"We will bring competitors into the television market through Idan Plus (DTT), which will use IPTV to compete against HOT Telecommunication Systems Ltd. (TASE: HOT) and DBS Satellite Services (1998) Ltd. (YES)," Minister of Communications Moshe Kahlon said at the "Globes" Media Advertising and Digital (MAD) Conference in Tel Aviv today.
"I have no doubt that competition will increase. I see no reason in the world to pay NIS 300 a month for television. When there's competition in this market, I think that prices won't exceed NIS 99 a month," he added.
As for the mobile market, Kahlon said, "We've seen a change in ownership of Partner Communications Ltd. (Nasdaq: PTNR; TASE: PTNR). I am very pleased at Hutchison's entry to Israel. Companies like these, which understand communications, are coming to invest in the future cellular market, demonstrating that it's a safe market with a future and potential."
As for television, Kahlon said, "We are currently consolidating the Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Authority with the Second Television and Radio Broadcasting Authority. This will be a completely independent authority, which will apply defined rules without government interference, and will ultimately save millions of shekels."
Concerning Israel Electric Corporation's (IEC) (TASE: ELEC.B22) fiber optic venture, Kahlon said, "Israel needs fiber optics and improved infrastructures. Our current position in Internet infrastructure is poor. This will ultimately happen, of that I am sure."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on July 11, 2012
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