Reports confirm that Israel has recently introduced a tender for 5G next-gen mobile networks, citing that the discounts offered to mobile phone operators who are struggling against fierce competition will attract bids. Apparently, the Israel's telecoms regulator would expect three groups to bid, including a combination of operators to reduce on costs. It anticipates announcing winners by the end of 2019 with commercial launch expected to begin in 2020 and continuing through 2023. According to the communications ministry, 5G is essential to develop education, agriculture, and health sectors, as well as self-driving cars and smart cities. The three main telecom operators of Israel are Partner Communications, Cellcom, and Pelephone which are struggling to remain profitable in a country with nine mobile providers and nine million people, after a revamp of the industry in 2012. Sources familiar with the matter mentioned that during the revamp period, a host of new operators triggered a price war that led to sharp drops in revenue, subscribers, and profits for the three leading players. All-inclusive surfing, calling, and text packages are on offer with a price of $8 or 29 shekels a month. Seemingly, in 2018, revenues in the mobile sector dropped by 5.6%, however the carriers will possibly invest in 5G to reinforce and speed up their networks to meet the rising demand. Despite its vivid tech sector, Israel is lagging behind other countries like Switzerland, South Korea, Spain, and Britain that have already commenced roll out of 5G services. Under the tender, Israel will auction frequencies which range from 700 MHz to 2100 MHz, that are also suitable for 4G, to 2600-3800 MHz that will be used for 5G services, like self-driving cars, sources added. Deputy Director General of the Ministry, Ofer Raz-Dror, stated that Israel has created the tender so it might not cost anything to the companies as the country does not intend to follow the high-priced tenders in Germany and Italy. Source Credit: https://in.reuters.com/article/israel-telecoms-5g/israel-holds-5g-mobile-network-tender-aims-for-2020-launch-idINKCN1U90C2