ALBAWABA - The Syrian government has increased prices and fees for communication services by approximately 25-35%, marking the second price hike this year.
The Syrian Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, in a statement posted on its official Facebook page on Wednesday, announced that, according to the new adjustments, the increases on the basic tariffs, effective from November 1st, will be as follows: a 25%-35% increase on the basic rates for mobile communication services, and a 30% increase for fixed-line and internet services.
The authority justified its decision as a means to ensure the continuity of providing essential services by companies operating in the communication sector to all subscribers and to give companies the opportunity to cover the expenses incurred by these services. This is a direct result of the current economic situation and the rising prices of petroleum products and exchange rates in the market.
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Following the decision, both Syriatel and MTN announced increases in mobile communication prices starting from the beginning of November. They set the rates at 47 Syrian pounds per minute for prepaid lines and 45 Syrian pounds for postpaid lines.
This is the second price hike during the current year, as the Syrian government had previously approved a 30-35% increase in the basic tariffs for mobile communication services and around 35-50% for fixed-line communication services in April of this year.
Regarding the impact of price increases, media activist Muhannad Jablawi commented that it is illogical for communication prices to almost double within less than a year. He also noted that the prices are not proportional to the quality of services and internet speed, as the network frequently experiences disruptions and severe slowness.
Jablawi described the Syrian government as disconnected from reality, emphasizing that the average salary of a government employee does not exceed $25, while the government itself adjusts fuel, communication, and basic commodity prices daily to align with global prices, ignoring the financial difficulties faced by its employees.
At the same time, Rojava Cell (Arsel), which monopolizes internet services in the areas controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces in northeastern Syria, announced a price increase for internet packages of up to 400%.
Most Syrians, living under the poverty line, are struggling with daily increases in the prices of essential goods and a decline in income. This coincides with the ongoing significant devaluation of the Syrian pound since the beginning of this year.
