All five Israeli mobile network operators and a new market entrant have won airwaves in the country’s 4G spectrum auction, which raised a total NIS250.5m (US$63.6m).
Largest player Cellcom has been awarded 3 MHz in the 1,800 MHz band for NIS6.5m…
All five Israeli mobile network operators and a new market entrant have won airwaves in the country’s 4G spectrum auction, which raised a total NIS250.5m (US$63.6m).
Largest player Cellcom has been awarded 3 MHz in the 1,800 MHz band for NIS6.5m (US$1.6m) per MHz.
Pelephone Communications has received 5 MHz for NIS6.4m (US$1.6m) per MHz, while Partner Communications, Golan Telecom and Hot Mobile have each secured 5 MHZ, paying NIS6.7m (US$1.7m), NIS6.8m (US$1.73m) and NIS6.9m (US$1.75m) per MHz respectively.
Newcomer Marathon 018, owned by local businessman Hezi Bezalel, has been awarded 5 MHz for NIS6.6m (US$1.67m) per MHz.
Cellcom received less spectrum as it already has 1,800 MHz frequencies.
In a statement, the ministry of communications noted that winning operators will be allowed to share spectrum.
They are required to launch 4G services using the newly-acquire airwaves within a year of receiving their licences and the ministry expects they will do so in 2015.
Tel Aviv-listed Partner, which operates under the Orange brand, and Hot Mobile already have a network sharing agreement and plan to share their newly-acquired airwaves.
Partner made an unsuccessful last-ditch attempt to alter the auction’s terms, reportedly alleging that they favoured smaller rivals, granting them concessions which will allow them to continue to offer reduced prices.
Under the auction terms, Golan, Hot and Marathon could get a discount on awarded spectrum if their market share increases in future.
