Cell phone symphony in Israel

April 14, 2011 - 9:48 AM by David

The Hebrew papers and TV news covered it this week like it was a major diplomatic development, analyzing it this way and that and providing pages and pages of insight. A breakthrough between the Israelis and the Palestinians?

Nope, just the announcement of the winners of a government tender for two companies to enter the lucrative cell phone market by establishing their own cellular phone infrastructure in 2012. The winners? Mirs Communications and Maraton Telecom’s Xfone 018.

It makes sense that it was covered with the fanfare of a peace treaty being signed. Israelis are cell-phone crazy, leading the world in per capita usage. According to Communications Minister Moshe Kahlon, the expansion of the cell phone market beyond Cellcom, Orange and Pelephone will mean a reduction in prices to us – the consumers.

“This will complete the reform in the communications market, which aims to increase competition in the cellular service branch. The tender’s results are expected to transform the cellular market in Israel. A more competitive market will reduce prices, improve consumers services and of course, will upgrade the technological innovation,” he said.

The new cellular service providers will be required to gradually set up their own networks, and their coverage is expected to reach 10% of the country by February 2012. The carriers will be able to use antennae belonging to existing carriers in regions where they have yet to establish infrastructure. The carriers are expected to provide coverage to 40% of the country in four years, and 90% in seven years.

Sounds like good news, especially for those of us who are currently puzzled by all the hidden charges we see in our monthly cell phone bills and the surly service we receive by the companies’ reps. Maybe the new companies will even make use of the technology of Israel’s Extreme Reality, which as reported by ISRAEL21c, lets you use your mobile phones with just a flick of the hand.

Maybe they could do the same thing with our cell phone bills – make them go away with the flick of a hand.

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