Minister of Communications Handel: "Our big task is to reduce the gap created so far" • Minister of Finance Katz: "Sees great importance in developing broad infrastructure in all parts of the country" • After completing the legislative process, Bezeq will select the deployment areas

• Minister of Communications Yoaz Handel // Photo: Oren Ben Hakon

The infrastructure revolution is in full swing: While the fifth generation tender (5G) is currently underway, Finance Minister Israel Katz and Communications Minister Yoaz Handel will bring to the government's approval on Sunday the fiber-optic outline designed to open and accelerate Israel's communications infrastructure deployment.

This is a historic decision that will open a decade-long traffic jam and bring to Israel's networks ultra-broadband communications infrastructure. Fiber optic technology is the next generation of communications infrastructure that will provide high-speed Internet, and is expected to lead to economic growth and the development of advanced uses over the network. The speed of surfing on a fiber is dramatically higher than the speed of surfing in the old infrastructure. 

After completing the legislative process, Bezeq will select the deployment areas, and will be required to deploy all households in these areas within a maximum period of five years. To ensure that each home has advanced infrastructure, along with maintaining competition in the market, the communications companies will be charged 0.5% of their income to a dedicated fund.

The fund funds will be used to deploy competing companies in areas where there is no commitment to deploy. The money will be allocated in a tender in which Bezeq will not be able to participate. In areas where Bezeq chooses not to deploy optical fibers, it will be banned from deploying for a period of five years. In addition, it will not be able to benefit from the money incentives for deployment in these areas.

The required amendment to the legislation will be brought by the Minister of Finance for approval by the Knesset within the framework of the Economic Plan Law, and after the decision, the ball will be in Bezeq's hands. "I see great importance in developing broad infrastructure in all parts of the country that will lead to technological and employment development," said Finance Minister Israel Katz. "On Sunday, I will bring to the government for approval the outline of fiber optics designed to accelerate the deployment of communications infrastructure in Israel." Many of whom I lead will lead to competition, innovation, development and growth of the economy and the economy. "

The Minister of Communications, Yoaz Handel, commented on the decision and said: "This is great news for the State of Israel, a traffic jam of a decade has opened. Internet surfing and communications infrastructure are not allowed but necessary. Where there is communications infrastructure there is growth in the labor market, GDP growth and population "This is what Zionism 2020 looks like, next to the plow line, the fiber line."

Handel added that "within the borders of the State of Israel and in the center. The government decides here to bring a new priority. Our big task is to reduce the gap created so far, deploy quickly and advance the Israeli economy. It opens a decade by removing regulatory barriers while promising Israeli citizens That they have future job opportunities in the periphery and start-up companies that have a good reason to stay here and develop. '