Syrians protest sharp price hikes by Syriatel, MTN
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – Syrian citizens called on Saturday for a boycott of the country’s two major telecommunications providers, Syriatel and MTN, following the introduction of new mobile and internet packages widely criticized as excessively expensive.
Users on social media reported that the new plans have increased prices by more than 100 percent, sparking widespread dissatisfaction.
Many Syrians urged the government to intervene by allowing international telecom companies to enter the market, ending the duopoly held by Syriatel and MTN, fostering competition, and lowering costs.
The decision by both companies to raise prices has provoked public outrage, accompanied by calls to boycott their services as a form of protest against what citizens described as “exploitation” and the “lack of alternatives.”
According to official announcements from Syriatel and MTN, the new packages, activated on Friday, feature significant price increases compared to previous plans.
In addition, both companies eliminated the “hourly packages,” which had previously been the most affordable option for a large segment of users in Syria.
The move underscores the growing frustration among Syrians over limited telecommunications choices, as both Syriatel and MTN maintain a near-total monopoly on the market, leaving users with few alternatives to offset rising costs.
Both Syriatel and MTN officially confirmed that the new packages took effect on Friday, noting the discontinuation of hourly packages.
Syriatel and MTN argued the new pricing reflects operational costs and network improvements, though no detailed breakdown was provided.
The removal of low-cost options disproportionately affects low-income users, prompting renewed calls for market reform and international competition.
Reporting by Abdelsalam Khoja