Now that Shaul Elovitch-controlled 012 Smile.Communications Ltd. (Nasdaq:SMLC; TASE: SMLC) has signed a deal to acquire control of Bezeq The Israeli Telecommunication Co. Ltd. (TASE: BEZQ), the battle for 012 Smile's business operations that it must sell has begun. Patrick Drahi, who wants to expand his business activities in Israel beyond Hot Cable Systems Media Ltd. (TASE: HOT) by acquiring either Mirs Communications Ltd. or Smile's business, has already approached the banks for funding.
Sources inform ''Globes'' that Ilan Ben-Dov, who is in the process of acquiring control of Partner Communications Ltd. (Nasdaq: PTNR; TASE: PTNR), is also interested in Smile's international calls carrier and Internet services provider operations. Ben-Dov has spoken with Smile CEO Stella Handler about acquiring Smile's businesses for NIS 1.2 billion, and was seeking more information about the operations.
Smile's share closed at $10.51 on Nasdaq on Friday, and is up 42% in premarket trading today. The share rose 5% by mid-afternoon today to NIS 55.67, after rising 35.9% yesterday.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on October 26, 2009
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