News release
Group for acquisition and development of technologies and applications
Rosh Ha'ayin, Israel, August 16, 2002 - Partner Communications Company Ltd. (NASDAQ and TASE: PTNR; LSE: PCCD) today announced that it entered into a cost sharing agreement with Hutchison Telecommunications Limited (HTL) and subsidiaries thereof for the joint acquisition and development of information technology platforms and software solutions, hardware, content and other services, and joint marketing, promotion and communications activities in connection with the 3G business.
The agreement allows Partner to participate in acquisition and development projects with other 3G operating companies, affiliated with HTL, and to benefit from the combined purchasing power, expertise and resources of the group, which includes 3G operating companies in Austria, Australia, Denmark, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Thailand and the United Kingdom.
Partner's CEO Amikam Cohen commented: "We believe the cost sharing agreement announced today gives Partner an advantage unavailable to any of our competitors here in Israel. The agreement gives us an opportunity to maximize economies of scale and operational efficiencies for development and procurement activities associated with the roll out of our 3G Business."
About Partner Communications
Partner Communications Company Ltd. is the first Global System for Mobile Communications, or GSM, mobile telephone network operator in Israel. The Company commenced full commercial operations in January 1999 under the international orangeT brand name and, through its network, provides quality of service and a range of features to more than 1.7 million subscribers in Israel. Partner subscribers can use roaming services in 101 destinations using 240 GSM networks. The Company's ADSs are quoted on NASDAQ under the symbol PTNR and on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) under the symbol PCCD. Its shares are quoted on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE) under the symbol PTNR. (For further information: http://investors.partner.co.il)
Contact:
Dr. Dan Eldar
V.P. Carrier, Investor and International Relations
Tel: +972-67-814151
Fax: +972-67-814161
E-mail: dan.eldar@orange.co.il