Syria’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology announced the launch of “BarqNet” on Sunday, a nationwide initiative to expand fiber-optic internet access directly to homes and businesses. The project, described by the government as a cornerstone of its digital infrastructure strategy, will begin implementation in the coming weeks.
Minister Abdulsalam Heikal said in a statement on his official X account that BarqNet is designed to deliver stable, secure and high-speed internet. It represents a significant step toward improving quality of life in Syria and accelerating the country’s digital development.
The ministry aims to connect 85% of Syrian homes and institutions within two years. Construction will begin in select areas this year, with full-scale deployment planned as part of a multi-phase timeline. Fiber-optic cabling will extend to cities, towns and rural areas. In locations where fiber infrastructure is not viable due to damage or remoteness, the ministry plans to use Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) technology, as outlined by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority.
Integrated with SilkLink and a Competitive Market Model
Once operational, BarqNet will link to the government’s planned SilkLink network, which Heikal previously said would position Syria as a data traffic corridor between Asia and Europe. SilkLink is expected to draw international investment in cloud computing and data centers.
BarqNet will operate under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, involving both domestic and international companies. According to the ministry’s statement, implementing firms must use equipment from top-tier global suppliers and subcontract civil engineering work to national companies through a competitive process.
The project’s technical architecture is built on the Virtual Unbundled Local Access (VULA) model, which separates infrastructure management from internet service provision. This structure enables multiple providers to access the same physical network, fostering competition and offering a wider range of service packages to end users.
“This model is designed to create a dynamic and competitive telecom market in Syria,” Heikal said. “It allows providers to offer reliable, high-speed connections that support everything from remote work and education to e-commerce and digital entertainment.”
Call for Bids as Deployment Nears
The Ministry has issued a call for bids from interested companies, with submissions due by July 15. Information and technical specifications are available at Barq.moct.gov.sy or via email at BarqRFI@moct.gov.sy
Heikal thanked the ministry’s staff and partners at the Syrian Telecommunications Company and the Telecommunications and Post Regulatory Authority, along with advisors who helped design the initiative.
Describing BarqNet as a “qualitative leap” in Syria’s digital economy, Heikal said the initiative reflects a broader national ambition: to make lightning-fast internet not just a possibility, but a standard across the country.
