Wafa Telecom (Arabic: وفا تيليكوم) is the third mobile operator in Syria. The other two being Syriatel and MTN Syria.
 | |
Native name | وفا تيليكوم |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2017 |
| Headquarters | Abd Al-Rahman Shahbander Street, |
Area served | Syria |
Key people | Ghassan Saba (CEO) |
| Products | Mobile network operator, GSM, 3G, 4G / LTE, 5G |
| Services | Telecommunications & Data |
| Website | wafa-telecom |
It is granted the exclusive rights to operate 5G in Syria. They performed the first test of the technology in 2023.[1][2] The company plans to build 750 radio stations by the start of 2023.[3] They aim to acquire 1.5 million users in three years and cover 80% of Syria in 5 years and 90% of it in 10 years.[4]
Its ownership has links to Iran's Revolutionary Guard.[5][6]
History
editWafa was established in 2017.[7] On February 21, 2022, Syria's telecommunications authority granted the company a mobile license. It is the third company in Syria to get that license.[8][9]
Ownership
editAt launch of their 5G test, Syrian minister of telecommunication claimed that the company is a completely national operator, implying Syrian ownership. But didn't clarify individuals or entities that own the company.[1]
Two senior businessmen told Reuters that ‘Influential businessmen with close ties to government officials are key investors in the company’.[8] Other various local sources also reported that company is directly linked with the presidential palace.[7][10][11]
Iranian links
editAn investigation between Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OOCRP) and the Observatory of Political and Economic Networks revealed a hidden link between the company and Iran Revolutionary Guard. Arabian Business Company (ABC), which owns 52% of Wafa Telecom, is itself owned by a Malaysian company called Tioman Golden Treasure. This Malaysian company is owned by Iranian Azim Monzavi which is sanctioned by the U.S which described him as ‘An IRGC official who facilitates oil sales’.[5][12]
While Iran has not officially acknowledged ownership of Wafa, it signed a contract for cooperation in communication (a mobile network operator) with Syria in 2017.[13][14] The head of the joint commission for economic cooperation between Iran and Syria mentioned in 2023 that Iran is launching a mobile operator in Syria soon. But didn't confirm whether it is Wafa or another company.[15]
References
edit- ^ a b "بحضور نجل الرئيس الأسد...إطلاق تقنية "جي 5" للمرة الأولى في سوريا... صور وفيديو" [In the presence of President Al-Assad's son...the launch of "5G" technology for the first time in Syria...photos and video]. Sputnik Arabic (in Arabic). 2023-06-08. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
- ^ "The first 5G test in Syria". Wafa Telecom. Archived from the original on 2024-03-01. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
- ^ سلوم, رامي (2022-08-11). دحدل, قسيم (ed.). ""وفا تيليكوم" تفتح باب التوظيف وتعتزم تركيب 750 محطة خاصة بداية العام المقبل" ["Wafa Telecom" opens the door to employment and intends to install 750 stations at by the beginning of next year]. Al-Ba'ath (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 2024-07-10. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
- ^ خازم, بلال (2022-05-31). "المشغل الثالث ملتزم بموعد بدء خدماته ... سابا لـ«الوطن»: نطمح للوصول إلى 1.5 مليون مشترك خلال ثلاث سنوات .. يستطيع المشتركون الجدد الاحتفاظ بأرقامهم ذاتها" [The third operator is committed to the start date of its services... Saba to Al-Watan: We aspire to reach 1.5 million subscribers within three years. New subscribers can keep their same numbers]. Al-Watan (Syria) (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 2024-03-02. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
- ^ a b Sabbagh, Rana; Dihmis, Lara; Shahrour, Sami; Shaar, Karam; Dziadosz, Alexander; Greenwald, Jacob (2022-12-09). "Syria's Newest Mobile Operator Has A Hidden Link to Iran's Revolutionary Guard". Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project. Archived from the original on 2024-04-04. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
- ^ "Iran Ramps Up Pressure on Damascus for Debt Recovery via Investments". Asharq Al-Awsat. Damascus. 2024-04-29. Archived from the original on 2024-05-08. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
- ^ a b al-Mahmoud, Hussam (2021-06-20). "Wafa Telecom: Asma al-Assad pulling the rug out from under Rami Makhlouf". Enab Baladi. Archived from the original on 2024-03-02. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
- ^ a b Mohamed, Moataz; Makieh, Kinda; al-Khalidi, Suleiman (2022-02-21). Baum, Bernadette (ed.). "Syria awards third mobile telecoms licence to Wafa -state media". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2022-12-23. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
- ^ al-Allouni, Rafah; al-Jazaeri, Ruaa (2022-02-21). "3rd mobile network operator launched in Syria". Syrian Arab News Agency. Archived from the original on 2022-09-22. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
- ^ أبو سهيل, فتحي (2020-12-20). "مصدر يكشف لتلفزيون سوريا تفاصيل عن المشغل الثالث للخلوي بسوريا" [A source reveals to Syria TV details about the third cellular operator in Syria]. Syria TV (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 2022-10-01. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
- ^ محمد, عبير (2021-11-13). ""وفا تيليكوم" بديل "سيريتل".. السيطرة لأسماء الأسد؟" ["Wafa Telecom" is an alternative to "Syriatel"... is it under control of Asma al-Assad?]. الحل نت (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 2023-06-07. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
- ^ Sallon, Hélène (2022-12-12). "Syria's newest cell phone operator is under the control of Iran's Revolutionary Guards". Le Monde. Archived from the original on 2023-06-17. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
- ^ R., Melhem; H., Zain; H., Said (2017-01-17). "Syria and Iran sign five contracts on economic cooperation". Syrian Arab News Agency. Archived from the original on 2024-07-10. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
- ^ Sharafedin, Bozorgmehr (2017-01-17). Goodman, David (ed.). "Iran to operate mobile service network in Syria". Reuters.
- ^ انتظاری, مجید (2023-07-31). "ورود سیم کارت‌های ایرانی به زودی در سوریه" [Arrival of Iranian SIM cards soon in Syria]. Iranian Students' News Agency (in Persian). Archived from the original on 2023-08-13. Retrieved 2024-07-05.