Israeli committee recommends lower fixed interconnection fee

Israel's committee charged with regulating the telecommunication industry has recommended an immediate reduction in fixed interconnection fees, similar to the recent cut in mobile termination fees. According to Globes, the Hayek committee recommended cutting the fees from the current ILS 0.042 per minute at peak hours and ILS 0.022 per minute at off-peak hours to ILS 0.01 per minute or zero. The Hayek committee will probably publish its recommendations next week. The committee debated whether to cut the fee immediately or to wait for the recommendations of the consultancy firm hired to price the costs of the Bezeq network. According to Globes, the Hayek committee also discussed whether Bezeq should be allowed to continue charging user fees. Most committee members want the practice ended, and that will probably be the final recommendation.