Changing The Way Israelis Communicate One Asimon At A Time

Anyone who has traveled to Israel and picked up a phone is familiar with Bezeq, the wireless telephone service provider, which up until recently had a monopoly on cell phone service in the country. With the advent of HOT's cable package, which includes wireless and internet service, Bezeq is now experiencing a flood of customers making exodus. One of these recent converts shares his feelings regarding the transition:

Things have improved greatly in the last decade or so, but with Bezeq's monopoly cracked and the market opening up, the options have become too numerous and attractive to pass up.

So, for the first time in 21 years, we're no longer paying a Bezeq bill! We've gotten rid of our Bezeq home phone number and moved over to HOT – a cable TV provider that also provides internet service, and recently began offering HOT phone numbers in an economical overall package.

It must be similar to the feeling when Americans no longer had to rely on the life support teat provided by Ma Bell, but the sense of liberation is evident – no more convoluted bills that are impossible to decipher.

When I sent around an email with our new number, one friend, who just founded his own company, responded that he too wanted to get rid of his Bezeq number, but was afraid to deal with it.

'Are you nuts? You started your own company! You can't do a little thing like switch your phone company?' I responded.

His answer –

'You tell me – what's easier to deal with:

a) making a living, income tax authority, value added tax authority, national insurance, accountants, printers, etc or

b) Bezeq'

So, I'm here to tell my friend, and all others who feel like him that the years of fear and intimidation are over – you can take the destiny of your own phone number into your own hands!

Ain't democracy grand?