June 4 was the deadline for companies to submit their bids for the deployment of 5G wireless networks in Israel. And while the Communications Ministry has not yet revealed the names of all the telecommunication groups participating in the tender for the next-generation cellular network, it seems that China was left out. According to a Channel 12 report May 27, the Defense Ministry recommended against allowing Chinese firms to participate in the construction of the country’s 5G infrastructure.
The closure of the 5G tender was certainly good news for newly appointed Communications Minister Yoaz Hendel. He said, "This is an important day for Israel, on the brinks of a new technological revolution. The fifth-generation technology will enable speedy developments in the fields of health, society, data accessibility, agriculture, economy and industry. It has diplomatic and security implications, but most of all huge potential to advance and evolve the state of Israel.’’
