For the first time since the 1990s, Israel plans to allocate cellular frequencies to the Palestinian Authority, sources inform “Globes”. The current plan revolves around 3G frequency bands that could, in the future, be used for 4G services.
This is an exceptional event, as Israel for many years adamantly refused to provide the PA with frequency bands, mainly for security reasons. In recent months, Palestinian firms conducted talks with the Palestinian Ministry of Communications, with the involvement of the Israeli Ministry of Communications, and arrived at an agreement whereby Israel will offer the Palestinians two bands in 2100 MHz range.
The Palestinian Authority has two cellular operators Jawwal from the Paltel Group and Wataniya. The two mobile service providers have long suffered from a shortage in operating bands; the allocation by Israel is expected to significantly improve the cellular service in the Palestinian territories.
Jawwal shares frequencies with Israeli operator Partner. It is certainly possible that more Palestinian firms would enter frequency sharing agreements with Israeli companies in the future.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on August 13, 2015
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