Zain Group has secured a 25-year mobile telecommunications license in the Syrian Arab Republic, marking a major expansion into the Levant region. The license includes an initial 20-year term with an extendable five-year period and was awarded following a competitive tender conducted by Syria’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCOT).
Zain won the tender with the most competitive and fully compliant bid, valued at USD 747 million, after undergoing technical and financial evaluations. As part of the agreement, the company will establish Zain Syria, a new operating entity in which Zain Group will own 75 percent, while a Syrian government entity will hold the remaining 25 percent.
The commercial launch of the Zain Syria brand is targeted for Q1 2027, subject to regulatory approvals and fulfillment of licensing requirements. During a six-month transition period, Zain will work alongside the Syrian MCOT and the existing MTN team to ensure uninterrupted services and improve network performance for the current 6.3 million mobile subscribers.
The new license positions Zain as the second mobile operator in Syria, a market with strong long-term growth potential driven by a young population, improving economic conditions, and increasing demand for advanced mobile connectivity and digital services.
Zain Syria will invest more than USD 800 million over the next decade to expand and modernize the country’s telecommunications infrastructure. The investment will focus on deploying 5G networks, introducing AI-powered digital technologies, and enhancing network quality, capacity, and customer experience. The expansion will be financed through financial resources generated by the Syrian operation.
Syria’s Mobile Telecom License History
Syria’s mobile telecommunications market has been served by a small number of licensed operators, with the government tightly controlling market entry.
Syriatel (2001)
Syriatel became one of Syria’s first private mobile operators after receiving a government license in 2001. The operator has remained one of the country’s largest telecom providers, offering 2G, 3G, 4G, and later 5G services.
MTN Syria (2001)
MTN Syria, originally launched as Areeba, received a mobile license alongside Syriatel in 2001. South Africa’s MTN Group later became the majority shareholder before announcing its exit from Syria in 2020 due to regulatory and political challenges.
In 2026, Syria launched an international tender to replace MTN Syria’s license, eventually awarding it to Zain.
Wafa Telecom (2022)
Syria awarded its long-awaited third mobile license to Wafa Telecom in February 2022. Wafa planned nationwide deployment with early access to 5G and intended to reach 1.5 million subscribers within three years, covering 80 percent of Syria in five years and 90 percent within ten years. However, the operator ceased operations following the political changes in Syria in late 2024.
BABURAJAN KIZHAKEDATH
