2012 Israel - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband

Stronger competition is benefitting consumers

Israel boasts one of the few markets in the Middle East with strong competition across all market sectors. Recent developments have only intensified competition to the benefit of consumers.

Within the fixed telephony and broadband market telecoms incumbent Bezeq competes with major cable TV operator HOT and alternative telcos. Fixed market competition has been made possible by a number of regulatory initiatives, initially the encouragement of infrastructure-based competition and later development of a viable wholesale market. The government plans to implement a number of regulatory measures to further encourage competition, including obliging dominant providers to offer wholesale services on a non-discriminatory basis with no discounts for size and implementing accounting separation.

Unlike other Middle East markets the government no longer holds any significant stake in the incumbent and hence is able to focus on encouraging competition.

In the fixed broadband market healthy infrastructure competition exists between DSL and cable. Bezeq announced in early 2013 it was brining fibre closer to customers, moving beyond Fibre-to-the-Curb (FttC) towards Fibre-to-the-Home (FttH). HOT has already implemented DOCSIS 3.0 technology to offer speeds of up to 100Mb/s. A proposal to introduce a new FttH fibre operator backed by the incumbent power utility, Israel Electric Corporation (IEC), is underway although the government has struggled to find willing investors.

The majority of Israeli households subscribe to cable or satellite TV, provided by HOT and YES TV respectively. Free-to-Air (FTA) programming is also available via a Digital terrestrial TV (DTTV) network. The Ministry of Communications is keen to break up the HOT/YES duopoly by introducing IPTV-based competition, with estimates that competition could reduce tariffs by over 60%.

Israel boasts five mobile network operators and very high penetration rates. The launch of a fifth mobile network, Hot Mobile, in May 2012 intensified competition characterised by reduced tariffs, introduction of ‘unlimited’ communication products and the launching of new brands targeted at the cost conscious market segment. A number of MVNOs also offer services although their impact has been minimal in terms of overall market share.

With the voice market at saturation, operators have deployed 3G/HSPA infrastructure to underpin development of the mobile broadband market. However the established mobile operators have also diversified through acquisition of fixed line players and are looking to diversify further by launching IPTV-based pay TV services.

Key telecom parameters – 2011; 2013

(Source: BuddeComm)