Internet Gold - Golden Lines Ltd. Announces That its 75.3% Owned Subsidiary, 012 Smile.Communications Ltd., Will Acquire a Contr
25 October 2009 - 10:26PM
PR Newswire (US)
PETACH TIKVA, Israel, Oct. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Internet
Gold - Golden Lines Ltd. (Nasdaq Global Market and TASE: IGLD), a
leading Israeli communications group, today announced that its
75.3% owned subsidiary, 012 Smile.Communications Ltd. has entered
into a definitive share purchase agreement under which it will
acquire a controlling interest of approximately 30.6% in Bezeq The
Israel Telecommunication Corp., Israel's largest telecommunications
provider (TASE:BZEQ) from Ap.Sb.Ar. Holdings Ltd. (the Apax
Partners-Saban Capital Group Inc.-Arkin consortium), in a cash
transaction currently valued at approximately NIS 6.5 billion, or
NIS 8.00 per share, representing a 7.0% discount on the shares of
Bezeq based on Bezeq's closing share price prior to the
announcement (as of October 22, 2009). 012 Smile will be entitled
to receive all dividends paid by Bezeq to Ap.Sb.Ar. prior to
closing. The transaction, which was approved by the Board of
Directors of 012 Smile, is subject to the receipt of necessary
regulatory approvals, including approvals from the Israeli Ministry
of Communications, the Israeli Antitrust Commissioner and from the
Prime Minister and the Minister of Communications of the State of
Israel. Eli Holtzman, Chief Executive Officer of Internet Gold,
said: "For the past two years, we have been searching for the right
accretive investment which will upgrade our group to the forefront
of the Israeli Communication market. I trust that this investment
will solidify Internet Gold's position as Israel's largest
communications group while creating significant value to our
shareholders." Stella Handler, Chief Executive Officer of 012
Smile, said: "This transaction is in line with our strategy to
become, through selective investments, the leading integrated
player in Israel's telecom marketplace. Given its unique
competitive positioning and strong cash flow generation, Bezeq
represents an attractive investment for 012 Smile." As the largest
telecom operator in Israel, Bezeq provides wired and wireless
telephone and other communications services to consumer and
business subscribers throughout Israel. Bezeq, which has over 2.5
million access lines and about 1 million broadband ASL lines, also
provides mobile services through its cellular phone subsidiary,
Pelephone Communications, to approximately 2,700,000 accounts.
Bezeq serves approximately 560,000 satellite television viewers
with its YES brand through its DBS Satellite subsidiary.
Additionally, Bezeq International is an ISP and data service
provider and an international long distance service provider in
Israel. The transaction will be financed through a combination of
cash, debt and stock. 012 Smile has agreed to sell its current
telecommunications assets in order to obtain anti-trust approval,
which proceeds will also be used to finance the transaction. 012
Smile will announce the composition of its financing package in the
near future. 012 Smile expects that the transaction will close in
approximately six months, subject to receipt of all requisite
regulatory approvals. J.P. Morgan plc acted as exclusive financial
adviser and Fischer Behar Chen Well Orion & Co. as legal
adviser to 012 Smile in connection with the transaction. About
Internet Gold Internet Gold is one of Israel's leading
communications groups with a major presence across all
Internet-related sectors. Its 75.3% owned subsidiary, 012
Smile.Communications Ltd., is one of Israel's major Internet and
international telephony service providers, and one of the largest
providers of enterprise/IT integration services. Its 100% owned
subsidiary, Smile.Media Ltd., manages a portfolio of Internet
portals and e-Commerce sites. Internet Gold and 012 Smile are part
of the Eurocom Communications Group. 012 Smile's shares trade on
the Nasdaq Global Market and on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. About
012 Smile.Communications 012 Smile.Communications is a
growth-oriented communication services provider in Israel with a
leading market position, offering a wide range of broadband and
traditional voice services. Its broadband services include
broadband Internet access with a suite of value-added services,
specialized data services and server hosting, as well as new
innovative services such as local telephony via voice over
broadband and a WiFi network of hotspots across Israel. Traditional
voice services include outgoing and incoming international
telephony, hubbing, roaming and signaling and calling card
services. 012 Smile.Communications services residential and
business customers, as well as Israeli cellular operators and
international communication services providers through its
integrated multipurpose network, which allows it to provide
services to almost all of the homes and businesses in Israel. For
additional information about 012 Smile.Communications Ltd., please
visit the Company's investors' site at http://www.012.net/.
Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains
forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and
uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from these forward-looking statements include, but are
not limited to, general business conditions in the industry,
changes in the regulatory and legal compliance environments, the
failure to manage growth and other risks detailed from time to time
in 012 Smile.Communications' filings with the Securities Exchange
Commission. These documents contain and identify other important
factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from
those contained in our projections or forward-looking statements.
Stockholders and other readers are cautioned not to place undue
reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as
of the date on which they are made. We undertake no obligation to
update publicly or revise any forward-looking statement. For
further information, please contact: Idit Azulay 012
Smile.Communications Ltd. +972-72-2003848 DATASOURCE: Internet Gold
CONTACT: Idit Azulay of 012 Smile.Communications Ltd.,
+972-72-2003848, or , for Internet Gold Web Site:
http://www.012.net/
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