Israel – Rabbis Claim Bezeq Delaying Kosher Internet

Israel – The rabbinical committee on telecommunications may pursue an arrangement with HOT if no agreement is reached with Bezeq.

Bezeq has been dragging its heels in the cooperation on kosher Internet access between it and the rabbinical committee on communications, say sources.

The two sides had agreed on the requirements and conditions for cooperation in the provision of “obscenity-free” Internet services to users in the haredi sector, but virtually no progress has been made in recent months, despite the media attention and the headlines announcing the launch of commercial services last year.

The sources say that Bezeq fears it could lose revenue because of the fact that haredi customers can obtain kosher Internet and VoIP-based telephony services from rival providers.

Since Bezeq’s international telephony services is still unable to offer VoIP telephony because of the Ministry of Communications policy, the ones likely to benefit are its competitors which are already able to offer the haredi sector both kosher Internet services and kosher telephony services tailored to the haredi sector’s needs.

Haredi customers are, in effect, likely to opt for Bezeq International’s competitors because of this.

The rabbinical committee would nevertheless prefer to work through Bezeq, given that the Hot Cable Systems has not been rolled out in the places and communities they live in.
However, should they fail to reach agreement with Bezeq, the rabbis will pursue an alternative arrangement with HOT.