BUCHAREST, Romania-Israel’s GSM operator Partner, which operates under the Orange brand, has sent to the Ministry of Communications a request to delay receiving its remaining GSM 1800 MHz frequencies by a year.
The delay is needed to introduce in Israel the Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) standard for homes and businesses in early 2004. The DECT standard is used now in Europe as a solution for cordless communications in business or as a dual solution in GSM/DECT networks.
“We were approached by the Ministry of Communications with a request to which we have responded,” said Dr. Dan Eldar, vice president of carrier, international and investor relations for Partner. “These are very initial discussions and no decision or final position by any of the parties has yet been crystallized.”
Partner has an 1800 MHz license in Israel and currently uses part of the frequencies. However, part of the 1800 MHz band is used by the military, which is leaving the spectrum by 2005. In the meantime, the government would like the additional allocation of 1800 MHz spectrum to be used for DECT.
