Syria Opens International Bidding Process for 20-Year…

Competitive Tender Launched at Mobile World Congress as Part of Telecommunications Reform and Regional Connectivity Expansion

BARCELONA - The Syrian Ministry of Communications and Information Technology today announced the launch of an international Request for Applications (RFA) for a new mobile network operator license, formally opening a competitive bidding process for qualified global telecommunications operators.

H.E. Abdulsalam Haykal, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, made the announcement at Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona, initiating a structured licensing process that will run through June 15, 2026. The full RFA has been issued by the Ministry in Damascus.

The new license represents one of the most significant telecommunications opportunities in the world today, combining an immediate revenue-generating operation with a 20-year tenure to build Syria's next-generation mobile network.

The new license will replace the existing MTN Syria license. As per the RFA, Syria will remain a two-operator market for five years. MTN Syria will continue to operate and serve its subscribers in full until the transition to the new operator is complete, ensuring uninterrupted service for all users.

Minister Haykal stated: "The Syrian people have waited long enough. They deserve a mobile network that matches their ambitions, their ingenuity, and their resilience. Today we open our market to the world's best operators with one clear mandate: build a network worthy of Syria's future. This process has been designed to meet international standards and attract serious global investors who share our long-term commitment to this country. Coverage for every community. Connectivity for every citizen. Enablement of digital economy and services."

License Framework

The Ministry is offering a 20-year mobile network operator license. The selected operator will assume responsibility for an existing mobile network operation, including subscriber base and infrastructure assets, and will drive the nationwide expansion and advancement of mobile services.

The license includes spectrum allocation in the 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2600 MHz, and 3500 MHz bands and authorizes deployment of advanced mobile broadband and 5G technologies. The framework includes defined rollout milestones, quality-of-service obligations, and a conditional lock-out period designed to provide investment stability during the initial deployment phase.

The shareholding structure includes an equity contribution of 25% by Syria's Sovereign Fund, with the remaining ownership open to the winning operator and their coalition.

Spectrum Framework

The spectrum package accompanying this license sets two unprecedented global benchmarks.

In a global first, the complete 800 MHz band is being awarded to a single operator. The 800 MHz band is the most valuable sub-1 GHz spectrum for rural and deep-indoor coverage, and while several countries have been moving toward similar models, Syria is the first to execute it. The inclusion reflects the Ministry's commitment to high-quality coverage across all of Syria, including rural and underserved communities where low-band spectrum is critical for broad geographic reach.

Syria is also the first country globally to include the 6 GHz band as part of a mobile operator licensing roadmap, positioning the winning bidder for the 5.5G and 6G era. This forward-looking inclusion gives the licensee a strategic two-decade head start in Syria's digital economy at a moment when next-generation network standards are still being defined worldwide.

Together with the 2600 MHz and 3500 MHz 5G bands in the core bundle, this is among the most generous and forward-looking single-operator spectrum awards ever made globally.

As part of its national telecommunications reform agenda, the Ministry is developing a phased roadmap for the managed sunset of 2G and 3G networks across Syria. This is a Ministry-led national policy, aligned with global best practice, and will apply across the sector.

The transition away from legacy network technologies will free up valuable spectrum for redeployment to 4G and 5G services, delivering faster speeds, greater capacity, and more reliable connectivity to citizens nationwide. Detailed timelines and transition arrangements will be published in due course following stakeholder consultation.

Competitive Process and Timeline

The licensing process consists of a qualification phase and a financial selection phase, with the deadline to submit proposals by 2 April 2026. Existing Syrian mobile operators are not eligible to apply.

Sector Reform and Regional Connectivity

The Ministry has stated that telecommunications modernization is a central component of Syria's broader economic recovery strategy. The RFA includes nationwide coverage requirements, universal access commitments, and performance benchmarks aligned with international technical standards.

The removal of international sanctions has opened the door to foreign finance and investment, and the Ministry has timed this process to capitalize on growing investor interest in Syria's reconstruction. With a young population, significant pent-up demand for digital services, and a market historically underserved, the new licensee enters a high-growth environment with substantial long-term upside.

The new mobile license is closely aligned with the broader SilkLink initiative, a regional fiber-optic connectivity project backed by Saudi Arabia's STC designed to expand international transport capacity and position Syria as a strategic digital corridor linking regional markets. Together, SilkLink and the new mobile license represent complementary pillars of Syria's long-term digital infrastructure strategy.