Partner Communications Company Ltd. ("Partner" or "the Company")
(Nasdaq:PTNR) (TASE:PTNR), a leading Israeli mobile communications
operator, announced that it was notified on May 20th
2008 by the Ministry of Communications (MOC) that following the MOC´s
internal audit with respect to Partner´s use of a certain frequency
band, it is considering the continuation of the use of such band by
Partner and among other things, the allocation of this band to Partner
and payment by Partner for the past use (which the MOC has claimed to be
approximately NIS 42.5 million). The MOC has requested that Partner provide its position on the matter
for consideration before the MOC renders its final decision. The frequency band in question was initially allocated for the use of a
Palestinian mobile operator in the Palestinian-administered areas.
Partner´s position is that it is entitled to use this band because it is
based on an agreement with the Palestinian operator which agreement was
endorsed by the MOC. Partner´s position also is that no additional consideration for the use
of all its existing bands, which includes this one, should be paid. The
Company therefore intends to defend its position vigorously. At this
stage, the Company is unable to evaluate the potential liability, if
any, of this MOC process. For further information please see Partner´s 2007 Annual Report (20-F)
Section 3D. Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended
Section 21E of the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and
the safe harbor provisions of the US Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "believe," "anticipate," "expect," "intend," "seek," "will," "plan," "could," "may," "project," "goal," "target" and
similar expressions often identify forward-looking statements but are
not the only way we identify these statements. All statements other than
statements of historical fact included in this press release regarding
our future performance, plans to increase revenues or margins or
preserve or expand market share in existing or new markets, reduce
expenses and any statements regarding other future events or our future
prospects, are forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current knowledge
and our present beliefs and expectations regarding possible future
events. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks
uncertainties and assumptions about Partner, consumer habits and
preferences in cellular telephone usage, trends in the Israeli
telecommunications industry in general and possible regulatory and legal
developments. For a description of some of the risks we face, see "Item
3D. Key Information "“ Risk Factors," "Item 4. Information on the Company"
"Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and
Prospects" and "Item
8A. Consolidated Financial Statements and Other Financial Information "“ Legal and Administrative Proceedings" in the
form 20-F filed with the SEC on May 6th, 2008.
In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the
forward-looking events discussed in this press release might not occur
and actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated.
We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information
future events or otherwise. About Partner Communications Partner Communications Company Ltd. ("Partner") is a leading Israeli
mobile communications operator providing GSM / GPRS / UMTS / HSDPA
services and wire free applications under the orange? brand. The Company provides quality service and a range of features to
2.823 million subscribers in Israel (as of March 31st
2008). Partner´s ADSs are quoted on the
NASDAQ Global Select Market? and its shares
are traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (NASDAQ and TASE: PTNR). Partner is a subsidiary of Hutchison Telecommunications International
Limited ("Hutchison Telecom"), a leading global provider of
telecommunications services. Hutchison Telecom currently offers mobile
and fixed line telecommunications services in Hong Kong, and operates
mobile telecommunications services in Israel, Macau, Thailand, Sri
Lanka, Ghana, Vietnam and Indonesia. It was the first provider of 3G
mobile services in Hong Kong and Israel and operates brands including "Hutch"
"3" and "orange".
Hutchison Telecom, a subsidiary of Hutchison Whampoa Limited, is a
listed company with American Depositary Shares quoted on the New York
Stock Exchange under the ticker "HTX" and shares listed on the Stock
Exchange of Hong Kong under the stock code "2332". For more information
about Hutchison Telecom, see www.htil.com. For more information about Partner, see http://www.orange.co.il/investor_site/
