6-K
SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN
PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE
13a-16 OR 15a-16 OF
THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Report on Form 6-K
dated September 14, 2006
Partner
Communications Company Ltd.
(Translation of
Registrants Name Into English)
8 Amal Street
Afeq Industrial Park
Rosh Haayin 48103
Israel
(Address
of Principal Executive Offices) |
(Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover of Form
20-F or Form 40-F.) |
Form 20-F x
Form 40-F o
(Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the
information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.)
|
Yes o
No x
(If
Yes is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in
connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):
82-
) |
This Form 6-K is incorporated by
reference into the Companys Registration Statement on Form F-3 filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on December 26, 2001 (Registration No. 333-14222).
Enclosure: |
Materials for the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders. |
|
Rosh
Haayin, Israel September 14, 2006 |
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS
COMPANY LTD.
NOTICE OF
GENERAL MEETING OF
SHAREHOLDERS
Notice
is hereby given that the general meeting of Shareholders (the AGM) of
Partner Communications Company Ltd. (the Company or
Partner) will be held on October 26, 2006 at 10:00 am. (Israel time),
at our offices, 8 Haamal Street, Rosh Haayin, Israel or at any adjournments
thereof.
It
is proposed at the AGM to adopt the following resolutions:
|
(i) |
to
re-appoint Kesselman & Kesselman, independent certified public
accountants in Israel and a member of PricewaterhouseCoopers International
Limited group, as the Companys auditor for the period ending at the
close of the next annual general meeting; |
|
(ii) |
to
approve the auditors remuneration for the year ended December 31, 2006
as determined by the Audit Committee and by the Board of Directors; |
|
(iii) |
to
authorize the Board of Directors of the Company to determine the auditors
remuneration for the year ended December 31, 2007, subject to the prior
approval of the Audit Committee; and |
|
(iv) |
to
approve the report of the Board of Directors with respect to the remuneration
paid to the auditor and its affiliates for the year ended December 31,
2005; |
|
(v) |
to
re-elect nine directors to the Companys Board of Directors; |
|
(vi) |
to
approve the re-appointment of Mr. Moshe Vidman, an external director (Dahatz)
of the Company. |
|
(vii) |
to
approve the Companys audited financial statements for the year ended
December 31, 2005 and the report of the Board of Directors for such
period; |
|
(viii) |
to
approve the amendments to the Articles of Association of the Company relating
to: |
|
(a) |
the
authority of the Board of Directors to determine the remuneration of the Companys
auditors; |
|
(b) |
the
election of directors and termination of their offices; |
|
(c) |
the
insurance of officers; |
|
(d) |
the
compliance with the terms of the License. |
Only
shareholders of record at the close of business on September 21, 2006 will be entitled to
receive notice of, and to vote at the AGM, subject to the restrictions in the
Companys Articles of Association, as set forth in the attached Proxy Statement. All
shareholders are cordially invited to attend the AGM in person.
Shareholders
who will not attend the AGM in person are requested to complete, date and sign the
enclosed form of proxy and to return it promptly (and in any event at least two business
days prior to the date of the AGM) in the pre-addressed envelope provided. Shareholders
may revoke their proxies by written notice received at the offices of the Company prior to
the commencement of the AGM, and vote their shares in person.
The
Articles of Association of the Company also allow shareholders of the Company to vote at
the AGM by means of a deed of vote and a form of deed of vote will be made available to
shareholders registered in the Companys Shareholder Register on the record date.
Holders of American Depositary Shares are not registered in the Companys Shareholder
Register but may instruct the Depositary, Bank of New York, as to the exercise of the
voting rights pertaining to the Ordinary Shares evidenced by their American Depositary
Shares, in the manner and to the extent provided in the Depositary Agreement governing the
American Depositary Shares.
Registered
joint holders of shares should take note that, pursuant to the Articles of Association of
the Company, only the first named joint holder of any share shall vote, either in person,
by proxy, or by deed of vote, without taking into account the other registered joint
holder(s) of the share. For this purpose, the first named joint holder shall be the person
whose name is registered first in the Shareholder Register.
Copies
of the proposed resolutions are available at our offices, 8 Haamal Street, Rosh
Haayin, Israel, every business day from 9 AM to 5PM (Israel time). Our telephone
number is +972-54-7814191.
|
|
By Order of the Board of Directors
ROLY KLINGER, ADV.
Vice President
Chief Legal Counsel and
Joint Company Secretary
|
2
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS
COMPANY LTD.
8 Haamal Street
Rosh Haayin
48092, Israel
This
Proxy Statement is furnished to the holders of Ordinary Shares, par value NIS 0.01 per
share (the Ordinary Shares), including holders of American Depositary
Shares (each representing one Ordinary Share, the ADSs) of
Partner Communications Company Ltd. (the Company or
Partner) in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors
of proxies for use at an Annual General Meeting of shareholders (the
AGM), to be held on October 26, 2006 commencing at 10:00 am (Israel
time), at our offices, 8 Haamal Street, Rosh Haayin, Israel, or at any
adjournments thereof.
It
is proposed at the AGM:
|
(i) |
to
re-appoint Kesselman & Kesselman, independent certified public
accountants in Israel and a member of the PricewaterhouseCoopers
International Limited group, as the Companys auditor for the period
ending at the close of the next annual general meeting; |
|
(ii) |
to
approve the auditors remuneration for year 2006 as determined by the
Audit Committee and by the Board of Directors; |
|
(iii) |
to
authorize the Board of Directors of the Company to determine the auditors
remuneration for year 2007, subject to the prior approval of the Audit
Committee; and |
|
(iv) |
to
approve the report of the Board of Directors with respect to the remuneration
paid to the auditor and its affiliates for the year ended December 31,
2005; |
|
(v) |
to
re-elect nine directors to the Companys Board of Directors; |
|
(vi) |
to
approve the re-appointment of Mr. Moshe Vidman, an external director (Dahatz)
of the Company; |
|
(vii) |
to
approve the Companys audited financial statements for the year ended
December 31, 2005 and the report of the Board of Directors for such
period; |
|
(viii) |
to
approve the amendments to the Articles of Association of the Company relating
to: |
|
(a) |
the
authority of the Board of Directors to determine the remuneration of the Companys
auditors; |
|
(b) |
the
election of directors and termination of their offices; |
3
|
(c) |
the
insurance of officers; |
|
(d) |
the
compliance with the terms of the License. |
A
form of proxy for use at the AGM and a return envelope for the proxy are enclosed. This
proxy shall also be deemed as a voting deed (Ktav Hatzbaa) under Israeli Companies
Law. Shareholders may revoke their proxies by written notice received at the offices of
the Company at least 24 hours prior to the AGM and vote their shares in person. Ordinary
Shares represented by any proxy in the enclosed form, if the proxy is properly executed
and delivered to the Company at least two business days prior to the date of the AGM, will
be voted as indicated on the form or, if no preference is noted, will be voted in favor of
the matters described above, and in such manner as the holder of the proxy may determine
with respect to any other business as may come before the AGM or any adjournment thereof.
Proxies
for use at the AGM are being solicited by the Board of Directors of the Company. Only
shareholders of record at the close of business on September 21, 2006 will be entitled to
receive notice of, and to vote at the AGM. Proxies are being mailed to shareholders on or
about September 26, 2006 and will be solicited primarily by mail; however, certain of our
officers, directors, employees and agents, none of whom will receive additional
compensation therefore, may solicit proxies by telephone, e-mail or other personal
contact. Partner will bear the cost of the solicitation of the proxies by the Board of
Directors, including postage, printing and handling, and will reimburse the reasonable
expenses of brokerage firms and others for forwarding material to beneficial owners of
Ordinary Shares.
On
August 31, 2006, the Company had outstanding 153,950,338 Ordinary Shares. The holder of
each Ordinary Share is entitled to one vote upon each of the matters to be presented at
the AGM. Two or more shareholders holding Ordinary Shares conferring in the aggregate at
least one-third of our voting rights, present in person or by proxy at the AGM, or who
have delivered to us a deed of vote, and are entitled to vote, will constitute a quorum at
the AGM.
ITEM 1
RE-APPOINTMENT OF AUDITOR AND DETERMINATION OF ITS
REMUNERATION
Under
the Companies Law and the Companys Articles of Association, the shareholders of the
Company are authorized to appoint the Companys auditor and to authorize the Board of
Directors to determine its remuneration. Under the Companys Articles of Association,
the report of the auditors remuneration requires the approval of shareholders. In
addition, the approval by the Audit Committee of the auditors re-appointment and
remuneration is required under the Nasdaq Corporate Governance Rules.
The
remuneration of Kesselman & Kesselman, independent certified public accountants in
Israel and a member of the PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited group, the
Companys auditor for the year ended December 31, 2005 was NIS 2,073,000 for auditing
services, NIS 788,000 for non-audit services and NIS 258,000 for tax consultation
services. Partner has agreed to indemnify Kesselman & Kesselman, and their personnel
from any and all third party claims, liabilities, costs and expenses, including reasonable
attorneys fees, arising from or relating to tax services rendered under the
engagement letter dated November 15, 2005, except to the extent finally determined to have
resulted from the gross negligence, willful misconduct or fraudulent behavior of Kesselman
& Kesselman relating to such services.
4
The
Audit Committee and Board of Directors have recommended that Kesselman & Kesselman,
independent certified public accountants in Israel and a member of the
PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited group, be re-appointed as auditor of the
Company for the period ending at the close of the next annual general meeting.
It
is proposed that at the AGM the following resolutions be adopted:
|
(i) |
RESOLVED,
that the Companys auditor, Kesselman & Kesselman, be and is
hereby re-appointed as the auditor of the Company for the period ending at
the close of the next annual general meeting; |
|
(ii) |
RESOLVED,
that the auditors remuneration for year 2006 as determined by the
Audit Committee and by the Board of Directors be and is hereby approved; |
|
(iii) |
RESOLVED,
that the Board of Directors be and is hereby authorized to determine the
auditors remuneration for year 2007, subject to the prior approval
of the Audit Committee; and |
|
(iv) |
RESOLVED,
that the report by the Board of Directors of the auditors
remuneration for the year ended December 31, 2005 be and it is hereby
approved. |
The
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Ordinary Shares present, in person or
by proxy, and voting on the matter is required for the approval of these resolutions.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR approval
of these proposed
resolutions. |
ITEM 2
RE-APPOINTMENT OF THE COMPANYS DIRECTORS
Under
the Companies Law and the Companys Articles of Association, the directors of the
Company (other than the external directors (Dahatzim) who generally serve for three
year terms) are elected at each annual general meeting. The elected directors commence
their terms at the close of the AGM and serve in office until the close of the next annual
general meeting, unless their office becomes vacant earlier in accordance with the
provisions of the Companies Law and the Companys Articles of Association.
All
the nine (9) directors listed below will terminate their office as directors of the
Company as of the end of the AGM. It is proposed that these directors be re-elected until
the close of the next annual general meeting, unless their office becomes vacant earlier
in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Law and the Articles of Association.
Dr. Michael Anghel will continue to serve as external director (Dahatz) of the
Company and Mr. Moshe Vidman will continue to serve as external director (Dahatz)
of the Company subject to the approval of the resolution under Item 3.
5
Proxies
(other than those directing the proxy holders not to vote for all of the listed nominees)
will be voted for the election of all of the nine (9) nominees, to hold office until the
close of the next annual general meeting, unless their office becomes vacant earlier in
accordance with the provisions of the Companies Law and the Companys Articles of
Association. In the event any one or more of such nominees shall be unable to serve, the
proxies will be voted for the election of such other person or persons as shall be
determined by the proxy holder in accordance with his or her best judgment. The Company is
not aware of any reason why any of the nominees, if elected, should not be able to serve
as a director.
Name
|
|
Position
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fok Kin-ning, Canning |
|
Director and Chairman of the Board of Directors |
|
Chan Ting Yu |
|
Director |
|
Chow Woo Mo Fong, Susan |
|
Director |
|
Uzia Galil |
|
Director |
|
Erez Gissin |
|
Director |
|
Lui Dennis Pok Man |
|
Director |
|
Pesach Shachar |
|
Director |
|
Amikam Shorer |
|
Director |
|
Frank John Sixt |
|
Director |
Fok
Kin-ning, Canning has been a director of Partner since May 1998 and the Chairman of
its Board of Directors since that time. Mr. Fok has been an Executive Director of
Hutchison Whampoa Limited since 1984 and its Group Managing Director since 1993. He also
serves as the Chairman of Hutchison Harbour Ring Limited, Hutchison Telecommunications
International Limited, Hutchison Telecommunications (Australia) Limited, Hongkong Electric
Holdings Limited and Hutchison Telecommunications Limited (the holding company of the
telecommunications interests of Hutchison Whampoa Limited), and in addition, Mr. Fok is
the Co-Chairman of Husky Energy Inc. and the Deputy Chairman of Cheung Kong Infrastructure
Holdings Limited. He is also a Director of Cheung Kong (Holdings) Limited. Mr. Fok holds a
Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Johns University in Minnesota, United States and a
diploma in financial administration from the University of New England in Australia. He is
a member of the Australian Institute of Chartered Accountants. Mr. Fok was nominated as a
director, and as the Chairman of the Board of Directors, by Advent Investments Pte Ltd.
6
Chan
Ting Yu was a director of Partner from October 1997 to March 2000 and became a
director again in May 2001. He is a member of the Executive Committee and the Compensation
Committee. Mr. Chan is an Alternate Director of Hutchison Telecommunications International
Limited. Since joining the Hutchison Whampoa group, he has been closely involved in the
management and development of Hutchisons telecommunications business
internationally. Mr. Chan holds a degree in Law and Arts (Maths), as well as a
Postgraduate Certificate in Laws. Mr. Chan was nominated as a director, and as a member of
the Executive Committee, by Advent Investments Pte Ltd.
Chow
Woo Mo Fong, Susan has been a director of Partner since
August 1998. Mrs. Chow has been an Executive Director of Hutchison Whampoa Limited since
1993 and its Deputy Group Managing Director since 1998. Mrs. Chow is also an Executive
Director of Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings Limited, Hutchison Harbour Ring Limited
and Hongkong Electric Holdings Limited and a Director of Hutchison Telecommunications
(Australia) Limited, TOM Group Limited and Hutchison Telecommunications Limited. She is
also an Alternate Director of Hutchison Telecommunications International Limited and TOM
Online Inc. She is a solicitor and holds a Bachelors degree in Business
Administration. Mrs. Chow was nominated as a director by Advent Investments Pte Ltd.
Uzia
Galil has been a director of Partner since August 1999. Mr. Galil currently serves as
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Uzia Initiatives and Management Ltd., a company
specializing in the promotion and nurturing of new businesses associated with mobile
communication, electronic commerce and medical information media, which he founded in
November 1999. From 1962 until November 1999, Mr. Galil served as President and Chief
Executive Officer of Elron Electronics Industries Ltd., an Israeli high technology holding
company, which he founded and of which he also served as Chairman of the Board. From
January 1981 until leaving Elron, Mr. Galil also served as Chairman of the Board of
Directors of Elbit Ltd., an electronic communication affiliate of Elron, and as a member
of the Boards of Directors of Elbit Systems Ltd., a defense electronics affiliate of
Elron, and all other private companies held in the Elron portfolio. Mr. Galil currently
serves as a member of the Boards of Directors of Orbotech Ltd., NetManage Inc., and as
Chairman of Zoran Corporation. From 1980 to 1990, Mr. Galil served as Chairman of the
International Board of Governors of the Technion. Mr. Galil holds a M.S. in Electrical
Engineering from Purdue University and a B.S. from the Technion. Mr. Galil has also been
awarded an honorary doctorate in technical sciences by the Technion in recognition of his
contribution to the development of science-based industries in Israel, an honorary
doctorate in philosophy by the Weitzman Institute of Science, an honorary doctorate in
engineering by Polytechnic University, New York, and an honorary doctorate from the
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel and the Solomon Bublick prize laureate from
the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. In 1997 he was awarded the prestigious Israel Prize
for his contribution to the development of the Israeli hi-tech industry. Until April 20,
2005, Mr. Galil had been a director nominated by Elbit.COM. Since then, Mr. Galil serves
as a director on behalf of Advent Investments Pte Ltd.
7
Erez
Gissin has been a director of Partner since August 1998 and is currently a member of
the Executive Committee and the Audit Committee and independent director under the listing
requirements of the Nasdaq National Market. Since April 2005, Mr. Gissin is a private
investor through his management and investment company. For the prior five years, Mr.
Gissin has been the CEO of IP Planet Network Ltd., an Israeli telecommunication company
providing satellite broadband services. Previously, he was the Vice President of Business
Development of the Eurocom Group, an Israeli leader in telecom and internet products and
services. Mr. Gissin holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Tel Aviv
University and an MBA degree from Stanford University, California. Until April 20, 2005
Mr. Gissin had been a director nominated by Eurocom. Since then and until September 12,
2005, Mr. Gissin served as a director and member of the Executive Committee, on behalf of
Advent Investments Pte Ltd. Since then, Mr. Gissin is an independent director and serves
on the Executive committee and the Audit Committee of the Company.
Lui Dennis Pok Man
has been a director of Partner since April 2004 and is the Chairman of
the Executive Committee and the Chairman of the Compensation Committee. Mr. Lui is an
Executive Director and the Chief Executive Officer of Hutchison Telecommunications
International Limited. He first joined the Hutchison Whampoa Limited group in 1986 and was
the managing director in charge of the mobile telecommunications, land-line, multi-media,
internet and paging businesses in Hong Kong, China, Taiwan and Macau from January 1989
until 2000. Mr. Lui rejoined the Hutchison Whampoa group in May 2001 as group
managing director of HTI (1993) Holdings Limited (HTI) overseeing all the
operations and new business development of the HTI group. He holds a Bachelor of Science
Degree from the University of Oregon. Mr. Lui was nominated as a director, and as a member
of the Executive Committee, by Advent Investments Pte Ltd.
Pesach
Shachar has been a director of Partner since May 1998 and is a member of the Executive
Committee. For 21 years he was the General Manager, founder, and a shareholder in Nogay
Ltd., a telecommunications consulting firm active in numerous high-tech projects in Israel
and overseas. In that capacity, he advised Hutchison on the prospects in the cellular
market in Israel, established the Partner shareholder consortium and advised Hutchison on
the bidding for the license and launch of operations. Mr. Shachar served 28 years in the
Israel Defense Forces Signal Corps and Air Force/Telecommunications, reaching the rank of
Colonel. Mr. Shachar was nominated as a director, and as a member of the Executive
Committee, by Advent Investments Pte Ltd.
Amikam
Shorer has been a director of Partner since June 2005. He was nominated as director by
our Israeli founding shareholders. Mr. Shorer has served as Vice President of Business
Affairs and the General Counsel of Eurocom Group, an Israeli leader in telecom and
internet products and services, since 2000. Mr. Shorer also serves as a director in
several companies within the Eurocom Group. Mr. Shorer holds an LLB degree from Bar-Ilan
University.
Frank
John Sixt has been a director of Partner since May 1998. Mr. Sixt has been an
Executive Director of Hutchison Whampoa Limited since 1991 and its Group Finance Director
since 1998. He is the Chairman of TOM Group Limited and TOM Online Inc. He is also an
Executive Director of Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings Limited and Hongkong Electric
Holdings Limited and a Director of Cheung Kong (Holdings) Limited, Hutchison
Telecommunications International Limited, Hutchison Telecommunications (Australia)
Limited, Husky Energy Inc., and Hutchison Telecommunications Limited. He holds a Bachelor
of Arts degree and a Master of Arts degree from McGill University and a Bachelors
degree in Civil Law from the University of Montreal, and is a member of the Bar and of the
Law Society of the Provinces of Quebec and Ontario, Canada. Mr. Sixt was nominated as a
director by Advent Investments Pte Ltd.
8
It
is proposed that at the AGM the following resolution be adopted:
|
RESOLVED,
that Messrs. Fok Kin-ning, Canning, Chan Ting Yu, Uzia Galil, Erez Gissin, Lui Dennis Pok Man, Pesach Shachar, Amikam Shorer, and Frank John Sixt, and Mrs. Chow Woo Mo Fong,
Susan are re-elected to serve as directors of the Company until the close of the next
annual general meeting, unless their office becomes vacant earlier in accordance with the
provisions of the Companies Law and the Companys Articles of Association. |
The
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Ordinary Shares present, in person or
by proxy, and voting on the matter is required for the approval of this resolution.
The
Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR approval
of this proposed
resolution. |
ITEM
3 RE-APPOINTMENT OF MR. MOSHE VIDMAN, AN EXTERNAL
DIRECTOR (DAHATZ) OF THE COMPANY
The
term of office of Mr. Moshe Vidman as an External Director (Dahatz) of the Company
expires on October 28, 2006. According to the Companies Law, an existing external
director(Dahatz) can be re-appointed for one additional term of three years and
according to the Companies Regulations (Relieves for public companies whose shares are
registered for trade in stock exchanges outside of Israel) under certain circumstances, an
external director can be re-appointed for further additional terms. The Board of Directors
recommended to re-appoint Mr. Moshe Vidman for one additional term of three years.
Moshe
Vidman has been an external director of Partner since October 2003. Mr. Vidman is the
Revlon representative in Israel and serves as a director of the following companies:
Israel Corporation Ltd., ICL Israel Chemical Ltd., Rotem Amfert Negev Ltd., Dead
Sea Works Ltd., Jafora-Tabori Ltd., Rosebud Medical Ltd., Ex-Libris Ltd., Bank Leumi
LeIsrael Ltd., Melisron and Ofer Brothers Properties (1957) Ltd. Since 2000 Mr.
Vidman is the Revlon Representative in Israel. Mr. Vidman is also a member of the Board of
Directors and a member of Executive Committee of the Jerusalem Foundation. He also serves
as a member of the Board of Governors and the Chairman of the Endowment Fund Committee and
Chairman of the assets Company of the Hebrew University. Previously he held various
positions at the Ministry of Education and Culture. From 1978 until 1983 Mr. Vidman served
as the Deputy Accountant General in the Ministry of Finance. From 1983 until 1990 he
served as the President and Chief Financial Officer of Aryt Optronics Ltd., a hi-tech
company which developed optics and laser applications for military and medical use. From
1990 until 1999 Mr. Vidman was the Managing Director of Revlon Israel and until March 1999
he served as a director of Koor Industries and Chairman of its Investment Committee. He
also served as Chairman of the Executive Committee of Africa-Israel Ltd. and as the
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Africa-Israel Hotels.
9
It
is proposed that at the AGM the following resolutions be adopted:
|
RESOLVED,
to re-appoint Mr. Vidman as an External Director (Dahatz) of the Company for
one additional term of three years in accordance with the Companies Law, commencing on
October 28, 2006. |
The election of external director
(Dahatz) under the Companies Law requires approval by the general meeting of the
shareholders provided that either (a) the majority of the votes at the meeting, including
at least one third of the votes of non-controlling shareholders voted at the meeting,
voted in favor of the resolution, or (b) the total number of votes against the resolution
among the shareholders mentioned in paragraph (a) above does not exceed one percent of the
aggregate voting rights in the Company.
The Board of Directors recommends
a vote FOR approval of these proposed
resolution.
ITEM 4 APPROVAL
OF THE COMPANYS AUDITED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
The
Board of Directors has approved, as required by the Companies Law, the audited financial
statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2005, attached hereto as
Annex A. These financial statements are distributed together with this
Proxy Statement. Under the Companys Articles of Association, shareholders
approval is required for both the financial statements and the respective report of the
Board of Directors, which is attached hereto as Annex B. A
representative of the Companys auditor, Kesselman & Kesselman, independent
certified public accountants in Israel and a member of the PricewaterhouseCoopers
International Limited group, is expected to be present at the AGM, and will be available
to respond to appropriate questions from shareholders.
It
is proposed that at the AGM the following resolution be adopted:
|
RESOLVED,
that the audited financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2005
and the report of the Board of Directors for such period, are hereby approved. |
The
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Ordinary Shares present, in person or
by proxy, and voting on the matter is required for the approval of this resolution.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR approval
of this proposed
resolution. |
10
ITEM 5
AMENDMENTS TO THE COMPANYS
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
A. |
The
authority of the board of directors to determine the remuneration of
the Companys auditor |
Article
29.3 to the Articles of Association stipulates that the Board of Directors has the
authority to determine the compensation of the auditor of the Company.
It
is proposed to amend Article 15.1.2 to the Articles of Association for consistency. The
amendments to Article 15.1.2 to the Articles of Association are attached hereto as
Annex C.
It
is proposed that at the AGM the following resolution be adopted:
|
RESOLVED,
to approve the amendments to Article 15.1.2. to the Articles of Associations of the
Company, as attached hereto as Annex C. |
The
affirmative vote of the holders of 75% of the Ordinary Shares present, in person or by
proxy, and voting on the matter is required for this amendment to our Articles of
Association.
The
Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR approval of this proposed
resolution.
B. |
Elections
of Directors and termination of their office |
Article
23.3.3 to the Companys Article of Association stipulates that an Extraordinary
Meeting of the Company may elect any person as a Director, to fill an office which became
vacant or to serve as an external Director (Dahatz) or an independent Director and
also in any event in which the number of the member of the Board of Directors is less than
the minimum set in the Articles of Association.
It
is proposed to amend Article 23.3.3. to the Companys Article of Association so that,
in addition to the circumstances specified in the current Article 23.3.3, the Company may,
by Ordinary Majority, unless otherwise required under any applicable law, resolve at the
Extraordinary Meeting to elect any person as an additional member to the then existing
Board of Directors provided that the maximum number of Directors permitted under Article
23.1 is not exceeded. Any Director elected in such manner (excluding an external Director
(Dahatz)) shall serve in office until the coming Annual Meeting, unless his office
becomes vacant earlier in accordance with the provisions of these Articles of Association
and may be reelected. The amendments to Article 23.3.3 to the Articles of Association are
attached hereto as Annex D.
11
In
addition, Article 23.4 to the Companys Article of Association stipulates that the
Board of Directors of the Company may elect, upon approval of at least 75% of the
Directors of the Company, any person as a Director, to fill an office which became vacant
and also in any event in which the number of the member of the Board of Directors is less
than the minimum set in the Articles of Association.
It
is proposed to amend Article 23.4 to the Companys Article of Association so that, in
addition to the circumstances specified in the current Article 23.4, the Board of
Directors of the Company shall be entitled to elect, upon approval of at least 75% of the
Directors of the Company, any person as an additional member (excluding an External
Director Dahatz) to the then existing Board of Directors provided that the
maximum number of Directors permitted under Article 23.1 is not exceeded. Any Director
elected in such manner shall serve in office until the coming Annual Meeting, and may be
reelected. The amendments to Article 23.4 to the Articles of Association are attached
hereto as Annex D.
In
addition, Article 23.9 to the Companys Article of Association stipulates several
cases in which the term of a Director shall be terminated.
According
to section 228(b) to the Companies Law, a company may include in its articles of
association cases for termination of the term of a director. It is proposed to amend
Article 23.9 to the Companys Article of Association and to add Article 23.9.8
according to which, the Board of Directors may terminate a Directors office in case
it concludes that the office of such Director is in violation to the provisions of any
license granted to Partner or any of its subsidiaries or any other entity it controls by
the Minister of Communications of the State of Israel or of any other applicable law. The
amendments to Article 23.9 to the Articles of Association are attached hereto as Annex
D.
It
is proposed that at the AGM the following resolution be adopted:
|
RESOLVED,
to approve the amendments to Articles 23.3.3, 23.4 and 23.9 to the Articles of
Associations of the Company, as attached hereto as Annex D. |
The
affirmative vote of the holders of 75% of the Ordinary Shares present, in person or by
proxy, and voting on the matter is required for this amendment to our Articles of
Association.
The
Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR approval of this proposed
resolution.
D. |
The
insurance of officers |
On
March 23, 2006, the extraordinary general meeting approved amendments to the
Companys Articles of Association in connection with the indemnification of directors
and officers.
In
light of these amendments, our Board of Directors has approved, subject to the approval of
our shareholders, an amendment to Article 33 of our Articles of Association in order
to more accurately reflect the current provisions of the Companies Law and to enable the
Company to enter into an insurance contract to cover to the fullest extent its commitment
to indemnify the officers under the provisions of the Articles of Association and under
the Companies Law. The amendments to Article 33 to the Articles of Association are
attached hereto as Annex E.
12
It
is proposed that at the AGM the following resolution be adopted:
|
RESOLVED,
to approve the amendments to Article 33 to the Articles of Associations of the Company,
as attached hereto as Annex E. |
The
affirmative vote of the holders of 75% of the Ordinary Shares present, in person or by
proxy, and voting on the matter is required for this amendment to our Articles of
Association.
The
Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR approval of this proposed
resolution.
D. |
The
compliance with the terms of the License |
The
Company has and wishes to have in the future several telecommunications licenses issued by
the Ministry of Communications.
Article
43 to the Companys Articles of Association refers to the compliance of the
shareholders of the Company with the License which is defined in Article 1.1
of the Articles of Association to mean the General License for the Provision of Mobile
Radio Telephone Services issued by the Ministry of Communications dated April 7, 1998
only.
Since
the Company has applied to the Ministry of Communications to grant additional telecom
licenses, it is proposed to amend Article 43 to the Companys Articles of Association
so that it will cover the obligation of the shareholders and the Company to comply with
the terms of the License (as defined in the Articles of Association) and any
other telecommunications license(s) held by the Company from time to time. The amendments
to Article 43 to the Articles of Association are attached hereto as Annex
F.
It
is proposed that at the AGM the following resolution be adopted:
|
RESOLVED,
to approve the amendments to Article 43 to the Articles of Associations of the Company,
as attached hereto as Annex F. |
The
affirmative vote of the holders of 75% of the Ordinary Shares present, in person or by
proxy, and voting on the matter is required for this amendment to our Articles of
Association.
The
Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR approval of this proposed
resolution.
13
RESTRICTIONS ON VOTING
RIGHTS
Partner
conducts its operations pursuant to a license granted to Partner by the Minister of
Communications of the State of Israel. Partners Articles of Association and, with
respect to shareholders other than shareholders of Partner prior to its public offering,
Partners license contain provisions that may cause the suspension of voting rights
of the holders of Ordinary Shares or ADSs if such voting rights would breach the ownership
limits contained in our license. These limits prohibit the transfer or acquisition of 10%
or more of Partners means of control and acquisition of control of the Company
without the consent of the Minister of Communications in Israel, and restrict
cross-control and cross-ownership of other mobile telephone operators in Israel, and
shareholdings and agreements which may reduce or harm competition. Ordinary Shares or
Ordinary Shares represented by ADSs held in breach of these limits may be considered as
dormant shares. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Proxy Statement, dormant
shares will not bear any rights to which the holders would otherwise be entitled, other
than the right to receive dividends and other distributions to shareholders (including the
right to participate in rights offerings). Specifically, the holders of dormant shares
will not have voting rights with respect to their dormant shares, nor will they have the
right to participate in general meetings of shareholders.
Any
shareholder seeking to vote at the AGM must notify the Company prior to the vote, or, if
the vote is by deed of vote, must so indicate on the deed of vote, if any of the
shareholders holdings in Partner or the shareholders vote requires the consent
of the Minister of Communications due to a breach by the shareholder of the restrictions
on the transfer or acquisition of means of control or acquisition of control of Partner,
or the provisions regarding cross-ownership or cross-control of other mobile telephone
operators in Israel, in each case as specified in sections 21 and 23 of Partners
license. If a shareholder does not provide such notification, the shareholder shall not
vote and, if the shareholder has voted, his or her vote shall not be counted.
|
|
By Order of the Board of Directors
ROLY KLINGER, ADV.
Vice President
Chief Legal Counsel and
Joint Company Secretary
|
Dated: September 14, 2006
14
Annex A
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY
LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
2005 ANNUAL REPORT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The
amounts are stated in New Israeli Shekels (NIS) in thousands.
|
|
Kesselman & Kesselman
Certified Public Accountants (Isr.)
Trade Tower, 25 Hamered Street
Tel Aviv 68125 Israel
P.O Box 452 Tel Aviv 61003
Telephone +972-3-7954555
Facsimile +972-3-7954556
|
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders of
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS
COMPANY LTD.
We have audited the consolidated
balance sheets of Partner Communications Company Ltd. and its subsidiary (collectively
the Company) as of December 31, 2004 and 2005 and the related
consolidated statements of operations, of changes in shareholders equity (capital
deficiency) and of cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 2005. These financial statements are the responsibility of the
Companys Board of Directors and management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance
with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), and
with auditing standards generally accepted in Israel, including those prescribed by the
Israeli Auditors (Mode of Performance) Regulations, 1973. Those standards require that we
plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test
basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An
audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates
made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We
believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated
financial statements referred to above, present fairly, in all material respects, the
consolidated financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2004 and 2005 and
the consolidated results of its operations, changes in shareholders equity (capital
deficiency) and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 2005, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States.
Tel-Aviv, Israel
March 7, 2006
|
|
Kesselman & Kesselman
Certified Public Accountants (Israel)
|
2
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS
COMPANY LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE
SHEETS
|
December 31
|
|
2004
|
2005
|
2005
|
|
New Israeli shekels
|
Convenience
translation
into
U.S. dollars
(note 1a)
|
|
In thousands
|
|
|
|
|
A s s e t s |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
CURRENT ASSETS: | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | |
| 4,611 |
|
| 4,008 |
|
| 871 |
|
Accounts receivable (note 13): | | |
Trade | | |
| 625,220 |
|
| 795,156 |
|
| 172,747 |
|
Other | | |
| 70,158 |
|
| 97,128 |
|
| 21,101 |
|
Inventories | | |
| 101,656 |
|
| 209,323 |
|
| 45,476 |
|
Deferred income taxes (note 10) | | |
| 255,503 |
|
| 65,361 |
|
| 14,200 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
T o t a l current assets | | |
| 1,057,148 |
|
| 1,170,976 |
|
| 254,395 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
INVESTMENTS AND LONG-TERM RECEIVABLES: | | |
Accounts receivable - trade (note 13) | | |
| 96,687 |
|
| 189,013 |
|
| 41,062 |
|
Funds in respect of employee rights upon retirement (note 7) | | |
| 69,128 |
|
| 75,443 |
|
| 16,390 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
| 165,815 |
|
| 264,456 |
|
| 57,452 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
FIXED ASSETS, net of accumulated depreciation and | | |
amortization (note 3) | | |
| 1,843,182 |
|
| 1,768,895 |
|
| 384,292 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
LICENSE AND DEFERRED CHARGES, | | |
net of accumulated amortization (note 4) | | |
| 1,325,592 |
|
| 1,321,167 |
|
| 287,023 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES (note 10) | | |
| 94,442 |
|
| 86,505 |
|
| 18,793 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
T o t a l assets | | |
| 4,486,179 |
|
| 4,611,999 |
|
| 1,001,955 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
Date
of approval of the financial statements: March 7, 2006
Amikam Cohen Chief Executive Officer |
Alan Gelman Chief Financial Officer |
Moshe Vidman Director |
3
|
December 31
|
|
2004
|
2005
|
2005
|
|
New Israeli shekels
|
Convenience
translation
into
U.S. dollars
(note 1a)
|
|
In thousands
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities and shareholders' equity |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
CURRENT LIABILITIES: | | |
Current maturities of long-term liabilities (notes 5, 13d) | | |
| |
|
| 34,464 |
|
| 7,487 |
|
Accounts payable and accruals: | | |
Trade | | |
| 552,377 |
|
| 665,542 |
|
| 144,589 |
|
Other (note 13) | | |
| 307,364 |
|
| 231,480 |
|
| 50,289 |
|
Related party - trade | | |
| |
|
| 10,513 |
|
| 2,284 |
|
Dividend payable | | |
| |
|
| 44,996 |
|
| 9,775 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
T o t a l current liabilities | | |
| 859,741 |
|
| 986,995 |
|
| 214,424 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES: | | |
Bank loans, net of current maturities (note 5) | | |
| 1,185,088 |
|
| 665,974 |
|
| 144,682 |
|
Notes payable (note 6) | | |
| 753,900 |
|
| 2,022,257 |
|
| 439,335 |
|
Liability for employee rights upon retirement (note 7) | | |
| 92,808 |
|
| 102,238 |
|
| 22,211 |
|
Other liabilities (note 13d) | | |
| 7,567 |
|
| 19,184 |
|
| 4,168 |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
T o t a l long-term liabilities | | |
| 2,039,363 |
|
| 2,809,653 |
|
| 610,396 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (note 8) | | |
T o t a l liabilities | | |
| 2,899,104 |
|
| 3,796,648 |
|
| 824,820 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (note 9): | | |
Share capital - ordinary shares of NIS 0.01 par | | |
value: authorized - December 31, 2004 and 2005 - | | |
235,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding - | | |
December 31, 2004 - 184,037,221 shares and | | |
December 31, 2005 - 152,528,288 shares issued | | |
| 1,840 |
|
| 1,525 |
|
| 331 |
|
Less - receivables in respect of shares | | |
| (2,260 |
) |
| |
|
| |
|
Capital surplus | | |
| 2,362,027 |
|
| 2,401,160 |
|
| 521,651 |
|
Deferred compensation | | |
| (23,650 |
) |
| (12,735 |
) |
| (2,766 |
) |
Accumulated deficit | | |
| (750,882 |
) |
| (1,574,599 |
) |
| (342,081 |
) |
|
| |
| |
| |
T o t a l shareholders' equity | | |
| 1,587,075 |
|
| 815,351 |
|
| 177,135 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
| 4,486,179 |
|
| 4,611,999 |
|
| 1,001,955 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
4
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS
COMPANY LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS
OF OPERATIONS
|
Year ended December 31
|
|
2003
|
2004
|
2005
|
2005
|
|
New Israeli shekels
|
Convenience
translation
into
U.S. dollars
(note 1a)
|
|
In thousands (except per share data)
|
|
|
|
|
|
REVENUES - net: |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
Services | | |
| 4,117,887 |
|
| 4,615,781 |
|
| 4,619,932 |
|
| 1,003,679 |
|
Equipment | | |
| 349,832 |
|
| 524,956 |
|
| 503,007 |
|
| 109,278 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
| 4,467,719 |
|
| 5,140,737 |
|
| 5,122,939 |
|
| 1,112,957 |
|
COST OF REVENUES: | | |
Services | | |
| 2,586,707 |
|
| 2,885,077 |
|
| 3,022,480 |
|
| 656,633 |
|
Equipment | | |
| 549,749 |
|
| 729,937 |
|
| 743,872 |
|
| 161,606 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
| 3,136,456 |
|
| 3,615,014 |
|
| 3,766,352 |
|
| 818,239 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
GROSS PROFIT | | |
| 1,331,263 |
|
| 1,525,723 |
|
| 1,356,587 |
|
| 294,718 |
|
SELLING AND MARKETING EXPENSES | | |
| 314,008 |
|
| 325,244 |
|
| 272,900 |
|
| 59,287 |
|
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES | | |
| 162,387 |
|
| 181,133 |
|
| 180,781 |
|
| 39,275 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
OPERATING PROFIT | | |
| 854,868 |
|
| 1,019,346 |
|
| 902,906 |
|
| 196,156 |
|
FINANCIAL EXPENSES, net (note 13) | | |
| 321,710 |
|
| 260,545 |
|
| 345,448 |
|
| 75,048 |
|
LOSS ON IMPAIRMENT OF INVESTMENTS | | |
IN NON-MARKETABLE SECURITIES (note 2) | | |
| 3,530 |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
INCOME BEFORE TAX | | |
| 529,628 |
|
| 758,801 |
|
| 557,458 |
|
| 121,108 |
|
TAX BENEFIT (TAX EXPENSES) (note 10) | | |
| 633,022 |
|
| (287,248 |
) |
| (202,898 |
) |
| (44,080 |
) |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
NET INCOME FOR THE YEAR | | |
| 1,162,650 |
|
| 471,553 |
|
| 354,560 |
|
| 77,028 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
EARNINGS PER SHARE ("EPS"): | | |
Basic | | |
| 6.39 |
|
| 2.57 |
|
| 2.19 |
|
| 0.48 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
Diluted | | |
| 6.34 |
|
| 2.56 |
|
| 2.17 |
|
| 0.47 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF | | |
SHARES OUTSTANDING: | | |
Basic | | |
| 181,930,803 |
|
| 183,389,383 |
|
| 161,711,125 |
|
| 161,711,125 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
Diluted | | |
| 183,243,157 |
|
| 184,108,917 |
|
| 163,617,272 |
|
| 163,617,272 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
5
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS
COMPANY LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (CAPITAL DEFICIANCIES)
|
Share capital
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of
shares
|
Amount
|
Receivables in
respect of
shares issued
|
Capital
surplus
|
Deferred
compensation
|
Accumulated
deficit
|
Total
|
|
|
( I n t h o u s a n d s )
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New Israeli Shekels: |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2002 | | |
| 181,595,222 |
|
| 1,816 |
|
| |
|
| 2,293,270 |
|
| (6,385 |
) |
| (2,385,085 |
) |
| (96,384 |
) |
CHANGES DURING THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003: | | |
Exercise of options granted to employees | | |
| 1,100,352 |
|
| 11 |
|
| (4,374 |
) |
| 7,754 |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| 3,391 |
|
Income tax benefit in respect of exercise | | |
of options granted to employees | | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| 730 |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| 730 |
|
Deferred compensation related to employee stock option grants | | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| 2,666 |
|
| (2,666 |
) |
| |
|
| |
|
Amortization of deferred compensation related | | |
to employee stock option grants net of deferred | | |
compensation with respect to stock options
forfeited | | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| (1,365 |
) |
| 6,542 |
|
| |
|
| 5,177 |
|
Net income | | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| 1,162,650 |
|
| 1,162,650 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2003 | | |
| 182,695,574 |
|
| 1,827 |
|
| (4,374 |
) |
| 2,303,055 |
|
| (2,509 |
) |
| (1,222,435 |
) |
| 1,075,564 |
|
CHANGES DURING THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004: | | |
Exercise of options granted to employees | | |
| 1,341,647 |
|
| 13 |
|
| 2,114 |
|
| 23,671 |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| 25,798 |
|
Income tax benefit in respect of exercise of options | | |
granted to employees | | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| 3,440 |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| 3,440 |
|
Deferred compensation related to employee stock option grants | | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| 32,560 |
|
| (32,560 |
) |
| |
|
| |
|
Amortization of deferred compensation related to | | |
employee stock option grants net of deferred | | |
compensation with respect to stock options forfeited | | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| (699 |
) |
| 11,419 |
|
| |
|
| 10,720 |
|
Net income | | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| 471,553 |
|
| 471,553 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2004 | | |
| 184,037,221 |
|
| 1,840 |
|
| (2,260 |
) |
| 2,362,027 |
|
| (23,650 |
) |
| (750,882 |
) |
| 1,587,075 |
|
CHANGES DURING THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2005: | | |
Repurchase of Company's shares (including | | |
purchase cost of NIS 17,591,000) | | |
| (33,317,933 |
) |
| (333 |
) |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| (1,091,508 |
) |
| (1,091,841 |
) |
Exercise of options granted to employees | | |
| 1,809,000 |
|
| 18 |
|
| 2,260 |
|
| 34,875 |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| 37,153 |
|
Income tax benefit in respect of exercise of options | | |
granted to employees | | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| 4,820 |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| 4,820 |
|
Deferred compensation related to employee stock option grants | | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| 2,638 |
|
| (2,638 |
) |
| |
|
| |
|
Amortization of deferred compensation related to | | |
employee stock option grants net of deferred | | |
compensation with respect to stock options forfeited | | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| (3,200 |
) |
| 13,553 |
|
| |
|
| 10,353 |
|
Dividend | | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| (86,769 |
) |
| (86,769 |
) |
Net income | | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| 354,560 |
|
| 354,560 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2005 | | |
| 152,528,288 |
|
| 1,525 |
|
| -,- |
|
| 2,401,160 |
|
| (12,735 |
) |
| (1,574,599 |
) |
| 815,351 |
|
Convenience translation into u.s. dollars (note 1a): | | |
BALANCE AT JANUARY 1, 2005 | | |
| 184,037,221 |
|
| 399 |
|
| (491 |
) |
| 513,149 |
|
| (5,137 |
) |
| (163,129 |
) |
| 344,791 |
|
CHANGES DURING THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2005: | | |
Repurchase of Company's shares (including | | |
purchase cost of $3,900,000) | | |
| (33,317,933 |
) |
| (72 |
) |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| (237,130 |
) |
| (237,202 |
) |
Exercise of options granted to employees | | |
| 1,809,000 |
|
| 4 |
|
| 491 |
|
| 7,577 |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| 8,072 |
|
Income tax benefit in respect of exercise of | | |
options granted to employees | | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| 1,047 |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| 1,047 |
|
Deferred compensation related to employee stock option grants | | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| 573 |
|
| (573 |
) |
| |
|
| |
|
Amortization of deferred compensation related to employee stock option grants net of
deferred compensation with respect to stock options forfeited | | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| (695 |
) |
| 2,944 |
|
| |
|
| 2,249 |
|
Dividend | | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| (18,850 |
) |
| (18,850 |
) |
Net income | | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| 77,028 |
|
| 77,028 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2005 | | |
| 152,528,288 |
|
| 331 |
|
| -,- |
|
| 521,651 |
|
| (2,766 |
) |
| (342,081 |
) |
| 177,135 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
6
(Continued) 1
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS
COMPANY LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS
OF CASH FLOWS
|
Year ended December 31
|
|
2003
|
2004
|
2005
|
2005
|
|
New Israeli shekels
|
Convenience
translation
into U.S.
dollars
(note 1a)
|
|
In thousands
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
Net income for the year | | |
| 1,162,650 |
|
| 471,553 |
|
| 354,560 |
|
| 77,028 |
|
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash | | |
provided by operating activities: | | |
Depreciation and amortization | | |
| 536,871 |
|
| 558,222 |
|
| 683,503 |
|
| 148,490 |
|
Loss on impairment of investments in | | |
non-marketable securities | | |
| 3,530 |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
Amortization of deferred compensation related | | |
to employee stock option grants, net | | |
| 5,177 |
|
| 10,720 |
|
| 10,353 |
|
| 2,249 |
|
Liability for employee rights upon retirement | | |
| 15,540 |
|
| 16,302 |
|
| 9,430 |
|
| 2,049 |
|
Deferred income taxes | | |
| (633,752 |
) |
| 283,807 |
|
| 198,079 |
|
| 43,033 |
|
Income tax benefit in respect of exercise of options | | |
granted to employees | | |
| 730 |
|
| 3,440 |
|
| 4,820 |
|
| 1,047 |
|
Accrued interest, exchange and linkage | | |
differences on (erosion of) long-term liabilities | | |
| (67,438 |
) |
| (10,258 |
) |
| 108,411 |
|
| 23,552 |
|
Erosion of security deposit | | |
| 8,877 |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
Amount carried to deferred charges | | |
| |
|
| |
|
| (13,820 |
) |
| (3,002 |
) |
Capital loss (gain) on sale of fixed assets | | |
| (7,829 |
) |
| (391 |
) |
| 493 |
|
| 107 |
|
Changes in operating asset and liability items: | | |
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable: | | |
Trade | | |
| 22,721 |
|
| (225,860 |
) |
| (262,262 |
) |
| (56,976 |
) |
Other | | |
| (5,557 |
) |
| (13,615 |
) |
| (26,970 |
) |
| (5,859 |
) |
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and | | |
accruals: | | |
Related parties | | |
| |
|
| |
|
| 10,513 |
|
| 2,284 |
|
Trade | | |
| (93,444 |
) |
| 135,600 |
|
| 112,857 |
|
| 24,518 |
|
Other | | |
| 47,541 |
|
| 41,613 |
|
| (75,884 |
) |
| (16,486 |
) |
Increase (decrease) in asset retirement obligations | | |
| 1,228 |
|
| 464 |
|
| (92 |
) |
| (20 |
) |
Decrease (increase) in inventories | | |
| 34,647 |
|
| 1,205 |
|
| (107,667 |
) |
| (23,391 |
) |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
Net cash provided by operating activities | | |
| 1,031,492 |
|
| 1,272,802 |
|
| 1,006,324 |
|
| 218,623 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | | |
Purchase of fixed assets | | |
| (350,344 |
) |
| (609,795 |
) |
| (498,851 |
) |
| (108,374 |
) |
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets | | |
| (12,309 |
) |
| 552 |
|
| 16 |
|
| (3 |
) |
Withdrawal of security deposit | | |
| (98,917 |
) |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
Purchase of additional spectrum | | |
| (121,388 |
) |
| (53,969 |
) |
| (41,542 |
) |
| (9,025 |
) |
Funds in respect of employee rights upon retirement | | |
| (16,263 |
) |
| (10,404 |
) |
| (6,315 |
) |
| (1,372 |
) |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
Net cash used in investing activities | | |
| (376,769 |
) |
| (673,616 |
) |
| (546,692 |
) |
| (118,768 |
) |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
7
(Concluded) 2
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS
COMPANY LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS
OF CASH FLOWS
|
Year ended December 31
|
|
2003
|
2004
|
2005
|
2005
|
|
New Israeli shekels
|
Convenience
translation
into U.S.
Dollars
(note 1a)
|
|
In thousands
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
Repayment of capital lease | | |
| |
|
| |
|
| (1,893 |
) |
| (411 |
) |
Repurchase of company's shares (including purchase | | |
cost of NIS 17,591,000 ($ 3,900,000)) | | |
| |
|
| |
|
| (1,091,841 |
) |
| (237,202 |
) |
Issuance of notes payable under a prospectus, net of | | |
issuance costs | | |
| |
|
| |
|
| 1,929,223 |
|
| 419,123 |
|
Redemption of notes payable | | |
| |
|
| |
|
| (793,100 |
) |
| (172,301 |
) |
Proceeds from exercise of stock options granted to | | |
employees | | |
| 3,391 |
|
| 25,798 |
|
| 37,153 |
|
| 8,072 |
|
Dividend paid | | |
| |
|
| |
|
| (41,773 |
) |
| (9,075 |
) |
Long-term bank loans received | | |
| 240,000 |
|
| |
|
| 359,000 |
|
| 77,993 |
|
Repayment of long-term bank loans | | |
| (895,700 |
) |
| (624,147 |
) |
| (857,004 |
) |
| (186,185 |
) |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
Net cash used in financing activities | | |
| (652,309 |
) |
| (598,349 |
) |
| (460,235 |
) |
| (99,986 |
) |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH | | |
EQUIVALENTS | | |
| 2,414 |
|
| 837 |
|
| (603 |
) |
| (131 |
) |
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT | | |
BEGINNING OF YEAR | | |
| 1,360 |
|
| 3,774 |
|
| 4,611 |
|
| 1,002 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT | | |
END OF YEAR | | |
| 3,774 |
|
| 4,611 |
|
| 4,008 |
|
| 871 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
SUPPLEMENTARY DISCLOSURE OF CASH | | |
FLOW INFORMATION - cash paid during the year: | | |
Interest | | |
| 287,629 |
|
| 179,205 |
|
| 235,854 |
|
| 51,239 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
Advances to income tax authorities | | |
| 3,750 |
|
| 4,900 |
|
| 30,840 |
|
| 6,700 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
Supplementary information on
investing and financing activities not involving cash flows
At December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005,
trade payables include NIS 65.7 million, NIS 103.8 million and NIS 90.3 million ($
19.6 million), respectively, in respect of acquisition of fixed assets. In addition, at
December 31, 2004 and 2005 trade payables include NIS 13.8 million and NIS 27.7 million
($6.0 million) in respect of acquisition of additional spectrum, respectively.
At December 31, 2005, dividend
payable of approximately NIS 45 million ($9.8 million) is outstanding.
These balances are
recognized in the cash flow statements upon payment.
During 2005, the Company has
undertaken a capital lease with respect to fixed assets in the amount of NIS15.8 million
($ 3.4 million)
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
8
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS
COMPANY LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1 |
|
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES: |
|
1) |
Partner
Communications Company Ltd. (the Company) operates a mobile
telecommunications network in Israel. The Company launched its 3G network on
December 1, 2004. As of April 20, 2005, the Company is a subsidiary of
Hutchison Telecommunications International Limited (HTIL). |
|
2) |
The
Company was incorporated on September 29, 1997, and operates under a
license granted by the Ministry of Communications to operate a cellular
telephone network for a period of 10 years beginning April 7, 1998. The
Company commenced full commercial operations on January 1, 1999. |
|
The
Company paid a one-time license fee of approximately new Israeli shekels (NIS) 1.6
billion which is presented under license and deferred charges. The Company is
entitled to request an extension of the license for an additional period of six years and
then renewal for one or more additional six year periods. Should the license not be
renewed, the new license-holder is obliged to purchase the communications network and all
the rights and obligations of the subscribers for a fair price, as agreed between the
parties or as determined by an arbitrator. |
|
In
December 2001, the Company was awarded additional spectrum (2G band (1800MHz) and third
generation (3G) UMTS band (1900MHz and 2100MHz)). Following the award of the above
spectrum, the Companys license was amended and extended through 2022. |
|
In
consideration for the above additional spectrum the Company paid NIS 180 million ($ 39
million) for the 2G spectrum, and is committed to pay NIS 220 million ($ 48 million) for
the 3G spectrum in six installments through 2006, of which approximately NIS 198 million
(approximately $43 million) was paid as of December 31, 2005. |
|
Under
the terms of the amended license, the Company provided a guarantee in NIS equivalent of $ 10
million to the State of Israel to secure the Companys adherence to the terms of the
license. |
|
Use
of estimates in the preparation of financial statements |
|
The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent
assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts
of revenues and expenses during the reporting years. Actual results could differ from
those estimates. |
9
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS
COMPANY LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NOTE 1 |
|
SIGNIFICANT
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued): |
|
Functional
currency and reporting currency |
|
The
functional currency of the Company and its subsidiary is the local currency New Israeli
Shekels NIS. The consolidated financial statements have been drawn up on the basis
of the historical cost of Israeli currency and are presented in NIS. |
|
Convenience
translation into U.S. dollars (dollars or $) |
|
The
NIS figures at December 31, 2005 and for the year then ended have been translated into
dollars using the representative exchange rate of the dollar at December 31, 2005 ($1 =
NIS 4.603). The translation was made solely for convenience. The translated dollar
figures should not be construed as a representation that the Israeli currency amounts
actually represent, or could be converted into, dollars. |
|
The
consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States (U.S. GAAP). |
|
b. |
Principles
of consolidation: |
|
1) |
The
consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its
wholly-owned subsidiary (together the Group). |
|
2) |
Intercompany
balances between the Company and its subsidiary have been eliminated. |
|
Inventories
of cellular telephones (handsets) and accessories are stated at the lower of cost or
estimated net realizable value. Cost is determined on the first-in, first-outbasis. |
|
The
Company determines its allowance for inventory obsolescence and slow moving inventory,
based upon expected inventory turnover, inventory aging and current and future
expectations with respect to product offerings. |
|
d. |
Non-marketable
securities |
|
These
investments are stated at cost, less provision for impairment losses, see note 2. |
10
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS
COMPANY LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NOTE 1 |
|
SIGNIFICANT
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued): |
|
1) |
These
assets are stated at cost. |
|
2) |
Direct
consultation and supervision costs and other direct costs relating to
setting up the Companys communications network and information
systems for recording and billing calls are capitalized to cost of the
assets. |
|
During
2004, costs incurred relating to the 3G network, prior to the launch of the network, in
the amount of NIS 23.4 million were capitalized. |
|
3) |
Interest
costs in respect of loans and credit which served to finance the
construction or acquisition of fixed assets incurred until
installations of the fixed assets are completed are capitalized to
cost of such assets. |
|
4) |
Assets
are depreciated by the straight-line method, on basis of their estimated useful
life. |
|
Annual
rates of depreciation are as follows: |
|
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Communications network |
|
|
10 - 20 |
|
|
|
|
| | |
(mainly 15) | | |
|
|
Computers, hardware and software for | | |
|
information systems | | |
15-33 | | |
|
|
Vehicles | | |
20 | | |
|
|
Office furniture and equipment | | |
7-15 | | |
|
|
Leasehold
improvements are amortized by the straight-line method over the term of the lease
(including reasonably assured option periods), or the estimated useful life of the
improvements, whichever is shorter. |
|
5) |
Fixed
assets leased by the Company under capital leases are classified as the Companys
assets and are recorded, at the inception of the lease, at the lower of the
assets fair value or the present value of the minimum lease payments. |
|
6) |
Computer
Software Costs |
|
The
cost of internal-use software is capitalized in accordance with Statement of Position
(SOP) No. 98-1, Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software Developed or
Obtained for Internal Use. Subsequent additions, modifications or upgrades to
internal-use software are capitalized only to the extent that they allow the software to
perform a task it previously did not perform. Software maintenance and training costs are
expensed in the period in which they are incurred. Capitalized computer software costs
are amortized using the straight-line method over a period of 5 to 7 years. |
11
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS
COMPANY LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NOTE 1 |
|
SIGNIFICANT
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued): |
|
f. |
License
and deferred charges: |
|
The
license (see also 1a(2) above) is stated at cost and is amortized by the straight-line
method over the utilization period of the license starting January 1, 1999. |
|
Following
the extensions of the license (as described in note 1a(2) above) the unamortized balance
of the Companys existing license as well as the cost of the additional spectrum put
into service are amortized on a straight-line basis over the period ending in 2022. |
|
The
costs relating to the 3G band are amortized as of December 1, 2004, by the straight-line
method over the period ending in 2022. |
|
Interest
expenses which served to finance the license fee incurred until the commencement
of utilization of the license were capitalized to cost of the license. During the
years 2003 and 2004 NIS 10 million and NIS 8 million interest costs were
capitalized to the cost of the license, respectively. |
|
a) |
Costs
relating to the obtaining of long-term credit lines are deferred and amortized
using the effective interest rate determined for the borrowing transactions
over the life of line of credit. |
|
b) |
Issuance
costs relating to Notes payable (see note 6) are amortized using the effective
interest rate stipulated for the Notes. |
|
g. |
Impairment
of long-lived assets |
|
The
Company has adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144 (FAS 144), Accounting
for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets. FAS 144 requires that
long-lived assets, including certain intangible assets, to be held and used by an entity
be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the
carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. Under FAS 144, if the sum of
the expected future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) of the
long-lived assets is less than the carrying amount of such assets, an impairment loss
would be recognized, and the assets written down to their estimated fair values. |
|
The
Company considers all highly liquid investments, which include short-term bank deposits
(up to 3 months from date of deposit) that are not restricted as to withdrawal or use, to
be cash equivalents. |
|
The
Company has no comprehensive income components other than net income. |
12
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS
COMPANY LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NOTE 1 |
|
SIGNIFICANT
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued): |
|
Revenues
from services primarily consist of charges for airtime, roaming and value added services
provided to the Companys customers, are recognized upon performance of the
services, net of credits and adjustments for services discounts. Revenues from pre-paid
calling cards are recognized upon customers usage of the cards. Revenues from sale
of handsets and accessories are recognized upon delivery and the transfer of ownership to
the subscriber. |
|
Emerging
Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue 00-21, Revenue Arrangements with
Multiple Deliverables addresses the accounting, by a vendor, for contractual
arrangements in which multiple revenue-generating activities will be performed by the
vendor. It is effective prospectively for all arrangements entered into in fiscal periods
beginning after June 15, 2003. EITF Issue 00-21 addresses when and, if so, how an
arrangement involving multiple deliverables should be divided into separate units of
accounting. The Company adopted EITF Issue 00-21 in the year ended December 31, 2003. The
adoption had no impact on its financial position and results of operations. Based on EITF
00-21, the Company determined that the sale of handsets with accompanying services
constitutes a revenue arrangement with multiple deliverables. Accordingly consideration
received for handsets, up to their fair value, that is not contingent upon the delivery
of additional items (such as the services), is recognized as equipment revenues, when
revenue recognition criteria for the equipment as stated above are met. Consideration for
services is recognized as services revenues, when earned. |
|
k. |
Concentration
of credit risks allowance for doubtful accounts |
|
The
Companys revenues are derived from a large number of customers. Accordingly, the
Companys trade balances do not represent a substantial concentration of credit
risk. An appropriate provision for doubtful accounts is included in the accounts of the
Company. The allowance charged to expenses (including bad debts), determined as a
percentage of specific debts doubtful of collection, based upon historical experience,
for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005 totaled NIS 15,601,000, NIS 21,256,000
and NIS 28,739,000 ($ 6,244,000) (see note 13a), respectively. |
|
The
cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2005 are deposited mainly with leading
Israeli banks. Therefore, in the opinion of the Company, the credit risk inherent in
these balances is remote. |
|
During
2003 and 2004, the Company factored most of its long-term trade receivables resulting
from sales of handsets. The factoring was made through clearing companies, on a
non-recourse basis. The sale of accounts receivable was recorded by the Company as a
sales transaction under the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No.140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and
Extinguishments of Liabilities. |
|
The
resulting costs were charged to financial expenses-net, as incurred. During
the years ended December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005, the Company factored NIS
295,827,000, NIS 331,611,000 and NIS 7,834,000 ($1,702,000), respectively, from
long-term trade receivables. |
13
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS
COMPANY LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NOTE 1 |
|
SIGNIFICANT
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued): |
|
l. |
Handsets
warranty obligations |
|
The
provision for handsets warranty obligations is calculated at the rate of 1.5%-3.5% of the
cost of the handsets sold, see note 13c. The Company has entered into several agreements
under which the supplier does not provide any warranty but rather provides additional
handsets to satisfy its warranty obligation. In these cases, the Company provides for
warranty costs at the same time as the revenues are recognized. |
|
Advertising
expenses are charged to the statement of operations as incurred. Advertising expenses for
the years ended December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005 totaled NIS 99,061,000, NIS
115,909,000 and NIS 97,651,000 ($ 21,215,000), respectively. |
|
Deferred
taxes are determined utilizing the asset and liability method, based on the differences
between the amounts presented in these financial statements and those taken into account
for tax purposes, in accordance with the applicable tax laws. Valuation allowances are
provided if, based upon the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that
some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized (see note 10d). |
|
Deferred
tax assets and liabilities are presented as current or long-term items in accordance with
the nature of assets or liabilities to which they relate. Deferred tax assets in respect
of carryforward tax losses are presented as current or long-term assets, according to
their expected utilization date. |
|
o. |
Foreign
currency transactions and balances |
|
Balances
in, or linked to, foreign currency are stated on the basis of the exchange rates
prevailing at balance sheet dates. For foreign currency transactions included in the
statements of operations, the exchange rates at transaction dates are used. Transaction
gains or losses arising from changes in the exchange rates used in the translation of
such balances are carried to financial income or expenses. |
|
p. |
Derivative
financial instruments (derivatives) |
|
The
Company has adopted FAS 133, as amended, which establishes accounting and reporting
standards for derivatives, including certain derivatives embedded in other contracts, and
for hedging activities. Under FAS 133, all derivatives are recognized on the balance
sheet at their fair value. On the date that the Company enters into a derivative
contract, it designates the derivative, for accounting purposes, as: (1) hedging
instrument, or (2) non-hedging instrument. Any changes in fair value are to be reflected
as current gains or losses or other comprehensive gains or losses, depending upon whether
the derivative is designated as a hedge and what type of hedging relationship exists.
Changes in fair value of non-hedging instruments are carried to financial
expenses-net on a current basis. To date, the Company did not have any contracts
that qualify for hedge accounting under FAS 133. |
|
The
Company occasionally enters into commercial (foreign currency) contracts in which a
derivative instrument is embedded. This embedded derivative is separated from
the host contract and carried at fair value when (1) the embedded derivative possesses
economic characteristics that are not clearly and closely related to the economic
characteristics of the host contract and (2) a separate, stand-alone instrument with the
same terms would qualify as a derivative instrument (see note 12). |
14
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS
COMPANY LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NOTE 1 |
|
SIGNIFICANT
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued): |
|
q. |
Earning
Per Share (EPS) |
|
Basic
EPS is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares
outstanding during the years. |
|
Diluted
EPS reflects the increase in the weighted average number of shares outstanding that would
result from the assumed exercise of employee stock options, calculated using the
treasury-stock-method. |
|
r. |
Stock
based compensation |
|
The
Company accounts for employee stock based compensation under the intrinsic value model in
accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 Accounting for Stock
Issued to Employees (APB 25) and related interpretations. In accordance
with FAS 123 Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (FAS 123),
the Company discloses pro forma data assuming the group had accounted for employee stock
option grants using the fair value-based method defined in FAS 123. As to the Recently
issued revised FAS 123, see t. below. Compensation cost for employee stock option plans
is charged to shareholders equity, on the date of grant of the options, under deferred
compensation costs and is then amortized over the vesting period using the
accelerated method of amortization. |
|
The
weighted average fair value of options granted using the Black & Scholes
option-pricing model during 2003, 2004 and 2005 is NIS 26.96, NIS 18.98 and NIS 21.36
($4.64), respectively. The fair value of each option granted is estimated on the date of
grant based on the following weighted average assumptions: weighted average dividend
yield of 0%; expected volatility of 62%, 55% and 58%, respectively; risk-free interest
rate: 2003 4.5%, 2004 4%, 2005 3.5%; weighted expected life: 2003
9 years; 2004 and 2005 5 years. |
15
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS
COMPANY LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NOTE 1 |
|
SIGNIFICANT
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued): |
|
The
following table illustrates the effect on net income and EPS assuming the Company had
applied the fair value recognition provisions of FAS 123 to its stock based employee
compensation: |
|
|
Year ended December 31,
|
|
|
2003
|
2004
|
2005
|
2005
|
|
|
NIS
|
Convenience
translation
into dollars
|
|
|
In thousands, except per share data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income, as reported |
|
|
| 1,162,650 |
|
| 471,553 |
|
| 354,560 |
|
| 77,028 |
|
|
Add: stock based employee | | |
|
compensation expense-net, | | |
|
included in reported net | | |
|
income - net of income taxes | | |
| 3,313 |
|
| 10,122 |
|
| 8,023 |
|
| 1,743 |
|
|
Deduct: stock based employee | | |
|
compensation expense-net, | | |
|
determined under fair value | | |
|
method for all awards - net of income | | |
|
taxes | | |
| (12,225 |
) |
| (29,879 |
) |
| (30,978 |
) |
| (6,730 |
) |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
Pro-forma net income | | |
| 1,153,738 |
|
| 451,796 |
|
| 331,605 |
|
| 72,041 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
| | |
|
Earning per share: | | |
|
Basic - as reported | | |
| 6.39 |
|
| 2.57 |
|
| 2.19 |
|
| 0.48 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
Basic - pro forma | | |
| 6.34 |
|
| 2.46 |
|
| 2.05 |
|
| 0.45 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
Diluted - as reported | | |
| 6.34 |
|
| 2.56 |
|
| 2.17 |
|
| 0.47 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
Diluted - pro-forma | | |
| 6.31 |
|
| 2.46 |
|
| 2.03 |
|
| 0.44 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
s. |
Asset
retirement obligations |
|
The
Company has adopted as of January 1, 2003 FAS 143 Accounting for Asset Retirement
Obligations (FAS 143). FAS 143 requires that an asset retirement
obligation (ARO) associated with the retirement of a tangible long lived asset be
recognized as a liability in the period in which it is incurred and becomes determinable
(as defined by the standard), with an offsetting increase in the carrying amount of the
associated asset. The cost of the tangible asset, including the initially recognized ARO,
is depreciated such that the cost of the ARO is recognized over the useful life of the
asset.
The ARO is recorded at fair value, and the accretion expense will be recognized
over time as the discounted liability is accreted to its expected settlement value. The
fair value of the ARO is measured using expected future cash out flows discounted at the
Companys credit-adjusted risk-free interest rate. |
|
The
Company is subject to asset retirement obligations associated with its cell sites
operating leases. These lease agreements contain clauses requiring restoration of the
leased site at the end of the lease term, creating asset retirement obligations, see also
note 13d. |
16
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS
COMPANY LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NOTE 1 |
|
SIGNIFICANT
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued): |
|
t. |
Recently
issued accounting pronouncements: |
|
1) |
FAS
123 (revised 2004) Share-based Payment |
|
In
December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued the
revised Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (FAS) No. 123,
Share-Based Payment (FAS 123R), which addresses the accounting for share-based
payment transactions in which the company obtains employee services in exchange for (a)
equity instruments of the company or (b) liabilities that are based on the fair value of
the companys equity instruments or that may be settled by the issuance of such
equity instruments .In March 2005, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107 (SAB 107)
regarding the SECs interpretation of FAS 123R. |
|
FAS
123R eliminates the ability to account for employee share-based payment transactions
using APB Opinion No. 25 Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and
requires instead that such transactions be accounted for using the grant-date fair value
based method. This Statement will be effective for public companies at the beginning of
their next fiscal year that begins after June 15, 2005 (first quarter of 2006 for the
Company). Early adoption of FAS 123R is encouraged. This Statement applies to all awards
granted or modified after the Statements effective date. In addition, compensation
cost for the unvested portion of previously granted awards that remain outstanding on the
Statements effective date shall be recognized on or after the effective date, as
the related services are rendered, based on the awards grant-date fair value as
previously calculated for the pro-forma disclosure under FAS 123. |
|
The
Company expects that upon the adoption of FAS 123R, as of January 1, 2006, the Company
will apply the modified prospective application transition method, as permitted by the
Statement. Under such transition method, upon the adoption of FAS 123R, the Companys
financial statements for periods prior to the effective date of the Statement will not be
restated. |
|
Compensation
expense for outstanding awards for which the requisite service had not been rendered as
of the effective date will be recognized over the remaining service period using the
compensation cost calculated for pro-forma disclosure purposes under FAS 123. At December
31, 2005, unamortized compensation expenses related to outstanding unvested options, as
determined under FAS 123, that the Company expect to record during 2006 was approximately
NIS 20 million (net of forfeited rate). |
17
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS
COMPANY LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NOTE 1 |
|
SIGNIFICANT
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued): |
|
t. |
Recently
issued accounting pronouncements (continued): |
|
2) |
FAS
154 Accounting Changes and Error Corrections a replacement of
Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) No. 20 and FASB
Statement No. 3. |
|
In
June 2005, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued FAS No. 154, |
|
"Accounting
Changes and Error Corrections - a replacement of APB Opinion No. 20 |
|
and
FASB Statement No. 3". This Statement generally requires retrospective application
to prior periods financial statements of changes in accounting principle.
Previously, Opinion No. 20 required that most voluntary changes in accounting principle
were recognized by including the cumulative effect of changing to the new accounting
principle in net income of the period of the change. |
|
FAS
154 applies to all voluntary changes in accounting principle. It also applies to changes
required by an accounting pronouncement in the unusual instance that the pronouncement
does not include specific transition provisions. When a pronouncement includes specific
transition provisions, those provisions should be followed. This Statement shall be
effective for accounting changes and corrections of errors made in fiscal years beginning
after December 15, 2005 (Year 2006 for the company). The Company does not expect the
adoption of this statement will have a material impact on the Companys results of
operations, financial position or cash flows. |
NOTE 2 |
|
INVESTMENTS
IN NON-MARKETABLE SECURITIES |
|
The
Company and its subsidiary had entered into agreements with a number of technological
companies in the early stages of development of cellular products (hereafter the
start-up companies). Under the agreements, the Group supplied infrastructure and support
services which the start-up companies need to develop their products, in consideration of
options and shares in those companies. |
|
Based
on the financial position of the companies, management is of the opinion that the fair
value of the securities granted to the Group, on the grant date and as of December 31,
2005 is not material. |
|
The
Groups holdings in the start-up companies (current and fully diluted) do not exceed
15% of the share capital of any one of them and does not give the Group significant
influence over any one of them. Therefore, the investments therein are presented on a
cost basis. |
|
During
2003, the Company recorded an impairment loss of approximately NIS 3.5 million, in
respect of the above investments.
As of December 31, 2004 and 2005, the balance of these
investments was fully impaired. |
18
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS
COMPANY LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
|
a. |
Composition
of fixed assets net, is as follows: |
|
|
December 31
|
|
|
2004
|
2005
|
2005
|
|
|
NIS
|
Convenience
translation
into dollars
|
|
|
In thousands
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Communications network |
|
|
| 3,059,305 |
|
| 3,428,612 |
|
| 744,865 |
|
|
Computers, hardware and software for | | |
|
information systems | | |
| 607,283 |
|
| 707,776 |
|
| 153,764 |
|
|
Office furniture and equipment | | |
| 37,069 |
|
| 37,699 |
|
| 8,190 |
|
|
Vehicles | | |
| 2,121 |
|
| 427 |
|
| 93 |
|
|
Leasehold improvements | | |
| 194,417 |
|
| 212,102 |
|
| 46,079 |
|
|
Cellular telephones - base stock | | |
| 6,309 |
|
| 6,309 |
|
| 1,371 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
| | |
| 3,906,504 |
|
| 4,392,925 |
|
| 954,362 |
|
|
Less - accumulated depreciation and amortization | | |
| 2,063,322 |
|
| 2,624,030 |
|
| 570,070 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
| | |
| 1,843,182 |
|
| 1,768,895 |
|
| 384,292 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
Depreciation
and amortization in respect of fixed assets totaled NIS 469,205,000, NIS 482,390,000 and
NIS 575,606,000 ($125,050,000) for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005,
respectively. |
|
b. |
Fixed assets include interest expenses, direct consultation and supervision
costs and other direct costs of establishing the cellular communications network
and information systems, which were capitalized (before commencing full
commercial operations or utilization of the related fixed assets) in respect of: |
|
|
December 31
|
|
|
2004
|
2005
|
2005
|
|
|
NIS
|
Convenience
translation
into
dollars
|
|
|
In thousands
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Communications network |
|
|
| 96,939 |
|
| 96,939 |
|
| 21,060 |
|
|
Computers, hardware and software for | | |
|
information systems | | |
| 15,920 |
|
| 15,920 |
|
| 3,459 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
| | |
| 112,859 |
|
| 112,859 |
|
| 24,519 |
|
|
L e s s - accumulated depreciation | | |
| 75,597 |
|
| 83,096 |
|
| 18,053 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
Depreciated balance | | |
| 37,262 |
|
| 29,763 |
|
| 6,466 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
c. |
As
to pledges on the fixed assets see note 11. |
19
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS
COMPANY LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NOTE 4 |
|
LICENSE
AND DEFERRED CHARGES: |
|
|
December 31
|
|
|
2004
|
2005
|
2005
|
|
|
NIS
|
Convenience
translation into
Dollars
|
|
|
In thousands
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
License (note 1a(2)) |
|
|
| 1,992,455 |
|
| 2,047,843 |
|
| 444,893 |
|
|
Less - accumulated amortization | | |
| 693,823 |
|
| 773,079 |
|
| 167,951 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
| | |
| 1,298,632 |
|
| 1,274,764 |
|
| 276,942 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
Deferred charges - in respect of: | | |
|
Obtaining long-term credit lines | | |
| 55,996 |
|
| 69,816 |
|
| 15,168 |
|
|
Notes payable | | |
| 22,017 |
|
| 34,265 |
|
| 7,444 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
| | |
| 78,013 |
|
| 104,081 |
|
| 22,612 |
|
|
Less - accumulated amortization | | |
| 51,053 |
|
| 57,678 |
|
| 12,531 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
| | |
| 26,960 |
|
| 46,403 |
|
| 10,081 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
| | |
| 1,325,592 |
|
| 1,321,167 |
|
| 287,023 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
License
amortization expenses for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005 totaled NIS
58,408,000, NIS 63,931,000 and NIS 79,255,000 ($17,218,000), respectively.
Amortization
expenses on deferred charges for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005 totaled
NIS 9,258,000 NIS 11,901,000 and NIS 28,642,000 ($ 6,222,000), respectively 2005
includes NIS 11,064,000 ($2,404,000) in respect of the redemption of the Notes,
see also note 6b. |
|
The
expected license amortization expenses for the next five years are as follows: |
|
|
NIS
|
Convenience
translation into
dollars
|
|
|
In thousands
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended December 31: |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
2006 | | |
| 79,255 |
|
| 17,218 |
|
|
|
2007 | | |
| 79,255 |
|
| 17,218 |
|
|
|
2008 | | |
| 79,255 |
|
| 17,218 |
|
|
|
2009 | | |
| 79,255 |
|
| 17,218 |
|
|
|
2010 | | |
| 79,255 |
|
| 17,218 |
|
|
20
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS
COMPANY LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NOTE 5 |
|
LONG-TERM
BANK LOANS |
|
On
April 14, 2005 the Company entered into a new $550 million bank credit facility. The
facility is divided into two tranches: a six year $450 million term loan facility (Facility
A) and a six year $100 million revolving loan facility (Facility B),
and is secured by a first ranking floating charge on the Companys assets. Bank
Hapoalim B.M., Bank Leumi Le-Israel B.M. and Israel Discount Bank Ltd. are providing the
facility, in which United Mizrahi Bank Ltd. is also participating. The new credit
facility replaced the Companys previous facility. |
|
With
effect May 1, 2005, the Company exercised an option to reduce Facility A to $150 million
(in addition to an advance of approximately $25 million carried over from the Companys
previous facility, which on balance sheet date, was reduced to $18 million), and to
change the final maturity date of both facilities to September 1, 2009. As a result, the
total maximum availability under the new credit facility is approximately $268 million.
The amount drawn from Facility A is to be repaid in yearly installments with a final
maturity of September 1, 2009. Facility B may be drawn and repaid until September 1,
2009.
The credit facility is a dollar denominated facility, and advances may be drawn in
different currencies, see c. below. |
|
a. |
Status
of the credit facility at December 31, 2005 is as follows: |
|
|
Total
availability
|
Amounts
drawn
|
Amounts
available for
drawing
|
|
|
US Dollars in millions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Facility A |
|
|
| 168 |
|
| 140 |
|
| 28 |
|
|
|
Facility B | | |
| 100 |
|
| 12 |
|
| 88 |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
|
| | |
| 268 |
|
* | 152 |
|
| 116 |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
|
b. |
The
amounts outstanding, classified by linkage terms and interest rates, are as
follows: |
|
|
December 31,
|
December 31
|
|
|
2005
|
2004
|
2005
|
2005
|
|
|
Weighted
average
interest rates
|
Amount
|
|
|
%
|
NIS
|
Convenience
translation
into dollars
|
|
|
|
In thousands
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In NIS - linked to the Israeli |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
consumer price index (CPI) (1) | | |
5.8 | | |
| 358,088 |
|
| 337,283 |
|
| 73,274 |
|
|
In NIS - unlinked (2) | | |
5.5 | | |
| 827,000 |
|
| 359,000 |
|
| 77,993 |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
| | |
| | |
| 1,185,088 |
|
| 696,283 |
|
* | 151,267 |
|
|
Less - current maturities | | |
| | |
| |
|
| 30,309 |
|
| 6,585 |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
| | |
| | |
| 1,185,088 |
|
| 665,974 |
|
| 144,682 |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
(1) |
Linkage
terms apply both to principal and interest. |
|
(2) |
The
loans bear interest at the on-call rate (a varying inter-bank rate
in Israel), prime rate or fixed unlinked rate. |
* |
The
difference between the amounts displayed is the difference in exchange rates between the
date the amounts were drawn and that at the balance sheet date. |
21
PARTNER
COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NOTE 5 |
|
LONG-TERM
BANK LOANS (continued): |
|
c. |
Facilities A and B, may be drawn in NIS or US dollars, provided that the amount
of principal outstanding in US dollars under the credit facility with respect to
each participating lender shall not exceed 10% of that lenders total
commitment unless otherwise agreed in advance. |
|
d. |
There
is a range of options as to how interest is calculated on borrowings under the
credit facility. These options include fixed and variable rates, based upon the
lending rates of each participating banks with a margin of 0.85%. |
|
e. |
The total commitments under the Facilities will be reduced during each of the
following years to the following amounts: |
|
|
|
US Dollars in millions
|
|
|
|
A
|
B
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
| 161 |
|
| 100 |
|
| 261 |
|
|
|
| | |
2007 | | |
| 104 |
|
| 100 |
|
| 204 |
|
|
|
| | |
2008 | | |
| 50 |
|
| 100 |
|
| 150 |
|
|
|
September 1, | | |
2009 | | |
| 0 |
|
| 0 |
|
| 0 |
|
|
|
f. |
Under
the credit facility the Company is required, inter alia, to fulfill certain
operational conditions and to maintain certain financial ratios. If the Company
defaults on the covenants, the banks are entitled to demand early repayment of
the credit facility in whole or in part. Under the credit facility, the
Company has undertaken not to make distributions to its shareholders, including
dividends, unless it complies with certain financial ratios specified in the
Agreement or as otherwise agreed by the banks. The Company believes that it is
in compliance with all covenants stipulated in the credit facility. |
|
g. |
As
to pledges to secure loans and liabilities and other restrictions placed with
respect thereto, see note 11. |
|
a. |
On
March 31, 2005, the Company completed an offering of NIS 2,000 million of
unsecured notes, which were issued at their NIS par value. The notes have been
registered in Israel and are traded on the Tel-Aviv stock exchange (TASE). Of
these notes approximately NIS 36.5 million were purchased by Partner Future
Communications 2000 Ltd., (PFC) a wholly owned subsidiary of the
Company. |
|
The
net proceeds from the offering were approximately NIS 1,929 million (approximately $419
million) after deducting the notes purchased by PFC, commissions and offering expenses. |
|
The
principal amount of the Notes is payable in 12 equal quarterly installments, beginning
June 30, 2009 until March 31, 2012. The Notes bear NIS interest at the rate of 4.25% per
annum, linked to the Israeli Consumer Price Index, which is payable quarterly on the last
day of each quarter, commencing June 30, 2005. |
22
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS
COMPANY LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NOTE 6 |
|
NOTES
PAYABLE (continued) |
|
On
December 31, 2005, the Notes closing price was 101.63 points par value. |
|
Commission
fees and offering expenses in respect of the offering of the Notes totaled approximately
NIS 34 million. These expenses are presented as deferred charges and the
amortization in respect thereof is included in financial expenses, net. |
|
b. |
On
August 10, 2000, the Company completed an offering of $ 175 million of
unsecured 13% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2010, which were issued at their
dollar par value. The notes were registered under the U.S. Securities Act of
1933. |
|
On
August 15, 2005, the Company exercised it right to redeem the notes at a redemption price
of 106.5% of their dollar par value according to the option stipulated in the
Notes document. As a result of the redemption of the Notes the Company has recognized as
financial expenses an amount of approximately NIS 63 million (approximately $ 14), which
after tax resulted in a decrease of the Companys net income of NIS 42 million. |
NOTE 7 |
|
LIABILITY
FOR EMPLOYEE RIGHTS UPON RETIREMENT: |
|
a. |
Israeli
labor laws and agreements require payment of severance pay upon dismissal of an
employee or upon termination of employment in certain other circumstances. The
Companys severance pay liability to its employees, mainly based upon
length of service and the latest monthly salary (one months salary for
each year worked), is reflected by the balance sheet accrual under the liability
for employee rights upon retirement. The Company records the liability as
if it was payable at each balance sheet date on an undiscounted basis. The
liability is partly funded by purchase of insurance policies and the amounts
funded are included in the balance sheet under investments and long-term
receivables, as funds in respect of employee rights upon retirement.
The policies are the Companys assets and under labor agreements, subject
to certain limitations, they may be transferred to the ownership of the
beneficiary employees. |
|
b. |
The severance pay expenses for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2004 and
2005 were approximately NIS 20 million, NIS 27 million and NIS 24 million
(approximately $ 5 million), respectively. |
|
c. |
Cash flows information regarding the companys liability for employee
rights upon retirement: |
|
1. |
The
Company expects to contribute NIS 21 million ($ 4.6 million) in respect of
severance pay in 2006. |
|
2. |
Due
to the relatively young age of the Companys employees, benefit
payments to employees reaching retirement age in the next 10 years, are
not material. The amounts were determined based on the employees current
salary rates and the number of service years that will accumulate upon
their retirement date. These amounts do not include amounts that might be
paid to employees who will cease working for the Company before their
normal retirement age. |
23
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NOTE 8 |
|
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES: |
|
The
Company is committed to pay royalties to the Government of Israel on its income
from cellular services as defined in the Regulations (see below), which includes
all kinds of income of the Company from the granting of Bezeq services under the license
including airtime, roaming services and non-recurring connection fees, but
excluding income transferred to another holder of a communications license and deducting
bad debts, payments to another communication licensee in respect of interconnection,
payments for roaming services to foreign operators and expenses related to the sale of
equipment. |
|
On
June 18, 2001, the Knessets Finance Committee approved the Telecommunications
(Royalties) Regulations, 2001 (hereafter the Regulations). The principal
change to the old regulations was the reduction of the percentage of royalties payable by
mobile phone companies from 8% to 5% in 2001, 4.5% in 2002 , 4% in 2003 and 3.5% in 2004
and thereafter. In addition, the basis in respect of which the royalties are paid has
been expanded (as described above). During 2004, a further redaction was approved;
accordingly, the rate of royalty payments paid by cellular operators will be reduced
annually by 0.5%, starting January 1st 2006, to a level of 1%. |
|
The
royalty expenses for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005 were approximately
NIS 119,387,000, NIS 120,131,000 and NIS 122,599,000 ($ 26,635,000), respectively,
and are included under cost of services revenues. |
|
2) |
Under
the Telegraph Regulations the Company is committed to pay an annual fixed
fee for each frequency used. The Company paid a total amount of
approximately NIS 31 million, NIS 31 million and NIS 47 million, for the
year 2003, 2004 and 2005, respectively. Under the above Regulations should
the Company choose to return a frequency such payment is no longer due. |
|
The
Company has entered into operating lease agreements as follows: |
|
a) |
Lease
agreements for its headquarters facility in Rosh Haayin for a
fifteen-year period (until 2018). The Company has an option to shorten the
lease periods by 3.5 to 8.5 years. The rental payments are linked to the
Israeli CPI. |
|
b) |
Lease
agreements for service centers and retail stores for a period of two to five
years. The Company has an option to extend the lease periods for up to twenty
additional years (including the original lease periods). The rental payments
are linked partly to the dollar and partly to the Israeli CPI. Some of the
extension options include an increase of the lease payment in a range of
2%-10%. |
|
c) |
Lease
agreements in respect of cell sites throughout Israel are for periods of
two to three years. The Company has an option to extend the lease periods
up to ten years (including the original lease periods). The rental
payments fees are partly linked to the dollar and are partly linked to the
Israeli CPI. Some of the extension options include an increase of the
lease payment in a range of 2%-10%. |
24
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NOTE 8 |
|
COMMITMENTS
AND CONTINGENCIES (continued): |
|
d) |
Operating
lease agreements in respect of vehicles are for periods of three years.
The rental payments are linked to the Israeli CPI. |
|
e) |
The
minimum projected rental payments (including the payments in the periods of the
reasonably assured option terms) for the next five years, at rates in effect at
December 31, 2005, are as follows: |
|
|
NIS
|
Convenience translation into dollars
|
|
|
I n t h o u s a n d s
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended December 31: |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| | |
2006 | | |
| 160,579 |
|
| 34,886 |
|
| | |
2007 | | |
| 140,537 |
|
| 30,532 |
|
| | |
2008 | | |
| 121,107 |
|
| 26,310 |
|
| | |
2009 | | |
| 94,325 |
|
| 20,492 |
|
| | |
2010 | | |
| 79,491 |
|
| 17,269 |
|
| | |
2011 and thereafter | | |
| 329,477 |
|
| 71,579 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| | |
| | |
| 925,516 |
|
| 201,068 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
f) |
The
rental expenses for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005 were
approximately NIS 163 million, NIS 176 million, and NIS 185 million ($ 40
million), respectively. |
|
4) |
At
December 31, 2005, the Company is committed to acquire fixed assets, for
approximately NIS 114 million (approximately $ 25 million). |
|
5) |
At
December 31, 2005, the Company is committed to acquire handsets for
approximately NIS 160 million (approximately $ 35 million). |
|
6) |
As
to cost sharing agreement with Hutchison Telecommunications Limited, see note 14c. |
|
7) |
The
Company has signed on January 22, 2006, an agreement with MED I.C.- 1 (1999)
Ltd (Med 1) to purchase the transmission business activity of MED
1, for a consideration of approximately $15 million, subject to certain
adjustments. The transaction is subject to fulfillment of the closing
conditions. |
|
b. |
Contingent
Liabilities: |
|
1) |
On
April 8, 2002, a claim was filed against the Company, together with a motion to
certify this claim as a class action, alleging a variety of consumer
complaints. The amount of the claim against the Company is estimated at
approximately NIS 545 million plus additional significant amounts relating to
other alleged damages. Only preliminary hearings have taken place. The Company
submitted its response to the amended motion to certify the claim as a class
action on August 1, 2005. A hearing is scheduled to May 16, 2006. |
25
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NOTE 8 |
|
COMMITMENTS
AND CONTINGENCIES (continued): |
|
At
this stage, and until the claim is recognized as a class action, the Company and its
legal council are unable to evaluate the probability of success of such claim, and
therefore no provision has been made. |
|
In
addition the Company and its legal council are of the opinion that even if the request to
recognize this claim as a class action is granted, and even if the plaintiffs
arguments are accepted, the outcome of the claim will be significantly lower than the
abovementioned amount. |
|
2) |
On
April 13, 2003, a claim was filed against the Company and other cellular
telecommunication companies, together with a request to recognize this claim as
a class action, for alleged violation of antitrust law, alleging that no fee
should have been collected for incoming SMS messages or alternatively, that the
fee collected is excessive and that it is a result of illegal co-operation
between the defendants. The amount of the claim against all the defendants is
estimated at approximately NIS 90 million (or according to the claimants
response NIS 100 million per year until 1.3.2005). The Company filed its
response on October 1, 2003. The claimants have filed their response to the
Companys response on July 12, 2005. A hearing is scheduled for April 26,
2006. |
|
At
this stage, no hearings have taken place and unless and until the claim is recognized as
a class action, the Company and its legal council are unable to evaluate the probability
of success of such claim, and therefore no provision has been made. |
|
3) |
The
Company does not have building permits for many of its cell sites and as a
result is involved in numerous legal actions (including criminal proceedings
against officers and directors) relating to this issue. |
|
Most
of these proceedings have been settled under plea bargain arrangements, whereby the
Company has paid fines of insignificant amounts. |
|
Management,
based upon current experience and the opinion of legal counsel, does not believe that
these legal actions will result in significant costs to the Company. The accounts do not
include a provision in respect thereof. |
|
4) |
Section
197 of the Building and Planning Law states that a property owner has the right
to be compensated by a local planning committee for reductions in property
value as a result of a new building plan. On January 3, 2006, the National
Council for Planning and Building published an interim decision conditioning
the issuance of cell site permits by local planning and building councils upon
indemnification, by the cellular operators, against reduction in property
value. The Company provided to local authorities (24) letters of undertaking to
provide such indemnifications for the benefit of the local authority within 30
days from the enactment of a law or a final court decision requiring such
indemnifications. Management, based on the opinion of legal counsel, cannot at
this date, determine the effect, if any, of the above letters of undertaking on
the financial results and financial position of the Company. |
|
5) |
The
Company is a party to various claims arising in the ordinary course of its
operations. Management, based upon the opinion of its legal counsel, is of the
opinion that the ultimate resolution of these claims will not have a material
effect on the financial position of the Company, its result of operations and
cash flows. The accounts do not include a provision in respect thereof. |
26
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NOTE 9 |
|
SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY: |
|
The
Companys shares are traded on the Tel-Aviv stock exchange (TASE), on the London
Stock Exchange (LSE) and, in the form of American Depository Receipts (ADRs),
each represent one ordinary share, on the NASDAQ National Market (Nasdaq NM).
During 2001, the Company listed its shares in the TASE according to the dual listing
regulations. On December 31, 2005, the closing price per ADR on the Nasdaq NM was
$8.41; the Companys shares were quoted on that date on the TASE at NIS 38.73
($8.20). |
|
Under
the provisions of the license granted to the Company (note 1a(2)), restrictions are
placed on transfer of Company shares and placing liens thereon. The restrictions include
the requirement that the advance written consent of the Minister of Communications be
received prior to transfer of 10% or more of the Companys shares to a third party. |
|
On
December 26, 2001, the Company filed a shelf registration statement on Form F-3 with the
United States Securities and Exchange Commission for future offerings of its securities.
Under the shelf registration, the Company can raise up to $400 million from the issue of
ordinary shares and debt securities. |
|
On
April 20, 2005, the Company repurchased approximately 33.3 million of its shares pursuant
to an offer received from its founding Israeli Shareholders in February 2005. These
shareholders held together approximately 22.5% of the Companys outstanding shares
at the time of the offer. As a result of the repurchase, the collective shareholdings of
the founding Israeli shareholders was reduced to approximately 5.4% of the Companys
issued and outstanding share capital. The price per share at which these shares were
acquired was NIS 32.2216 per share. The shares were cancelled pursuant to the
repurchase. The excess of cost over its par value was charged to accumulated deficit. |
|
b. |
Employee stock option plans: |
|
1) |
a. |
On
March 3, 1999, the Companys Board of Directors approved an employee
stock option plan (hereafter the 1998 Plan), pursuant to
which 5,833,333 ordinary shares were reserved for issuance upon the exercise of
5,833,333 options to be granted to key employees without consideration, of
which 729,166 options were later cancelled. Through December 31, 2005 5,505,557
options have been granted pursuant to the 1998 Plan, of which 4,475,942 options
have been exercised and 597,141 options have been forfeited (options forfeited
were available for subsequent grants). |
|
The
options vest in five equal annual batches over a period of five years from the beginning
of employment of each employee, unless otherwise provided in the grant instrument,
provided the employee is still in the Companys employ. An option not exercised
within 8 years from the date of its allotment shall expire. The exercise price per share
of the options granted through December 31, 2000, which is denominated in dollars, is $
0.343. During 2002, the Company granted options under the 1998 Plan in accordance with
the terms of the 2000 plan, including the exercise price, vesting schedule and expiration
date (see b. below). |
|
As
of December 31, 2005 195,751 options of the 1998 Plan remain ungranted. |
27
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NOTE 9 |
|
SHAREHOLDERSEQUITY (continued): |
|
b. |
In
October 2000, the Companys Board of Directors approved an employee stock
option plan (hereafter the 2000 Plan), pursuant to which
4,472,222 ordinary shares were reserved for issuance upon the exercise of
4,472,222 options to be granted to employees without consideration. The options
vest in four equal annual batches over a period of four years from the date of
grant of the option, provided the employee is still in the Companys
employ. The option holder may exercise all or part of his options at any time
after the date of vesting but no later than the expiration of the exercise
period, which will fixed by the Employee Stock Option Committee and will not
exceed ten years from the date of option grant. |
|
The
NIS denominated exercise price per share of the options, is equal to the market price of
the Companys shares on the date on which the options are granted. |
|
During
November 2003, 419,930 options of this plan were transferred to options under the 2003
amendment Plan (see c. below). |
|
Through
December 31, 2005 5,317,555 options were granted pursuant to the 2000 Plan, of
which 2,223,891 options have been exercised, 1,407,833 options were forfeited and 102,250
expired (options forfeited and expired were available for subsequent grants). As of
December 31, 2005 244,820 options of the 2000 Plan remain ungranted. |
|
c. |
On
November 13, 2003, the Companys Board of Directors approved an amendment
to the terms and provision of the 2000 Plan, in order to adjust the terms of
the 2000 Plan to comply with new tax legislation that came into force in
January 2003. On December 2003, the Company offered the employees, who received
options under the 2000 plan, to exchange their unvested options, with the same
amount of identical options, under the amended plan and to benefit from the
capital gains tax route pursuant to Section 102(b)(2) of the Israeli
Income Tax Ordinance. Employees holding options to purchase 962,104 ordinary
shares accepted this offer. |
|
On
December 30, 2003, the Companys Board of Directors approved the grant of 195,000
options (out of the 419,930 options that were transferred from the 2000 Plan) under the
2003 amended Plan with an exercise price of NIS 20.45 which was less than the
market price on the date of grant. As of December 31, 2005 224,930 options of
the 2003 amended Plan remain ungranted. |
|
d. |
In
July 2004, the Companys Board of Directors approved a stock option plan
(hereafter the 2004 Plan), pursuant to which 5,775,000
ordinary shares were reserved for issuance upon the exercise of 5,775,000
options to be granted without consideration. The options will be granted to
employees under the provisions of the capital gains tax route provided
for in Section 102 of the Israeli Income Tax Ordinance. The options vest in
four equal annual batches, provided the employee is still in the Companys
employ. The option holder may exercise all or part of his options at any time
after the date of vesting but no later than the expiration of the exercise
period, which will fixed by the Employee Stock Option Committee and will not
exceed ten years from the date of option grant. |
28
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NOTE 9 |
|
SHAREHOLDERSEQUITY (continued): |
|
Through
December 31, 2005 5,614,000 options have been granted to Companys employees
pursuant to the 2004 Plan, of which 257,500 options have been exercised and 500,750
options were forfeited. |
|
As
of December 31, 2005 661,750 options of the 2004 Plan remain ungranted. |
|
The
NIS denominated exercise price per share of the options, is equal to the average market
price of the Companys shares for the 30 trading days preceding the day on which the
options are granted, less 15%. |
|
e. |
The
ordinary shares derived from the exercise of the options confer the same rights
as the other ordinary shares of the Company. |
|
f. |
The plans are subject to the terms stipulated by Section 102 of the Israeli
Income Tax Ordinance. Inter alia, these terms provide that the Company will be
allowed to claim, as an expense for tax purposes, the amounts credited to
the employees as a benefit in respect of shares or options granted under
the plans, as follows: |
|
Through
December 31, 2003, the amount that the Company will be allowed to claim as an
expense for tax purposes will be the amount of the benefit taxable in the hands of the
employee. |
|
From
January 1, 2004, the amount that the Company will be allowed to claim as an expense
for tax purposes, will be the amount of the benefit taxable as work income in the hands
of the employee, while that part of the benefit that is taxable as capital gains in the
hands of the employee shall not be allowable. All the above is subject to the
restrictions specified in Section 102 of the Income Tax Ordinance. |
|
The
aforementioned expense for tax purposes will be recognized in the tax year that the
employee is taxed, except as described below. |
|
In
December 2002, the Company signed an agreement with the tax authorities concerning the
tax liabilities of its employees regarding the benefit arising from the options granted
to them. According to the agreement, the individual tax rate on the taxable income
received by the employees in connection with the benefit arising from the options will be
reduced; in return, the Company will defer the deduction of such an expense, for a period
of 4 years from the date it commences paying income taxes. |
|
The
agreement applies only to employees who have agreed to participate in the arrangement,
and relates to (1) options that were exercised by December 31, 2002; and/or (2) options
that vest by December 31, 2003 and are exercised by March 31, 2004. In each case, the
Section 102 trustee must have held the options for a period of 24 months from the
date on which they were granted. |
29
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NOTE 9 |
|
SHAREHOLDERSEQUITY (continued): |
|
2) |
Following
is a summary of the status of the plans as of December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005
and the changes therein during the years ended on those dates: |
|
Year ended December 31
|
|
2003
|
2004
|
2005
|
|
Number
|
Weighted average exercise price*
|
Number
|
Weighted average exercise price*
|
Number
|
Weighted average exercise price*
|
|
|
NIS
|
|
NIS
|
|
NIS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance outstanding at beginning |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
of year | | |
| 6,611,110 |
|
| 18.00 |
|
| 5,340,970 |
|
| 19.95 |
|
| 8,911,305 |
|
| 24.12 |
|
Changes during the year: | | |
Granted** | | |
| 195,000 |
|
| 20.45 |
|
| 5,095,500 |
|
| 26.74 |
|
| 518,500 |
|
| 32.75 |
|
Exercised | | |
| (1,100,352 |
) |
| 7.06 |
|
| (1,341,647 |
) |
| 17.67 |
|
| (1,809,000 |
) |
| 19.21 |
|
Forfeited | | |
| (304,538 |
) |
| 23.03 |
|
| (169,768 |
) |
| 21.86 |
|
| (525,750 |
) |
| 26.44 |
|
Expired | | |
| (60,250 |
) |
| 26.28 |
|
| (13,750 |
) |
| 27.35 |
|
| (28,250 |
) |
| 21.49 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Balance outstanding at end of year | | |
| 5,340,970 |
|
| 19.95 |
|
| 8,911,305 |
|
| 24.12 |
|
| 7,066,805 |
|
| 25.85 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Options exercisable at end of year | | |
| 3,504,914 |
|
| 19.35 |
|
| 3,424,675 |
|
| 21.29 |
|
| 2,838,928 |
|
| 23.83 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
* |
Includes
options under the 1998 Plan, the exercise price of which is weighted based on the
applicable dates NIS dollar exchange rate. |
The following table summarizes
information about options outstanding at December 31, 2005:
Options outstanding
|
Options exercisable
|
Range of exercise prices
|
Number outstanding at December 31, 2005
|
Weighted average remaining contractual life
|
Weighted average exercise price
|
Number exercisable at December 31, 2005
|
Weighted average exercise price
|
NIS
|
|
Years
|
NIS
|
|
NIS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.58 |
|
|
| 187,109 |
|
| 0.7 |
|
| 1.58 |
|
| 187,109 |
|
| 1.58 |
|
17.25-22.23 | | |
| 854,856 |
|
| 5.3 |
|
| 20.45 |
|
| 700,354 |
|
| 20.42 |
|
26.74 | | |
| 4,341,500 |
|
| 8.9 |
|
| 26.74 |
|
| 743,375 |
|
| 26.74 |
|
27.35 | | |
| 1,169,090 |
|
| 3.8 |
|
| 27.35 |
|
| 1,169,090 |
|
| 27.35 |
|
30.73-33.72 | | |
| 514,250 |
|
| 9.2 |
|
| 32.77 |
|
| 39,000 |
|
| 30.73 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
| 7,066,805 |
|
| 7.4 |
|
| 25.85 |
|
| 2,838,928 |
|
| 23.83 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
30
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NOTE 9 |
|
SHAREHOLDERSEQUITY (continued): |
|
On
September 13, 2005, the Companys shareholders approved the distribution of a cash
dividend in the amount of NIS 0.57 per share (approximately NIS 86.8 million ($ 18.9
million)) to shareholders on record as of September 26, 2005.
On February 1, 2006, the
Companys Board of Directors resolved and recommended the distribution of a cash
dividend in the amount of NIS 0.65 per share (approximately NIS 100 million ($ 22
million)) to shareholders on record as of April 10, 2006. The Dividend payment is subject
to the approval of the Companys shareholders.
A cash dividend is paid in Israeli
currency.
As to restrictions with respect to cash dividend distributions, see note 5f. |
NOTE 10 |
|
TAXES ON INCOME: |
|
a. |
Measurement
of results for tax purposes under the Income Tax (Inflationary Adjustments) Law,
1985 |
|
Under
this law, results for tax purposes are measured in real terms, having regard to the
changes in the Israeli CPI. The Company and its subsidiary are taxed under this law. |
|
b. |
Tax
rates applicable to income of the Company and its subsidiary |
|
The
income of the company and its Israeli subsidiaries (other than income from approved
enterprises, see c. below) is taxed at the regular rate. Through December 31,
2003, the corporate tax was 36%. In July 2004, Amendment No. 140 to the Income Tax
Ordinance was enacted. One of the provisions of this amendment is that the corporate tax
rate is to be gradually reduced from 36% to 30%. In August 2005, a further amendment (No. 147)
was published, which makes a further revision to the corporate tax rates prescribed by
Amendment No. 140. As a result of the aforementioned amendments, the corporate tax
rates for 2004 and thereafter are as follows: 2004 35%, 2005 34%, 2006 31%,
2007 29%, 2008 27%, 2009 26% and for 2010 and thereafter 25%. |
|
As
a result of the changes in the tax rates, the company adjusted in each of the
years 2004 and 2005 at the time the aforementioned amendments were made, its
deferred tax balances, in accordance with the tax rates expected to be in effect in the
coming years; the effect of the change has been carried to income on a current basis. |
|
c. |
Losses carried forward to future years |
|
At
December 31, 2005, the Group had carryforward losses of approximately NIS 111
million (approximately $ 24 million). The carryforward tax losses are linked to the
Israeli CPI and can be utilized indefinitely. |
31
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NOTE 10 |
|
TAXES ON INCOME (continued): |
|
The
major components of the net deferred tax asset, current and non-current, in respect of
the balances of temporary differences and the related valuation allowance as of December
31, 2004 and 2005, are as follows: |
|
|
December 31
|
|
|
2004
|
2005
|
2005
|
|
|
NIS
|
Convenience translation into dollars
|
|
|
In thousands
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In respect of carryforward tax |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| | |
losses (see c. above) | | |
| 239,894 |
|
| 33,566 |
|
| 7,292 |
|
| | |
Subscriber acquisition costs | | |
| 39,976 |
|
| 31,233 |
|
| 6,786 |
|
| | |
Allowance for doubtful accounts | | |
| 28,595 |
|
| 32,640 |
|
| 7,091 |
|
| | |
Provisions for employee rights | | |
| 15,297 |
|
| 14,842 |
|
| 3,224 |
|
| | |
Depreciable fixed assets | | |
| (31,053 |
) |
| (25,533 |
) |
| (5,547 |
) |
| | |
Amortized license | | |
| 52,619 |
|
| 42,074 |
|
| 9,141 |
|
| | |
Options granted to employees | | |
| 9,614 |
|
| 24,331 |
|
| 5,286 |
|
| | |
Other | | |
| 697 |
|
| 1,952 |
|
| 424 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
| | |
| 355,639 |
|
| 155,105 |
|
| 33,697 |
|
| | |
Valuation allowance - in respect of | | |
| | |
carryforward tax losses | | |
| (5,694 |
) |
| (3,239 |
) |
| (704 |
) |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
| | |
| 349,945 |
|
| 151,866 |
|
| 32,993 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
The
changes in the valuation allowance for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2004, and 2005,
are as follows: |
|
|
2003
|
2004
|
2005
|
2005
|
|
|
NIS
|
Convenience translation into dollars
|
|
|
In thousands
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at beginning of year |
|
|
| 823,072 |
|
| 8,555 |
|
| 5,694 |
|
| 1,237 |
|
| | |
Utilization during the year | | |
| (161,541 |
) |
| (2,107 |
) |
| |
|
| |
|
| | |
Change during the year | | |
| (652,976 |
) |
| (754 |
) |
| (2,455 |
) |
| (533 |
) |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
Balance at end of year | | |
| 8,555 |
|
| 5,694 |
|
| 3,239 |
|
| 704 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
During
2004 and 2005, the Company utilized approximately NIS 700 million and approximately NIS
549 million ($ 119 million) of its carryforward tax losses, respectively. |
|
As
of December 31, 2005, the Company would require approximately NIS 98 million of future
taxable income in order to fully realize the carryforward tax losses assets. |
|
A
full valuation allowance was provided in respect of the wholly owned subsidiary, as it is
more likely than not that its deferred tax assets will not be realized. |
32
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NOTE 10 |
|
TAXES ON INCOME (continued): |
|
e. |
Following
is a reconciliation of the theoretical tax expense, assuming all income is
taxed at the regular tax rates applicable to companies in Israel (see b.
above), and the actual tax expense: |
|
|
Year ended December 31
|
|
|
2003
|
2004
|
2005
|
2005
|
|
|
NIS
|
Convenience translation into dollars
|
|
|
In thousands
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before taxes on income, |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| | |
as reported in the income statements | | |
| 529,628 |
|
| 758,801 |
|
| 557,458 |
|
| 121,108 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
Theoretical tax expense | | |
| 190,666 |
|
| 265,580 |
|
| 189,536 |
|
| 41,177 |
|
| | |
Increase in taxes resulting from adjustment to | | |
| | |
deferred tax balances due to changes in | | |
| | |
tax rates, see b above | | |
| |
|
| 34,521 |
|
| 11,442 |
|
| 2,486 |
|
| | |
Difference between the basis of measurement | | |
| | |
of income reported for tax purposes and | | |
| | |
the basis of measurement of income for | | |
| | |
financial reporting purposes - net | | |
| |
|
| (10,124 |
) |
| (86 |
) |
| (19 |
) |
| | |
Decrease in taxes in respect of valuation | | |
| | |
allowance reversal | | |
| (652,976 |
) |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| | |
Decrease in taxes resulting from utilization, | | |
| | |
in the reported year, of carryforward | | |
| | |
tax losses for which deferred taxes | | |
| | |
were not created in previous years | | |
| (161,541 |
) |
| (2,107 |
) |
| |
|
| |
|
| | |
Other | | |
| (9,171 |
) |
| (622 |
) |
| 2,006 |
|
| 436 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
Taxes on income for the reported year | | |
| (633,022 |
) |
| 287,248 |
|
| 202,898 |
|
| 44,080 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
1) |
The
Company has received final assessment through the year ended December 31,
2001. |
|
2) |
The
subsidiary has not been assessed for tax purposes since incorporation. |
NOTE 11 |
|
LIABILITIES SECURED BY PLEDGES AND RESTRICTIONS PLACEDIN RESPECT OF LIABILITIES |
|
At
December 31, 2005, balances of liabilities of the Company in the amount of NIS 696
million ($ 151 million) under the Companys credit facility are pledged as a
collateral by a first ranking floating charge on all of the Companys current or
future business, property, rights and assets, other than the its license. The Company has
also undertaken under the credit facility not to create or permit to subsist any further
charges on its assets, with certain limited exceptions. |
33
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NOTE 12 |
|
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND RISK MANAGEMENT: |
|
a. |
Linkage of monetary balances: |
|
|
December 31, 2005
|
|
|
In or linked
to foreign
currencies
(mainly dollars)
|
Linked to
the Israeli
CPI
|
Unlinked
|
|
|
In thousands
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NIS: |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| | |
Assets | | |
| 628 |
|
| 56,348 |
|
| 1,014,943 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
Liabilities | | |
| 186,865 |
|
| 2,363,203 |
|
| 1,030,248 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
| | |
Convenience translation into | | |
| | |
dollars: | | |
| | |
Assets | | |
| 136 |
|
| 12,242 |
|
| 220,496 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
Liabilities | | |
| 40,596 |
|
| 513,405 |
|
| 223,821 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
2) |
Data
regarding the dollar exchange rate and the Israeli CPI: |
|
|
Exchange rate of one dollar
|
Israeli CPI*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At December 31: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | |
2005 | | |
NIS 4.603 | | |
185.05 points | | |
| | |
2004 | | |
NIS 4.308 | | |
180.74 points | | |
| | |
2003 | | |
NIS 4.379 | | |
178.58 points | | |
| | |
2002 | | |
NIS 4.737 | | |
182.01 points | | |
| | |
Increase (decrease) during the year: | | |
| | |
2005 | | |
6.8% | | |
2.4% | | |
| | |
2004 | | |
(1.6)% | | |
1.2% | | |
| | |
2003 | | |
(7.6)% | | |
(1.9)% | | |
|
* |
Based
on the index for the month ending on each balance sheet date, on the basis of 1993
average = 100. |
34
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NOTE 12 |
|
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND RISK MANAGEMENT (continued): |
|
b. |
Derivative
financial instrument foreign exchange risk management |
|
The
Company enters into foreign currency derivative transactions in order to protect itself
against the risk that the eventual dollar cash flows resulting from the anticipated
payments in respect of purchases of handsets and capital expenditures in foreign currency
will be affected by changes in exchange rates. In addition the Company enters into
derivative transactions in order to protect itself against the increase in the CPI in
respect of the principal of the CPI-linked Notes payable. However, these contracts do not
qualify for hedge accounting under FAS 133. |
|
The
Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. |
|
As
the counterparties to the derivatives are Israeli banks, the Company considers the
inherent credit risks remote. |
|
The
notional amounts of foreign currency derivatives as of December 31, 2004 and 2005 are as
follows: |
|
|
December 31
|
|
|
2004
|
2005
|
2005
|
|
|
NIS
|
Convenience translation into dollars
|
|
|
(In millions)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forward transactions for the |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| | |
changes in the Israeli CPI | | |
| |
|
| 1,500 |
|
| 326 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
Forward transactions for the | | |
| | |
exchange of dollars into NIS | | |
| *1,094 |
|
| 129 |
|
| 28 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
Embedded derivatives - | | |
| | |
dollars into NIS | | |
| 132 |
|
| 183 |
|
| 40 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
* |
On
August 2004, the Company entered into a forward transaction that hedged the Notes payable
principal ($ 175 million) until August 2005. |
|
The
derivative financial instruments are for a period of up to one year. As of December 31,
2005, the remaining contractual lives are for periods up to one year. |
35
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NOTE 12 |
|
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND RISK MANAGEMENT (continued): |
|
c. |
Fair
value of financial instruments |
|
The
financial instruments of the Company as of December 31, 2005 consist mainly of
non-derivative assets and liabilities (items included in working capital and long-term
liabilities); the Company also has some derivatives, which are presented at their fair
value. |
|
In
view of their nature, the fair value of the financial instruments included in working
capital is usually identical or close to their carrying value. The fair value of
long-term loans approximates the carrying value, since they bear interest at rates close
to the prevailing market rates. Regarding the fair value of Notes payable see note 6. |
|
The
fair value of derivatives as of December 31, 2005, is a liability of approximately NIS 7
million (approximately $1.5 million) and an asset of approximately NIS 5.1 million
(approximately $1.1 million) (December 31, 2004 a liability of approximately NIS
55.3 million). |
NOTE 13 |
|
SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION: |
|
|
December 31
|
|
|
2004
|
2005
|
2005
|
|
|
NIS
|
Convenience translation into dollars
|
|
|
In thousands
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1) Trade (current and long-term) |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| | |
The item is presented after the deduction of: | | |
| | |
(a) Deferred interest income* | | |
| (16,968 |
) |
| (35,946 |
) |
| (7,809 |
) |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
* |
Long-term
trade receivables (including current maturities) as of December 31, 2004 and 2005 in the
amount of NIS 184,706,000 and NIS 406,072,000 ($ 88,219,000), respectively, bear no
interest. These balances are in respect of handsets sold in installments (mostly 36
monthly payments). |
|
Income
in respect of deferred interest is the difference between the original and the present
value of the trade receivable. The current amount is computed on the basis of the
interest rate relevant to the date of the transaction (5% 5.4%) (2004 5%
5.9%). |
|
(b) |
Allowance
for doubtful accounts. The changes in the allowance for the years ended
December 31, 2003, 2004, and 2005, are as follows: |
|
|
2003
|
2004
|
2005
|
2005
|
|
|
NIS
|
Convenience translation into dollars
|
|
|
In thousands
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at beginning of year |
|
|
| 74,622 |
|
| 77,295 |
|
| 86,651 |
|
| 18,825 |
|
| | |
Utilization during the year | | |
| (12,928 |
) |
| (11,900 |
) |
| (6,590 |
) |
| (1,432 |
) |
| | |
Change during the year | | |
| 15,601 |
|
| 21,256 |
|
| 28,739 |
|
| 6,244 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
Balance at end of year | | |
| 77,295 |
|
| 86,651 |
|
| 108,800 |
|
| 23,637 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
36
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NOTE 13 |
|
SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION (continued): |
|
|
December 31
|
|
|
2004
|
2005
|
2005
|
|
|
NIS
|
Convenience translation into dollars
|
|
|
In thousands
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Government institutions |
|
|
| 24,183 |
|
| 51,340 |
|
| 11,154 |
|
| | |
Prepaid expenses | | |
| 14,248 |
|
| 13,386 |
|
| 2,908 |
|
| | |
Sundry | | |
| 31,727 |
|
| 32,402 |
|
| 7,039 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
| | |
| 70,158 |
|
| 97,128 |
|
| 21,101 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
b. |
Accounts
payable and accruals other: |
|
|
December 31
|
|
|
2004
|
2005
|
2005
|
|
|
NIS
|
Convenience translation into dollars
|
|
|
In thousands
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Employees and employee institutions |
|
|
| 87,537 |
|
| 81,501 |
|
| 17,706 |
|
| | |
Provision for vacation and recreation pay | | |
| 22,844 |
|
| 22,827 |
|
| 4,959 |
|
| | |
Value added tax | | |
| 45,830 |
|
| 38,332 |
|
| 8,328 |
|
| | |
Income received in advance | | |
| 53,019 |
|
| 58,655 |
|
| 12,743 |
|
| | |
Accrued interest on long-term liabilities | | |
| 39,553 |
|
| 22,654 |
|
| 4,922 |
|
| | |
Derivative instruments | | |
| 55,331 |
|
| 5,138 |
|
| 1,116 |
|
| | |
Handsets warranty | | |
| 1,734 |
|
| 1,064 |
|
| 231 |
|
| | |
Sundry | | |
| 1,516 |
|
| 1,309 |
|
| 284 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
| | |
| 307,364 |
|
| 231,480 |
|
| 50,289 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
c. |
Provision
for warranty the changes in the provision for warranty for the years
ended December 31, 2003, 2004, and 2005, are as follows: |
|
|
2003
|
2004
|
2005
|
2005
|
|
|
NIS
|
Convenience translation into dollars
|
|
|
In thousands
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at beginning of year |
|
|
| 2,589 |
|
| 2,053 |
|
| 1,734 |
|
| 377 |
|
| | |
Product warranties issued for | | |
| | |
new sales | | |
| 4,215 |
|
| 2,943 |
|
| 2,420 |
|
| 525 |
|
| | |
Utilization during the year | | |
| (4,751 |
) |
| (3,262 |
) |
| (3,090 |
) |
| (671 |
) |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
Balance at end of year | | |
| 2,053 |
|
| 1,734 |
|
| 1,064 |
|
| 231 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
37
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NOTE 13 |
|
SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION (continued): |
|
1. |
Asset
retirement obligations the changes in the asset retirement obligations
for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005, are as follows: |
|
|
2003
|
2004
|
2005
|
2005
|
|
|
NIS
|
Convenience translation into dollars
|
|
|
In thousands
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at January 1, |
|
|
| 4,665 |
|
| 6,367 |
|
| 7,567 |
|
| 1,644 |
|
| | |
Liability incurred | | |
| | |
during the year | | |
| 626 |
|
| 833 |
|
| 682 |
|
| 148 |
|
| | |
Liability settled during | | |
| | |
the year | | |
| (341 |
) |
| (271 |
) |
| (751 |
) |
| (163 |
) |
| | |
Accretion expenses | | |
| 296 |
|
| 638 |
|
| 659 |
|
| 143 |
|
| | |
Revision in the estimates | | |
| | |
during the year | | |
| 1,121 |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
Balance at December 31, | | |
| 6,367 |
|
| 7,567 |
|
| 8,157 |
|
| 1,772 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
|
December 31, 2005
|
|
|
NIS
|
Convenience translation into U.S dollars
|
|
|
In thousands
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total commitment |
|
|
| 17,018 |
|
| 3,697 |
|
| | |
Less - deferred interest expenses | | |
| 1,836 |
|
| 399 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| | |
Long term lease | | |
| 15,182 |
|
| 3,298 |
|
| | |
Less - current maturities | | |
| 4,155 |
|
| 902 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| | |
| | |
| 11,027 |
|
| 2,396 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
The
lease is linked to the US dollar and bears interest at the rate of 5.75%. The lease (net
of current maturities) mature in the following years after the balance sheet dates: |
|
|
December 31
|
|
|
NIS
|
Convenience translation into U.S dollars
|
|
|
NIS in thousands
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Second year |
|
|
| 4,175 |
|
| 907 |
|
| | |
Third year | | |
| 4,486 |
|
| 975 |
|
| | |
Fourth year | | |
| 2,366 |
|
| 514 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| | |
| | |
| 11,027 |
|
| 2,396 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
38
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NOTE 13 |
|
SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION (continued): |
|
e. |
Financial
expenses, net: |
|
|
Year ended December 31
|
|
|
2003
|
2004
|
2005
|
2005
|
|
|
NIS
|
Convenience translation into dollars
|
|
|
In thousands
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial income |
|
|
| (1,952 |
) |
| (3,521 |
) |
| (5,934 |
) |
| (1,289 |
) |
| | |
Financial expenses | | |
| 320,771 |
|
| 203,115 |
|
| 214,741 |
|
| 46,652 |
|
| | |
Expenses relating to the | | |
| | |
redemption of notes, note 6b | | |
| |
|
| |
|
| 62,615 |
|
| 13,603 |
|
| | |
Derivative instruments | | |
| 59,580 |
|
| 63,356 |
|
| (45,492 |
) |
| (9,883 |
) |
| | |
Exchange rate differences | | |
| (59,168 |
) |
| (8,978 |
) |
| 49,839 |
|
| 10,828 |
|
| | |
CPI Linkage differences | | |
| (4,554 |
) |
| 2,285 |
|
| 69,029 |
|
| 14,996 |
|
| | |
Factoring costs | | |
| 17,111 |
|
| 17,459 |
|
| 650 |
|
| 141 |
|
| | |
Less - capitalized interest | | |
| (10,078 |
) |
| (13,171 |
) |
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | |
| | |
| 321,710 |
|
| 260,545 |
|
| 345,448 |
|
| 75,048 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
Following
are data relating to the net income and the weighted average number of shares that were
taken into account in computing the basic and diluted EPS: |
|
Year ended December 31
|
|
2003
|
2004
|
2005
|
2005
|
|
NIS
|
Convenience translation into dollars
|
|
In thousands
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income used for the computation of |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
basic and diluted EPS (in thousands) | | |
| 1,162,650 |
|
| 471,553 |
|
| 354,560 |
|
| 77,028 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
Weighted average number of shares used | | |
in computation of basic EPS | | |
| 181,930,803 |
|
| 183,389,383 |
|
| 161,711,125 |
|
| 161,711,125 |
|
Add - net additional shares from assumed | | |
exercise of employee stock options | | |
| 1,312,354 |
|
| 719,534 |
|
| 1,906,147 |
|
| 1,906,147 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
Weighted average number of shares used in | | |
computation of diluted EPS | | |
| 183,243,157 |
|
| 184,108,917 |
|
| 163,617,272 |
|
| 163,617,272 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
39
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NOTE 14 |
|
TRANSACTIONS AND BALANCES WITH RELATED PARTIES: |
|
a. |
Transactions
with related parties: |
|
|
Year ended December 31
|
|
|
2003
|
2004
|
2005
|
2005
|
|
|
NIS
|
Convenience translation into dollars
|
|
|
I n t h o u s a n d s
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase of fixed assets from related party |
|
|
| |
|
| 4,678 |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
Acquisition of handsets from related | | |
| | |
parties | | |
| 203,675 |
|
| 380,721 |
|
| 180,412 |
|
| 39,194 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
Financial expenses, mainly in respect | | |
| | |
of the Facility agreement, net | | |
| 67,906 |
|
| 55,048 |
|
| 7,145 |
|
| 1,552 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
Selling commissions, maintenance and | | |
| | |
other expenses | | |
| 7,458 |
|
| 4,116 |
|
| 14,221 |
|
| 3,090 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
Dividend | | |
| |
|
| |
|
| 44,996 |
|
| 9,775 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
As
to the repurchase of Companys share, see note 9a. The transactions are carried out
in the ordinary course of business. Management believes that such transactions were
carried out under normal market conditions. |
|
b. |
Balances
with related parties: |
|
|
December 31
|
|
|
2004
|
2005
|
2005
|
|
|
NIS
|
Convenience translation into dollars
|
|
|
I n t h o u s a n d s
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
| 4,136 |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
Accounts receivable trade | | |
| |
|
| 1,273 |
|
| 277 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
Current liabilities | | |
| 15,314 |
|
| 58,173 |
|
| 12,638 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
Long-term liabilities | | |
| 316,166 |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
c. |
Cost
sharing agreement |
|
The
Company entered, on August 15, 2002, into a Cost Sharing Agreement (the Agreement)
with Hutchison Telecommunications Limited, or HTL, and certain of its subsidiaries
(hereafter -the Hutchison group). The principal purpose of the Agreement is
to regulate the sharing of costs associated with various joint procurement and
development activities relating to the roll out and operation of a 3G Business. |
|
The
Agreement sets out the basis upon which expenses and liabilities are paid or discharged
by the Hutchison group companies in connection with the joint procurement or development
activities. Under the Agreement, the Company has the right to decide, and give notice of,
which of the joint projects it wishes to participate in. As of December 31, 2005, the
Company had given notice of its participation in 7 projects. The Companys expected
share in these projects in financial terms (including its share of joint expenses and
liabilities) is not material. |
40
Annex B
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS
COMPANY LTD.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FOR THE
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2005
The
following report is a summary only, and is not intended to be a comprehensive review of
our business and results of our operations and financial condition for the year 2005. The
report is based upon and should be read in conjunction with Partners Form 20-F for
the year ended December 31, 2005, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
May 18, 2006 (the Form 20-F). In particular, you should read the risk factors
appearing in the Form 20-F for a discussion of a number of factors that affect and could
affect Partners financial condition and results of operations.
This
report, as well as the Form 20-F, may include 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. All statements other than statements of
historical facts included in this report are forward-looking statements. We have based
these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future
events. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and
assumptions about Partner and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise
them.
In
this report, references to $ and US dollars are to United States
dollars and references to NIS are to New Israeli Shekels. This report contains
translations of NIS amounts into US dollars at NIS 4.603=US$1.00 as published by the Bank
of Israel, solely for the convenience of the reader.
Results of Operations for
the Year Ended December 31, 2005 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2004
Revenues
in 2005 were NIS 5,122.9 million (US$ 1,113.0 million), down 0.3% from NIS 5,140.7 million
in 2004.
Revenues
in 2005 from services were NIS 4,619.9 million (US$ 1,003.7 million), approximately equal
to the revenues from services in 2004 of NIS 4,615.8 million. Compared with 2004,
total network minutes in 2005 increased by 12.8%, offset by a 12.9% dilution in the
average tariff per minute including incoming calls. The increase in total network minutes
was driven primarily by an expanding subscriber base which grew by 8.1% from the end of
2004 to the end of 2005. The dilution in the average tariff per minute compared with 2004
was driven primarily by the reduction in interconnection tariffs which went into effect in
March 2005, as well as increased competition and the increased weight of business
subscribers in our customer base. The average business subscriber generates substantially
more minutes of use than post-paid private and prepaid subscribers, whilst their average
tariff per minute is materially lower.
Revenues
in 2005 from equipment were NIS 503.0 million (US$ 109.3 million), a decrease of 4.2% from
NIS 525.0 million in 2004. The decrease in 2005, compared with 2004, was driven by a
decrease in the average revenue per sale.
Data
and content revenues, including SMS messages, in 2005 were NIS 404.2 million (US$ 87.8
million), accounting for 7.9% of total revenues or 8.7% of service revenues, up from NIS
351.1 million, or 6.8% of total revenues, 7.6% of service revenues, in 2004, despite the
reduction in SMS interconnection tariffs. The increase in 2005, compared with 2004, was
driven by data and content non-SMS service revenues which increased by 34.5%. Revenues
from SMS services in 2005 decreased by 4.0% compared with 2004, reflecting the reduction
in SMS interconnect tariffs from March 2005, as mandated by the Ministry of
Communications. In 2005, SMS messages accounted for approximately 42% of data and content
revenues, compared with approximately 50% in 2004.
Cost
of revenues in 2005 increased by 4.2% to NIS 3,766.4 million (US$ 818.2 million) from NIS
3,615.0 million in 2004.
Cost
of revenues services in 2005 increased by 4.8% to NIS 3,022.5 million (US$ 656.6
million), from NIS 2,885.1 million in 2004. The increase was primarily driven by the
increased depreciation and amortization of over NIS 100 million which was recorded
following the launch of the 3G network towards the end of 2004 together with the
additional network expenses associated with the 3G network.
Cost
of revenues equipment in 2005 increased by 1.9% to NIS 743.9 million (US$ 161.6
million) from NIS 729.9 million in 2004. The increase was driven primarily by the
marketing of more advanced and higher cost handsets and approximately 5% growth in sales
transactions to new and upgrading subscribers.
Gross
profit for 2005 was NIS 1,356.6 million (US$ 294.7 million), the equivalent of 26.5% of
revenues, down 11.1% from NIS 1,525.7 million, or 29.7% of revenues, in 2004. The decrease
can be primarily attributed to the increased depreciation, amortization and network
expenses related to the Companys 3G network.
Selling
and marketing expenses in 2005 were NIS 272.9 million (US$ 59.3 million), a decrease of
16.1% from NIS 325.2 million in 2004. The decrease was principally due to reductions in
distribution and advertising costs.
General
and administrative expenses in 2005 were NIS 180.8 million (US$ 39.3 million), a decrease
of 0.2% from NIS 181.1 million in 2004.The decreases in general and administrative
expenses, as with the decreases in selling and marketing expenses, reflect cost-cutting
measures the Company put in place as part of its plan to mitigate the effects of the
inter-carrier termination rate reductions that were mandated by the Ministry of
Communications.
Operating
profit for 2005 was NIS 902.9 million (US$ 196.2 million), a decrease of 11.4% from NIS
1,019.3 million in 2004. As a percentage of revenues, operating profit decreased from
19.8% in 2004 to 17.6% in 2005. The decrease can be primarily attributed to the impact of
the inter-carrier termination rate reductions that were mandated by the Ministry of
Communications, as well as the increased depreciation, amortization and network expenses
related to the Companys 3G network.
2
Financial
expenses in 2005 were NIS 345.4 million (US$ 75.0 million), an increase of 32.6% from NIS
260.5 million in 2004. The increase was primarily driven by a one-off charge in the amount
of NIS 63 million related to the redemption of the US$ 175 million 13% Senior Subordinated
Notes on August 15, 2005, interest charges related to both the redeemed Notes and the new
CPI-linked shekel-denominated Notes and a one-off amortization of capitalized expenses
related to the Companys previous bank facility.
Income
before taxes for 2005 was NIS 557.5 million (US$121.1 million) down 26.5% compared to NIS
758.8 million in 2004.
Net
income in 2005 was NIS 354.6 million (US$ 77.0 million) or earnings of NIS 2.19 (US$ 0.48)
per basic ADS or share (NIS 2.17 per diluted ADS or share), representing a 24.8% decrease
from NIS 471.6 million, or earnings of NIS 2.57 per basic ADS or share (NIS 2.56 per
diluted ADS or share), in 2004. The decrease in 2005 net income compared with 2004
resulted primarily from the financial expenses related to the restructuring of the
Companys debt, the impact of the inter-carrier termination rate reductions that were
mandated by the Ministry of Communications, and the increased depreciation, amortization
and network expenses related to the Companys 3G network.
During
2005, our net active subscribers increased by 189,000, or 8.1%.
As
of December 31, 2005 our net active subscriber base was 2,529,000, accounting for an
approximate market share of 32%. The Companys subscriber base at the end of December
2005 included approximately 507,000 business subscribers (20% of the base), approximately
1,268,000 postpaid private subscribers, (50% of the base), and approximately 754,000
prepaid subscribers, (30% of the base). Of the Companys subscriber base,
approximately 103,000 were 3G subscribers. Net new active subscribers in the business
sector accounted for approximately 39% of net new active subscribers in the year.
The
annual churn rate in 2005 increased to 13.6% from 12.0% in 2004. The increase was
primarily due the prepaid sector.
Average
monthly usage per subscriber (MOU) for 2005 was 294 minutes, an increase of 2.8% compared
with 286 minutes in 2004. In 2005, average monthly revenue per subscriber (ARPU) was NIS
156 (US$ 33.9), a decrease of 8.2% compared with approximately NIS 170 in 2004. The
decrease in ARPU is attributed primarily to the reduction in interconnection charges
mandated by the Ministry of Communications, despite the increase in MOU.
In
2005, handset subsidies per new subscriber increased compared with 2004. However, the
average cost of acquiring a new subscriber (SAC) in 2005 decreased to NIS 282 (US$ 61.3)
from NIS 295 in 2004. The reduction reflects a reduction in non-handset subsidy components
of SAC including commissions.
Cash
flows generated from operating activities in 2005(NIS 1006.3 or US$ 218.6 million) net of
cash flows from investing activities (NIS 546.7 million or $US 118.7 million), totaled NIS
459.6 million (US$ 99.9 million). Cash flows generated from operating activities in 2004
(NIS 1272.8 million), net of cash flows from investing activities (NIS 673.6 million)
totaled NIS 599.2 million in 2004, a decrease of 23.3%. The decrease was primarily due to
a decrease in cash flows from operating activities, offset by a decrease in the level of
investment in fixed assets. The main reasons for the decrease in cash flows from operating
activities were the payment of one-off charges related to the redemption of the US$ 175
million 13% Senior Subordinated Notes, interest charges related to both the redeemed Notes
and the new CPI-linked shekel-denominated Notes and inventory charges
3
From
January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2005, we made cumulative net capital expenditures of
approximately NIS 1,319 million, of which NIS 486 million ($106 million) was incurred in
2005.
In
March 2005, we completed a debt offering, raising NIS 2.0 billion in a public offering in
Israel of the Notes due 2012. In April 2005 we entered into a new credit facility as part
of our 2005 Refinancing, consisting of a $450 million term loan facility and a $100
million revolving loan facility, replacing our previous bank facility. In May 2005, we
exercised an option to reduce the term facility from $450 million to $150 million.
|
In
April 2005, we used approximately NIS 1,074 million of the proceeds from our 2005
Refinancing to repurchase approximately 33.3 million shares from our Israeli founding
shareholders, representing approximately 18.1% of our outstanding shares immediately
before the repurchase. |
|
In
August 2005, we redeemed our outstanding $175 million 13% Senior Subordinated Notes, due
2010. |
|
In
the third quarter of 2005, our Board of Directors and shareholders approved the
distribution of our first cash dividend, in the amount of NIS 0.57 per share, totaling
approximately NIS 86.4 million to our shareholders of record as of September 26, 2005. |
|
On
January 22, 2006, we signed an agreement with MED I.C. 1 (1999) Ltd., a
transmission and hosting company, to purchase its fiber-optic transmission business for
approximately $14.8 million, subject to certain adjustments, in order to enable us to
reduce our transmission costs as well as to provide our business customers with bundled
services of transmission of data and voice. Completion of the transaction is subject to
the satisfaction of various closing conditions, including, approval by the Ministry of
Communications. |
|
In
the first quarter of 2006, our Board of Directors and shareholders approved the
distribution of an additional cash dividend in the amount of NIS 0.65 per share (totaling
approximately NIS 100 million) to our shareholders of record as of April 10, 2006. |
|
In
the second quarter of 2006, we adopted a dividend policy targeting a payout ratio of 60%
of net income over 2006. As part of this policy, our Board of Directors approved the
distribution of a cash dividend of NIS 0.45 per share (totaling approximately NIS 70
million) for the first quarter of 2006 to shareholders of record as of June 6, 2006. |
4
Annex
C
"15.1.2 |
The
Annual Meeting shall be convened to adopt resolutions on the following
matters: |
|
(One) |
The
appointment of Directors and the termination of their office in accordance
with Article 23 below. |
|
(Two) |
The
appointment of an auditor or the renewal of his office, and authorization of the Board of Directors to determine his fee, subject to the
provisions of Article 29 below. |
Annex
D
23.3.3 |
Notwithstanding the other provisions of these Articles of Association and without
derogating from Article 23.4, an Extraordinary Meeting of the Company may elect any person
as a Director, to fill an office which became vacant, or to serve as an additional member
to the then existing Board of Directors, or to serve as an external Director
(Dahatz) or an independent Director and also in any event in which the number of
the members of the Board of Directors is less than the minimum set in the Articles of
Association provided that the maximum number of Directors permitted under Article 23.1 is
not exceeded. Any Director elected in such manner (excluding an external Director
(Dahatz)) shall serve in office until the coming Annual Meeting, unless his office
becomes vacant earlier in accordance with the provisions of these Articles of Association
and may be reelected. |
23.4 |
The
election of Directors by the Board of Directors |
|
The
Board of Directors shall have the right, at all times, upon approval of at least 75% of
the Directors of the Company, to elect any person as a Director, to fill an office which
became vacant, or to serve as an additional member to the then existing Board of
Directors, and also in any event in which the number of the members of the Board of Directors is less than the
minimum set in the Articles of Association
provided that the maximum number of Directors permitted under Article 23.1 is
not exceeded. Any Director elected in such manner shall serve in office until the coming
Annual Meeting and may be reelected. |
23.9 |
Termination
of the Term of a Director |
|
The
term of a Director shall be terminated in any of the following cases: |
|
23.9.1 |
If
he resigns from his office by way of a signed letter, filed with the corporate secretary
at the Companys Office; |
|
23.9.2 |
If
he is declared bankrupt or if he reaches a settlement with his creditors within the
framework of bankruptcy procedures; |
|
23.9.3 |
If
he is declared by an appropriate court to be incapacitated; |
|
23.9.4 |
Upon
his death and, in the event of a corporation, if a resolution has been adopted for its
voluntary liquidation or a liquidation order has been issued to it; |
|
23.9.5 |
If
he is removed from his office by way of a resolution, adopted by the General Meeting of
the Company, even prior to the completion of his term of office; |
|
23.9.6 |
If
he is convicted of a crime, as stated in Section 232 of the Companies Law; or |
|
23.9.7 |
If
his term is terminated by the Board of Directors in accordance with
the provisions of Section 231 of the Companies Law;
or. |
|
23.9.8 |
If
his term is terminated by the Board of Directors in case the Board of Directors concludes
that the office of such dDirector is in violation to the provisions of the License or any
other telecommunications license granted to the Company or to any of its subsidaries or
to any other entity it controls. |
Annex
E
33. |
Insurance of Officers |
|
33.1 |
The
Company
may shall not insure
the liability of an officer in the Company, to the
fullest extent permitted by Lawother
than pursuant to the provisions of this Article. |
|
33.2 |
Without
derogating from the aforesaid,
Tthe
Company may enter into an insurance contract
and/or
arrange and pay all premiums in respect of an insurance contract, for the insurance of
the liability of an officer in the Company, resulting
directly or indirectly
from the consequence of an
action or
inaction by him
(or together
with other officers of the Company) in his
capacity as an officer in the Company, for any of the following: |
|
33.2.1 |
The
breach of the duty of care toward the Company or toward any other person; |
|
33.2.2 |
The
breach of the duty of loyalty toward the Company provided the officer has acted in good
faith and had reasonable grounds to assume that the action would not harm the Company; and |
|
33.2.3 |
A
financial liability imposed on him in favor of another person. |
|
33.2.4 |
Any
other matter in respect of which it is permitted or will be permitted under Law to insure
the liability of an officer in the Company. |
33.3 |
The
Company shall not enter into a contract for the insurance of the liability
of an officer in the Company for any of the following: |
|
33.3.1 |
The breach of the duty of loyalty toward the Company, unless the officer acted in good
faith and had reasonable grounds to assume that the action would not harm the Company; |
|
33.3.2 |
The breach of the duty of care made intentionally or recklessly (pezizut),
unless otherwise permitted by law; |
|
33.3.3 |
An
intentional act intended to unlawfully yield a personal profit; |
|
33.3.4 |
A
criminal fine or a penalty imposed on him. |
Annex
F
|
The
Shareholders and
the Company shall
at all times comply with the terms of the License and
of any other telecommunications license held by the Company. Nothing herein shall be
construed as requiring or permitting the performance of any acts which are inconsistent
with the terms of the License or of any other telecommunications license held by the
Company.
If any
aArticle
of these Articles shall be found to be inconsistent with the
terms of the License or
of any other telecommunications license held by the Company , the
provisions of such
aArticle shall be null and void, but the validity, legality or
enforceability of provisions of the other Articles shall not be affected thereby. |
DEED OF AUTHORIZATION
Date1
: ____ , 2006
To: |
Partner
Communications Company Ltd. (the Company) |
Attn: |
Roly
Klinger, Company Secretary |
Re: |
Annual
General Meeting of Shareholders to be held on Thursday, October 26, 2006 |
I, the undersigned2
_________________________, (Identification No./Registration No. _________), of
____________________________________________, being a registered holder of
_______________________(*) Ordinary Shares, par value NIS 0.01 per share, of
the Company, hereby authorize _______________________, Identification No.
________________(**), to participate and vote in my stead and on my behalf at
the referenced meeting and in any adjournment of the referenced meeting of the Company,
until I shall otherwise notify you.
1 Date of
signature
2 Name of Shareholder
(*) |
A shareholder is entitled to give several deeds of authorization, each of which
refers to a different quantity of Ordinary Shares of the Company held by him, so
long as he shall not give deeds of authorization with respect to an aggregate
number of Ordinary Shares exceeding the total number he holds. |
(**) |
In the event that the proxy does not hold an Israeli Identification number,
indicate a passport number, if any, and the name of the country which issued the
passport. |
Deed of Vote
Partner Communications Company Ltd.
8 Ha'amal Street
Rosh Ha'ayin, Israel
|
Date: __________, 2006
|
Re:
Annual General Meeting of the Shareholders to be held on October 26, 2006
I, the undersigned
_______________________, [Identification No./Registration No.]
_________________1, of ____________________________, being the registered
holder or the holder of an appropriate Deed of Authorization, attached hereto, of
__________ Ordinary Shares2, par value NIS 0.01 per share, of Partner
Communications Company Ltd. (the Company), hereby appoint any one of
Amikam Cohen, Emanuel Avner and Roly Klinger (the Proxies) to vote on
behalf of the undersigned all the Ordinary Shares specified above which the undersigned is
entitled to vote at the referenced general meeting or any adjournment thereof.
This Deed of Vote, when properly
executed and delivered to the Company at least two business days prior to the date of the
referenced general meeting, will be voted in the manner directed herein by the
undersigned. If no indication is made, this Deed of Vote will be voted FOR each item
specified below.
1 |
In
the event that the shareholder does not hold an Israeli Identification number, indicate a
passport number, if any, and the name of the country which issued the passport. |
2 |
A Shareholder is entitled to give several Deeds of Authorization, each of which refers to
a different quantity of Ordinary Shares of the company held by him, so long as he shall
not give Deeds of Authorization with respect to an aggregate number of Ordinary Shares
exceeding the total number he holds. |
Item No. |
Subject of the Resolution |
Vote |
|
|
For |
Against |
Abstain |
(i)
|
To re-appoint Kesselman & Kesselman
as the Company's auditor for the
ending at the close of the next
annual meeting
|
|
|
|
(ii)
|
To approve the auditor's
remuneration for the year ended
December 31, 2006 as determined by
the Audit Committee and by the
Board of Directors
|
|
|
|
(iii)
|
To authorize the Board of Directors
to determine the auditor's
remuneration for the year ended
December 31, 2007, subject to the
prior approval of the Audit
Committee
|
|
|
|
(iv) |
To approve the report of the Board
of Directors with respect to the
remuneration paid to the auditor
and its affiliates for the year
ended December 31, 2005
|
|
|
|
(v)
|
To re-elect nine directors to the
Company's Board of Directors
|
|
|
|
(vi)
|
To approve the re-appointment of
Mr. Moshe Vidman, an external
director (Dahatz) of the Company
|
|
|
|
(vii)
|
To approve the Company's audited
financial statements for the year
ended December 31, 2005 and the
report of directors for such period
|
|
|
|
2
Item No. |
Subject of the Resolution |
Vote |
|
|
For |
Against |
Abstain |
(viii)
|
To approve the amendments to the
Articles of Association relating to:
|
|
|
|
|
(a) the authority of the Board of
Directors to determine the
remuneration of the Company's
auditors
|
|
|
|
|
(b) the election of directors and
termination of their offices
|
|
|
|
|
(c) the insurance of officers
|
|
|
|
|
(d) the compliance with the terms
of the License
|
|
|
|
You must mark one of the
following two boxes (if an X is not marked in either column, or if an X is marked in both
columns, the vote shall be disqualified)3:
o
|
I,
the undersigned, hereby declare that either my holdings or my vote requires the consent
of the Minister of Communications pursuant to Sections 21 or 23 of the License. |
o
|
I,
the undersigned, hereby declare that neither my holdings nor my vote, require the consent
of the Minister of Communications pursuant to Sections 21 or 23 of the License. |
|
|
Signature
Name:
Title: |
3 |
In
the event that the Shareholder is an Interested Party, as defined in the
License, voting in a different manner with respect to each part of his Ordinary Shares, a
separate Deed of Vote should be filed for each quantity of Ordinary Shares in respect of
which he intends to vote differently. |
3
Partner Communications
Company Ltd
Dear Sirs:
|
Re: |
Annual
General Meeting of the Shareholders of Partner Communications Company Ltd to be held
on Thursday, October 26 2006 ("the AGM") |
We the undersigned,
___________private company/public company, that gave our proxy/deed of vote attached
hereto regarding the AGM, hereby state that:
In accordance with the provisions of
Article 21.7 of the General License granted to Partner Communications Company Ltd for the
provision of mobile radio telephone (MRT) services using the cellular method (the
License), the shares for which the proxy/deed of vote were given do not require
consent as set forth in Article 21.7(b)(1) of the License and are not considered
irregular holdings, as this term is defined.
Articles 21-24 of the License are
attached hereto.
Respectfully Yours,
Name: ________________
Date: ________________
Signature: _____________
|
[Unofficial
translation for convenience only] |
|
Articles
21-24 of the General License for Partner Communications Ltd. for the Provision of
Mobile Radio Telephone (MRT) Services using the Cellular Method-integrated version
updated as of 10 May 2005 |
21. |
Transfer
of Means of Control |
21.1 |
A
holding of ten percent (10%) or more of any of the Means of Control in the Licensee will
not be transferred, either directly or indirectly, either all at once or in parts, unless
given the Ministers prior written consent. |
21.2 |
Any
of the said Means of Control, or a part of them, in the Licensee, may not be transferred
in any way, if as a result of the transfer, control in the Licensee will be transferred
from one person to another, unless given the Ministers prior written consent. |
21.3 |
No
control shall be acquired, either direct or indirect, in the Licensee, and no person,
whether on his/her own or together with his/her relative or with those acting with
him/her on a regular basis, shall acquire in it ten percent (10%) or more of any of the
Means of Control in the Licensee, whether all at once or in parts, unless given the
Ministers prior written consent. |
21.4 |
Subject
to what is stated above in this clause, no Means of Control shall be transferred, either
directly or indirectly, in a way that will cause the share of an MRT Operator in the
Licensee to be reduced from twenty-five (25%) of the voting rights in the general meeting
and of the right to appoint a Director or General Manager, unless five (5) years have
elapsed from the date of License award; if five (5) years have elapsed from the date of
License award, an MRT Operators share may decrease from twenty-five percent (25%)
to the extent of selling the entire Means of Control held by it to another, all subject
to the approval of the Minister both for the reduction in the MRT Operators share
of the Means of Control in the Licensee, and with regard to the buyer; for the matter of
this clause, MRT Operator has the same meaning as set out in clause 14.1B. |
21.5 |
1Despite
the provisions of sub-clauses 21.1 and 21.3 above, should there occur a transfer or
purchase of a percentage of Tradable Means of Control in the Licensee requiring consent
under clauses 21.1 and 21.3 (other than a transfer of purchase that results in a transfer
of control), without the Ministers consent having been sought, the Licensee shall
report this to the Minister in writing, and shall make an application to the Minister to
approve the said transfer or purchase of the Means of Control in the Licensee, within 21
days of the date on which the Licensee became aware of such. |
|
In
this Clause 21, Tradable Means of Control Means of Control,
including Global or American Depository Shares (GDRs or ADRs), or similar
certificates, registered for trading on the securities exchange in Israel or overseas,
and offered to the public by prospectus, or held by the public in Israel or overseas. |
21.6 |
Neither
the entry into an underwriting agreement relating to the issue or sale of securities to
the public, the registration for trading on the securities exchange in Israel or
overseas, nor the deposit or registration of securities with a registration company or
with a depository agent or a custodian for the purpose of registration of GDRs or ADRs or
similar certificates relating to the issue or sale of securities to the public shall in
and of themselves be considered as a transfer of Means of Control in the Licensee.2 |
21.7 |
(a) |
Exceptional
Holdings shall be registered in the Licensees register of members (shareholder
register) with a notation that such holdings have been classified as exceptional,
immediately upon the Licensees becoming aware of this, and a notice of the
registration shall be given by the Licensee to the holder of such Exceptional Holdings
and to the Minister. |
|
(b) |
Exceptional
Holdings, noted as aforesaid in clause 21.7(a), shall not entitle the
holder to any rights, and shall be dormant shares as defined in
Section 308 of the Companies Law 5759-1999, expect in the case of the
receipt of a dividend or any other distribution to shareholders
(especially the right to participate in an allotment of rights calculated
on the basis of holdings of Means of Control in the Licensee, although
holdings accumulated as aforesaid shall also be considered as Exceptional
Holdings), and therefore no action or claim of the activation of a right
by virtue of the Exceptional Holdings shall have any force, except in the
case of the receipt of a dividend or any other distribution as aforesaid. |
|
Without
derogating form the generality of the above: |
|
(1) |
A
shareholder who takes part in a vote during a meeting of shareholders shall
advise the Licensee prior to the vote, or in the case of documentary voting on
the voting document, whether his holdings in the Licensee or his voting require
consent under clauses 21 and 23 of the License or not; where a shareholder does
not so advise, he may not vote and his vote shall not count. |
|
(2) |
No
director of the Licensee shall be appointed, elected or transferred from office
by virtue of an Exceptional Holding; should a director be appointed, elected or
transferred from office as aforesaid, the said appointment, election or
transfer, as the case may be, shall be of no effect. |
|
(3) |
Exceptional
Holdings shall not provide voting rights in the general meeting;
For the
purposes of this clause:
Exceptional Holdings the
holding of Tradable Means of Control without the Ministers consent
as required under clause 23, and all holdings of a person holding Tradable
Means of Control acting contrary to the provisions of clause 24; for as
long as the Ministers consent under clause 21 has been sought but
not yet granted, or whilst there is a situation of breach of the
provisions of clauses 23 or 24. |
|
(4) |
The
provisions of clause 21.7 shall be included in the Articles of Association
of the Licensee, including the provisions of clause 21.9 mutatis
mutandis. |
21.8 |
For
so long as the Articles of Association of the Licensee provide as set out in clause 21.7,
and the Licensee acts in accordance with the provisions of clauses 21.5 and 21.7, and for
so long as none of the holdings of any of the Founding Shareholders or their Substitutes3
reduces to less than 26%4 of each of the Means of Control in the
Licensee, and for so long as the Articles of Association of the Licensee provide that a
majority of the voting power in the general meeting of the Licensee may appoint all
members of the Board of Directors of the Licensee, other than external directors required
by any law and/or the relevant Exchange Rules, the Exceptional Holdings shall not, in and
of themselves, give rise to a cause for the cancellation of the Licensee. |
|
For
the purpose of this article: Founding Shareholders or their Substitutes-
Matbit Telecommunications Systems Ltd., Advent Investment Pte Limited, Matav Investments
Ltd and Tapuz Cellular Systems limited Partnership as well as any other entity that one of
them has transferred the Means of Control in the Licensee to, with the Ministers
consent, before 4.7.2004 (each of the above entities shall be termed Founding
Shareholder), as well as any other entity that a Founding Shareholder will transfer
Means of Control in the Licensee to after 4.7.2004, provided that the Minister gave his
written consent that the transferree be considered for this matter as the Founding
Shareholders substitute from the date to be determined by the Minister, including
anyone that is an Israeli Entity as defined in Article 22.A.2, that purchased
Means of Control from the Licensee and received the Ministers approval to be
considered a founding shareholder or their substitute from the date set by the
Minister.5 Such consent under this article does not exempt the Licensee from
the obligation to receive the Ministers consent for every transfer of the Means of
Control in the Licensee that requires the Ministers consent in accordance with any
other article in the License.6 |
21.9 |
The
provisions of clauses 21.5 through 21.8 shall not apply to the Founding Shareholders
or their Substitutes.7 |
4 |
Amendments No. 9, 28, 31 |
22. |
Placing
a Charge on Means of Control |
|
Any
shareholder in the company that holds the License, or a shareholder in an Interested
Party in the same company, is not allowed to encumber his/her shares, in a way that the
realization of the charge would cause a change in the ownership in ten percent (10%) or
more of any of the Means of Control in the Licensee, unless the charge agreement includes
a constraint, according to which the charge cannot be realized without prior consent, in
writing, by the Minister. |
22A. |
8Israeli
Requirement and Holdings of Founding Shareholders or their Substitutes |
|
22A.1. |
The
total cumulative holdings of the Founding Shareholders or their
Substitutes, as defined in Article 21.8, (including anyone that is
an Israeli Entity as defined in Article 22.2A below, that
purchased Means of Control from the Licensee and received the Ministers
approval to be considered a founding shareholder or their substitute from
the date set by the Minister), and are bound by an agreement for the
fulfillment of the provisions of Article 22A of the License (in this
Article they will all be considered Founding Shareholders or their
Substitutes) shall not be reduced to less than 26% of each of the
Means of Control in the Licensee. |
|
22A.2 |
The
total cumulative holdings of Israeli Entities, one or more, that are
considered as one of the Founding Shareholders or their Substitutes, from the total
holdings of Founding Shareholders or their Substitutes as set forth in Article 22A.1
above, shall not be reduced at all times to less than 5% of the total issued share
capital and from each of the Means of Control in the Licensee. For this matter, the
issued share capital of the Licensee shall be calculated by deducting the number of Dormant
Shares held by the Licensee . |
|
IsraeliEntity-
for an individual-an Israeli citizen or resident of Israel, For a corporation- a
corporation that was incorporated in Israel and an individual that is a citizen and a
resident of Israel, controls the corporation either directly or indirectly, as long as
the indirect control shall be only through a corporation that was incorporated in Israel,
one or more. However, for the matter of indirect holdings, the Prime Minister and the
Minister of Communications may approve holdings through a corporation that has not been
incorporated in Israel, as long as the corporation does not directly hold shares in the
Licensee, and only if they are convinced that this will not derogate from the provisions
of this article. For this matter, Israeli citizen- as defined in the
Nationality Law, 5712-1952; resident-as defined in the Inhabitants Registry
Law, 5725-1965. |
8 |
Amendment No. 31-shall come into effect with the completion all of the
obligations set forth in clause 22A and no later than 20 July 2005, in
accordance with document 4031-62/05 of the Ministry of Communications dated 2
Adar B 5765 (13 March 2005) |
|
For this
matter, Dormant Shares- as defined in Article 308 of the Companies
Law, 5759-1999. |
|
22A.3 |
At
least one tenth (10%) of the members of the Board of Directors of the Licensee shall be
appointed by the Israeli Entities as set forth in clause 22A.2. Notwithstanding the
above-mentioned, for this matter- if the Board of Directors of the Licensee shall consist
of up to 14 members at least one director shall be appointed by the Israeli
entities as set forth in clause 22.2A above, if the Board of Directors of the Licensee
shall consist of between 15 and 24 members-at least 2 directors shall be appointed by the
Israeli entities as set forth in clause 22.2A above and so on and so forth. |
|
22A.4 |
The
Licensees Board of Directors shall appoint from among its members that have
security clearance and security compatibility to be determined by the General Security
Service (hereinafter: Directors with Clearance) a committee to be
designated the Committee for Security Matters, or CSM. |
|
The
CSM shall consist of at least 4 Directors with Clearance including at least one External
Director. Security matters shall be discussed, subject to clause 22A.5, solely by the
CSM. A resolution that was adopted or an action that was taken by the CSM , shall have
the same effect as a resolution that was adopted or an action that was taken by the Board
of Directors and shall be discussed by the Board of Directors only if necessary in
accordance with clause 22A.5 and subject to clause 22A.5.
In this article-security
matters-as defined in the Bezeq Order (Determination of Essential Service Provided
by Bezeq, the Israeli Telecommunications Company Ltd), 5757-1997, as of March
9, 2005. |
|
22A.5 |
Security
matters that the Board of Directors or the Audit Committee of the Licensee shall be
required to consider in accordance with the mandatory provisions of the Companies Law,
5759-1999, or in accordance with the mandatory provisions of any other law that applies
to the Licensee shall be discussed, if they need to be discussed by the Board of
Directors or the Audit Committee, only in the presence of Directors with Clearance.
Directors that do not have security clearance shall not be allowed to participate in this
Board of Directors or Audit Committee meeting and shall not be entitled to receive
information or to review documents that relate to this matter. The legal quorum for such
meetings shall include only Directors with Clearance. |
|
The
Licensee may set out in its Articles of Association that an Office Holder, who in the
capacity of his position or based on the provisions of the law or the Articles of
Association, should have received information or participate in security matter meetings
and this was denied him due to clause 22A.5, will be released from any liability for any
claim of breach of duty of care towards the Licensee, if the breach of duty of care was a
result of his or her inability to participate in the meetings or receive information. |
|
22A.6 |
The
shareholders at a general meeting shall not be entitled to assume, delegate, transfer or
exercise any of the authorities granted to another organ in the company, regarding
security matters |
|
22A.7 |
(a)
The Minister shall appoint an observer for the Board of Directors and committee meetings,
that has security clearance and security compatibility that will be determined by the
General Security Services. |
|
(b)
The observer shall be a government employee, qualified to serve as a
director, in accordance with Chapter C of the Government Companies Law,
5735-1975. |
|
(c)
In addition, and without derogating from any duty imposed on him by any law,
the observer shall be bound by confidentiality towards the Licensee, except as
the matter may be required to fulfill his responsibilities as an observer. The
observer shall not act as an observer or in any other capacity for any entity
that deals with the provision of telecommunication services and directly
competes with the Licensee, and shall refrain from any conflict of interest
between his position as an observer and between the Licensee, excluding
conflicts of interest that result from his being a government employee that is
fulfilling his responsibilities as an observer with the Licensee. The observer
shall undertake towards the Licensee not to serve as an observer or an office
holder, and not to fulfill a position or be employed, directly or indirectly by
any entity that directly competes with the Licensee or has a conflict of
interest with the Licensee, excluding a conflict of interest that results from
his being a government employee that is fulfilling his responsibilities as an
observer with the Licensee throughout the duration of his position as an
observer with the Licensee and for eighteen months after he completes this
term. |
|
In
any case of a dispute regarding a conflict of interest of the observer, the matter shall
be decided by the State Attorney General or a person on his behalf. |
|
(d)
Notices to Board of Director and committee meetings, including the CSM,
shall be sent to the observer and he shall be entitled to participate as
an observer in each such meeting. |
|
(e)
The observers entitlement to receive information from the Licensee,
shall be the same as a director. If the Licensee believes that certain
information that is sensitive business information is not required by the
observer in order to fulfill his duties, the Licensee may delay delivery
of such information to the observer and shall inform him accordingly. If
the observer believes that he should receive such information, the matter
shall be decided by the head of the General Security Services. |
|
(f)
If the observer believes that the Licensee adopted or is about to adopt a
resolution regarding security matters, contrary to the provisions of the
License, contrary to Article 13 of the Law or contrary to the provisions
of Article 11 of the General Security Services Law, 5762-2002, he shall
immediately notify the Licensee in writing. Such a notice shall be sent to
the chairman of the Board of Directors and to the chairman of the CSM and
adequate time shall be given, under the circumstances of the case, to
remedy the breach or to change the resolution, if possible. |
|
22A.8 |
The
provisions of Article 22A of the License shall be adopted in the Articles of Association
of the Licensee. |
Section C:
Cross-Ownership and Conflict of Interests
23. |
Prohibition
of Cross-Ownership |
23.1 |
The
Licensee, an Office Holder or an Interested Party in the Licensee, as well as an Office
Holder in an Interested Party in the Licensee, shall not hold, either directly or
indirectly, five percent (5%) or more of any Means of Control in a Competing MRT
Operator, and shall not serve as an Office Holder in a Competing MRT Operator or in an
Interested Party in a Competing MRT Operator; for this matter, Holding includes
holding as an agent. |
23.2 |
Notwithstanding
the provisions of Paragraph 23.1, the Minister may, based upon written request, permit an
Office Holder in the Licensee to serve as an Office Holder in an Interested Party in a
Competing MRT Operator, or permit an Office Holder in an Interested Party in the Licensee
to serve as an Office Holder in a Competing MRT Operator or in an Interested Party in a
Competing MRT Operator, if he is satisfied, that this will not harm the competition in
MRT Services; the Minister may condition the granting of such permit on conditions that
the Office Holder must fulfill for prevention of harm to the competition as aforesaid. |
23.3 |
Notwithstanding
the provisions of Paragraph 23.1, an Interested Party in the Licensee, which is a trust
fund, an insurance company, an investment company or a pension fund, may hold up to ten
percent (10%) of the Means of Control in a Competing MRT Operator, and an Interested
Party in a Competing MRT Operator, which is a trust fund, an insurance company, an
investment company or a pension fund, may hold up to ten percent (10%) of the Means of
Control in the Licensee, provided it does not have a representative or an appointee on
its behalf among the Office Holders of a Competing MRT Operator or of the Licensee, as
the case may be, unless it is required to do so by law. |
23.4 |
The
Licensee, an Office Holder or an Interested Party in the Licensee, as well as an Office
Holder in an Interested Party in the Licensee, will not control a Competing MRT Operator,
and will not cause it, by any act or omission, to be controlled by a Competing MRT
Operator or by an Office Holder or an Interested Party in a Competing MRT Operator, or by
an Office Holder in an Interested Party in a Competing MRT Operator, or by a person or
corporation that controls a Competing MRT Operator. |
23.5 |
The
rate of indirect holding in a corporation will be a product of the percentage of holdings
in each stage of the chain of ownership, subject to what is set out in Paragraph 23.6;
for example: |
|
(A) |
A holds
40% in Company B; |
|
(B) |
Company
B holds 40% in Company C; |
|
(C) |
Company
C holds 25% in Company D; |
|
(D) |
Therefore,
Company A holds, indirectly, 4% of Company D. |
23.6 |
For
the matter of this Paragraph and Paragraphs 14.1 (G) (6), (7), (8), (8a), (9) and 21.4,
if a certain body (hereinafter: the Controlling Body) controls another body
that has holdings, directly or indirectly, in the Licensee (hereinafter: the
Controlled Body), the Controlling Body, and also any other body controlled by the
Controlling Body, will be attributed with the rate of holdings in the Licensee that the
Controlled Body has, directly or indirectly; according to the following examples: |
|
(1) |
A holds
50% in Company B, and controls it; |
|
(2) |
Company
B holds 50% in Company C, and controls it; |
|
(3) |
Company
C holds 10% in the Licensee and does not control it; |
|
(4) |
Therefore,
notwithstanding that As holdings in the Licensee in
accordance with the instructions of Paragraph 5.6 are 2.5%, A and
also any body controlled by A will be deemed as an Interested Party
holding 10% in the Licensee. |
|
(1) |
A holds
50% of Company B and controls it; |
|
(2) |
Company
B holds 40% of Company C and controls it; |
|
(3) |
Company
C holds 40% of Company D and does not control it; |
|
(4) |
Company
D holds 40% of the Licensee and does not control it; |
|
(5) |
Therefore,
A and any body controlled by A will be regarded as
having a holding in the Licensee at the rate of holdings of Company C in the
Licensee, which is holdings of 16% (according to the method set out in Paragraph 23.5 for
the calculation of the rate of indirect holdings in the absence of control), and in this
manner, A and any body controlled by A is an Interested Party in
the Licensee. |
23.7 |
If
a certain body has indirect holding in the Licensee, through two or more Interested
Parties, then for the purpose of its definition as an Interested Party, and for the
purpose of determining the rate of holding with regard to this Paragraph, the greatest
indirect rate of holding will be taken into account, and also any rate of holding that
derives from the chain of holdings through which the said holding body is attributed with
the holdings of corporations controlled by it in accordance with the provisions of
Paragraph 23.6; the rates of holdings that derive from two or more chains that will be
taken into account as stated above, will be cumulative for the purpose of calculating the
rate of holdings. |
23.8 |
The
Minister may, in response to a written request, permit an Interested Party in the
Licensee to hold, either directly or indirectly, five percent (5%) or more in any of the
Means of Control of a Competing MRT Operator, if the Minister is satisfied that this will
not harm competition in the MRT field; the Minister may condition the granting of the
said permit9 on condition that the Interested Party in the Licensee or in
the Competing MRT Operator is an Interested Party merely by virtue of the provisions of
clause 23.6. |
24. |
Prohibition
of Conflict of interests |
|
The
Licensee, any body in which the Licensee is an Interested Party, an Office Holder in the
Licensee or an Interested Party in the company holding the License or an Office Holder in
an Interested Party therein, will not be party to any agreement, arrangement or
understanding with a Competing MRT Operator, or an Interested Party or an Office Holder
in it, or an Office Holder in an Interested Party in a Competing MRT Operator, or any
other body in which a Competing MRT Operator is an Interested Party, which are intended
to or might reduce or harm competition in anything that pertains to MRT Services, MRT
Terminal Equipment or any other Telecommunications Services. |
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.
|
|
Partner Communications Company Ltd.
By: /s/ Emanuel Avner
Emanuel Avner Chief Financial Officer |
Dated: September 14, 2006