Israel: MNOs Cannot Block, Limit or Charge for Tethering

The Ministry of Communications in Israel has determined that mobile operators cannot limit or block customers' use of mobile equipment tethering capabilities, based on the local Net Neutrality laws.

This follows the actions made by some operators, either by slowing down such traffic (by Hot Mobile) or surcharge the use of tethering (Partner/Orange).

According to the law, mobile operators cannot "Blocking or limiting any built-in features of telecommunication equipment and devices (including by way of setting tariffs)" unless it is "arising from necessity for appropriate and fair traffic management".

See the order here (Hebrew).

The Net Neutrality law is now in effect for mobile services only (here); However, the ministry proposed recently to expand it for fixed services as well (here).