PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS REPORTS THAT
MIDROOG MAINTAINS THE COMPANY'S SERIES A
NOTES' RATING (Aa3/STABLE) FOLLOWING THE 012
SMILE TRANSACTION
ROSH HA'AYIN, Israel, October 17, 2010 - Partner Communications Company Ltd. ("Partner" or "the Company") (NASDAQ and TASE: PTNR), a leading Israeli communications operator, reports that midroog Ltd. ("Midroog"), a subsidiary of Moody’s Investors Service, announced today, following the Company's report that it has entered into a share purchase agreement to acquire all of the outstanding shares of 012 Smile Telecom Ltd., that this transaction, if carried out at all, will not influence the Company's Series A Notes rating within the rating horizon and therefore it maintains the Notes rating (Aa3/stable).
In its report, Midroog stated that: "Midroog estimates that the transaction has the potential to strengthen the competitive position of Partner in the communication market via Smile's synergetic activities: the ISP segment as well as the international calls segment. These activities may strengthen Partner's business position both in cellular and fixed line services.
Our analysis indicates that the transaction is expected to increase partner's leverage together with a slowdown in coverage ratios, but in a moderate way that still supports the existing rating".
To review the full report by midroog:
http://maya.tase.co.il/bursa/report.asp?report_cd=580687
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, the impact of current global economic conditions 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", "Item 8A. - Consolidated Financial Statements and Other Financial Information - Legal and Administrative Proceedings" and "Item 11. - Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk" in the Company's 2009 Annual Report (20-F) filed with the SEC. 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 provider of telecommunications services (cellular, fixed-line telephony and internet services) under the orange™ brand. The Company provides mobile communications services to over 3 million subscribers in Israel. 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 an approximately 45%-owned subsidiary of Scailex Corporation Ltd. ("Scailex"). Scailex's shares are traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange under the symbol SCIX and are quoted on "Pink Quote" under the symbol SCIXF.PK. Scailex currently operates in two major domains of activity in addition to its holding in Partner: (1) the sole import, distribution and maintenance of Samsung mobile handset and accessories products primarily to the major cellular operators in Israel (2) management of its financial assets.
For more information about Scailex, see http://www.scailex.com.
For more information about Partner, see http://www.orange.co.il/investor_site .
Contact:
Mr. Emanuel Avner
Chief Financial Officer
Tel: +972-54-7814951
Fax: +972-54-7815961
E-mail: emanuel.avner@orange.co.il
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Current Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
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Partner Communications Company Ltd.
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By: |
/s/ Emanuel Avner
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Name: |
Emanuel Avner
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Title: |
Chief Financial Officer
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Dated: October 17, 2010
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