After promising rabbonim that it would not operate on Shabbos
and would not provide abhorrent services, XFone 018 launched
its international calling services. Approved by Mishmeres
Hakodesh Vehachinuch the new company is offering a rate of 29
agorot per minute for central calling destinations abroad,
the lowest price available in Israel.
Founded in Israel several months ago, XFone 018 is part of
the XFone Group which is publicly traded in the US and
operates similar communications companies in the US, Britain
and other countries. Mr. Rafi Dik, former Deputy Director of
Golden Lines, serves as CEO and Attorney R' Alon Reiser
serves as the company's legal advisor.
At a press conference the company held at Wagshal Halls in
Bnei Brak, Dik introduced the company's new services, noting
that the rate of 29 agorot per minute is available without
subscription, special offers or marketing ploys. One will
also be able ask in advance about the calling rate for a
certain destination by dialing 01800. XFone 018's operating
methodology is based on technology that allows a substantial
reduction in manpower and provides precise real-time
information. Uniform rates and the lack of special offers
allows the company to focus on significantly reducing the
cost of calls abroad.
Regarding the chareidi sector, Dik said before bursting onto
the communications market XFone wanted to commit to various
restrictions to enable the company to provide telephone
services to the entire public, particularly the chareidi
public. To avoid any potential halachic problems or offensive
services the company contacted Rav Mordechai Blau and Rav
Michah Rothschild of Mishmeres Hakodesh Vehachinuch and
pledged to operate in accordance with directives issued by
the rabbonim.
The company will not allow access to immoral phone services
through its international dialing and company offices will be
closed on Shabbos. Since the law requires the company to
operate seven days a week the control room will be run on
Shabbos by three non-Jews. In addition the company will not
advertise on radio and television or sponsor events held on
Shabbos or chagim.
At the press conference former Bnei Brak Mayor Rabbi
Mordechai Karelitz praised company management for its
gestures toward the chareidi public even before entering the
market, saying XFone 018 serves as an example for other
companies.
Rabbi Yitzchok Pindrus, mayor of Beitar Illit and chairman of
the Forum of Chareidi Authorities, said the chareidi public,
which is known for its extensive use of international calling
services, should praise the company for its inquiries on how
to operate and provide services. "The largest aliya from the
West is principally chareidi and contact with foreign
countries is constant," he noted. "The company discovered
this fact and decided to provide affordable services to the
chareidi population sector and to chareidi companies and
institutions. This also allows us to prove ourselves as a
large market force."
Rabbi Mordechai Blau of Mishmeret Hakodesh Vehachinuch, said,
"XFone arrived with a basket of offers of its own to solve
many problems: There will not be any abhorrent calls, the
company control room will be operated on Shabbos be non-Jews
and the offices will be closed on Shabbos. Interest will be
[charged] in accordance with a heter isko signed in
the presence of HaRav Nissim Karelitz, any dispute between
the company and the customer will be settled exclusively in
beis din, the company will not sponsor [events held]
on Shabbos and advertisements in the general media will be
with clear restrictions."
XFone 018, which plans to offer special rates for large
companies, announced that Torah and education institutions
would be granted the status of commercial entities since they
place numerous international calls to meet the institutions'
needs and the rate of 29 agorot per minute and even less in
the case of commercial entities will help reduce
international calling costs.
