The Ministry of Communications has decided to allow cellular companies to market preferred communication services PTT and POC, to the security forces and bodies that provide critical services to the Israeli public in emergencies.
The services will operate on the commercial cellular networks (4th and 5th generation), and will allow these forces stable communication in emergencies and exceptional loads on the cellular networks, thus improving their efficiency and speed of response in favor of saving lives and public peace.
To date, the bodies that provide critical services to the public in Israel (Israel Police, Magen David Adom, Fire and Rescue, Home Front Command and more), have established operational communication systems on dedicated infrastructures and frequencies to use voice calls through the PTT mechanism.
But due to the lack of the frequency resource, and the high costs required in the construction and maintenance of dedicated infrastructure, the emergency and rescue bodies operate operational technological systems that also make use of the commercial cellular infrastructure.
In such a situation, giving priority to rescue and security agencies in emergencies is a vital move.
However, the ministry has decided to set a maximum rate of 3% of the total subscriptions on the network, for emergency services, so that there will be no fear of material damage to the service provided to other subscribers of the cellular companies.
In addition, the number of bodies that can receive this service has been defined in cooperation with the National Emergency Authority (RAHL).
Minister of Communications Yoaz Handel, Photo: Yonatan Zindel / Flash 90
The Minister of Communications, Yoaz Handel
, stated that "In emergencies such as an attack or a multi-casualty incident, the security and rescue forces should communicate with those who are in the arena and receive priority in cellular networks. Conversations due to the congestion, in order to ensure fast and beneficial treatment for the wounded in the field and save lives. "
Director General of the Ministry of Communications, Liran Avishar Ben-Horin:
"We have decided to allow cellular companies to provide critical and priority services to security and rescue services over the commercial network in emergencies to ensure optimal functioning for the benefit of the Israeli public, while preventing significant harm to other cellular companies' subscribers."