Israel launched its second 5G tender and urged mobile companies to increase the deployment of fifth-generation sites to enable “smart” stadiums and hospitals.
Smart traffic lights using 5G will reduce congestion and accidents, according to Communications Ministry Director General Liran Avisar Ben Horin, who also noted that patients will be able to receive immediate medical care remotely.
The ministry claimed that the introduction of fifth-generation technology, which is 10 times faster than the widely used 4G, would enhance Internet access in crowded urban areas.
It was not specified how much the new frequencies would cost mobile companies, only that cellular operators who share a network will be permitted to participate in the tender either individually or by submitting a joint offer.
Israel allocated three 5G frequencies – 700 MHz, 2.6 GHz and 3.5 GHz – in an auction in 2019 which have since been deployed by mobile operators and are all marginally profitable.