Post by : Saif
Al-Najjar
Israel has authorized Palestinian mobile operators in the West Bank to enhance their infrastructure with fourth-generation (4G) mobile services. The Israeli Communications Ministry announced this development on Tuesday, highlighting a crucial move towards improving connectivity for Palestinian residents.
The primary Palestinian mobile operators, Jawwal and Ooredoo, have formalized agreements with Sweden's Ericsson to oversee this network enhancement. The agreements received approval from Israeli authorities on Sunday, paving the way for the upgrade process.
Palestinian networks first introduced 3G services in the West Bank in 2018, following a lengthy prohibition on local 3G technology. This recent 4G approval aligns with a framework deal established in 2022 between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, which lays the groundwork for future 5G technology introductions. The entire upgrade is projected to take six months.
Currently, Palestinian providers are in competition with Israeli companies that already offer advanced 5G services. Israel is in the process of winding down older 2G and 3G networks, advising users to transition to devices supporting 4G and 5G for seamless service.
This 4G upgrade is considered a pivotal step towards bridging the technological divide between Palestinian and Israeli mobile services, promising enhanced internet speeds and better communication capabilities, thereby fostering economic growth and social development in the West Bank.
Although this upgrade will not immediately match 5G speeds, it is anticipated to deliver a more stable and quicker network for both personal and commercial use for Palestinians.
This initiative reflects a commitment to modernizing the region's digital landscape, striving for technological advancement despite ongoing political and security issues.
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