Eurocom controls ISP and international calls carrier Smile and owns a minority holding in satellite television broadcaster YES.
The Antitrust Authority has restricted the entry of Eurocom Group, which is bidding to acquire the stake of Hutchison Telecommunications International Ltd. (NYSE: HTX; HKSE: 2332) in Partner Communications Ltd. (Nasdaq: PTNR; TASE: PTNR), to Partner's information room. Eurocom will not be allowed to examine information about Partner's entry into fixed-line telephony and as an Internet service provider (ISP)
The reason is that Eurocom owns the controlling interest in ISP and international calls carrier 012 Smile.Communications Ltd. (Nasdaq:SMLC; TASE: SMLC). Partner once opened talks to acquire Smile.
It is also doubtful if Eurocom will be allowed to examine information about Partner's content and television broadcasting plans in view of Eurocom's 32% holding in satellite television broadcaster YES, officially known as DBS Satellite Services (1998) Ltd.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on July 13, 2009
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2009