What Syriatel Mobile Telecom does

Syriatel Mobile Telecom is a privately held Syrian mobile telecommunications operator established in 2000, providing nationwide mobile voice, SMS, and data services across all 13+ Syrian governorates. The company operates a 2G/3G/4G/LTE network infrastructure with a 5G pilot launched in May 2025, and extends rural coverage through a national roaming partnership with MTN Syria. Its product portfolio spans prepaid lines (Ya Hala Classic, Shabab, Thawani variants), postpaid subscriptions, the Super Surf 4G internet service, eSIM technology, Syriatel Cash mobile payments integrated with Syrian banks, and content applications including iShow streaming and Do Re Mi music.

The company generates revenue through a diversified mix of subscription recurring (prepaid/postpaid lines, VAS), usage-based (data packages, voice minutes), transaction fee (Syriatel Cash P2P and merchant payments), and hardware sales (modems, routers). Pricing is set in New Syrian Pounds and subject to Telecommunications Regulatory Authority approval. Distribution is multi-channel: over 50 authorized service centers across Syria, free self-service kiosks including 24/7 deployment at Damascus International Airport, the Akrab Eilik mobile app for self-management, and channel partnerships with Syrian Post and major Syrian banks for bill payment and recharge.

Syriatel serves individual consumers as its primary segment (with sub-segments for youth, public sector, and People of Determination), plus business and corporate clients via dedicated VIP service centers. In March 2026, the company appointed Yaser Qahf as new CEO and Chairman alongside a full board renewal, signaling a strategic shift toward digital transformation and stronger institutional governance. The company maintains extensive CSR and event marketing activities including sponsorship of Hi-Tech exhibitions, Damascus International Fair, and community health campaigns.

Name

Syriatel Mobile Telecom

Legal name

Syriatel Mobile Telecom

Website

https://syriatel.sy

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Syriatel Mobile Telecom is a privately held Syrian mobile telecommunications operator founded in 2000, providing nationwide 2G/3G/4G/5G-pilot voice, data, eSIM, mobile payments, and streaming services to consumers, businesses, and government clients across all Syrian governorates.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mobile Telecommunications Services

NAICS

Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite) (517112)

SIC

Radiotelephone Communications (4812)

akta.pro primary industry

Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) Mobile Operators (HDAIAAAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Mobile Roaming & Interconnect Services (roaming hubs, IREG/TADIG, clearing) (HDAIAEAE)

Keywords

• Mobile telecommunications services
• Prepaid mobile voice
• Mobile broadband internet
• Mobile payment platform
• Value-added telecom services

Headquarters

HQ city

Damascus

Offices13 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Prepaid Mobile Services: Revenue from prepaid card products including Ya Hala Classic, Ya Hala Shabab (youth), and Ya Hala Thawani (per-second billing), generating income through airtime sales, data packages, and VAS subscriptions
2. Postpaid Mobile Services: Monthly subscription revenue from postpaid lines offering voice, SMS, and internet bundles with monthly billing cycles
3. Internet Data Packages: Various internet bundles including daily, weekly, monthly, and long-term packages for both prepaid and postpaid customers
4. International Roaming: Roaming services for subscribers traveling outside Syria including international roaming for both prepaid and postpaid customers
5. Syriatel Cash E-Payment: Mobile payment service enabling P2P transfers, merchant payments, and bill settlements with transaction-based revenue model
6. Value-Added Services (VAS): Various premium services including ringback tones, content services (iShow, Do Re Mi music app), news services, sports updates, and educational content subscriptions
7. Device Sales: Sales of mobile devices including modems (4G routers, 3G USB modems) and related hardware

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Syriatel is a licensed mobile telecommunications operator in Syria providing nationwide mobile voice, SMS, and 4G/LTE data services through prepaid and postpaid lines, supported by international roaming, eSIM, HD Voice, and a 5G pilot. Beyond connectivity, it offers integrated digital services including Syriatel Cash mobile payments, entertainment apps (iShow, Do Re Mi), and a self-service kiosk and mobile app (Akrab Elik) network for account management, recharge, and bill payment across all Syrian governorates.

Product overview

Syriatel Mobile Telecom operates a comprehensive mobile telecommunications portfolio consisting of core mobile services (postpaid and prepaid voice lines), high-speed internet offerings (Super Surf 4G), digital services (eSIM, Syriatel Cash e-payment), and value-added applications. The product ecosystem includes Ya Hala prepaid sub-brands (Shabab, Classic, Thawani) targeting different customer segments, internet packages in various durations (daily, weekly, monthly, long-term), self-service kiosks, and mobile applications (Akrab Elik customer app, iShow streaming, Do Re Mi music). Syriatel Cash provides mobile-based electronic payments integrated with the national banking system.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Akrab Elik (أقرب إليك): Mobile application for managing Syriatel lines, services, and financial transactions including Syriatel Cash.
• Syriatel Cash (سيريتل كاش)
• Super Surf (سوبر سيرف)
• eSIM
• Yahala (ياهلا)
• Thank You Program (برنامج شكراً)
• iShow
• Do Re Mi
• Travel eSIM
• Syriatel VIP (سيريتل الذهبية)

Products and services

• Postpaid Mobile Line (خط سيريتل لاحق الدفع) Postpaid mobile line for individual and business customers allowing users to make and receive calls, send SMS, browse the internet, and benefit from value-added services under monthly subscription bundles (e.g., Plan 1: 1,000 SMS + 1,000 min + 25GB; Plan 2: 1,500 SMS + 1,500 min + 150GB).
• Ya Hala Classic (ياهلا كلاسيك) Prepaid Card Classic prepaid card offering simple, easy-to-use mobile connectivity with per-minute billing (cell-to-cell 0.47 ل.س/min, cell-to-landline 0.52 ل.س/min) and Happy Friday rates.
• Ya Hala Shabab (ياهلا شباب) Youth Prepaid Card Prepaid card tailored for youth customers with preferential tariffs including reduced rates during night hours and Fridays (Happy Friday 0.30 ل.س), 50% permanent discount on local SMS, and discounted daytime rates.
• Ya Hala Thawani (يا هلا ثواني) Per-Second Prepaid Card Pay-per-second tariff system billing calls by the second starting from the second minute (first minute 0.47 ل.س, subsequent seconds 0.0087 ل.س), designed for users who frequently make short calls.
• Super Surf 4G Internet Service (سوبر سيرف) High-speed 4G internet service offering the fastest internet in Syria without additional cost, requiring a 4G-capable SIM card and device.
• Monthly Internet Packages (باقات الإنترنت) Monthly prepaid internet bundles with varying data volumes including Plan 01 (15GB for 870 ل.س), Plan 02 (30GB for 1,330 ل.س), and Plan 03 (100GB for 2,000 ل.س), valid for 30 days; daily, weekly, and long-term packages also available.
• eSIM Service (خدمة eSIM) Electronic SIM service allowing customers to use eSIM instead of a traditional physical SIM card, supporting multiple eSIMs on compatible devices; available as a regular-to-eSIM swap or new eSIM line for 450 ل.س.
• Syriatel Cash Mobile Payment (سيريتل كاش) Mobile payment and e-wallet service enabling peer-to-peer transfers, bill payments, merchant payments, and fund deposits to bank accounts via mobile device; integrated with Syrian Commercial Bank, Syrian Real Estate Bank, and Syrian banking localization system for ATM-based bill payment and recharge.
• International Roaming and Travel eSIM International roaming services for prepaid and postpaid customers, including Travel eSIM — a modern method to activate international internet packages during travel via QR code activation.
• National Roaming Service National roaming service allowing Syriatel subscribers to access MTN Syria network coverage in Syrian rural areas and regions with limited Syriatel coverage at no additional cost.
• iShow Streaming Service Subscription-based streaming service offering local and international TV channels, movies, series, and programs with various packages including sports, kids, golden, and silver bundles.
• Do Re Mi Music Streaming Service Subscription-based music streaming service providing Arabic and international songs, albums, video streaming, personalized playlists, radio, and artist news and events.
• Akrab Elik Self-Care Mobile Application (تطبيق أقرب إليك) Mobile application providing 24/7 self-service access for Syriatel customers including package activation, line management, Syriatel Cash transactions, loyalty program management, and service center location lookup.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5G pilot project launched May 2025, positioning Syriatel as technology leader in Syrian telecommunications

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Syrian Post (المؤسسة السورية للبريد)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 July 2026Strategic partnership between Syrian Post and Syriatel to bring telecommunications services closer to citizens through post office locations across Syria, expanding service accessibility to underserved areas.
• MTN SyriacoreTechnology or Integration · 1 August 2023National roaming partnership allowing Syriatel customers to access MTN network coverage in Syrian rural areas and regions with limited Syriatel coverage, at no additional cost. This addresses connectivity challenges in remote areas due to power shortages affecting cellular towers.
• Syrian Ministry of Communications and TechnologycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 May 2021Partnership with Ministry of Communications and Regulatory Authority for Communications and Post to launch electronic payment services through mobile operators, enabling P2P transfers and merchant payments nationwide.
• Syrian Commercial Bank (المصرف التجاري السوري)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIntegration with Syrian Commercial Bank ATMs enabling Syriatel customers to pay bills and recharge prepaid cards through ATMs nationwide.
• Syrian Real Estate Bank (المصرف العقاري السوري)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIntegration with Syrian Real Estate Bank ATMs for bill payment and prepaid balance recharge services across all Syrian regions.
• Syrian Computer Society (الجمعية العلمية السورية للمعلوماتية)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTraining workshops conducted by Syriatel and Syrian Computer Society for skill development and technology awareness.
• Zanqa Learning PlatformminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMemorandum of understanding signed between Syriatel, National Union of Syrian Students, and Zanqa educational platform to support students through telecommunications services and products aiding their academic pursuits.
• Syrian Banks Supporting Banking LocalizationmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDirect debit service allowing customers to pay Syriatel bills through their bank accounts at participating banks supporting the banking localization system.
• IHRM (Institution for Human Resources Management)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerStrategic partnership with IHRM for annual events and HR development activities, with Syriatel providing sponsorship and participation in professional development initiatives.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Saudi Telecom Company (stc): stc is a regional MNO incumbent that bundles voice, data, mobile money (stc Pay), and digital content services. Its multi-tier prepaid segmentation, loyalty programs, and enterprise vertical offerings parallel Syriatel's Ya Hala tier structure and Syriatel Cash/Syriatel VIP positioning.
• MTN Group: MTN Group is the Africa- and Middle-East-focused mobile operator that controls MTN Syria and competes head-to-head with Syriatel for share. Its emerging-market MNO playbook — prepaid-led mobile money, multi-tier tariffs, rural coverage via roaming — is structurally analogous to Syriatel's operating model.
• Zain Group: Zain Group operates MNOs across the Middle East with similar prepaid/sub-brand structures, VAS content services, and mobile money offerings. Its operating environment (regulatory pricing, multi-country licensing, frequent low-ARPU markets) mirrors Syriatel's constraints.
• Turkcell: Turkcell operates a regional mobile telecom business with strong digital services (Turkcell Pay, BiP, TV+), a youth-led prepaid tier (Genç), and a focus on ARPU expansion through VAS — all directly comparable to Syriatel's Ya Hala Shabab, Syriatel Cash, iShow, and Do Re Mi strategies.
• Orange (telecommunications): Orange operates mobile networks and Orange Money across MEA. Its strategy of bundling mobile with mobile money, content (OCS/Canal+-style services), and enterprise solutions in lower-ARPU markets is structurally analogous to Syriatel's integrated play.
• Vodafone Group: Vodafone operates MNOs across emerging markets with M-Pesa mobile money, prepaid sub-brands, and tiered VAS bundles — a comparable end-to-end telecommunications and digital services stack to Syriatel's offering.
• e& (formerly Etisalat): e& is a major MENA-headquartered telecom group operating mobile, mobile money, and content services across emerging markets. Comparable to Syriatel on the dimensions of prepaid-led revenue, VAS bundles, and aggressive 5G/network modernization roadmaps.

Regional players

• Ethio Telecom: Ethio Telecom operates the Ethiopian state-telecom monopoly with mobile voice, data, mobile money (TeleBirr), and VAS — a comparable incumbent MNO in a regulated, currency-restricted emerging market where pricing is heavily overseen by authorities.
• Dialog Axiata: Dialog Axiata is an emerging-market MNO operating in Sri Lanka with eZ Cash mobile money, VAS content, eSIM offerings, and prepaid-led plans serving a population of similar income profile. Highly comparable on product mix and reliance on segmented prepaid tiers.

Direct peers

• MTN Syria: MTN Syria is the only other licensed mobile network operator in Syria and the direct in-country competitor. Notably, MTN Syria also has a reciprocal national roaming partnership with Syriatel, underscoring identical product offerings (prepaid/postpaid voice, 4G data, mobile money) and the same regulatory and macroeconomic environment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Syriatel.Sy
• Xx.com/Syriatelco
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/syriatel

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Syriatel Mobile Telecom