Stc wins bid for Syria’s US$800m Silklink fibre project

Details: John Tanner; Category: Optical & Fixed Networks; 09 February 2026; 6395 views

Saudi Arabian telco stc Group announced on Sunday it has signed a deal to build the Syrian government’s SAR 3 billion (US$800 million) Silklink project that aims to boost Syria’s optical fibre infrastructure and create a regional internet hub.

Stc said it signed the deal after winning a competitive tender for the project, without giving specifics on how much the contract is worth or who else bid for the project, apart from “most regional telecommunications companies”.

Last year, Reuters reported that the Syrian government was in talks with Zain, Etisalat, stc and Ooredoo regarding a US$300 million project to expand the country’s fibre-optic network.

Silklink is the brainchild of the Syrian Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, which launched the project in May 2025 to enhance telecoms infrastructure and connect Syria regionally and internationally.

The project proposes to build a 4,500 km fibre-optic network across the country, as well as establish data centres and international subsea cable landing stations. Silklink will provide high data transfer capacities and greater reliability, enabling telecom operators in Syria and the region to offer advanced communication services, and support digital applications, cloud services and the Internet of Things.

Meanwhile, Stc said in a statement that it sees the Silklink project as an extension of its own strategy to expand its investments in cross-border digital infrastructure, and to build a regional connectivity system linking Arab, Asian and European markets.

Following the ouster of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, Syria has been making moves to rebuild critical digital infrastructure after 14 years of civil war and decades of Western sanctions. Syria’s new leadership has pledged to accelerate improvements in public services, including communications.

In July 2025, the Ministry of Communications and Technology signed an MoU with Saudi Arabia-based Etihad Salam Telecom Company to develop and expand access to digital infrastructure in Syria.

In October last year, Syria reportedly signed an agreement with Medusa Submarine Cable System to establish the country’s first international subsea cable connection.