According to a Chadrei Chareidim report, the stiff competition resulting from the entry into the Israeli cellular telephone market about a month ago has led to a breakthrough for kosher phone subscribers, albeit not an official one and not a welcome one, at least for the Vaad HaRabbonim for Communications.
It appears that when a kosher subscriber to Orange or Cellcom left the company for one of the new services, something happened behind the scenes, technologically speaking that is. The move changed something in the set up of their kosher phone, permitting access to areas that were closed off to kosher subscribers previously.
One former Cellcom customer explained that he signed up for Hot Mobile’s kosher service, and the SIM card arrived in the mail a number of days later as promised. The person signed up for a basic package, giving him unlimited use for a 90 NIS monthly fee. The kosher number that he had with Cellcom remained with the phone after entering Hot Mobile. The package not only included unlimited talking, but SMS text messages and internet as well.
Hot Mobile explains that it is not currently advisable to move to their company with a kosher phone since doing so will result “in many problems”. It appears the company is not set up to provide the kosher service that ban text messaging and internet surfing.
Orange (Partner) is quoted as telling Chadrei it is “shocked” over the large number of kosher subscribers that moved to the new company even though it is not equipped to provide kosher service.
So it appears while Israelis are happily saving a considerable amount of money every month, the entrance of the new companied into the cellular market in Eretz Yisrael has delivered a significant blow to kosher phone service since many ‘kosher numbers’ are now sending and receiving text messages and have access to the internet.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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4 Responses
Since when do “cheaper” and “kosher” shtim?
[Posted from my Motorola Android smartphone]
So you bought a kosher phone to protect yourself from sending text messages and surfing the net? Now that it can you’re abusing it? How old are you? 12? Save yourself a few shekels and take the phone away from your kids (who must be the ones that are texting and surfing).
As I understand this article, “kosher” phone are not inherently limited. Rather, the company cuts off certain services such SMS and Browsing.
Then (at least here in the U.S.) any phone can be made kosher and therre is no need to pay extra for a “kosher” phone. Just ask the provider to block the unwanted services. I know it can be done and the cell provider will do it. So anyone selling you a kosher is merely taking money for something that you can get for free.
#3 in agreement. That’s what we have done.