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Digital Divide Country Profile · Asia

SY

Syria

Closing the digital divide, expanding meaningful connectivity, and advancing digital education and workforce participation.

Location in the world

Syria

Flag of Syria

Asia

World map showing the location of SyriaSyria
🇸🇾
Population (2024)
24,672,760
Total area
187,437 km²
Area in square miles
72,369.8 mi²
Coastline
193 km
Base map adapted from Wikimedia Commons. Population: World Bank (2024); geography: CIA World Factbook.

National digital inclusion context

A portfolio-based view of access, capability, and outcomes.

This profile organizes the initiatives directly connected to Syria in the global research inventory. It follows the study's country-profile framework: national context, broadband infrastructure, inclusion practices, education and workforce connections, implementation actors, and intended contribution.

The documented portfolio emphasizes Telecommunications / Broadband Infrastructure, Fiber / Fixed Broadband Infrastructure, Last-Mile / Access Infrastructure, Tablet, Computer / Desktop PC. The profile treats infrastructure, affordability, capability, institutions, support, and outcomes as an interconnected system.

Portfolio pattern

What the documented response contains.

Counts reflect source-workbook tags. One initiative may appear in multiple infrastructure or technology categories.

Infrastructure and access

  1. Telecommunications / Broadband Infrastructure10
  2. Fiber / Fixed Broadband Infrastructure4
  3. Last-Mile / Access Infrastructure4
  4. Mobile / Wireless Infrastructure3
  5. Backbone / Backhaul / Middle-Mile Infrastructure2

Specific technologies

  1. Tablet4
  2. Computer / Desktop PC3
  3. Fiber/Fiber Optic3
  4. Laptop3
  5. 3G2

Intervention classification

  1. Infrastructure and Specific Technology8
  2. Specific Technology only5
  3. Neither explicitly identified4
  4. Infrastructure only3

Education and workforce

Connectivity becomes consequential through participation.

8 initiatives explicitly connect to education, K–12, or college/university contexts, and 1 connect to workforce development. Other investments may enable these outcomes indirectly.

Access

Networks, service availability, devices, and connection quality.

Capability

Skills, confidence, accessibility, navigation, and support.

Participation

Education, work, health, government, and civic opportunity.

Sustainability

Governance, operations, maintenance, funding, and learning.

Project and initiative portfolio

20 documented records

Every directly tagged record is shown with details and supporting URLs preserved from the research workbook.

01

Community-based digital learning

Al-Hasakeh Home-Based Digital Learning Points

Operational since 2023; documented 2024 · Al-Hasakeh governorate
View details
Status / periodOperational since 2023; documented 2024LocationAl-Hasakeh governoratePopulationChildren whose schooling was disrupted by conflictOrganizationsUNICEF Syria; community volunteers; teachers

Brings digital learning into community/home-based points where conventional schooling is weak.

Activities and approach: Laptops; projectors; portable power; Learning Passport

ProjectorLaptop
EducationK–12
02

Digital learning / adolescent skills

Al-Hol Camp Digital Self-Learning and ICDL Access

Operational since 2022 · Al-Hol camp
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Status / periodOperational since 2022LocationAl-Hol campPopulationOut-of-school adolescents, young mothers and displaced learnersOrganizationsUNICEF Syria; learning-centre partners

Combines learning recovery with practical computer skills for highly marginalized learners.

Activities and approach: Laptops/tablets/mobile; interactive lessons; Learning Passport; ICDL

LaptopTabletComputer / Desktop PC
EducationK–12
03

Digital education for displaced children

Areesha Camp Digital Learning Classes

Operational / documented 2024 · Areesha camp, Al-Hasakeh
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Status / periodOperational / documented 2024LocationAreesha camp, Al-HasakehPopulationDisplaced childrenOrganizationsUNICEF Syria; camp education centre

Provides digital tools and multimedia learning inside a camp with limited education options.

Activities and approach: Digital classes; tablets/computers; multimedia; online platform

TabletComputer / Desktop PC
Education
04

FTTP broadband

Barq Net FTTP National Rollout

2025–ongoing · Initial urban areas with national expansion intent
View details
Status / period2025–ongoingLocationInitial urban areas with national expansion intentPopulationHouseholds and businessesOrganizationsSyrian telecom authorities/operators

Improves telecommunications infrastructure or access, with status/evidence constrained by conflict and limited public reporting.

Activities and approach: FTTP fiber

Fiber / Fixed Broadband InfrastructureTelecommunications / Broadband InfrastructureFTTPFiber/Fiber Optic
05

Digital health / disability inclusion

Digital Case Management for Prosthetic and Rehabilitation Services

Priority for national scale-up from 2026 · Syria
View details
Status / periodPriority for national scale-up from 2026LocationSyriaPopulationPersons with disabilities and rehabilitation usersOrganizationsUNDP Syria; Ministry of Health; rehabilitation providers

Introduces electronic registration and a centralized dashboard to improve continuity, referrals and monitoring.

Activities and approach: Electronic registration; centralized dashboard; case and outcome tracking

06

5G mobile broadband

First 5G Pilot – Syriatel / MTN / Ministry

2025 pilot · Pilot urban sites
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Status / period2025 pilotLocationPilot urban sitesPopulationMobile usersOrganizationsSyrian telecom authorities/operators

Improves telecommunications infrastructure or access, with status/evidence constrained by conflict and limited public reporting.

Activities and approach: 5G radio access network

Mobile / Wireless InfrastructureLast-Mile / Access InfrastructureTelecommunications / Broadband Infrastructure5G
07

Government broadband

Government Network and E-Government Connectivity

Legacy/ongoing · Public institutions
View details
Status / periodLegacy/ongoingLocationPublic institutionsPopulationCitizens and government agenciesOrganizationsSyrian telecom authorities/operators

Improves telecommunications infrastructure or access, with status/evidence constrained by conflict and limited public reporting.

Activities and approach: Government networks; digital services

Telecommunications / Broadband Infrastructure
08

Low-connectivity digital learning

Learning Cinema Low-Power Digital Education Modality

Expanded from 8 to 31 learning centres · Low-electricity and low-internet learning centres
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Status / periodExpanded from 8 to 31 learning centresLocationLow-electricity and low-internet learning centresPopulationChildren affected by conflict, earthquakes and damaged schoolsOrganizationsUNICEF Syria; education partners

Uses preloaded/offline, low-power digital learning where connectivity and electricity are unreliable.

Activities and approach: Preloaded Learning Passport; tablets/laptops; projectors; portable batteries

Power / Resilience InfrastructureProjectorLaptopTablet
EducationK–12
09

Mobile broadband

MTN Syria 3G/HSPA Network Expansion

Legacy/ongoing · Major population centres
View details
Status / periodLegacy/ongoingLocationMajor population centresPopulationMobile subscribersOrganizationsSyrian telecom authorities/operators

Improves telecommunications infrastructure or access, with status/evidence constrained by conflict and limited public reporting.

Activities and approach: 3G/HSPA mobile network

Mobile / Wireless InfrastructureLast-Mile / Access InfrastructureTelecommunications / Broadband Infrastructure3G
10

Broadband strategy implementation

National Broadband Plan 2015

2015–legacy framework · Nationwide
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Status / period2015–legacy frameworkLocationNationwidePopulationConsumers and operatorsOrganizationsSyrian telecom authorities/operators

Improves telecommunications infrastructure or access, with status/evidence constrained by conflict and limited public reporting.

Activities and approach: Broadband planning and targets

Telecommunications / Broadband InfrastructureInfrastructure Planning / Mapping / Funding
11

Fiber backbone

National Fiber Backbone Modernization

Legacy/ongoing · National/provincial routes
View details
Status / periodLegacy/ongoingLocationNational/provincial routesPopulationOperators and institutionsOrganizationsSyrian telecom authorities/operators

Improves telecommunications infrastructure or access, with status/evidence constrained by conflict and limited public reporting.

Activities and approach: Fiber backbone

Fiber / Fixed Broadband InfrastructureBackbone / Backhaul / Middle-Mile InfrastructureTelecommunications / Broadband InfrastructureFiber/Fiber Optic
12

School digital literacy / resilient learning

Safe School Initiative – Digital Learning Corners

Active 2026 · 26 supported schools; example Hama
View details
Status / periodActive 2026Location26 supported schools; example HamaPopulationStudents of different ages and abilitiesOrganizationsUNICEF Syria; Ministry of Education; schools

Creates structured digital-learning spaces inside safer schools to build digital literacy and learning continuity.

Activities and approach: Computers; tablets; online platform; digital-literacy activities

TabletComputer / Desktop PC
EducationK–12
13

National fiber backbone

SilkLink National Fiber Backbone Integration

2025–ongoing · National backbone routes
View details
Status / period2025–ongoingLocationNational backbone routesPopulationISPs and FTTP usersOrganizationsSyrian telecom authorities/operators

Improves telecommunications infrastructure or access, with status/evidence constrained by conflict and limited public reporting.

Activities and approach: National fiber backbone

Fiber / Fixed Broadband InfrastructureBackbone / Backhaul / Middle-Mile InfrastructureTelecommunications / Broadband InfrastructureFTTP
14

Fixed broadband

Syrian Telecom ADSL Fixed-Broadband Expansion

Legacy/ongoing · Urban and provincial exchanges
View details
Status / periodLegacy/ongoingLocationUrban and provincial exchangesPopulationHouseholds and businessesOrganizationsSyrian telecom authorities/operators

Improves telecommunications infrastructure or access, with status/evidence constrained by conflict and limited public reporting.

Activities and approach: ADSL/fixed Internet

Fiber / Fixed Broadband InfrastructureLast-Mile / Access InfrastructureTelecommunications / Broadband InfrastructureADSL/VDSL/DSL
15

Mobile broadband

Syriatel 3G/HSPA Network Expansion

Legacy/ongoing · Major population centres
View details
Status / periodLegacy/ongoingLocationMajor population centresPopulationMobile subscribersOrganizationsSyrian telecom authorities/operators

Improves telecommunications infrastructure or access, with status/evidence constrained by conflict and limited public reporting.

Activities and approach: 3G/HSPA mobile network

Mobile / Wireless InfrastructureLast-Mile / Access InfrastructureTelecommunications / Broadband Infrastructure3G
16

Digital inclusion

UNDP Digital Transformation and Inclusion Support

Ongoing / analytical and capacity support · Nationwide / targeted institutions
View details
Status / periodOngoing / analytical and capacity supportLocationNationwide / targeted institutionsPopulationCitizens and public institutionsOrganizationsSyrian telecom authorities/operators

Improves telecommunications infrastructure or access, with status/evidence constrained by conflict and limited public reporting.

Activities and approach: Digital transformation capacity and inclusion support

Telecommunications / Broadband Infrastructure
17

Digital employment services / livelihoods inclusion

UNDP Digitalized Employment and Entrepreneurship Support Services

Active recovery programming · Crisis-affected communities
View details
Status / periodActive recovery programmingLocationCrisis-affected communitiesPopulationYouth, women, persons with disabilities and job seekersOrganizationsUNDP Syria; labour-market and business partners

Digitalizes employment and entrepreneurship support to improve access to jobs and business opportunities.

Activities and approach: Digital employment support; hubs; mentoring; entrepreneurship services

Workforce
18

Emergency digital learning

UNICEF Digital Learning Continuity in 2026 Emergency Non-Formal Education

Active early 2026 and continuing · Shelters, camps, temporary and home-based learning spaces
View details
Status / periodActive early 2026 and continuingLocationShelters, camps, temporary and home-based learning spacesPopulationChildren affected by renewed displacementOrganizationsUNICEF Syria; education authorities; partners

Integrates digital learning into large-scale non-formal education across disrupted settings.

Activities and approach: Digital learning; self-learning; remedial classes; life skills; psychosocial support

Education
19

Conflict-resilient digital education

UNICEF Nationwide Digital and Distance Learning Scale-Up

Expanded across 14 governorates in 2024–2025 · All 14 governorates
View details
Status / periodExpanded across 14 governorates in 2024–2025LocationAll 14 governoratesPopulationConflict-affected, displaced and out-of-school childrenOrganizationsUNICEF Syria; Ministry of Education; partners

Provides continuity of learning when schools are damaged, inaccessible or interrupted by displacement.

Activities and approach: Digital/distance learning; online/offline content; learning centres; teacher support

EducationK–12
20

STEM digital skills / women-led innovation

Voo STEM and Robotics Learning Initiative

Supported 2024–2025 · Aleppo
View details
Status / periodSupported 2024–2025LocationAleppoPopulationChildren and youth; women innovatorsOrganizationsUNDP Syria; KfW/Government of Germany

Creates hands-on pathways into programming, robotics and AI-related learning.

Activities and approach: Robotics tool; coding exercises; sensors; 3D printing; AI/AR-VR plans

Artificial Intelligence (AI)Robotics3D PrintingVirtual Reality (VR)
Education

Evidence boundary

Read the portfolio as a starting point, not a final verdict.

Project records document interventions and intended contributions; they do not alone prove nationwide coverage, causal impact, or durable closure.

Profiles will deepen as national statistics, policy documents, evaluations, and implementation evidence are incorporated. Source links allow inspection of underlying evidence.

Evidence and contextProfile Sources

These sources support the country-level demographic, geographic, and connectivity context. Sources tied to individual projects remain with their project records and are not repeated here.

  1. Central Intelligence Agency. (n.d.). Syria. The World Factbook. Retrieved September 26, 2026, from https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/syria/
  2. International Telecommunication Union. (n.d.). ITU DataHub: Country ICT data. Retrieved September 26, 2026, from https://datahub.itu.int/
  3. World Bank. (n.d.). Individuals using the Internet (% of population): Syria. World Development Indicators. Retrieved September 26, 2026, from https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/IT.NET.USER.ZS?locations=SY
  4. World Bank. (n.d.). Population, total: Syria. World Development Indicators. Retrieved September 26, 2026, from https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL?locations=SY

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