The Internet in Syria: A fragile link between the two

A fragile connection to the internet has become a defining feature of life in Syria nearly two years after the fall of President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. The country, now attempting to transition toward a democratic system that includes all religious and political groups, faces immense challenges, including geopolitical tensions, economic crisis, material destruction from the war, and long-standing societal divisions that frequently erupt into violence. These struggles are reflected in the state of internet access, which remains limited, unreliable, and prohibitively expensive for many Syrians. The Syrian internet landscape today is characterized by widespread damage and high costs. According to a report by the consulting firm Kepios, only one-third of Syria’s population used the internet by the end of 2025. A decade and a half of conflict have left much of the infrastructure in ruins. Mobile towers were destroyed by air strikes and remain unrepaired, while fiber-optic and copper cables continue to be stolen by organized gangs, cutting entire neighborhoods off from affordable internet services. Most households receive electricity for only a few hours each day, further complicating connectivity. Residents describe their experiences with frustration. “The internet is very, very slow and sometimes goes down for several hours,” wrote a man from Damascus via WhatsApp. A woman from Qamishli noted that her smartphone internet was costly and only sufficient for basic tasks such as using WhatsApp and simple browsing. For more intensive research and communication required for her work, she must go to public places with better Wi-Fi. “There I feel unsafe as a human rights activist, so I can’t participate in many online events.” According to the Speedtest Global Index, Syria had the second-worst internet quality in March 2026, with only Cuba having slower connections. In mobile networks, Syria ranked 99th out of 105 countries. Access to numerous websites and services remains restricted for Syrians, including platforms like Netflix, TikTok, ChatGPT, and PayPal. Although European and American sanctions against Syria were lifted last year, technology companies have yet to fully implement these changes. Whether Syrians can afford data-heavy applications like Netflix is another question altogether. “Even the minimum internet service at home isn’t enough,” said a man from Latakia. Mobile internet is better but extremely expensive: “For my wife and me, it costs $30 per month, while our monthly income is only $100.” Currently, 90 percent of Syria’s population lives below the poverty line. According to Syrian IT expert Alaa Ghazal, internet prices have surged by up to 300 percent since Assad's downfall. “Average prices for new internet packages range between 11 and 20 percent of the minimum wage, an exorbitant amount even for those who have an income,” he said. He expressed particular concern over the government’s push for digital transformation, such as paying public sector employees through an electronic wallet app, while most citizens lack stable and affordable internet access. The situation highlights the deepening divide between technological progress and socioeconomic reality. While the government seeks to modernize its systems, the majority of the population lacks the means to engage with these advancements. This gap exacerbates existing inequalities and limits opportunities for education, business, and civic participation. As the country navigates its uncertain path forward, the state of internet access will likely play a crucial role in shaping the future of Syria’s digital society.