Syria partners with Nokia to rebuild digital infrastructure after years of war
The new Syrian government wants to expand internet access in the country after damage during the civil war and years of underinvestment due to sanctions.
Syria's transitional government announced an agreement with Finnish telecom giant Nokia on Tuesday, a landmark step in Damascus’ push to rebuild its shattered digital infrastructure after years of isolation under Western sanctions.
Communications and Information Technology Minister Abdulsalam Haykal said that Nokia will help build modern networks and develop digital infrastructure in Syria while providing jobs to local technicians. Nokia Senior Vice President of Mobile Networks for the Middle East and Africa Mikko Lavanti said the company would support Syria in its BarqNet and SilkLink projects, the official news outlet SANA reported.
Nokia did not immediately respond to Al-Monitor’s request for comment.
Syria launched SilkLink, a plan to modernize digital infrastructure and integrate Syria’s communications network into the region’s, in May. A month later, Syria announced BarqNet, which aims to deliver fiber internet access across the country.
