Post by : Saif Rahman

Israel has officially sanctioned the upgrade of Palestinian mobile networks in the West Bank to fourth-generation (4G) services. This announcement was made on Tuesday by the Israeli Communications Ministry, signaling a noteworthy improvement in connectivity for Palestinians.

The primary mobile operators in the Palestinian territories, Jawwal and Ooredoo, have finalized agreements with the Swedish tech firm Ericsson to oversee the network transformation. These agreements received Israeli approval on Sunday, paving the way for the upgrade.

Palestinian networks first introduced high-speed 3G services in the West Bank back in 2018, following a lengthy ban on such technology. The current 4G approval stems from a framework agreement made in 2022 between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, which additionally promises the eventual rollout of 5G services. The transition to 4G is projected to take as long as six months.

At present, Palestinian networks persistently compete with Israeli providers that already deliver faster 5G capabilities. Israel is in the process of phasing out older 2G and 3G networks, urging users to upgrade to devices that support 4G and 5G for continuous service.

This 4G development is recognized as a pivotal measure to lessen the technological disparity between Palestinian and Israeli mobile offerings. It aims to enhance internet speeds, foster better communication, and promote economic and social growth for West Bank residents.

While the upgrade won't instantly match the speed of Israel’s 5G, it is anticipated to offer Palestinians a more reliable and faster internet experience suitable for personal and business purposes.

The initiative demonstrates a commitment to modernizing the region’s digital infrastructure, ensuring ongoing technological advancements amidst political and security obstacles.

#Global News