Bezeq International today unveiled its business plan for the next two years, announcing its intention to become Israel’s no. 1 Internet provider by the end of 2002. The company also said 200,000 subscribers have been connected to its Internet service.
Bezeq International general manager Uri Yogev said that the government has recently given the company the green light to buy up to 45% of Internet portal Walla!, and that Bezeq International is planning to do so on the stock exchange. Bezeq International already holds 38% of Walla!
Yogev said that the Internet activity, launched 18 months ago, has been extremely successful, with 200,000 subscribers signing up for the service, bringing the company’s market share to 18%. In reply to a question, Yogev made it clear that he was not referring to 200,000 households, but to 200,000 users (not all of whom pay fees). Yogev would not disclose the exact number of households, but estimated it at 100,000.
As of October 2000, Bezeq International’s Internet company had 200,000 subscribers and a market share of 18%, while the targets set in the business plan for 2000 were 126,000 subscribers and a market share of 15%. Yogev said that the 126,000th customer had already signed up by June.
Published by Israel's Business Arena on 14 November, 2000