A decision by mobile operators Syriatel and MTN to raise the prices of their bundles by between 70 and 100 percent has sparked widespread controversy among users in Syria.
The two companies approved the launch of new bundles and the cancellation of all their old ones, and began implementing the changes on 14 November.
The new low usage bundles start at 24,000 Syrian pounds and go up to 70,000, while high usage bundles range from 120,000 up to 300,000 Syrian pounds.
The companies also scrapped several options that most users relied on, such as hourly internet bundles and night bundles that offered large data volumes at reduced prices.
Over recent days, the two operators have promoted their new bundles through their official channels and by sending text messages to customers informing them of the update date.
Syriatel noted that no changes would affect bundles that are already active on lines, which will remain valid until their expiry date.
The new prices have triggered a wave of anger and widespread public discontent among Syrians, who voiced their rejection in social media posts and comments, arguing that bundle prices are now excessively high compared with what they used to be.
New Syriatel and MTN bundle price charts were circulated online as users compared the previous offers to the new ones.
New Syriatel and MTN bundle price
Telecom Ministry asks for clarification
The Ministry of Communications and Technology requested that Syriatel and MTN submit an official, detailed explanation outlining the reasons for introducing new bundles at different price levels and the impact of this on the continuity and quality of services provided to subscribers.
In a statement published on 15 November, the ministry said it had received a number of comments and inquiries from citizens in recent hours about the new bundles announced by Syriatel and MTN.
The ministry said it is aware of how sensitive telecommunications services are and of their direct impact on citizens’ daily lives, stressing that it is taking these comments seriously in a way that guarantees clarity of information and protects subscribers’ rights.
It added that it instructed the two companies to include in their response a clear implementation framework for improving service quality within 60 days from the date of the statement, a geographic map of priority areas for upgrades, a specific timetable for the steps to be taken, and measurable performance indicators to show the level of improvement.
The ministry also urged the two operators to publish brief explanations for users, clarifying the new bundles and the options available to each usage category, how data volumes are calculated, and how to choose the appropriate bundle, to ensure that subscribers understand their choices and that services are provided transparently.
The ministry expressed its appreciation for the efforts of those working at the mobile operators, noting that they are private companies that are financially and administratively independent and bear real operating costs.
It instructed the Syrian Telecommunications and Post Regulatory Authority to tighten oversight of the companies’ fulfillment of their operating obligations and to apply the monitoring and administrative measures set out in the applicable legal framework, including the possibility of imposing fines and regulatory penalties under existing regulations if non-compliance is proven.
The ministry added that it is continuing work on a comprehensive restructuring of the telecommunications sector, focused on modernizing infrastructure, developing transport and backbone networks, expanding international connectivity, and building the necessary global partnerships, in order to address the gaps accumulated over the past years and achieve a qualitative leap in service levels.
It noted that a key part of this plan is legal reform affecting the mobile operators to allow foreign investment to enter the sector, since the operators’ own resources do not permit the fundamental upgrades needed to meet citizens’ growing needs.
Syriatel responds
Syriatel said that the bundles currently on offer are basic at this stage and subject to continual updates in preparation for launching more diverse and flexible options soon, noting that further bundles will be announced in the next phase based on customer needs and market studies.
In a statement published on 17 November via its Facebook page, the company said that, in response to subscriber reactions to the new bundles and their prices and in light of the Ministry of Communications and Technology’s statement, it reaffirms its commitment to serving its customers, understands the pressures they face, and recognizes their reliance on its network as a primary lifeline.
The company said this recognition is what drives it to develop new bundles, since customer trust is the foundation of Syriatel’s work, and it sees this move as a basis for building a more sustainable future for the service and achieving a balance that guarantees the continuity of a reliable network while reducing the burden on subscribers through fairer bundles.
Syriatel stressed that it is working on wide-ranging development steps that reflect its commitment to providing more advanced services and broader coverage, including restoring hundreds of destroyed towers and expanding the network with hundreds of new towers using modern technologies, in order to strengthen service and extend it across all provinces.
It added that this includes launching bundles that suit the vast majority of users, supporting several social groups, and investing in digital infrastructure, opening a new chapter in Syria’s digital transformation and placing the user at the center of every upgrade.
The company said the current bundles are part of a scheduled rollout, with additional bundles to follow in the coming phase depending on customer needs and market research, along with discounts of up to 25 percent for groups such as public sector employees, students, persons with disabilities, and media workers, and ongoing quality improvements using the latest equipment to cover all parts of Syria.
Syriatel said it is closely monitoring recent reactions and pledges to continue communicating with subscribers through its platforms and customer centers to provide necessary clarifications.
“Syria spends the least in the region.”
Syria’s Minister of Communications and Technology, Abdul Salam Haykal, said the prevailing belief that telecom service prices in Syria are high is inaccurate, noting that the average per capita spending with Syrian telecom companies is the lowest in the region.
In response to journalists’ questions at the press conference launching the 11th Syria HiTech information and communications technology exhibition, attended by Enab Baladi, Haykal said telecom bills are headed for change by being broken down into multiple tiers according to users’ internet needs.
He added that prices should be fair for each segment based on its purchasing power, by offering suitable packages that meet its needs.
Haykal said the core problem lies in service quality, availability, and continuity, stressing that the solution is to improve the service.
Telecom Ministry seeks clarification from Syriatel and MTN Enab Baladi.
Hence then, the article about telecom ministry seeks clarification from syriatel and mtn was published today ( ) and is available on ُEnabbaladi ( Syria ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Telecom Ministry seeks clarification from Syriatel and MTN )
Also on site :
- Driver dies in fiery freeway crash on Christmas Eve near Sacramento
- 2 people hurt in plane crash into North Sacramento field
- Trump’s Christmas Eve calls with children asking about Santa’s whereabouts are steeped in partisan politics