Communications Ministry cuts Bezeq prices

• Published date: 15 December 2020
• Author: Gad Perez
• Date: 15 December 2020

After 17 years in which Bezeq's telephony tariffs have not been updated, prolonged staff work at the Ministry of Communications has been concluded, and Hendel decided to announce a hearing on reducing Bezeq's domestic fixed-line charges, as part of a review of the supervision mechanism and of the level of controlled charges for this service. The proposed revision to the tariffs will mean lower charges for Bezeq's domestic fixed-line subscribers and will save the public about NIS 400 million annually (including VAT).

The change will reduce the monthly payment by Bezeq subscribers by 40% from NIS 50-60 to NIS 30-40 (including VAT), reducing households' telephone bills by hundreds of shekels a year.

The ministry recommends a uniform fixed monthly charge of NIS 20.82 before VAT (NIS 24.36 after VAT). This is nearly 60% less than the current fixed charge. The per-minute call price will fall to NIS 0.012.

In addition, under the new tariffs, all the alternative payment schemes will be abolished, and all Bezeq subscribers will switch to the "basic" scheme, namely separate payments for the fixed charge and for calls. Those who prefer a single fixed payment will be able to join the service package offered that is limited to 500 call minutes.

The ministry is setting the new fixed charge and call charges as maximum amounts...