Cellcom Israel Ltd. and Pele-Phone Communications Ltd. have obtained certification from a special committee of rabbis to distribute “kosher” handsets to the haredi (ultra-orthodox) community. The two companies plan to market handsets without most features, except for calls. The handsets will not handle wireless content or short messaging services (SMS), and cannot download Internet content. Cellcom will market a Nokia handset, and Pele-Phone the Telit X100 handset.
Until now, only MIRS Communications Ltd. had this kind of certification, but it subsequently had problems with the committee of rabbis, who claimed that the barriers in MIRS’ handsets to block content could be breached.
Haredi leaders believe that wireless constitutes a real threat to the community’s sanctity. A number of senior rabbis asked Adv. Dr. Jacob Weinroth, a graduate of the Ponevezh Yeshiva, to represent them in negotiations with the wireless operators to block the transmission of pornographic material over wireless networks.
Wireless networks can handle a range of pornographic content, especially telephone sex services. But this is not the end of matter. 3G networks, which can handle broadband data communications, enhance the threat to the haredi community, because it is possible to send pornographic pictures as well.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on August 25, 2005