Rosh Ha'ayin, Israel, March 15th, 2004, Partner Communications Company Ltd. (NASDAQ, Tel Aviv: PTNR, London: PCCD) announced today that it entered into a memorandum of agreement with Matav Cable Systems Ltd. ("Matav") and its shareholders, Dankner Investments Ltd. ("Dankner") and Delek Investments and Properties Ltd. ("Delek"), to invest $137 million in Matav for a 40% share of Matav equity, and control of the company. The memorandum will become legally binding only upon approval of the board of directors of each company. The transaction is subject to a number of significant conditions precedent which include inter alia:
Upon closing of the proposed Partner investment in Matav, the holdings of Delek and Dankner will each be diluted to approximately 12%. Each of Delek and Dankner will have an option during the two years following the closing to purchase up to an additional 6% of Matav shares from Partner at a price to be determined on the basis of the price of Matav shares and the price of the Partner shares received by Matav shareholders as a distribution from Matav, during the option period. In addition, Partner will have the option at the end of the two year option period to repurchase Matav shares from Delek and Dankner at a material premium over the Delek and Dankner option price, so that Partner's holding in Matav will be at least 2% greater than that of Delek and Dankner together, should they exercise their options.
During the two years following the closing for as long as Delek and Dankner hold Matav shares, and subject to certain conditions, Partner will receive from Delek and Dankner limited proxies that will grant Partner voting power in the aggregate of 50.01% of the voting shares of Matav. As a result, Partner shall be entitled to appoint all of the directors of Matav, and has agreed to vote in favor of two directors designated on behalf of each of Delek and Dankner for as long as it holds at least 5% of Matav.
The parties undertook to negotiate with the intent of entering into a definitive agreement within 60 days. However, there is no assurance that a definitive agreement will be concluded, or that all conditions precedent for closing will be fulfilled.
Partner's CEO Amikam Cohen said today "the potential transaction opens new horizons for Partner and will profoundly change the telecom and entertainment markets in Israel. We believe that Partner's entry into the cable industry will enhance competition in the telecom market and will enable a wide range of services presently unavailable."
About Partner Communication
Partner Communications Company Ltd. is a leading Israeli mobile communications operator known for its GSM/GPRS based services and the development of wirefree applications under the preferred orange brand. The Company commenced full commercial operation in January 1999 and through its network, provides quality of service and a range of features to approximately two 2.1 million subscribers Israel. Partner subscribers can use roaming services in 128 destinations using 289 GSM networks. The Company was awarded a 3G license in 2002. Partner's ADSs are quoted on NASDAQ under the symbol PTNR and on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) and the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE) under the symbol PTNR. For further information please visit: http://www.investors.partner.co.il.
Contact:
Dr. Dan Eldar
V.P. Carrier, International and Investor Relations
Tel: +972 67 814151
Fax: +972 67 814161
E-mail: dan.eldar@orange.co.il
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