Last update - 00:00 10/03/2008
Yes to get regulatory OK for triple-play telephony package
By Amir Ziv
Yes Satellite Broadcasting will be permitted to market a triple-play telephony package: Bezeq telephone and Internet - service and infrastructure - from Bezeq and Bezeq International respectively.
This is the main decision made by the Grunau Commission concerning Bezeq, but it will not be implemented immediately.
Yes' mother company Bezeq, on the other hand, will not be allowed to market the same triple package, but Yes will now be able to compete with HOT Telecom, which is already marketing this triple package of services.
This easing of restrictions on Bezeq offsets another of the commission's decisions - that Bezeq must allow other telephony operators to use its infrastructure - a policy called unbundling - which hurt the company's competitive edge.
The commission further decided that HOT will not have to adopt an unbundling policy for its infrastructure now.
The Grunau Commission, charged with examining the structure of competition in Israel's telecommunications sector will be issuing its recommendations tomorrow. The commission was headed by Prof. Reuven Grunau and included representatives from the public and the communication and finance ministries.
The cellular operators are pleased with the recommendations, as the unbundling policy will open competition for land lines.
On the other hand, the commission decided not to allow mobile virtual network operators (MVNO) to function on the cellular infrastructure.
The commission also decided to ease restrictions on Bezeq's rate setting, which until now has been determined by the regulator.
Issues not discussed by the commission include IPTV (television broadcasts via the Internet), content and original productions.
Another commission, also headed by Grunau, will address those issues and submit its recommendations in the summer.