A major deal for Partner: Providing communications infrastructure for the Gush Dan congestion charge project
Partner has been selected by the Electra group to build and operate the communications infrastructure for the Gush Dan congestion charge project, set to launch in 2028. The company estimates that the agreement will generate tens of millions of shekels in revenue over the two-decade operating period.
The Partner communications group has won a significant contract as part of one of the largest infrastructure projects planned in Israel. The company was selected by the Electra group to provide the communications infrastructure for the congestion charge project in the Gush Dan metropolitan area, a national initiative aimed at reducing traffic congestion and encouraging a shift to public transport using an intelligent vehicle charging system.
The project, which Electra won in a government tender, is expected to begin operations in 2028 and will be managed under a long-term concession estimated at at least two decades. Partner estimates that over the operating period, the agreement will generate revenues of tens of millions of shekels.
As part of the engagement, Partner will be responsible for the design, construction, and operation of the communications network that will connect hundreds of system components, including toll gates and computing centers. The network will enable real-time data transmission required for vehicle identification, cross-referencing data with databases, and generating charges based on location and time of travel.
To this end, the company will build an infrastructure based on a combination of fiber optics and cellular connectivity, which will serve as a backup to ensure high availability and operational continuity. The communications architecture will be based on the SD-WAN solution from Fortinet.
Beyond building the infrastructure, Partner will be responsible for monitoring, control, and maintenance services for the communications network throughout the project's duration. Services will be provided through the company's engineering and support systems, including server hosting and expert services from the Partner Business division.
Partner views this win as recognition of its ability to build and operate communications infrastructure for complex national systems. In recent years, the company has expanded its activity in the business sector, investing in communications, cyber, managed services, cloud, and data center solutions to handle large-scale projects requiring secure communications and continuous operation.
The congestion charge project itself is expected to include the construction and operation of about 220 toll gates, representing about 140 charging sites in three rings around Gush Dan, alongside systems for vehicle identification, collection, communications, customer service, and a control center.
As recalled, the Electra group, managed by Itamar Deutscher, won the government tender last December for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the project. According to company estimates, the total consideration from the concession is expected to include a construction grant of about 400 million shekels, as well as additional revenues estimated at about 850 million shekels over the concession period.
Avi Dvora, VP of the Business Division at Partner, stated that the company is proud to participate in a national project of strategic importance. According to him, the experience Partner has gained in operating critical communications systems for large organizations in Israel, alongside its commitment to operational excellence, will allow it to provide the infrastructure required for the project's success.
