ROSH HAAYIN, Israel—Israel’s Ministry of Communications has awarded third-generation (3G) spectrum to the country’s three incumbent mobile operators and second-generation (2G) spectrum in the 1800 MHz band to Partner Communications Co. and Cellcom. Israel is the first country in the Middle East to award 3G spectrum.
Partner said it will pay the set minimum price of US$52 million for its 3G spectrum in five installments through 2006. The first installment for US$16.1 million is payable 45 days after the spectrum is formally awarded. Partner’s license will be extended through 2012.
Cellcom also paid US$52 million for 3G spectrum, while Pelephone paid just more than the minimum price for its 3G spectrum at US$53.1 million. The sums are much less than those paid for 3G spectrum in Europe.
Partner and Cellcom also paid about US$42.5 million each for 1800 MHz spectrum, which will be used for additional capacity.
Cellcom said it has 2.2 million customers as of December, Pelephone had 1.65 million users as of July and Partner has 1.3 million subscribers.
