The ministry said in a statement that it would restrict the transmission of porn through video clips and movies on cell phones that use high-speed third-generation networks.

Adults would still be allowed to access the services by entering a code and only after being identified as an adult, the ministry said.

Communications Minister Ehud Olmert said he wanted to expand the restrictions to long-distance telecommunications providers.

Israel has four mobile phone operators: Cellcom, Partner, Pelephone -- owned by Bezeq Israel Telecom -- and Mirs, owned by Motorola and Ampal-American Israel Corp..

The operators combined have nearly 7 million Israeli subscribers -- many of them children and teenagers.

Olmert decided to take action after receiving complaints about the exposure of minors to erotic and pornographic material, and following hearings with the mobile providers and Bezeq