News
Ministry of Communications will allow Cellcom, Partner to take part in troubled fibre network venture.
The Israeli government this week gave the green light to plans by two of the country’s major mobile operators to invest in a company that is rolling out fibre network infrastructure.
The Ministry of Communications approved an application by Cellcom and Partner Communications to invest in Israel Broadband Company (IBC), which is part-owned by state firm the Israel Electric Corporation (IEC), along with various private sector partners. It is rolling out a high-speed fibre broadband network alongside IEC’s infrastructure.
The Ministry said it welcomed investment from the mobile operators, since it would help accelerate the deployment of advanced infrastructure in the country. In a local language statement, the Ministry also noted that the move would help open up the Israeli fixed-line market, which is currently dominated by incumbent operator Bezeq.
The fibre network will help support the deployment of advanced technologies and services, such as 5G mobile, the Internet of Things, and multichannel TV, it added.
According to Reuters, the Ministry’s decision overturns a previous ruling in which it sought to block the move.
IBC is strapped for cash, the newswire added.
