Prices for overseas vacation packages have dropped almost 50 percent as surprisingly few Israelis have signed up. For example, you can get a last minute package to Anatalya in Turkey for two nights with everything included at $175 per person; or a charter flight to Munich, Germany for $222. However, travel agents are expecting better for the Sukkot holiday staring next Wednesday night, as demand is forecast to increase starting Sunday due to a large number of cheap vacations on offer. Prices for Sukkot vacations have already fallen 35 percent, according to the Daka90 Web site that offers last-minute deals. (Irit Rosenblum)

Rocket-plagued Sderot will at least be getting the communications technology of the future before anyone else in the country. The Communications Ministry decided to approve a test of WiMax wireless technology in the southern city. Communications company 012 Telecom, also know as Smile Communications resulting from the merger of Internet Service Providers Golden Lines and Internet Gold, has been granted a license to expand its testing of WiMax to schools and kindergartens in the Sderot area. The test will last for a year. WiMax is used for both mobile and fixed communications. It is used instead of building expensive land-line infrastructure in developing nations, and in developed countries such as Israel it is expected to increase competition. 012 is running the tests in conjunction with Intel, Alvarion and other technology companies. WiMax will be used to supply Internet access and telephone services in the schools. All together 120 users will enjoy the free experimental service. (Eran Gabay)