The makeup of Partner, Israel’s third cellular communication network continues to become more complicated. The Tapuz – Orange – group, that lost the government tender to supply mobile services, is expected to join the winning Partner group with a 16.5% share. If the deal is signed, Partner will be owned by Hutchison, Matav, and Elbit Com, as before, but now joined by Eurocom Holdings, Arison Investments, The Investment Company of Bank Hapoalim, Telia of Sweden, and AT&T Wireless of the US. Hutchison’s share will decline to 47% but the company will apparently retain control through special clauses in the agreement according to reports in the Israeli press. Matav’s holding will fall to 20% while Elbit Com will be left with 16.5%. The agreement if signed will clear the way of any legal challenges to the tender process which would have held up establishment of the network.
