Sources inform ''Globes'' that, ahead of the closing of the sale of Mirs Communications Ltd. to Patrick Drahi, Motorola Inc. (NYSE: MOT) will have to pay NIS 40 million to cover the mobile operator's payment to the state for frequencies. Mirs has not paid the Ministry of Communications the fee for frequencies since the company obtained its cellular license in 2001.
Motorola will also have to pay NIS 150-200 million in Mirs's royalties and license fees for which the Ministry of Communications has not yet issued a demand for payment. The company and the ministry are arguing over the discount that Mirs should pay as a new entrant into the mobile market.
The matter is expected to wind a lengthy path through the courts.
Three weeks ago, Motorola sold Mirs to Drahi for NIS 170 million.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on December 27, 2009
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2009