Planning and Statistics Authority
Project charter
Government Fibre Backbone — Damascus–Homs Segment
APPROVEDV2Approved 2025-05-09
1Project identity
Required at this stage- Project name
- Government Fibre Backbone — Damascus–Homs Segment
- Project code
- PRJ-2026-018
- Project sponsor
- Eng. Khaled Al-KayyaliEng. Khaled Al-KayyaliDeputy President, Digital TransformationP-011khaled.alkayyali@psa.gov.sy
- Project manager
- Eng. George HaddadEng. George HaddadDirector, Data Centres & Government NetworkP-024george.haddad@psa.gov.sy
- Project owner
- Eng. Mazen KassabEng. Mazen KassabDirector General, Government Digital InfrastructureP-017mazen.kassab@psa.gov.sy
- Portfolio & programme
- Reconstruction & Infrastructure PortfolioNational Connectivity & Support Services Programme
- Type & methodology
- Infrastructure · Construction
- Current phase
- 4Execution
2Background & rationale
Required at this stageLaying a government fibre backbone between Damascus and Homs that links the ministries’ directorates and the main and backup data centres — the first segment of the network that will reach every governorate.
3Objectives
Required at this stage- 1Sound governance and effective follow-up of projects and data
- 2Rehabilitate core energy, water and transport infrastructure
4Scope
Required at this stageIn scope
- Laying a government fibre backbone between Damascus and Homs that links the ministries’ directorates and the main and backup data centres — the first segment of the network that will reach every governorate.
- Syrian Arab Building Code compliance
- An approved plan to keep services running for residents during the works
Out of scope
- Operation and maintenance after the warranty period
- Work outside the approved site or system boundary
5High-level requirements
Required at this stage- 1Syrian Arab Building Code compliance
- 2An approved plan to keep services running for residents during the works
- 3Civil-defence requirements
6Deliverables
Required at this stage| 1 | Project management plan | 2025-06-06 |
| 2 | Main deliverable — stage 1 | 2026-03-29 |
| 3 | Main deliverable — final stage | 2026-11-04 |
| 4 | Final report | 2027-01-31 |
7Key milestones
Required at this stage- Charter approved2025-05-09
- Contract signed2025-08-20
- 50% of works complete2026-03-29
- Provisional acceptance2026-12-12
- Closure2027-01-31
8Budget
Required at this stage- Main contract72.0%SYP2.4B
- Supervision & consulting14.0%SYP462.5M
- Internal team9.0%SYP297.5M
- Contingency reserve (5%)5.0%SYP165M
The delivering body’s investment-plan allocationsTotalSYP3.3B
9Timeline
Required at this stage10Key risks
Required at this stage- MediumHigher reinstatement costs after network trenching
- MediumCity councils objecting to digging in built-up neighbourhoods
11Constraints
Required at this stage- Stay within the approved budget
- Comply with the unified contracts law (Law 51 of 2004)
12Assumptions
Required at this stage- Named internal staff available throughout
- Approvals land within the workflow’s action time limits
13Stakeholders
Required at this stage- Project sponsorDecisions and funding
- Project ownerAccepts deliverables, owns benefits
- National Project Management Office (PMO)Governance and compliance
14Success criteria
Required at this stage- 1Delivered within the approved budget
- 2On the approved date ±5%
- 3Target benefits within 12 months
15Governance structure
Required at this stage- Change CommitteeApproves scope, cost and schedule changesWeekly
- Project Approval CommitteeMethodology compliance, data quality, stage gatesFortnightly
- Project management teamDay-to-day control, risks, impediments, the periodic update cardWeekly