Leading Israeli mobile operator Cellcom has signed a 4G network sharing agreement with competitor Golan Telecom.
Under the agreement, Golan will use Cellcom’s 4G radio network for at least five years and nine months.
Both companies are also required…
Leading Israeli mobile operator Cellcom has signed a 4G network sharing agreement with competitor Golan Telecom.
Under the agreement, Golan will use Cellcom’s 4G radio network for at least five years and nine months.
Both companies are also required to provide frequencies for the operation of the network and will need to purchase and operate their own core network.
Last December Cellcom, Golan and Pelephone, another mobile operator in the country, agreed to share a 4G network and passive cell site elements in an effort to cut costs.
The local authorities reportedly objected to the original deal.
But the communications ministry recently drafted a new policy, prompting the companies to make adjustments to their agreement in the hope to secure approval.
The new partnership as well as a previous 2G/3G pact between the two companies, announced in 2013, are subject to approval from the antitrust commissioner and the communications ministry, Cellcom said.
Just days ago, rivals Hot Mobile and Partner Communications, which operates under the Orange brand, received regulatory approval with “minor conditions” for a similar 4G network sharing deal.
The nature of the conditions demanded by the Israeli antitrust authority has not been revealed. The partnership is also subject to final approval from Israel’s communications ministry, Hot’s parent Altice said last week.
