Mobile Internet in Israel is Getting Faster
5G is Coming Quick
The Ministry of Communications has published its second frequency tender for 5G internet. Intended for Israel’s major cellular providers, this tender should significantly improve the speed of the country’s new mobile internet network.
On December 7th, Israel’s Ministry of Communications, in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance, published its second frequency tender for the fifth generation (5G) of mobile cellular networks. This tender intends to expand the coverage and capabilities of 5G technology throughout Israel. According to the tender, national providers will gain access to additional frequencies in the fifth-generation network, including 2,500 MHz frequencies in the 26 GHz range. Later additional frequencies will be allocated to “private” fifth-generation networks, which will be used as part of the development of smart cities.
The Ministry of Communication notes that fifth-generation networks offer broadband-like speeds, allowing them to serve consumers who use network-heavy services. Such services include video calls, augmented reality, and similar technologies that rely on far-reaching and stable cellular data connections. Furthermore, the fifth generation should provide a much higher degree of reliability. Plus, it has the strength to incorporate devices into the Internet of Things (IoT), such as traffic lights, sensors, and security cameras.
When referring to the advancement, the outgoing Minister of Communications, Yoaz Hendel, says:
“In the past two years, the Ministry of Communications has become a pillar of the government ministries in lowering barriers and encouraging innovation. Strengthening the frequency inventory for the cellular companies will improve the quality of the cellular network in the city centers - areas of high density where the demand for stable and advanced technology increases as populations grow.
He continues: “Generation 5 is the basis for the Internet of Things and an environment saturated with sensors. My goal is Israeli technological leadership in areas such as agriculture, education, industry, and medicine. I am leaving an office that leads in the pace of deployment of optical fibers and also becomes a leader in innovative technologies and applications of the fifth generation.”
Why it matters
Liran Avisher Ben-Horin, the Director General of The Ministry of Communications, adds: “The fifth-generation applications will break into our lives by storm. Private networks will make stadiums and hospitals smart, safe, and fast. Smart traffic lights will prevent road congestion and traffic accidents. Patients anywhere in Israel can receive medical treatments remotely, all at the click of a button.”
Ben-Horin concludes: “I call on the cellular companies to deploy 5G sites all over the country to improve the quality of life of their customers and place Israel at the forefront of global innovation.”
Do personal users actually need it?
If you are a technologically spoiled American living in Israel like myself, you might love to hear good news about how technology is going to improve your quality of life. In this case, the benefits may not be so felt by the general public. From my apartment or anywhere near by in Talbiyah I can hotspot from my phone and get a whopping 98.63 Mbps with multiple tabs open at the same time.
That being said if 5G is going to make hospitals safer and run better and help with traffic, it's certainly something to celebrate.