Israel To Get Massive Countrywide Optical Upgrade

A Google Fiberhood-style rollout in the U.S., says a Goldman-Sachs estimate, would cost in the neighborhood of $140 billion. Even for Israel, a country approximately the size of New Jersey, there's a high pricetag ("billions of shekels") for installing fiber optics dense enough to reach most of the population, but just a massive fiber-optic rollout is planned, with the project led by Swedish firm Viaeuropa. If the scheme succeeds, it will cover two thirds of the country over the next 10 years or so.

Uruguay Fiber Optic Plan

[fyi101]

Here in Uruguay we are rolling out fiber optics for the entire country (3.5 million people approx.), with about 240,000 connections by now, and connections for all populated centers of 3500 homes and above by 2015. Price tag is about U$S 550 million. I think the plan is to replace the entire copper infrastructure in a few years. Each country is different, but in principle it's doable... (Of course we have the advantage of a state monopoly on wired telecommunications. Yes, I do mean advantage.) See http://www.elobservador.com.uy/noticia/236698/fibra-optica-un-plan-estrategico-de-us-550-millones/ [elobservador.com.uy] use Google Translate for the Spanish-impaired.

Re:Nice! Wonder if the illegal settlements get it

[Anonymous Coward]

Dude, wake up...

I'm not wearing a bathrobe, don't call me dude.

even the Israeli Prime Minister acknowledges that many current and planned settlements are in violation of internationally-recognized borders,

I don't think there's much debate that many countries don't recognize these territories. Why shouldn't he acknowledge the stated opinions of other countries?

and he openly admits that he doesn't give a rat's ass.

Again, why should he? I don't think it's a newsflash that the countries that attacked Israel and then lost territory [wikipedia.org] are upset about it.
Question for you: If Israel had lost territory during the war, would you be clamoring for Jordan, Syria, or Egypt to return it to them?

When even the puppets running the institution that you are white-knighting for decide that defending their actions is a waste of time,

Puppets? Really? Think about exactly who you're defending here.

it may be time for you to take up a different hobby.

My hobby is enlightening the ignorant, and I will never give it up. There is too much to be done.

squirrels and grenades

[slashmydots]

If fiber optic networks' #1 enemy is squirrels, imagine what rockets, grenades, and assorted bombs would do to it. Considering the sensitivity and the repair costs, this seems pretty stupid. They even shy away from putting optical fiber in earthquake areas let alone a recurring war zone.

Re:Your tax DOLLARS at work

[Kjella]

U.S. Foreign Aid to Israel: 2012 Congressional Report - Christopher Olver | April 26, 2012 ....I realize the US trade empire has a vested interest in a friendly outpost in the middle east, but when will Israel be considered strong enough to stop getting what amounts to charity?

Considering that the Arab Spring is getting hijacked by Islamists who have more in common with Iran ("lsrael should be wiped off the map") than the various dictators they replaced, I'm guessing Israel will find itself even more in the middle of hostile territory now. As for when the US will stop backing them up, they're best buddies. When the UN voted 188-3 to condemn the US trade embargo against Cuba, who were the three? The US, Israel and Palau. Even their usual lapdog the UK wouldn't side with US on that one, but Israel would.