The pilot is intended to test the reliability of the Idan Plus
digital terrestrial television system.
According to market sources, Cellcom, and shortly Partner Communications Ltd. (Nasdaq: PTNR; TASE: PTNR) too, are entering the world of television because the Antitrust Authority is moving in the direction of approving a merger between Bezeq Israeli Telecommunication Co. Ltd. (TASE: BEZQ) and satellite broadcaster Yes.
As negotiations on setting up the wholesale telecommunications market advance, and as bandwidth in telecommunications infrastructures increases so that it is not a technological barrier for anyone wishing to transmit television via the Internet, the existing situation only favors HOT Telecommunication Systems Ltd. (TASE: HOT), the only company allowed to provide a triple package including television, Internet, and telephony. The result is that competition is actually harmed by Bezeq and Yes not merging. In any event, such a amerger will require permission from the Ministry of Communications.