Israeli mobile operators raise prices

Israeli mobile operators are raising their prices as part of efforts offset the planned increase in termination rates from January. According to Globes, Cellcom will raise the usage fees in some of its packages. It will also raise rates for subscribers who have no commitment period. The company said that the average rate hike is 4 percent; the price for some plans will rise by up to 20 percent. Interconnection fees will fall 73 percent to ILS 0.068 per minute in January 2011, and will fall to ILS 0.055 per minute in 2014. In early September, Cellcom said that the reduction will reduce its annual net profit by ILS 320 million, and reduce its annual EBITDA by ILS 420 million. Partner Communications, which does business as Orange, already instituted an increase of 3.5 percent this month. Pelephone will be boosting its rates by 4.4 percent on average on 1 January for customers not on a fixed-term plan, The Marker reported.