Israel to Permit MVNOs into the Market

Israel's Ministry of Communications has announced that it is to permit the use of MVNOs in the Israeli market. The Ministry said that several companies have already expressed their interest, with regard to all the different models existing in the world, including full MVNO.

Minister of Communications Ariel Attias: "The entry of additional operators to the mobile sector will change the game and will alter the balance that has prevailed among the companies in the recent years; any step taken to increase the competition in this sector, ultimately assists in reducing prices for the consumer, mainly in the private sector. We believe that the entry of more mobile operators to this market, along with the already existing number mobility, will boost the competition among the companies and will encourage them to come up with more attractive offers for the customers".

The Ministry of Communications has prepared a draft "License for the provision of mobile telephony services involving the use of a mobile telephony network of another company", and has laid down the main conditions and requirements of applying for an MVNO license.

Posted to the site on 28th January 2009