Israel Railways today received official permission from the Ministry of Communications to provide communications services. Six months ago, Israel Railways applied for a license also to engage in communications. From the outset, the ministry was inclined to respond favourably.
Israel Railways will use existing railway infrastructure services based on optic fibres and specification transmission, deployed over 250 km. of railway lines. The infrastructure operates from Beer Sheva in the south to Kiryat Motzkin in the north. Soon, as the line is expanded, the infrastructure will also reach Rosh Ha'ayin and Kfar Sava.
Twenty five percent of the infrastructure is needed for the railways. The remaining 75% will be offered as communications services to communications operators, such as cellular companies, cable TV companies, Med 1, as well as other companies whose activity is located near the railway lines.
As reported by "Globes", Israel Electric Corporation also wishes to go into the field, and plans to form a subsidiary company to engage in communications. IEC has applied to the Ministry of National Infrastructures and the Ministry of Communications for the necessary permits.
Published by Israel's Business Arena December 29, 1999