Pelephone announced a significant breakthrough in the Israeli cellular market with the launch of the first independent 5G Stand Alone network, in collaboration with global company Ericsson. The launch of the new network, called 5G MAX, will be operational in the coming weeks, allowing customers to enjoy significantly improved browsing experience, including wider content, high traffic rates, low latency, and network prioritization during congestion and at events with many participants. Concurrently, the company demonstrated for the first time network deployment and prioritization capabilities for gamers at Tel Aviv Port, prioritization during drone flights in Hod Hasharon, and demonstrated in the company's laboratory speeds of about 6 gigabits, considered the highest measured at Pelephone.
The new technology also enables smooth and fast data flow at mass events such as concerts and sports games, so customers connected to the new network core will continue to be connected to the network, and cellular browsing will continue to operate properly.
The new network core is also expected to assist in emergency hours with the option to maintain a strong and stable cellular network and provide fast solutions for drones and security services - which has already generated interest among security entities. Additionally, the new network is expected to bring dramatic improvements in information security aspects and will be more resistant to cyber breaches and attacks by malicious actors exploiting advanced encryption protocols.
"We are at the forefront of an important milestone that marks a significant stage in the development of 5G networks in Israel," said Ilan Sigal, CEO of Pelephone. "Pelephone is leading another revolution in the Israeli cellular market, after being the first to introduce 5G in Israel and successfully launch eSIM services, we are proud to bring the great news about the evolution of cellular infrastructures in Israel, which will bring improved browsing quality and innovative technological solutions that Israelis have not yet experienced. We continue to lead 5G in Israel with about 1.1 million customers and constantly expanding our 5G site deployment across the country so that we reach 1,000 sites within a year from today."
Pelephone's new packages in the 5G MAX plan:
- MAX LIVE 5G - A plan for sports and concert enthusiasts who will receive higher speeds and browsing prioritization during events with a large audience, improving the experience by ensuring bandwidth and optimal video viewing. The package includes 5,000 minutes of calls, 5,000 SMS, and a 2,000-gigabyte browsing package for NIS 65 per month.
- MAX GAMING 5G - A plan for gaming enthusiasts with low latency for the best gaming experience. At a time when cloud gaming is strengthening at the expense of gaming consoles. The package includes 5,000 minutes of calls, 5,000 SMS, and a 2,000-gigabyte browsing package for NIS 69 per month.
- MAX VIP ISRAEL 5G - A plan that includes higher speeds, low latency, and prioritization during network congestion for customers who value speed and low latency and receive priority during congestion. The package includes 5,000 minutes of calls, 5,000 SMS, and a 3,000-gigabyte browsing package for NIS 79 per month.
- MAX VIP GLOBAL 5G - A plan suitable for customers who travel abroad, including 10 gigabytes of international browsing per month, 5,000 minutes of calls, 5,000 SMS, and a 3,000-gigabyte browsing package in Israel for NIS 129 per month. Additionally, the package includes higher speeds, low latency, and prioritization during congestion.
However, Pelephone is not the only company advancing in the 5G field in Israel. Partner Network also signed an agreement with Ericsson last January and will soon launch an independent 5G network. Partner is expected to offer similar services to those of Pelephone, using similar advanced technologies.
Cellcom also launched premium 5G packages earlier this year, which include a commitment to prioritize subscribers during network congestion. However, it is important to note that Cellcom's 5G network is still based on a 4G core. Later this year, Cellcom is also expected to launch a 5G core.