• Teranet
• Inet
• SAWA Internet Provider
• Extra

Country code (Top level domain): .sy

Broadband Internet access

ADSL service in Syria became available since 2003 and is provided by the Syrian Internet Service Provider 190 which is backed by the Syrian Telecom {ST).

Available ADSL speeds with typical monthly prices:

• 256 kbit/s at cost of SP2400 (~US$46).
• 512 kbit/s at cost of SP3700 (~US$70).
• 1 Mbit/s at cost of SP5900 (~US$110).
• 2 Mbit/s at cost of SP9800 (~US$185).
• 4 Mbit/s at cost of SP17000 (~US$315).
• 8 Mbit/s at cost of SP29800 (~US$555).

Installation costs SP2000 (~US$39) and is paid once only.
(An Syrian monthly income is $300-2000)

Syrian Telecom is cooperating with a Chinese company to improve the infrastructure which might lead to much better prices and the introduction of higher speeds.

NOTE: The available ADSL lines, controlled by Syrian Telecom (ST), have been reserved for government, public, and private companies.
ISPs do not fulfill requests for new ADSL lines for personal use, claiming there are no lines available.

Bribing employees results in such a line being installed. This process has allowed many businesses to look seriously at investing in the ISP (pre-paid Internet dialup access service) business since most students, private citizens, and local shop owners cannot afford these bribes in addition to ADSL/broadband connection costs.

With pre-paid dialup Internet access service, a person pays an average of $0.40-$0.50/hour. There are currently 10+ ISPs that provide pre-paid Internet access country-wide.