News Brief

(IsraelNN.com) The Knesset Economics Committee will decide today if Israel will get a fifth mobile communications provider. The Economic Arrangements Bill which accompanies the state budget calls for the addition of a new cell phone company, without its own infrastructure, that will be based on existing mobile networks.

This week marks the final opportunity for current operators to voice objections to a new competitor. The Knesset will vote on the entire arrangements bill in July and, pending passage, a fifth provider will enter the market. A few companies including Hot, 012 Smile, Xfone and Israel Post have expressed interest in becoming the new provider. The new player will have six months to come to an agreement with one of the other four companies for use of its infrastructure.