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'Hallo' enters cellular market
Long distance carrier acquires mobile virtual network operator 'Five' for NIS 10M; Set to offer full communications packages for NIS 160 per month
Long distance carrier "Hallo 015" and mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) "Five" have merged. The merged company is set to launch activity in the cellular market, Calcalist learned.
Negotiations between the two companies began about two months ago. After signing the merger agreement in the past few days, "Hallo" has relocated "Five" and staff to its own headquarters.
Mobile Phones
Gilad Nass, Calcalist
OECD survey reviewed by Calcalist shows that Israeli mobile phone users enjoy relatively low connectivity fees compared with their OECD counterparts
Hallo will presumably pay NIS 10 million for "Five" assets and is expected to introduce its virtual mobile services to the market in the next several months under the prefix 055-44.
According Five's agreements, "Pelephone" and "Partner" will host "Hallo" on their networks to enable the latter to support second and third generation devices, as opposed to Rami Levi's network which only supports third generation devices.
In the upcoming weeks, "Hallo," operated by "Hilat" (The Israeli Communication Company), will launch a communications package, which includes text messaging and unlimited cellular internet at less than NIS 160 a month.
"Hallo" believes that offering all-you-can-eat services coupled with a higher-than-average tariff will ensure the company does not incur losses from subscribers' overuse of the services.
The company will also offer especially low rates for cellular internet services and airtime for its customers aboard thanks to its agreements with overseas providers. "Hilat" declined to comment. "Five" was unavailable for comment.
