Annual Report • Feb 28, 2022
Annual Report
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 28, 2022
REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
OR
X ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021
OR
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ___________ to ___________
OR
SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of event requiring this shell company report ___________
Commission file number 1-14968
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
ISRAEL
(Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
8 AMAL STREET AFEK INDUSTRIAL PARK ROSH-HA'AYIN 48103 ISRAEL (Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Sarit Hecht, Adv. Vice President, Chief Legal Counsel & Corporate Secretary Telephone: +972-54-7813888 Partner Communications Company Ltd. 8 Amal Street Afek Industrial Park
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol |
Name of each exchange on which registered |
|---|---|---|
| American Depositary Shares, each representing | PTNR | The NASDAQ Global Select Market |
| one ordinary share, nominal value NIS 0.01 per share Ordinary Shares, nominal value NIS 0.01 per share* |
The NASDAQ Global Select Market |
* Not for trading, but only in connection with the registration of American Depositary Shares representing such ordinary shares, pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer's classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the Annual Report:
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
YES NO x
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act 1934.
YES NO x
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days:
YES x NO
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
YES x NO
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or an emerging growth company. See definition of "large accelerated filer", "accelerated filer" and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large Accelerated Filer Accelerated Filer X Non-Accelerated Filer Emerging Growth Company
If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management's assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. X
Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:
U.S. GAAP
International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board x
Other
If "Other" has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the Registrant has elected to follow:
If this is an annual report, indicate by checkmark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
YES NO x
| ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS | 5 |
|---|---|
| ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE | 5 |
| ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION | 5 |
| ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY | 32 |
| ITEM 4A. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS | 77 |
| ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS | 77 |
| ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES | 106 |
| ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS | 128 |
| ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION | 135 |
| ITEM 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING | 140 |
| ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION | 141 |
| ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK | 154 |
| ITEM 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES | 156 |
| ITEM 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES | 157 |
| ITEM 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF | |
| PROCEEDS | 157 |
| ITEM 15. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES | 157 |
| ITEM 16A. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT | 158 |
| ITEM 16B. CODE OF ETHICS | 158 |
| ITEM 16C. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES | 159 |
| ITEM 16D. EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES | 159 |
| ITEM 16E. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED | |
| PURCHASERS | 159 |
| ITEM 16F. CHANGE IN REGISTRANT'S CERTIFYING ACOUNTANT | 160 |
| ITEM 16G. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE | 160 |
| ITEM 16H. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE | 160 |
| ITEM 16I. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS | 160 |
| ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | 160 |
| ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | 160 |
| ITEM 19. EXHIBITS | 160 |
As used herein, references to "we," "our," "us," the "Group," "Partner" or the "Company" are references to Partner Communications Company Ltd. and (i) its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Partner Future Communications 2000 Ltd., Partner Land-Line Communications Solutions LP, Partner Business Communications Solutions LP, Get Cell Communication Products LP (formerly Partner Communication Products 2016 LP), 012 Smile Telecom Ltd. ("012 Smile"), (ii) 012 Smile's wholly-owned subsidiary, 012 Telecom Ltd. and (iii) PHI (as defined below), except as the context otherwise requires. Partner Future Communications 2000 Ltd. serves as the general partner and the Company serves as the limited partner of each of the limited partnerships.
Pursuant to a 15-year Network Sharing Agreement that the Company entered into with HOT Mobile Ltd. ("HOT Mobile") in 2013, the parties created a 50-50 limited partnership, P.H.I. Networks (2015) Limited Partnership ("PHI"). Starting January 1, 2019, we began to account for PHI as a joint operation. See "Item 4B.8 OUR NETWORK ", "Item 5A.1c Network Sharing Agreement with HOT Mobile" and note 9 to our financial statements.
In the context of cellular services, references to "our network" refer to Partner's cellular telecommunications network which includes our core network, as well as the shared radio access network with HOT Mobile which is operated by PHI and any other Company infrastructure which enables our cellular service.
In addition, references to our "financial statements" are to our consolidated financial statements, unless the context requires otherwise.
The Company currently provides telecommunications services in the following two segments: (1) cellular telecommunications services ("Cellular Services") and (2) fixed-line communication services ("Fixed-Line Services") as described in Item 4B. Business Overview. Unless the context indicates otherwise, expressions such as "our business," "Partner's business" and "the Company's business" or "industry" refer to both Cellular and Fixed-Line Services.
In this document, references to "\$," "US\$," "US dollars," "USD" and "dollars" are to United States dollars, and references to "NIS" and "shekels" are to New Israeli Shekels. We maintain our financial books and records in shekels. This Annual Report contains translations of NIS amounts into US dollars at specified rates solely for the convenience of the reader. No representation is made that the amounts referred to in this Annual Report as convenience translations could have been or could be converted from NIS into US dollars at these rates, at any particular rate or at all. The translations of NIS amounts into US dollars appearing throughout this Annual Report have been made at the exchange rate on December 31, 2021, of NIS 3.110 = US\$1.00 as published by the Bank of Israel, unless otherwise specified.
Our financial statements included in this Annual Report are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") published by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB"). See "Item 18. Financial Statements" and "Item 5A. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects – Operating Results".
This Annual Report includes 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. Words such as "believe," "anticipate," "expect," "intend," "seek," "will," "plan," "could," "may," "project," "goal," "target" and similar expressions often identify forward-looking statements but are not the only way we identify these statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this Annual Report, including the statements in the sections of this Annual Report entitled "Item 3D. Key Information – Risk Factors," "Item 4. Information on the Company" and "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects" and elsewhere in this Annual Report regarding our future performance, revenues or margins, market share or reduction of expenses, regulatory
developments, and any statements regarding other future events or our future prospects, are forward-looking statements.
We have based these forward-looking statements on our current knowledge and our present beliefs and expectations regarding possible future events. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions about Partner, consumer habits and preferences in cellular and fixed-line telephone usage, trends in the Israeli telecommunications industry in general, the impact of current global economic conditions and possible regulatory and legal developments. For a description of some of the risks see "Item 3D Risk Factors", "Item 4 Information On The Company", "Item 5 Operating And Financial Review And Prospects", "Item 8A.1 Legal And Administrative Proceedings" and "Item 11 Quantitative And Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk". In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this Annual Report might not occur, and actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Our consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, have been prepared in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB").
The tables below at and for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021 set forth selected consolidated financial data under IFRS. The audited consolidated financial statements at December 31, 2020 and 2021 and for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, appear at the end of this report and have been audited by Kesselman & Kesselman, our independent registered public accounting firm in Israel and a member of PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited.
| Year ended December 31, | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2021 | |
| New Israeli Shekels in millions (except per share data) |
US\$ in millions(1) |
|||
| Consolidated Statement of Income Data | ||||
| Revenues, net…………………………… | 3,234 | 3,189 | 3,363 | 1,081 |
| Cost of revenues………………………… | 2,707 | 2,664 | 2,732 | 878 |
| Gross profit…………………………… | 527 | 525 | 631 | 203 |
| Selling and marketing expenses…………. | 301 | 291 | 323 | 104 |
| General and administrative expenses……. | 149 | 145 | 164 | 52 |
| Credit losses…………………………… | 18 | 23 | 9 | 3 |
| Other income, net……………………… | 28 | 30 | 28 | 9 |
| Operating profit………………………… | 87 | 96 | 163 | 53 |
| Finance income………………………… | 7 | 8 | 4 | 1 |
| Finance expenses………………………… | 75 | 77 | 68 | 22 |
| Finance costs, net………………………… | 68 | 69 | 64 | 21 |
| Profit before income tax………………… | 19 | 27 | 99 | 32 |
| Income tax income (expenses)…………… | * | (10) | 16 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Profit for the year………………………… | 19 | 17 | 115 | 37 |
| Earnings per ordinary share and per ADS |
||||
| Basic: …………………………………… | 0.12 | 0.09 | 0.63 | 0.20 |
| Diluted: ………………………………… | 0.12 | 0.09 | 0.62 | 0.20 |
| Weighted average number of shares outstanding (in thousands) |
||||
| Basic: ………………………………… | 162,831 | 182,331 | 183,203 | 183,203 |
| Diluted (for calculation above): ……… | 163,608 | 183,188 | 184,334 | 184,334 |
(*) Representing an amount of less than 1 million.
| Year ended December 31, | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2021 | |
| New Israeli Shekels in millions | US\$ in millions(1) |
|||
| Capital expenditures (2) | 578 | 595 | 680 | 219 |
| Adjusted EBITDA (3) | 853 | 822 | 922 | 296 |
| Statement of Cash Flow Data | ||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities |
837 | 786 | 774 | 249 |
| Net cash used in investing activities | (1,18 1) |
(581) | (727) | (234) |
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities |
227 | (128) | (115) | (37) |
end)
| Current assets | 1,664 | 1,496 | 1,489 | 480 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non current assets | 3,351 | 3,629 | 3,904 | 1,255 |
| Lease - right of use | 582 | 663 | 679 | 218 |
| Property and equipment | 1,430 | 1,495 | 1,644 | 529 |
| Intangible and other assets | 538 | 521 | 472 | 152 |
| Goodwill | 407 | 407 | 407 | 131 |
| Deferred income tax asset | 41 | 29 | 34 | 11 |
| Total assets | 5,015 | 5,125 | 5,393 | 1,735 |
| Current liabilities (4) | 1,489 | 1,334 | 1,422 | 457 |
| Non current liabilities (4) | 2,109 | 2,068 | 2,112 | 680 |
| Total liabilities | 3,598 | 3,402 | 3,534 | 1,137 |
| Total equity | 1,417 | 1,723 | 1,859 | 598 |
| Total liabilities and equity | 5,015 | 5,125 | 5,393 | 1,735 |
(1) The NIS figures at December 31, 2021, and for the 12-month period then ended have been translated throughout this Annual Report into dollars using the representative exchange rate of the dollar at December 31, 2021 (USD 1 = NIS 3.110). The translation was made solely for convenience, is supplementary information, and is distinguished from the financial statements. The translated dollar figures should not be construed as a representation that the Israeli currency amounts actually represent, or could be converted into, dollars.
companies. Adjusted EBITDA may not be indicative of the Group's historic operating results nor is it meant to be predictive of potential future results. The usage of the term "Adjusted EBITDA" is to highlight the fact that the Amortization includes amortization of deferred expenses – right of use and amortization of employee share-based compensation and impairment charges.
(4) See Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements for information regarding long-term liabilities and current maturities of long-term borrowings and notes payable.
The tables below at and for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, set forth a reconciliation between Profit and Adjusted EBITDA.
| Year ended December 31, | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2021 | |
| New Israeli Shekels in millions |
US\$ in millions (1) |
|||
| Reconciliation Between Profit and Adjusted | ||||
| EBITDA | ||||
| Profit …………………………………… | 19 | 17 | 115 | 37 |
| Depreciation and amortization expenses…… | 751 | 714 | 744 | 239 |
| Finance costs, net……………………………. | 68 | 69 | 64 | 21 |
| Income tax income (expenses)…………… | * | (10) | 16 | 5 |
| Other (**)………………………………. | 15 | 12 | 15 | 4 |
| Adjusted EBITDA (2) ………………………… | 853 | 822 | 922 | 296 |
| At December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
| Cellular Industry Data | |||
| Estimated population of Israel (in millions) (1) ……………………………. Estimated Israeli cellular telephone subscribers (in millions) (2)…………… Estimated Israeli cellular telephone penetration (3) ………………………… |
9.1 10.4 114% |
9.3 10.4 113% |
9.4 10.9 116% |
| Year Ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
| Company's Data | |||
| Cellular subscribers (000's) | |||
| (at period end) (4) (5)……………………………. | 2,657 | 2,836 | 3,023 |
| Pre-paid cellular subscribers (000's) | |||
| (at period end) (4)……………………………… | 291 | 341 | 352 |
| Post-paid cellular subscribers (000's) | |||
| (at period end) (4)……………………………… | 2,366 | 2,495 | 2,671 |
| Share of total Israeli cellular subscribers | |||
| (at period end) (5)……………………………… | 25% | 27% | 28% |
| Average monthly revenue per cellular subscriber including roaming | |||
| _("ARPU") (NIS) (6) ………………………… | 57 | 51 | 48 |
| Churn rate for cellular subscribers (7)…………… | 31% | 30% | 28% |
| TV subscribers (000's) | |||
| (at period end) (8)……………………………… | 188 | 232 | 226 |
| Infrastructure-based internet subscribers (000's) | |||
| (at period end) (9)………………………………. | 268 | 329 | 374 |
| Fiber-optic subscribers (000's) | |||
| (at period end) (10)…………………………… | 76 | 139 | 212 |
| Homes Connected (HC) to the fiber-optic infrastructure (000's) | |||
| (at period end) (11) …………………………… | 324 | 465 | 700 |
| Estimated cellular coverage of Israeli population | |||
| (at period end) (12)…………………………… | 99% | 99% | 99% |
| Number of employees (full time equivalent) | |||
| (at period end) (13)…………………………… | 2,834 | 2,655 | 2,574 |
In view of the expected growing impact of M2M (Machine to Machine) activity on our business, M2M subscriptions are included in the post-paid subscriber base on a standardized basis, according to which the number of M2M subscriptions included is calculated by dividing total revenues from M2M subscriptions by the average revenue from a dedicated data package subscriber for the relevant period.
References to the number of subscribers are stated net of subscribers who leave or are disconnected from the network, or who have not generated revenue for the Company for a period of over six consecutive months ending at a reporting date.
On December 31, 2021, the exchange rate was NIS 3.110 per US\$1.00 as published by the Bank of Israel. Changes in the exchange rate between the shekel and the US dollar could materially affect our financial results.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
You should carefully consider the risks described below and the other information in this Annual Report. Depending on the extent to which any of the following risks materializes, our business, financial condition, cash flow or results of operations could suffer, and the market price of our shares may be negatively affected. The risks below are not the only ones we face, and other risks currently not affecting our business or industry, or which are currently deemed insignificant, may arise.
Our business is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those risks discussed at length below. These risks include among others the following:
We operate in a highly regulated telecommunications market. The regulator:
Such measures may adversely affect our business and results of operations.
We set forth below examples of the principal regulatory risks we face:
Other regulatory risks include:
possible disagreements with the regulator over the interpretation of applicable regulations; and
possible non-compliance with building or environmental permits applicable to our cellular network sites.
Largely as a result of changes in our regulatory and business environment, our results of operations have declined significantly. Should existing trends continue, our operating results may continue to decline.
We set forth below examples of the principal business risks we face:
Other business risks include:
We operate in a highly regulated telecommunications market in which the regulator imposes substantial limitations on our flexibility in managing our business and continues to seek to increase industry competition. At the same time, the regulator limits our ability to compete by, among other measures, giving preference to new competitors, and limits our ability to expand our business and develop our network. Such measures may continue to increase our costs, decrease our revenues and adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Bezeq-The Israel Telecommunication Corp. Ltd. ("Bezeq") owns and operates the largest fixed-line infrastructure in Israel, and is also one of the largest providers of mobile telephone, internet connection, and other telecommunications services, such as television. Bezeq's license provides that it maintain structural separation between itself and its subsidiaries (Pelephone Communications Ltd. ("Pelephone"), DBS Satellite Services (1998) Ltd. ("Yes") and Bezeq International). This requires, inter alia, that Bezeq keep its management, assets and employees fully segregated from those of its subsidiaries.
On June 30, 2020, the Ministry of Communications ("MoC") published the report of the inter-departmental team (the "Team") tasked with examining the structural separation provisions applicable to the Bezeq and Hot Telecom LP ("HOT Telecom") groups. The Team found that the time is not yet ripe for the total removal of structural separation provisions in the Bezeq group. The Team's MoC members stated that the current provisions applicable to Bezeq have been effective thus far and cancelling them would severely harm competition and the welfare of consumers.
However, the Team found that it is possible to make certain changes in the overall regulation that could potentially improve the service provided to the public and which will influence the structural separation provision applicable to Bezeq. Within this scope, the Team has recommended that the Minister of Communications consider changing the current separation in Israel between the infrastructure service and ISP (internet service providers) service.
Following this recommendation, the MoC published a hearing regarding a reform in the structure of the Internet market. The hearing was aimed at ending the separation between the infrastructure service and the ISP service, thus allowing Bezeq and Hot Telecom to market a unified product (comprised of both infrastructure and ISP components).
In June 2021, the MoC published its decision in this hearing. See "Item 4B.12e - v Decision regarding a reform in the structure of the Internet Market". In its decision, the MoC outlined a process for ending the split of the Internet market into two tiers and allowing Bezeq and Hot Telecom to market a unified product, while ensuring that Bezeq and Hot provide the wholesale Internet service at non-discriminatory terms (in relation to the retail Internet services provided by Bezeq and Hot). Allowing Bezeq and Hot Telecom to market a unified service (as opposed to the marketing of such services separately by its subsidiaries), may enable them to offer bundled services more effectively than we can, and thereby gain a competitive advantage which could adversely affect our results of operations.
At this stage, the Company is unable to fully evaluate the impact of the decision on the Company's business due to, among others, the dependence of such impact on the results of the calibration stage and on the enforcement of the key performance indicators ("KPIs") and compensation mechanisms by the MoC.
Furthermore, if the MoC removes the structural separation provisions applicable to Bezeq altogether, before we have firmly established ourselves in the fixed-line telecommunications services market (in both fixed-line telephony, passive infrastructures and broadband) and the multi-channel TV market, Bezeq may be able to offer bundled services more effectively than we, and thereby gain a competitive advantage which could adversely affect our results of operations.
The current structural separation provisions also require Bezeq to equally market all ISPs when selling service bundles which include its infrastructure services and ISP services. Bezeq has failed to provide the relevant ISPs with the customer information required to continue service provision once Bezeq stops billing for the ISPs (after the first year of the bundle). If the MoC fails to enforce its decisions on this matter, this may adversely affect our results of operations.
3D.1b The MoC might require us to terminate the use of certain spectrum ranges which have been allocated to us, limit our use of such spectrum, fail to respond to our demands for the allocation of additional spectrum, or conduct the tender for additional frequencies in an unsuitable format. Such eventualities may adversely affect our business and results of operations.
The MoC might prevent us from using some of our existing spectrum, may limit our ability to use such spectrum (whether by demanding we share such use with others or placing other limits on such use) or may fail to respond to our demands for the allocation of additional spectrum or for the refarming of our existing spectrum (the conversion of existing frequencies to a different technology). The MoC might also require us to cease use of certain bands and require us to shift to other bands, which may involve investment in new radio infrastructure. The MoC has recently published a call for comments regarding the possibility of granting spectrum to private 5G networks. See "Item 4B.12e - xi Hearings and Examinations- Call for comments regarding 5G private networks". Such private 5G networks may decrease our revenues, reduce the availability of new spectrum for our own 5G services and adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Such actions may interfere with our ability to effectively manage our licensed spectrum, reduce our ability to adequately provide services to our subscribers, increase our costs due to evacuation of such spectrum and place us at a competitive disadvantage. These possible eventualities may adversely affect our business and results of operations.
The implementation of the Telecommunications Law, 1982, ("Telecommunications Law"), the Wireless Telegraph Ordinance [New Version], 1972 (" Wireless Telegraph Ordinance") and other laws and regulations, as well as the provisions of our licenses, are all subject to interpretation and change. New laws, regulations or government policies, changes to current regulations, or a change to the interpretation thereof, may be adopted or implemented in a manner which damages our business and operating results. Such measures may include new limits on our ability to market our services, new safety and health related requirements, new limits on the construction and operation of cell towers, new requirements, standards, consumer protection provisions, privacy provisions, cyber provisions, roaming services regulation, coverage terms and other conditions or limits applicable to the services we provide. Such measures may negatively affect our business and results of operations. Furthermore, if such measures would benefit our competitors or are applied only to us (and not to our competitors), we may be placed at a competitive disadvantage. For information regarding the principal regulations and regulatory developments affecting our business, see "Item 4B.12e Regulatory Developments".
The State may impose regulations on nascent TV content services provided over the Internet ("OTT") and which are currently unregulated.
In September 2020, the Minister of Communications appointed a committee assigned with re-examining the overall regulatory regime applicable to the broadcasting segment in Israel (the "Folkman Committee"). In July 2021, the Folkman Committee submitted its recommendations to the Minister of Communications. These recommendations would increase regulation of the audio-visual content providers which could increase our costs and impact our competitive position. See "Item 4B.12e - iv Folkman Committee Recommendations".
If the State places burdensome regulations on our OTT services (such as a requirement to invest a percentage of our income from this activity in original local productions), this might increase our costs, raise the cost of operations in this segment and, if applied only to Israeli OTT providers, place us at a competitive disadvantage, in each case with potential negative effects on our business and results of operations.
3D.1e The Network Sharing Agreement we entered into with HOT Mobile may be terminated earlier than we expected due to regulatory intervention. In such case we will be required to split the shared network with HOT Mobile. The resources, time and expense it may take us to have our own network on a nation-wide coverage may be substantial and could also materially harm our business and the results of operations at such time.
In 2013, we entered into a long term network sharing agreement ("Network Sharing Agreement") with HOT Mobile pursuant to which the parties created a limited partnership, under the name P.H.I. Networks (2015) Limited Partnership ("PHI"). The purpose of PHI is to operate and develop a radio access network to be shared by both parties.
In 2014 and 2015, respectively, the Competition Commissioner and the Ministry of Communications approved the Network Sharing Agreement, subject in each case to a number of conditions (respectively, the "Competition Commissioner Approval" and the "MoU Approval").
However, the Network Sharing Agreement may terminate or expire prior to the lapse of the 15-year period due to regulatory intervention in one of the following circumstances:
If and when the network sharing will end, we will need to split the shared network with HOT Mobile and the resources, time and expense it may take to have our own network on a nation-wide coverage, may be substantial and could materially harm our business and results of operations at such time. See also "Item 3D.2m If the Network Sharing Agreement entered into with HOT Mobile is unilaterally terminated by HOT Mobile earlier than we expect, we will be required to split the shared network with HOT Mobile and the resources, time and expense it may take us to have our own network in a nationwide coverage would be substantial and could also materially harm our business and the results of operations at such time." and "Item 4B.8a Overview - Cellular Network Sharing Agreement".
In the past, the MoC has failed to enforce its fixed-line wholesale market reforms ("Wholesale Market Reform") on Bezeq and HOT Telecom, the two largest fixed-line infrastructure operators in Israel. If the MoC fails to enforce the most important components of its wholesale market reform, or if it rolls back (partially or in-whole), or fails to enforce, its decisions regarding wholesale access to Bezeq and HOT Telecom's networks, or adopts other regulation unfavorable to companies, such as Partner, which must rely on the two wholesale suppliers for access to their fixed line networks, such actions may negatively affect our business and results of operations.
The wholesale tariffs for the BSA services on Bezeq and HOT Telecom's existing networks, as well as wholesale tariffs for use of Bezeq's Fiber to the Home (FTTH) network, are set by the MoC. If the MoC fails to set these prices according to their costs, fails to update or lower these tariffs in accordance with relevant developments, this may adversely affect our business and results of operations. See "Item 4B.12e Regulatory Developments".
In addition, the infrastructure owners (Bezeq and HOT Telecom) may lower their infrastructure retail prices thereby narrowing the margin between their retail prices and the wholesale price which we are required to pay them to use their fixed-line infrastructure. This may erode our margin to the point of eradicating the economic feasibility of continuing such operations. If the MoC fails to prevent such conduct by the infrastructure owners, this may adversely affect our business and results of operations.
In September 2021, the MoC published a hearing outlining its intention to gradually reduce interconnection tariffs (for both mobile and fixed-line calls) over a period of three years, after which interconnection payments will be cancelled and each operator will bear its own costs for calls terminating on its network (a "bill and keep" regime). The starting date for the 3-year period has not yet been announced.
The Company filed its position regarding this hearing and argued against the change to the current tariff regime and against the suggested reduction timeline. The Company's results of operation may be negatively affected if the actions described in this hearing are carried out.
Data protection regulations impose wide obligations with respect to data privacy protection. Our business requires us to hold and use certain personal data of our customers, and we believe we are in compliance with all currently applicable laws, regulations, policies and legal obligations, although future interpretation of these measures by the relevant authorities may vary from our own interpretation. In addition, measures to ensure compliance may require us to invest additional modifications to our solutions to comply with such regulations and might delay offerings of new products and services.
If we fail or are unable to comply with applicable privacy and data security laws, regulations, selfregulatory requirements or industry guidelines, or our terms of use with our customers, we may be subject to penalties, fines, legal proceedings by governmental entities or other enforcement actions, loss of reputation, legal claims by individuals and customers and significant legal and financial exposure, any of which could materially and adversely affect our business and our results of operations. See the claim number 6 alleging harm to customer privacy disclosed in "Item 8A.1 LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS".
Although we believe that we are currently in compliance with all material requirements of the relevant legislation and our licenses, disagreements have arisen and may arise in the future between the MoC and us regarding the interpretation and application of the requirements set out in relevant legislation and our licenses. The MoC is authorized to levy significant fines on us for breaches of the Telecommunications Law, relevant regulations and our licenses. Our operations are also subject to the regulatory and supervisory authority of other Israeli regulators which have the authority to impose criminal and administrative sanctions against us.
We currently have several enforcement proceedings pending or in process. We may not always be successful in our defense, and should we be found in violation of these regulations, we and our management may be subject to civil or criminal penalties, including the loss of our operating license as well as administrative sanctions. All such enforcement measures may adversely affect our financial condition or results of operations.For information regarding on-going litigation and legal proceedings, see "Item 8A.1 Legal and Administrative Proceedings".
3D.1j We have had difficulties obtaining some of the building and environmental permits required for the erection and operation of our cellular network sites, and some building permits have not been applied for or may not be fully complied with. These difficulties could have an adverse effect on the coverage, quality and capacity of our network. Operating network sites without building or other required permits, or in a manner that deviates from the applicable permit, may result in criminal or civil liability to us or to our officers and directors.
We have had difficulties obtaining some of the building and environmental permits required for the erection and operation of our network sites. As of December 31, 2021, less than 10% of our network sites were operating without local building permits or exemptions which, in our opinion, are applicable. In addition, some of our network sites are not built in full compliance with the applicable building permits.
Network site operation without required permits or that deviate from the permit has in some cases resulted in the filing of criminal charges and civil proceedings against us and our officers and directors, and monetary penalties against the Company, as well as demolition orders. See "Item 8A.1 Legal and Administrative Proceedings". In the future, we may face additional demolition orders, monetary penalties (including compensation for loss of property value) and criminal charges. The prosecutor's office has a national unit that enforces planning and building laws. The unit has stiffened the punishments regarding violations of planning and building laws, particularly against commercial companies and its directors. If we continue to experience difficulties in obtaining approvals for the erection and operation of network sites and other network infrastructure, this could have an adverse effect on the extent, coverage and capacity of our network, thus impacting the quality of our cellular voice and data services, and on our ability to continue to market our services effectively.
Uncertainties regarding requirements for repeaters and other small devices. We, like the other cellular operators in Israel, provide repeaters, also known as bi-directional amplifiers, to subscribers seeking an interim solution to weak signal reception within specific indoor locations. In light of the lack of a clear policy of the local planning and building authorities, and in light of the practice of the other cellular operators, we have not requested permits under the Planning and Building Law, 1965 ("Planning and Building Law") for the repeaters. However, we have received an approval to connect the repeaters to our communications network from the Ministry of Communications and have received from the Ministry of Environmental Protection permit types for all our repeaters. If the local planning and building authorities determine that permits under the Planning and Building Law are also necessary for the installation of these devices, or any other receptors that we believe do not require a building permit, it could have a negative impact on our ability to obtain permits for our repeaters.
In addition, we construct and operate microwave links as part of our transmission network. The various types of microwave links receive permits from the Ministry of Environmental Protection in respect of their radiation level. Based on an exemption in the Telecommunications Law, we believe that building permits are not required for the installation of most of these microwave links on rooftops, but to the best of our knowledge, there is not yet a determinative ruling on this issue by the Israeli courts. If the courts determine that building permits are necessary for the installation of these sites, it could have a negative impact on our ability to obtain environmental permits for these sites and to deploy additional microwave links, and could hinder the coverage, quality and capacity of our transmission network.
We conduct our operations pursuant to licenses granted to us by the Ministry of Communications, which may be extended for additional periods upon our request to the Ministry of Communications and confirmation from the Ministry that we have met certain performance requirements. On November 18, 2021, the Ministry of Communications informed the Company that our cellular license had been extended until February 2032. We cannot be certain that our licenses will not be revoked, will be extended when necessary, or, if extended, on what terms an extension may be granted. See "Item 4B.12f Our Mobile Telephone License ".
As with other companies engaged in the telecommunications business in Israel, our license requires that a minimum economic and voting interest in, and other defined means of control of our company be held by Israeli citizens and residents or entities under their control. If this requirement is not complied with, we could be found to be in breach of our license and be subject to significant monetary sanctions, even though ensuring compliance with this restriction may be beyond our control. See "Item 4B.12f Our Mobile Telephone License".
Our general mobile telephone license requires that our "founding shareholders or their approved substitutes", as defined in the license, hold at least 26% of the means of control in the Company.
Until February 2021, our general mobile telephone license included two additional obligations (which are also included in the Company's Articles of Association):
However, on July 7, 2020, the MoC published an amendment to our cellular license which provides that these two obligations may be replaced by an order issued by virtue of the Communications Law (Telecommunications and Broadcasting), 1982. During February 2021, the Company was issued with such an order.
In addition, according to our license, no transfer or acquisition of 10% or more of any of such means of control, or the acquisition of control of our company, may be made without the consent of the Minister of Communications. Nevertheless, under certain licenses granted, directly or indirectly, to Partner, a notice to the Minister of Communications may be required for holding any means of control in Partner. Our license also restricts cross-ownership and cross-control among competing mobile telephone operators, including the ownership of 5% or more of the means of control of both our company and a competing operator, without the consent of the Minister of Communications, which may limit certain persons from acquiring our shares. Shareholdings in breach of these restrictions relating to transfers or acquisitions of means of control or control of Partner could result in the following consequences: the shares will be converted into "dormant" shares as defined in the Israeli Companies Law, 1999 ("Israeli Companies Law"), with no rights other than the right to receive dividends or other distributions to shareholders, and to participate in rights offerings until such time as the consent of the Minister of Communications has been obtained and our license may be revoked.
3D.2a As a result of substantial and continuing changes in our regulatory and business environment, our operating financial results, profitability and cash flows have remained at relatively low levels in recent years. Our operating financial results may decline further in the future, which may adversely affect our financial condition.
Profit before income tax for the year 2021 totaled NIS 99 million (US\$ 32 million), compared with profit before income tax of NIS 27 million for the year 2020, the increase largely reflecting the positive impact of the growth in the cellular subscriber base in 2021 and the negative impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the results for 2020. Net cash provided by operating activities totaled NIS 774 million (US\$ 249 million) in 2021 compared with NIS 786 million in 2020, a decrease of 2%. The principal factor leading to the relatively low profit levels in recent years has been the intense competition resulting largely from regulatory developments intended to enhance competition in the Israeli communications market, including both the cellular and fixed-line markets.
Because the regulatory and business environment continues to evolve, generally with the objective of further increasing competition in the various markets in which we operate, depending on past and future regulatory and market developments, these factors may continue to negatively impact our business through 2022 and beyond, which may adversely affect our financial condition by, among other things, increasing the risk of a substantial impairment in the value of our communications assets. See also "Item 5D.2 Outlook".
Competition in the cellular market. Over the past few years, the entrance of new operators and regulatory changes at the time of their entrance which removed portability barriers between cellular operators, combined with various benefits and leniencies awarded to new entrants by the MoC, have resulted in increased competition in the market and have continued to lead to high levels of portability of cellular subscribers between cellular operators, which has negatively affected, and may continue to negatively affect, our results of operations.
Recently, in October 2021, Cellcom Israel Ltd. ("Cellcom") reported that as part of the insolvency proceedings of Marathon 018 Xfone Ltd. ("Xfone"), its network sharing agreement with Xfone has been updated. According to Cellcom's report, under the updated agreement, Cellcom's revenue from Xfone may be reduced. Such reduction may lower Xfone's costs, thereby enabling it to compete more effectively, which could negatively affect our results of operations.
Competitive advantages of the two fixed-line infrastructure groups. The Bezeq Group and the HOT Group are the only Israeli telecommunications providers that have their own nationwide fixed-line telecommunications infrastructures. See "Item 3D.1a If the structural separation provisions which apply to Bezeq are not enforced or are removed (in part or in whole) before we have established ourselves in the fixed-line and TV markets, this would adversely affect our business and results of operations."
Because the Bezeq Group and the HOT Group operate their own nationwide broadband internet access and transmission infrastructures, they do not depend on any third party for broadband internet access. Partner (and other telecommunications services providers who do not have their own nationwide independent broadband internet access infrastructure) is unable to independently provide these services to most households, and is dependent on Bezeq and HOT in providing these services, substantially limiting our ability to compete.
Fixed-line infrastructure market. Our participation in the fixed-line infrastructure market since August 2017 entails ongoing significant long-term investments associated with infrastructure deployment. Bezeq has executed a substantial part of the investments required for the deployment and operation of its own fiber-optic network, and commenced services in March 2021, which might substantially increase competition in this market. In addition, IBC Israel Broadband (2013) Ltd. ("IBC") is expected to continue its fiber rollout, which will also increase competition. See also "Item 4B.9b Competitors in Fixed-line Services".
ISP market. The fixed internet access market in Israel was historically divided into two tiers of services: infrastructure services and ISP (internet service provider) service. In June 2021, the MoC published its decision regarding a reform in the structuring of the Internet market. See "Item 4B.12e - v Decision regarding a reform in the structure of the Internet Market." In its decision, the MoC outlined a process for ending the separation between the infrastructure service and the ISP service, thus allowing Bezeq and Hot Telecom to market a unified product (comprised of both infrastructure and ISP components). This will allow Bezeq and Hot to offer bundled services more effectively than we, and thereby gain a competitive advantage which could adversely affect our results of operations. See "Item 3D.1a If the structural separation provisions which apply to Bezeq are not enforced or are removed (in part or in whole) before we have established ourselves in the fixed-line and TV markets, this would adversely affect our business and results of operations.".
TV market. Keshet Broadcasting Ltd., producer of Israel's leading commercial channel, and R.G.E Group Ltd., producer of leading Israeli sports and children channels, have announced their intention of entering the local multi-channel TV market as part of their merger. Disney Plus announced in February 2022 that they will be launching their streaming services in Israel in the summer of 2022. According to local media reports, Disney has signed an exclusive agreement with YES TV, that may increase YES TV's competitiveness in the market. The entry of new players into the TV market may increase competition and negatively affect our market share in this segment.
Competition in Roaming Services. Some competing service providers use alternative technologies for roaming that bypass the existing method of providing roaming services. See "Item 3D.2p The telecommunications industry is subject to rapid and significant changes in technology and industry structure which could reduce demand for our services."
Cyber-attacks against telecommunications companies targeting their infrastructure and economic assets as well as their reputation have increased, and are intensifying in their frequency and complexity. These attacks have significant potential to lead to prevent the provision of services to customers, cause breaches of our customers' data privacy and damage to the business continuity of the Company and its financial situation. In the event we are unable to provide services to our customers for any period of time, there may be a material negative impact on our results of operations and financial condition.
Like many other telecommunication companies, we have experienced an increase in cyber incidents over the past few years, which are increasing in their frequency, sophistication and intensity, some of which penetrated our cyber defenses, although no significant damage or loss of customer data resulted. Moreover, the Company implements third-party vendor systems, and cyber-attacks against these vendors, their products and services might adversely affect the Company, its daily operations and financial condition. We have integrated protective systems and prepared Disaster Recovery Plans ("DRP") to mitigate such and other related risks, and we regularly consider our defensive systems and evaluate their effectiveness, including through simulated cyber penetrations; however, it is not possible to determine in advance whether our defense systems and recovery plans will continue to be entirely effective, or how quickly we will be able to restore any affected service.
Furthermore, we cannot be sure that our insurance policies with respect to cyber risk will adequately cover or include the damages or losses (whether direct or consequential) resulting from successful cyber attacks or if we will be able to renew such insurance.
Continued increases in the level of competition for cellular or fixed-line services may bring further downward pressure on prices which may require us to perform further impairment tests of our assets. Such impairment tests may lead to recording additional significant impairment charges, which could have a material negative impact on our operating profit and profit.
3D.2e The Coronavirus ("COVID-19") crisis had a material harmful effect on the Company's business in 2020 and 2021, including a significant reduction in revenues from roaming services. Should trends continue or worsen, this may have a material harmful effect on our results of operations and financial position for 2022.
As for other telecommunications companies in Israel and around the world, the novel COVID-19 disease has had a harmful effect on the Company's business from March 2020, in particular due to the significant fall in the volume of international travel by our customers, which caused a very significant decrease in revenues from roaming services. In addition:
The net impact on the Company's results for the year 2020 was material, but was partially mitigated by a set of measures implemented by the Company, including cutting costs in a number of areas and temporarily reducing the workforce by sending a significant number of employees on temporary unpaid leave during the year and by an increase in other revenue streams, in particular in the fixed-line market.
As of the end of the first quarter of 2021, shopping malls reopened and the extent of general domestic economic activity largely returned to levels experienced prior to the COVID-19 crisis. Regarding roaming services, revenues from roaming services began to moderately increase in the second half of 2021 as a result of a moderate increase in the volume of international travel by the Company's customers. However, as of the date of this Annual Report, revenues from roaming services continue to be significantly restrained, largely related to the impact of the Omicron variant on international travel, and remain significantly below pre-COVID-19 crisis levels.
Further, based on recent experience in several countries, a sharp spike in the number of affected persons may occur without warning, and the ultimate extent of the disease's spread cannot be foreseen. As a result, the final impact of the disease on our results of operations and financial position cannot be assessed at this time.
Covid-induced changes in work patterns, in particular the significant expansion of working on-line from home, have changed employee expectations. New and existing personnel have expressed a resistance to accepting or resuming traditional on-site employment practices. As a result, the Company's ability to fill open positions on-site and maintain its normal processes of business and employee management has been negatively affected.
Furthermore, as the demand for technical and professional personnel increases generally, and large high-tech employers expand their recruitment efforts, the Company's ability to attract and retain adequately trained and experienced technical and professional personnel has suffered. In addition, the labour cost for such employees has increased, and employee turnover has accelerated. As a result, the Company has experienced difficulties staffing technical and professional positions at junior, middle and senior levels. If the Company is not able to acquire needed human resources to maintain and develop its operations and infrastructure, its business and financial results may be materially negatively impacted.
If this trend continues, and we are unable to hire and retain employees, or if mitigation measures we may take to respond to a decrease in labor availability do not succeed, our business could be adversely affected.
Our ability to provide ongoing services to our subscribers, bill for services rendered and protect company and subscriber data are all vulnerable to various types of risks.
Such risks may include equipment failures, network and infrastructure failures, cyber attacks on our infrastructure, data or services or on one of our important supply chain partners, computer and IT system failures (including failures to End of Life/End of Support systems, maintained by the Company), transmission outages, spectral interferences, failures or dysfunctions at third-party systems and networks and colocation data centers, natural disasters (such as fire, extreme weather and earthquakes), hostile events (such as acts of war, terror-attacks, see "Item 3D.2r The political and military conditions in Israel may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations."), and data breaches whether by employees or other third parties. If any such events do occur, they could have a material adverse effect on our operations. See also "Item 3D.2c Cyber attacks impacting our networks or systems could have an adverse effect on our business."
System upgrade and moving into virtualized architecture of the network. During 2022, we will continue to upgrade our mobile core networks into a virtualized solution provided by Mavenir Systems Limited ("Mavenir"). See "10C Material Contracts". During the upgrade, we are operating our existing Ericsson network and the new Mavenir network in parallel to aid in the transition to the upgraded network until all phases of the upgrade are completed. During the upgrade we will experience an increased risk of major system or business disruptions. Interruptions and/or failure of this upgraded network could disrupt our operations and impact our ability to provide our services, retain customers, attract new customers, or negatively impact overall customer experience, damage our reputation and result in legal proceedings and as a result might adversely affect our business and results of operations. See "Item 3D.2j We depend on a limited number of suppliers and vendors for key equipment and services. Our results of operations could be adversely affected if our suppliers and vendors fail to provide us with needed services and adequate supplies of network equipment, handsets and other devices or maintenance support on a timely and cost effective basis."
As threats to our network, services and data continue to evolve, we may be required to expend significant efforts and resources to enhance our control environment, processes, practices and other protective measures.
If despite such efforts, we are unable to operate our networks even for a limited period of time or provide some or all of the telecommunications services to a substantial portion of our customers, whether temporarily or for an extended period of time, or if data of our customers and others is lost or accessed by third parties, we may be exposed to legal claims and liability, we may be found to be in breach of our legal obligations towards our customers, our brand and reputation may be damaged, we may suffer a loss of customers, our ability to attract new customers may be impaired, and we may be required to compensate our customers (see "Item 8A.1 LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS). Such eventualities may negatively affect our business, and our short- and long- term results of operations may be materially adversely affected. See also "Item 3D.2c Cyber attacks impacting our networks or systems could have an adverse effect on our business."
In the ordinary course of business, we are involved in a significant number of legal and administrative proceedings, and we have been named as defendants in a number of civil and criminal proceedings related to our network infrastructure. These proceedings may result in civil liabilities or criminal penalties against us or our officers and directors. We also must defend ourselves against customer claims, including class actions and requests to approve lawsuits as class action suits, regarding, among other matters, alleged breaches of the Consumer Protection Law and the Telecommunications Law as well as breaches of provisions of our licenses. Such claims and lawsuits are costly to defend and may result in significant monetary damages. See also "Item 3D.1i We are subject to monitoring and enforcement measures by the Ministry of Communications and other relevant authorities, which may adversely affect our business and results of operations." During the last few years, additional requests to approve lawsuits as class actions have been filed against the Company and we expect this trend to continue in light
of various amendments to the Consumer Protection Law and the stricter regulatory policies that have been adopted. In cases where the courts have accepted the plaintiff's position, it may determine that we have breached our licenses or the law, which may adversely affect our financial results. The costs that may result from these lawsuits are only accrued when it is more likely than not that a liability, resulting from past events, will be incurred and the amount of that liability can be quantified or estimated within a reasonable range. The amount of the provisions recorded is based on a case-by-case assessment of the risk level, and events arising during the course of legal proceedings may require a reassessment of this risk. The Company's assessment of risk is based both on the advice of legal counsel and on the Company's estimate of the financial exposure if the verdict is in favor of the plaintiff. If the requests to certify lawsuits against us as class actions are approved and succeed or if we underestimate the potential exposure, our financial results will be adversely affected. See "Item 8A.1 Legal and Administrative Proceedings".
We are also subject to the risk of intellectual property rights claims against us, including in relation to innovations we develop ourselves and the right to use content, including television, video and music content, which we have purchased or licensed from third parties who present themselves as the owners or official licensors (or as the representatives of owners or licensors) of the intellectual property rights included in the content, when in fact they may not be. Any potential claims may require us to initiate or defend protracted and costly litigation, regardless of the merits of these claims. Should any of these potential claims succeed, we may be forced to pay damages or may be required to obtain licenses for the infringing content, product or service, which may affect our financial results. If we cannot obtain all necessary licenses on commercially reasonable terms, we may be forced to cease using, distributing or selling the relevant products and services.
As of December 31, 2021, total borrowings and notes payables amounted to NIS 1,676 million, (US\$ 539 million) compared to NIS 1,595 million as of December 31, 2020. See also "Item 5B.4 Total net financial debt ". The terms of the Company's borrowings and notes payable require the Company to comply with financial covenants and other stipulations for existing borrowings. The existing borrowing agreements allow the lenders to demand an immediate repayment of the borrowings in certain events (events of default), including, among others, a material adverse change in the Company's business and non-compliance with the financial covenants set in those agreements. These events of default include non-compliance with the financial covenants, as well as other customary terms. See "Item 5B.2 Long-Term Borrowings ".
In addition, our need for cash to service our substantial existing debt may in the future restrict our ability to continue offering long-term installment plans to promote sales of equipment. As a result, our ability to continue benefiting from one of the current contributors to total Company profits may be limited. (See also "ITEM 5 OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS").
Our indebtedness could also adversely affect our financial condition and profitability by, among other things:
If our financial condition is affected to such an extent that our future cash flows are not sufficient to allow us to pay principal and interest on our debt, we might not be able to satisfy our financial and other covenants, and may be
required to refinance all or part of our existing debt, use existing cash balances or issue additional equity or other securities. We cannot be sure that we will be able to do so on commercially reasonable terms, if at all.
Network suppliers. Our network equipment, such as switching equipment, base station controllers and base transceiver stations and network software were purchased from LM Ericsson Israel Ltd. ("Ericsson"). See "Item 4B.8g Suppliers". In January 2019, we entered into an agreement with Mavenir Systems Limited ("Mavenir") for the upgrade and improvement of the performance of our LTE network. As a result of our equipment having been provided by Ericsson and our current reliance on Mavenir, we are substantially dependent on these vendors and our operations and business results could be materially adversely affected if they do not provide us with the required service and maintenance. See "Item 3D.2g Equipment failures, system failures, natural disasters and hostile events such as acts of war or terror events may materially adversely affect our results of operations."
Handset, infrastructure and other equipment suppliers. We purchase the majority of our handsets and other equipment from a limited number of suppliers.
TV equipment, content services and core network. We purchase our TV set top boxes and applications from a single supplier, and we purchase the rights to distribute sports and premium content and our TV core network systems, such as encoding, back office and content management and video content systems, from a limited number of suppliers. See "Item 4B.8g Suppliers."
We cannot be certain that we will be able to obtain contracted services, equipment or handsets from one or more alternative suppliers on a timely basis in the event that any of our suppliers is unable to satisfy our requirements for services, equipment or handsets, or that the equipment provided by such alternative supplier or suppliers will be compatible with our existing equipment. Our handset and equipment suppliers may experience inventory shortages from time to time.
Our results of operations could be adversely affected if any of our key suppliers fails to provide us with contracted services or adequate supplies of handsets, equipment, as well as ongoing maintenance and upgrade support, in a timely manner. In addition, our results of operations could be adversely affected if the price of network equipment rises significantly. In our experience, suppliers from time to time extend delivery times, limit supplies and increase the prices of supplies due to their supply limitations and other factors. If the availability of handsets and other equipment furnished by our suppliers is insufficient to meet our customers' demands, we may lose opportunities to benefit from demand for these products, and our unserved customers may purchase the equipment from other suppliers, which may adversely affect our revenues. In addition, the constant development of new handsets and other equipment can render existing handsets and other equipment obsolete resulting in high levels of slow moving inventory.
The 3-year collective employment agreement that we signed in 2016 with the employees' representatives and the Histadrut, the labor union representing the Company's employees, was renewed in March 2019, and again in December 2021 for a period of three years (2022-2024). The unionization of our employees has resulted in increased costs and negatively affected our financial results, and may continue to do so in the future. It may also lead to disruptions in our operations or cause work stoppages and has limited management's flexibility to efficiently run our business and adjust operations to market conditions, including the ability to execute organizational and personnel changes.
In addition, the provisions in the 2022-2024 employment agreement regarding salary increases and participation in the Company's profits mechanism are valid for a period of only one year and are to be renegotiated for the years 2023 and 2024 towards the end of each preceding year. Furthermore, in the event of a change of control of the Company, Israeli labour law, as well as the provisions of the employment agreement, does not prevent employees from raising for negotiation any matters of collective interest ("claims") regardless of whether they have been covered by the collective employment agreement. In January 2022, a letter from the labor union and the employees' representatives stating various claims was presented to the Company in light of the possible Transaction by the Offerer (as defined below) described in Item 3D.3a. The Company responded that the claims presented are only relevant in light of a change of control, which has not yet occurred. Satisfaction of employee demands for salary increases and participation in profits, or of collective claims by employees as a result of a change of control, or a failure to reach agreement with the employees, could have a material negative effect on the Company's business results and financial condition.
We entered into a non-exclusive agreement with Apple Distribution International, effective April 1, 2021, for the purchase and resale of iPhone handsets in Israel and the purchase of a minimum quantity of iPhone handsets per year, for a period of three years. These purchases represent a significant portion of our expected handset purchases over that period. If we fail to meet the minimum quantities and do not reach an agreement with Apple regarding this matter, we may be in breach of the agreement which may involve payment of damages, which would increase our costs.
Pursuant to the terms of the Network Sharing Agreement that we entered into with HOT Mobile, as of April 2022, either party is entitled to notify of termination of the Network Sharing Agreement for convenience by notifying the other party to that effect two years in advance. If and when the network sharing will end, we will need to split the shared network with HOT Mobile and the resources, time and expense it may take to have our own network on a nation-wide coverage would be substantial and could materially harm our business and results of operations at such time.
See also "Item 3D.1e The Network Sharing Agreement we entered into with HOT Mobile may be terminated earlier than we expected due to regulatory intervention. In such case we will be required to split the shared network with HOT Mobile. The resources, time and expense it may take us to have our own network on a nation-wide coverage may be substantial and could also materially harm our business and the results of operations at such time."
In order to attract and retain the maximum number of subscribers in our highly competitive market, we design specific tariff plans to suit the preferences of various subscriber groups. We require sophisticated information systems to record accurately subscriber usage pursuant to the particular terms of each subscriber plan, as well as accurate database management and operation of a very large number of tariff plans. From time to time, we have detected some discrepancies between certain tariff plans and the information processed by our internal information systems, such as applying an incorrect rebate or applying an incorrect tariff to a service, resulting in a higher or lower charge. We have invested substantial resources to refine and improve our information and control systems and ensure that our tariff plans are appropriately processed by our information systems. We have also taken steps to remedy the identified discrepancies. Despite our investments, we may experience discrepancies in the future due to the multiplicity of our plans and the scope of the processing tasks. Further, while we invest substantial efforts in monitoring our employees and third-party distributors and dealers that market our services, it is possible that some
of our employees, distributors or dealers may offer terms and make (or fail to make) representations to existing and prospective subscribers that do not fully conform to applicable law, our license or the terms of our tariff plans. As a result of these discrepancies, we may be subject to subscribers' claims, including class action claims, and substantial sanctions for breach of our license that may materially adversely affect our results of operations.
A number of studies have been conducted to examine the health effects of wireless phone use and network sites, and some of these studies have been construed as indicating that radiation from wireless phone use causes adverse health effects. Media reports have suggested that radio frequency emissions from network sites, wireless handsets and other mobile telecommunication devices may raise various health concerns.
The Ministry of Health published in 2008 recommendations regarding precautionary measures when using cellular handsets. The Ministry of Health indicated that although the findings of an international study on whether cellular phone usage increases the risk of developing certain tumors were not yet finalized, partial results of several of the studies were published, and a relationship between prolonged cellular phone usage and tumor development was observed in some of these studies. These studies, as well as the precautionary recommendations published by the Ministry of Health, have increased concerns of the Israeli public with regards to the connection between cellular phone exposure and illnesses.
In 2011, the International Agency for Research on Cancer ("IARC"), which is part of the World Health Organization ("WHO"), published a press release according to which it classified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans based on an increased risk for adverse health effects associated with wireless phone use.
In 2011, WHO published a fact sheet (no. 193) in which it was noted that "A large number of studies have been performed over the last two decades to assess whether mobile phones pose a potential health risk. To date, no adverse health effects have been established as being caused by mobile phone use. It was also noted by WHO that "While an increased risk of brain tumors is not established, the increasing use of mobile phones and the lack of data for mobile phone use over time periods longer than 15 years warrant further research of mobile phone use and brain cancer risk in particular, with the popularity of mobile phone use among younger people, and therefore a potentially longer lifetime of exposure." WHO notified that in response to public and governmental concern it will conduct a formal risk assessment of all studied health outcomes from radio frequency fields exposure by 2014. We are not aware that such an assessment has been published.
We have complied and are committed to continue to comply with the rules of the authorized governmental institutions with respect to the precautionary rules regarding the use of cellular telephones. We refer our customers to the precautionary rules that have been recommended by the Ministry of Health, as may be amended from time to time.
While, to the best of our knowledge, the handsets that we market comply with the applicable laws that relate to acceptable Specific Absorption Rate ("SAR") levels, we rely on the SAR levels published by the manufacturers of these handsets and do not perform independent inspections of the SAR levels of these handsets. As the manufacturers' approvals refer to a prototype handset, and not for each and every handset, we have no information as to the actual level of SAR of the handsets along the lifecycle of the handsets, including in the case of repaired handsets. See also "Item 4B.12g Other Licenses". Furthermore, our network sites comply with the International Council on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection standard, a part of the WHO, which has been adopted by the Israeli Ministry of Environmental Protection.
Several lawsuits have been filed in the past against operators and other participants in the wireless industry alleging adverse health effects and other claims relating to radio frequency transmissions from sites, handsets and other mobile telecommunications devices, including lawsuits against us.
A class action was filed against us and three other operators alleging, among other things, that health effects were caused due to a lack of cell sites, resulting in elevated levels of radiation, mainly from handsets. The plaintiffs stressed that health damages are not a part of the claim. Another class action was also filed against us and three other operators alleging, among other things, that the supply of accessories that are intended for carrying cellular handsets on the body are sold in a manner that contradicts the instructions and warnings of the cellular handset manufacturers and the recommendations of the Ministry of Health, and without disclosing the risks entailed in the use of these accessories when they are sold or marketed. In these two class actions, Partner and the plaintiff filed a settlement agreement, which the court approved.
In 2009, a municipal court ruled against one of our competitors, stating that there is no need for the standard burden of proof to prove damages from a cellular network site, and that under certain circumstances it would be sufficient to prove the possibility of damage in order to transfer the burden of proof to the cellular companies. To the best of our knowledge, the defendant appealed the ruling and the ruling was dismissed as part of a settlement between the parties. Although we were not a party to this proceeding, such rulings could have an adverse effect on our ability to contend with claims of health damages as a result of the erection of network sites.
The perception of increased health risks related to network sites may cause us increased difficulty in obtaining leases for new network site locations or renewing leases for existing locations or otherwise in installing mobile telecommunication devices. If it is ever determined that health risks existed or that there was a deviation from radiation standards which would result in a health risk from sites, other telecommunication devices or handsets, this would have a material adverse effect on our business, operations and financial condition, including through exposure to potential liability, a reduction in subscribers and reduced usage per subscriber. Furthermore, we do not expect to be able to obtain insurance with respect to such liability.
We face competition from existing or future technologies that have the technical capability to handle mobile, fixed-line and international long distance telephone calls, and to interconnect with local and international telephone networks and the Internet. Such technologies include fixed-line and broadband wireless access services, Over the Top or Internet-based voice and multimedia services, Wi-Fi technologies and VoC. For example, the use of Global SIM cards and internet-based services that provide user experience largely equivalent to our offerings, such as Voice over IP ("VoIP"), messaging services (such as WhatsApp and Skype), and video services (YouTube, video portals) are already available. The rapid development of technologies that allow international calls to be placed over the Internet without the need to use the services of an ILD has caused a decrease in the amount of international call minutes placed through the ILD services and also serve as an alternative for fixed-line communications. In particular, the risk posed by VoIP is that the purchase of a data package alone will partially replace the provision of most cellular voice, data and messaging services. In addition, the eSIM technology, which allows for a simple switch to a local operator SIM card in mobile phones, might adversely affect our revenues from the cellular segment and increase volatility in the telecommunications sector.
The effect of emerging and future technological changes, including the convergence of technologies, on the viability or competitiveness of our network cannot be accurately predicted. The technologies we employ or intend to employ may become obsolete or subject to competition from new disruptive technologies in the future. Competition from new technologies in the future may have a material adverse impact on our business and results of operations.
Moreover, global equipment vendors and Internet providers have expressed their interest in penetrating the cellular telephone industry and strengthening their position along the value chain. They have expressed their intention, and some have already begun, to provide direct access to the end-user to a wide variety of applications and services (e.g Apple with iTunes and Google with the Android market). This has already changed our competitive position and may further increase the dominance of those new providers at the expense of cellular service providers. Changes in the industry value chain structure might result in an increase in our expenses as well as a decrease in our revenues.
3D.2q We are dependent upon our ability to interconnect with other telecommunications carriers. We also depend on Bezeq and other suppliers for transmission services and some of our Fixed-Line Services are dependent on our having access to Bezeq and the HOT Group's fixed-line network. The
Our ability to provide commercially viable fixed-line and cellular telephone services depends upon our ability to interconnect with the telecommunications networks of existing and future fixed-line, cellular telephone and international operators in Israel in order to complete calls between our customers and parties on the fixed-line or other cellular telephone networks. All fixed-line, cellular telephone and international operators in Israel are legally required to provide interconnection to, and not to discriminate against, any other licensed telecommunications operator in Israel. We have interconnect relations with all the Israeli operators, including Bezeq and HOT Telecom, and we also depend on their internet broadband access infrastructure in order to provide TV, ISP services and VoB fixed telephony services. See "Item 3D.1f If the Ministry of Communications fails to enforce its fixed-line wholesale market reforms on Bezeq and HOT Telecom, fails to lower the wholesale price for use of their fixed-line networks, or fails to prevent Bezeq or HOT Telecom from lowering their retail prices for fixed-line services (to the point of not allowing the necessary margin for their competitors in this segment), our business and results of operations may be materially adversely affected." and "Item 3D.1a If the structural separation provisions which apply to Bezeq are not enforced or are removed (in part or in whole) before we have established ourselves in the fixed-line and TV markets, this would adversely affect our business and results of operations."
We are also dependent on the submarine infrastructure made available by TI Sparkle Israel (formerly Med Nautilus), which provides mutual international transmission based on fiber-optics between Israel and other countries, as well as Tamares Telecom Ltd. We also depend on foreign operators that provide us with interconnection to the global internet network.
We also rely on agreements to provide ILD services to our subscribers. However, we cannot control the quality of the service that other foreign telecommunication companies provide or whether they will be able to provide the services at all, and it may be inferior to our quality of service.
Our television services are provided over the internet. Because a significant proportion of our television subscribers are also subscribers to our wholesale internet infrastructure service, any growth in the volume of data such television subscribers (as well as ISP and wholesale market subscribers) consume during peak hours translates into an increase in the payment to the infrastructure holders for access to their infrastructure.
We have no control over the quality and timing of the investment and maintenance activities that are necessary for these entities to provide us with interconnection to their respective telecommunications networks. Disruptions, stoppages, strikes and slowdowns experienced by them may significantly affect our ability to provide telecommunication services. The failure by our suppliers to provide reliable interconnections and transmission services to us on a cost effective and consistent basis could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
The political and military conditions in Israel directly influence us. Since the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, a number of armed conflicts have taken place between Israel and its Arab neighbors. Hostilities involving Israel, the interruption or curtailment of trade between Israel and its trading partners and political instability within Israel or its neighboring countries are likely to cause our revenues to fall and harm our business. During the last decade, there has been a high level of violence between Israel and the Palestinians, including missile strikes by Hamas against Israel, which led to an armed conflict between Israel and the Hamas over the past few years. In the last few years, Iran has threatened to attack Israel with nuclear weapons. There is evidence that Iran has a strong influence among extremist groups in areas that neighbor Israel, such as Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon and Syria. This situation may potentially escalate in the future to violent events which may affect Israel and us. Ongoing violence between Israel and its Arab neighbors and Palestinians may have a material adverse effect on the Israeli economy, in general, and on our business, financial condition or results of operations. During such periods, incoming and outgoing tourism may be affected which consequently may have an adverse effect on our financial results. In particular, in recent conflicts, missile attacks have occurred in civilian areas, which could cause substantial damage to our infrastructure network, reducing our ability to continue serving our customers as well as
our overall network capacity. In addition, in the event political unrest and instability in the Middle East, including changes in some of the governments in the region, causes investor concerns resulting in a reduction in the value of the shekel, our expenses in non-shekel currencies may increase, with a material adverse effect on our financial results.
Some of our directors, officers and employees are currently obligated to perform annual reserve duty. Additionally, all reservists are subject to being called to active duty at any time under emergency circumstances. In addition, some of our employees may be forced to stay at home during emergency circumstances in their area. We cannot assess the full impact of these requirements on our workforce and business if conditions should change.
During an emergency, including a major communications crisis in Israel's national communications network, a natural disaster, or a special security situation in Israel, control of our network may be assumed by a lawfully authorized person in order to protect the security of the State of Israel or to ensure the provision of necessary services to the public. During such circumstances, the government also has the right to withdraw temporarily some of the spectrum granted to us. Under the Equipment Registration and Mobilization to the Israel Defense Forces Law, 1987, the Israel Defense Force may mobilize our engineering equipment for their use, compensating us for the use and damage. This may materially harm our ability to provide services to our subscribers in such emergency circumstances, and would thus have a negative impact on our revenues and results of operations.
Moreover, the Prime Minister of Israel may, under powers which the Telecommunications Law grants him for reasons of state security or public welfare, order us to provide services to the security forces, to perform telecommunications activities and to set up telecommunications facilities required by the security forces to carry out their duties. While the Telecommunications Law provides that we will be compensated for rendering such services to security forces, the government is seeking a change in the Telecommunications Law which would require us to bear some of the cost involved with complying with the instructions of security forces. Such costs may be significant and have a negative impact on our revenues and results of operations.
There is an inherent risk of potential abuse by individuals, groups, businesses or other organizations that use our telecommunications services and avoid paying for them partially or at all. The effects of such fraudulent activities may be, among others, a loss of revenue and out-of-pocket expenses which we will have to pay to third parties in connection with those services, such as interconnect fees, payments to international operators or to operators overseas and payments to content providers. Such payments may be non-recoverable. Although we are taking measures in order to prevent fraudulent activities, we have suffered from these activities in the past, and we may suffer from them in the future. The financial impact of fraudulent activities that have occurred in the past has not been material. However, fraudulent activities may in the future materially affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Nearly all of our revenues and a majority of our operating expenses are denominated in shekels. However, in recent years, approximately one quarter of our operating expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization), including a substantial majority of our equipment purchases, were linked to or denominated in non-shekel currencies, mainly the US dollar. These expenses, where the price paid by us is based mainly in US dollars, included the acquisition of equipment and devices sold, payments for roaming services and payments to content suppliers. In addition, our capital expenditures include payments that are incurred in, or linked to, non-shekel currencies, mainly US dollars. A decline in the value of the shekel against the dollar (or other foreign currencies) could have an adverse impact on our results, which may be material if we are unable to pass on higher costs to our customers in the Israeli market. Material changes in exchange rates may cause the amounts that we must invest to increase materially in shekel terms.
We have not entered into any derivative transactions in recent years to hedge underlying exposure to foreign currencies. As a matter of policy, we do not enter into transactions of a speculative or trading nature.
We have also entered into a number of operating leases whose rental payments are linked to the Israeli CPI. A significant increase in the rate of inflation may therefore have a material adverse impact upon us by increasing our financial expenses. See "ITEM 11 QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK" for more information regarding the Company's exposure to exchange rate fluctuations and inflation.
Our efforts to comply with the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 relating to the evaluation of our internal control over financial reporting require substantial resources, management time and attention. We expect these efforts to require a continued commitment of resources. If we fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal controls, we may not be able to conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal control over financial reporting. Although our management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2021, we may identify material weaknesses or other disclosable conditions relating to internal control over financial reporting in the future. Failure to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting could result in investigation or sanctions by regulatory authorities and significant effort and expense, and could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and on the market price of our ordinary shares.
There is no assurance that we will declare dividend distributions in the future or regarding the level of any dividend distribution which may be declared. No dividends have been distributed since 2013, although we repurchased 6,501,588 shares of the Company in 2018 for a cost of NIS 100 million. A distribution of dividends that may result in a significant reduction of our future reserves could prevent us from complying with existing or future financial covenants, or limit our ability to fund capital expenditures. We may also be required to increase our financial indebtedness to obtain needed liquidity, which may not be possible on commercially reasonable terms or at all.
If we are unable to pay dividends at levels anticipated by our shareholders, the market price of our shares may be negatively affected and the value of our investors' investment may be reduced.
We are subject to taxation in Israel, and significant judgment is required in determining our provisions for taxes on income. We are also subject to audits by the Israeli tax authorities, including in relation to VAT payments. In such audits, it is possible to present our case according to our interpretation of tax legislation, and the relevant tax authorities may disagree, and then also challenge the amount of our profits subject to tax in Israel.
While we believe that our estimates are reasonable, the final outcome of these audits and related legal litigations, in so much as they may occur, may differ from the amount of our provisions for taxes and therefore may affect our operating results. See also note 25 to our consolidated financial statements
3D.3a Approximately 27% of our issued and outstanding shares and voting rights are held by a receiver (under Israeli law). The purchase of these shares by a third party has been approved by the Court and is pending MoC approval.
On November 12, 2019, the District Court of Tel Aviv (the "Court") issued a court order (the "Court Order") under which attorney Ehud Sol (the "Receiver") was appointed as receiver for 49,862,800 of the Company's shares, representing as of February 1, 2022, approximately 27% of our issued and outstanding share capital and the largest block of shares held by a single shareholder. The shares (the "Pledged Shares") had been purchased by S.B. Israel Telecom Ltd. ("S.B. Israel Telecom") from Advent Investments Pte Ltd ("Advent") in 2013; in connection with the purchase, S.B. Israel Telecom assumed certain debt owed to Advent, and agreed that such debt would be secured by, among other things, the Pledged Shares. S.B. Israel Telecom defaulted on the payment, and on November 11, 2019, consented to enforcement and foreclosure proceedings with respect to the Pledged Shares.
The Court Order was issued due to an application filed by Advent ("Advent's Application") and granted the Receiver substantial rights related to the Pledged Shares, including the right to participate in our shareholders' meetings, to vote the Pledged Shares, to receive dividends, and any contractual right related to the Pledged Shares, although as noted below, the Receiver may not sell or transfer the Pledged Shares without the Court's approval. Without derogating from those rights of the Receiver, S.B. Israel Telecom remains the holder of legal title to the Pledged Shares. On December 9, 2019, the Ministry of Communications granted, within its powers, a permit to the Receiver to exercise means of control of the Company by himself. As a result, the Receiver has the power to substantially influence the nomination of the Company's Board of Directors and to play a preponderant if not decisive role in other decisions taken at meetings of our shareholders. The Receiver is expected to hold such rights until the Pledged Shares are sold or transferred to Advent, actions that would require the Court's approval according to the Court Order and Advent's Application.
On December 14, 2021, the Court granted an approval in principle, effective as of December 15, 2021, for the purchase of the Pledged Shares by a group of parties led by the Phoenix group, Mr. Avi Gabbay and Mr. Shlomo Rodav (jointly, the "Offeror"), on an "as is" basis, in consideration for US \$ 300,000,000 (the "Transaction"), as proposed by the Offeror. On January 9, 2022, the Competition Authority granted its approval. The Transaction is still subject to the approval of the Ministry of Communications.
The Receiver is to exercise the rights associated with the Pledged Shares based on its judgment and subject to the Court's orders and approvals. Neither the Receiver nor Advent, as applicable, is obligated to provide us with financial support or to exercise its rights as a shareholder in our best interests or in the best interests of our other shareholders and noteholders, and it may engage in activities that conflict with such interests. If the interests of the Receiver or Advent, as applicable, conflict with the interests of our other shareholders and noteholders, those shareholders and noteholders could be disadvantaged by the actions that it may pursue. However, the Receiver or Advent, as applicable, are subject to the fairness duty of a controlling shareholder under the Israeli Companies Law, and, in the context of related party transactions, to vote for the approval of transactions which are in favor of the Company. See "Item 6C.9 Duties of a Shareholder".
We were incorporated in Israel under the laws of the State of Israel on September 29, 1997, as Partner Communications Company Ltd. Our products and services were marketed under the "Orange" brand until February 16, 2016, when it was replaced with the "Partner" brand. Our principal executive offices are located at 8 Amal Street, Afeq Industrial Park, Rosh Ha'ayin 48103, Israel (telephone: +972-54-7814-888). Our website addresses are www.partner.co.il, www.012mobile.co.il and https://www.012.net/. Information contained on our websites does not constitute a part of this Annual Report. Our authorized U.S. representative is Puglisi and Associates, 850 Library Avenue, Suite 204, Newark, Delaware, 19711 and our agent for service in the United States is CT Corporation System, 28 Liberty St., New York, New York 10005.
Since our incorporation, we have achieved a number of important milestones:
For information on our capital expenditures for the last three financial years, and for the principal capital expenditures currently in progress, see "Item 4B.8 Our Network" and "Item 5B.4 Total Net Financial Debt- Capital Expenditures".
Partner Communications Company Ltd. is a leading Israeli telecommunications company, providing a wide integrated and customized range of cellular and fixed-line communication services, including infrastructure, international long distance (ILD), internet services provider (ISP), television and other services as well as related equipment. We offer our subscribers a full range of products and services to address a broad range of communications needs based on advanced technologies and competitive tariff plans.
As a comprehensive communications group, we supply our services through two business segments:
At December 31, 2021, we had approximately 3,023 thousand cellular subscribers, representing an estimated 28% of total Israeli cellular telephone subscribers at that date. As of that date, approximately 88% of our subscriber base (approximately 2,671 thousand subscribers) subscribed to post-paid tariff plans and 12% (approximately 352 thousand subscribers) subscribed to pre-paid tariff plans. (For a definition of "subscriber", see "Item 3A Selected Financial Data").
Our 3G and 4G network covers 99% of the Israeli population, and our 5G network covers 30% of the Israeli population in line with the deployment milestones in our license. We currently operate our GSM network in the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands, the UMTS network in the 900 MHz and 2100 MHz band, the LTE network in the 700, 1800, 2100 and 2600 MHz bands and 5G (NSA) on the 3.5 MHz band. We already deployed 800 LTE sites in the 700MHz band. Our services provided on our network include standard and enhanced services, as well as value-added services and products. See "Item 4B.5 SERVICES AND PRODUCTS".
We market our cellular services and products mainly under the Partner brand as well as under the 012 Mobile brand;
and
incoming international telephony, hubbing, roaming and signaling and calling card services; (d) television services over the Internet ("TV"); and (e) connections and data transfer services provided to international telecommunications operators over the fiber-optic infrastructure. In addition, this segment includes sales and leasing of telecommunications, audio-visual, and internet-related devices including cellular handsets, phones, tablets, laptops, modems, data cards, domestic routers, servers and related peripherals, equipment and integration projects. See also "Item 4B.5b Fixed-line Services and Products".
Our fixed-line services are marketed under the Partner and 012 brands.
In 2021, Partner was named by Marketest, a multi-discipline research and consulting firm, as the leading company among the largest telecommunications companies in Israel for its customer service.
In 2021, we were named by the Maala organization in their highest platinum plus category for corporate social responsibility ESG for the fourteenth consecutive year.
In 2021, Partner was awarded the diversity award from the Lautman Foundation for employment of people with disabilities.
We believe that the following special characteristics differentiate the Israeli market from other developed cellular telecommunications markets. In particular, as noted below, on-going, significant changes in regulations applicable to cellular operators have created a complex environment specifically intended to substantially increase competition:
Bezeq and HOT Telecom are the only telecommunications services providers with their own nationwide fixed-line infrastructure. IBC, along with the infrastructure that it acquired from Cellcom, is deploying its fiberbased fixed-line services and is obligated to reach a 68% deployment by February 2026, five years from the grant of its license. Partner is deploying its fiber-optic lines in selected areas across Israel.
Fixed-line telephony Services
Bezeq is the incumbent provider of fixed-line telephony services in Israel and holds a majority of the market. The remaining portion of the market is divided between HOT Telecom, the next largest provider, Cellcom and Partner.
Broadband and Internet services. The fixed-line internet access market used to be divided into two tiers of services: infrastructure services and ISP service. Since 2015, with the launch of the wholesale market reform, ISPs have begun to market bundled packages which include both (Bezeq's) infrastructure and ISP components. Since 2019, HOT Telecom began to offer wholesale services on its cable infrastructure.
The Ministry of Communications declared its intention to provide an incentive for Bezeq to implement the wholesale market by reducing the regulations requiring Bezeq to maintain a "structural separation" between its fixed-line and its TV services and other telecommunications operations. See "Item 3D.1a If the structural separation provisions which apply to Bezeq are not enforced or are removed (in part or in whole) before we have established ourselves in the fixed-line and TV markets, this would adversely affect our business and results of operations. "
In September 2020, Cellcom announced that, together with the Israel Infrastructure Fund, it had entered into an investment transaction with Hot Telecommunication Systems Ltd ("HOT") in IBC. According to Cellcoms' announcement, HOT shall become an equal partner in IBC, and hold indirectly 23.3% of IBC's share capital. This merger was approved by the Competition Authority and approved subject to certain conditions by the MoC. See "Item 4B.9b Competitors in Fixed-line Services".
Internet access is currently provided by three major Internet service providers, or ISPs: Netvision from the Cellcom Group, Bezeq International, and Partner, as well as some other niche players. All three major providers are also suppliers of ILD services (see below).
Following a hearing held by the MoC regarding a reform in the structure of the ISP market, in June 2021 the MoC published its decision in this hearing in which it outlined a process for ending the split of the Internet market into two tiers and allowing Bezeq and Hot Telecom to market a unified product, while ensuring that Bezeq and Hot provide the wholesale Internet service at non-discriminatory terms. See "Item 4B.12e - v Decision regarding a reform in the structure of the Internet Market".
The three major players in ILD services in Israel are: Partner, Bezeq International and Cellcom. The other players are Xfone and Telzar 019 International Telecommunications Services Ltd., which commenced operations in 2011, and Hashikma Communications Marketing Ltd., Golan Telecom and HOT Mobile, that commenced operations in 2012. Beginning in 2012, as part of the unlimited packages that the cellular companies began offering their customers, most of them, including the Company, included ILD services to certain destinations in these packages.
Partner's strategy is to further reinforce its position as a leader in the Israeli telecommunications market by striving to provide the best service and cutting-edge technology. Our objective is to create, protect and promote fixed and mobile connections for our customers helping them to smartly manage their digital lifestyle. Therefore, we primarily offer our customers the connectivity they need through simple products and services while protecting their data and managing it in a responsible way. We also see opportunities due to the broadened understanding created by the COVID-19 crisis of the importance of quality communication services, with an emphasis on stable and fast internet services and acceleration of the Company's independent fiber-optic infrastructure and 5G deployment.
Partner Group's strategy aims to enhance value through the following:
• Fiber and 5G deployment – In fiber, the Company is accelerating its independent fiber-optic infrastructure deployment with the goal of reaching approximately 1 million connected households by the end of 2022. In 5G, the Company is continuing the deployment of our 5G network, with the goal of reaching population coverage of over 40% by the end of 2022, which will help Partner to continue to maintain high quality services for home offices and a higher consumption of entertainment services.
We are primarily a B2C (Business - to- Consumer) company, and therefore rely heavily on branding and our ability to make a difference.
Our brand promise is to bring a better future to our customers. The better future concept has been the core idea of our branding since its inception. Our brand values are innovation, optimism, simplicity and fairness. In our opinion, these are the values and attributes which appeal to our customers and the type of customers we want to attract.
The Partner brand stands for high quality networks, fair prices and great customer service. We believe in providing great service to customers who appreciate the level of service and network performance that we provide.
We continuously utilize a variety of marketing tools, techniques and channels in order to strengthen our brand image and promote sales and customer loyalty. We advertise our brand and services in a variety of media channels including press, television, radio, digital and social media. Our advertising emphasizes leading and innovative product services and technologies and is targeted at various market segments. Our marketing work features high value production, futuristic scenes, and good vibe and atmosphere that celebrate our products and entice customers to choose us as their telecom providers.
In 2021, we formulated a new branding strategy in order to bolster our positioning as the most innovative telecommunications company in Israel. We formed a new iconic language and adopted the 5G icon, integrating it with our brand name, which is now Partner 5G.
In 2021, approximately 68% of our revenues (excluding inter-segment revenues) was derived from our cellular segment and approximately 32% of our revenues (excluding inter-segment revenues) was derived from our fixed-line segment.
Our main business is cellular telephony - including the basic cellular telephony services of voice calls, text messaging, internet browsing and data transfer-- as well as a variety of content services, roaming services, handset repair services, services provided to other operators that are permitted to use the Company's cellular network and Machine to Machine (M2M) and Internet of Things (IOT) services. Cellular content and value-added services offered include but are not limited to multimedia messaging, cyber protection, cloud backup, ringtones, music streaming services and a range of business services.
We offer our customers roaming services abroad, which allow a mobile phone subscriber to place and to receive cellular services while in the coverage area of foreign networks owned by operators with whom we have commercial roaming agreements. Our roaming packages allow our customers to benefit from attractive rates in over 180 destinations. We offer data-only packages as well as packages that combine calls, data and SMS.
At December 31, 2021, we had commercial roaming relationships with 564 operators in 181 countries or jurisdictions, 335 3G roaming agreements in 177 countries, 145 4G roaming agreements in 78 countries and 22 5G roaming agreements in 22 countries. Creating roaming relationships with multiple operators in each country increases potential incoming roaming revenue for us and gives our subscribers more choice in coverage, services and prices in that country. The 3G and 4G roaming agreements enable our 3G roamers to initiate video calls, high speed data and video and audio content while abroad.
Although GSM (2G), UMTS (3G), LTE (4G) and 5G are standardized, the frequency allocation for each technology varies from one country to another. Currently we operate our GSM services on the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands, UMTS on 900 MHz and 2100 MHz bands, LTE on 700, 1800, 2100 and 2600 MHz bands and 5G (NSA) on the 3.5 MHz band. All 4G and 5G handsets which we sell, support all the above listed technologies and bands while 2G and 3G handsets support the above listed bands for GSM and UMTS. Most of the handsets support 700 Mhz, depending on the vendor. While roaming, there is a possibility that a subscriber's handset will not support all the technologies due to lack of support of a country's specific frequency bands; however, this is rare in GSM and UMTS, due to technology maturity. Standardization bodies allow for more than 27 different LTE bands and since LTE in many countries utilizes reframed GSM and UMTS bands, there may be cases where handsets do not support the frequency allocated for LTE and 5G in specific countries.
Equipment and device sales in the cellular segment include sales and leases of cellular handsets and related cellular devices and accessories, mainly to retail customers but also to some wholesale customers.
We offer fixed-line services that include internet services, ILD services, transmission services, telephony services (including SIP services), TV services and high speed broadband fiber-optic infrastructure.
around the world. As an international long distance provider, we also provide hubbing traffic routing between network operators for termination of long distance calls outside of Israel.
Value-Added Services
In addition to standard fixed-line value-added services, we offer a variety of value-added services such as defense and security services for the computer and e-mail that include, among others, parental monitoring control, firewall, web hosting, anti-virus and site filtering based on the customer's restriction definition, and other valueadded internet services including hosting, cloud-based hosted services and virtual switchboard. We also offer an upgraded data center that provides customers with business solutions on a secure site including hosting services (storage and maintenance of physical and virtual servers, website hosting, information storage and disaster recovery site), management communication services, and integrated services.
Equipment and device sales in the fixed-line segment include sales and rental of modems, domestic routers, servers and related equipment, including a device to increase wi-fi coverage, tv screens, integration project hardware and a variety of digital audio-visual devices, audio accessories and related devices. In addition, we provide our business customers with office communication Private Branch Exchanges (PBX). This service, available on the premises or cloud-based, provides all telephony services including unified communication features as well as Direct Inward Dialing (DID), which provides a block of telephone numbers for calling into the customer's PBX system. DID allows us to offer our customers individual phone numbers for each person or workstation within the company without requiring a physical line into the PBX for each possible connection.
As of December 31, 2021, approximately 88% of our cellular subscriber base (approximately 2,671 thousand subscribers) subscribed to post-paid tariff plans, and 12% (approximately 352 thousand subscribers) subscribed to pre-paid tariff plans. Revenues from post-paid subscribers accounted for over 90% of total cellular service revenues in the year 2021.
Post-paid cellular tariff plans. Most of our post-paid cellular tariff plans for private customers are bundles including large amounts of call minutes (usually 5,000 minutes) and SMS as well as browsing packages. Many of these bundles also include a limited amount of international call minutes and other value-added services such as cybersecurity, antivirus, cloud backup and other solutions and extended handset warranty plans. In addition, we offer a limited number of bundles with fixed amounts of call minutes and SMS and browsing packages. The elements of our cellular tariff plans for post-paid private customers are packaged and marketed in various ways to create tariff packages attractive to target markets, including families, military personnel, youth, students, family members of business customers and other sectors. We also offer dedicated plans for data usage (eg. for use with dongles or with cellular routers and modems) which offer large browsing packages. Generally, our post-paid customer subscriber agreements do not have any commitment periods. However, some of our contracts with large business customers with over 100 subscribers include commitment terms with exit fees for early termination.
The Company also markets post-paid cellular tariff plans under an alternative brand, "012 Mobile". Under this brand, the Company offers plans mainly under a digital self-service model through a dedicated website (including web-chat with customer representatives) at competitive prices.
Pre-paid cellular tariff plans. Under our pre-paid plans, upon purchase of a SIM card or phone card or prepayment by credit card or cash, customers can use our network, including some of our value-added services, without the need to register with us or enter into any contract. Our pre-paid plans enable us to compete in the prepaid cellular services market.
For our Fixed-Line services, we have a wide range of diverse plans and bundles to meet the needs of the various sub-markets-ISP, ILD, transmission, TV, fiber, VOB and PRI. In the ILD services market we have tariff plans based on call destinations and level of use. Our Internet Service prices and our wholesale infrastructure and fiber-optic infrastructure services prices are based on bandwidth speed. We offer a variety of internet solutions for home and business use according to each customer's needs.
We apply a multi-channel approach to target various market segments and to coordinate our cellular and fixed-line sales and services strategy for both our business as well as private customers. Our customer support and service provides several channels for our customers: call centers, Interactive Voice Response ("IVR"), walk-in centers, service through Whatsapp, self services by Web and mobile applications and service through social media such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Call Centers. Guided by our aim to provide high quality service, our call-center services are divided into several sub-centers including business, private and pre-paid for cellular and fixed-line services, and specialized support and services (finance, network, international roaming, TV services and support and infrastructure fiber internet service and support). The call center services are provided in several languages and also provide digital and self services through the Company's websites and mobile applications. These services are provided internally by company employees as well as by outsourcing services.
Walk-in Centers. We currently operate 20 service and sales centers across Israel and 21 Partner stands in shopping centers throughout the country. These centers provide a face-to-face, uniformly designed, contact channel and offer all services that we provide to customers: sales, handset upgrade, handset maintenance, fixed-line sales, accessories sales fixed-line services (such as Internet and TV) and other services (such as finance, rate-plan changes and subscription to new services).
Self-Service. We provide our customers with various self-service channels, such as IVR, web-based services, and services via SMS, mobile, smartphone applications and WhatsApp. The services provided through these channels include general and specific information, tariff plan information and the ability to update them, account balance, billing-related information, roaming tariffs and payment of past due bills. They also provide customers with information regarding trouble shooting and handset operation, and enable customers to activate services as well as to purchase various services.
Technical support. The Company's technicians provide our customers with support services and initial TV and fiber installation and repair services.
All of our service channels are monitored and analyzed regularly in order to ensure the quality of our services and to detect areas that require improvement.
Management Systems. Our management systems are certificated and monitored by IQC (The Institute for Quality Control, an RVA accredited Certification Body authorized by Bureau Veritas Quality International) to the appropriate international standards:
ISO 9001:2015, which focuses on fulfillment of clients and legal requirements;
ISO 14001:2015, which coordinates our commitment to habitat and environment;
ISO 45001:2018, which directs our efforts to provide a safe and healthy work environment at our premises; and
ISO 27001:2013, which focuses on the management of information security.
We distribute our services and products through direct sales channels and indirect sales channels.
4B.6b - i Direct Sales Channels
Sales and Service Centers: Our walk-in centers in stores and malls also serve as sales centers. The face-toface contact enables customers to get the "touch and feel" of new handsets, tablets, accessories and services demonstrated by our representatives.
Direct Sales Force: Our sales force is comprised of sales and service representatives.
Door-to-door teams that specialize in the sale of fiber and infrastructure services.
Our sales force undergoes regular training to improve their skills in selling advanced solutions such as cellular data, intranet extension and connectivity, virtual private networks, location based services, M2M services, TV, fiber, internet infrastructure and other value-added services that appeal to corporate customers.
We have agreements with many traditional dealers that provide over 38 points of sale, selling a range of our products. The private dealer network is an important distribution channel because of its ability to attract existing cellular users to our network. Our dealer network focuses primarily on sales to individual customers and, to a lesser extent, small business customers. These dealers specialize in sales for post-paid customers, handset sales, TV, fiber, infrastructure and internet.
In addition, we have agreements with prepaid distributors that specialize in sales for pre-paid customers and distribution of pre-paid plans to sub-dealers.
We also have specific dealers that target different segments of the Israeli population with the appropriate style, language and locations. We provide regular training to employees of our dealers to update them on our products and services. Our managers visit dealers on a regular basis to provide information and training, answer questions and solve any problems that may arise. We pay our dealers commissions; however, dealers are not entitled to commissions for any customers that terminate their service within 90 days of activation.
Our cellular and fixed-line services are also available to be purchased online. We also manage an online service for the purchase of handsets and other equipment.
Our standard customer agreements with most of our private customers do not include commitment periods, since they are generally not permitted under Israeli law. Some of our business customers that have more than 100 cellular subscribers enter into an agreement with a commitment period of up to 36 months, as do some of our fixedline customers with monthly invoices of over NIS 7,000. Customers are billed monthly for charges per services. Roaming access for direct debit cellular customers is subject to credit scoring by our credit supervisors with the assistance of outside credit agencies and may require additional guarantees or deposits.
Our customers pay for their services by credit card or by direct bank debit. All credit card accounts are subject to an initial maximum credit limit each month, which varies depending upon the type of credit card and for which we obtain prior approval from the card issuer. When a customer account reaches this limit, we may seek approval from the card issuer. If the card issuer does not grant the approval, we may require the customer to provide other means of payment or arrange an increase in the approved limit from his credit card issuer. If this does not occur, the customer's usage may be limited or suspended, after receiving our prior notice of such limitation or suspension, until we receive a cash deposit or guarantee from the customer.
Most of our customers pay for equipment devices with long-term financing plans whereby the customer pays for the equipment through monthly payments (generally between 12 and 36 months), which are charged directly to their credit card or to their monthly bill. Where the customer opts to pay the monthly payments via their monthly bill, the outstanding installment payments are not secured. Customers acquiring more than a certain number of device sales are subject to a credit scoring review performed by Partner's credit supervisors with the assistance of outside credit agencies. During 2019, changes were made to the credit scoring review process whereby stricter requirements were imposed for customers to be accepted for long-term financing plans. These changes significantly reduced the level of sales of equipment with long-term financing plans.
We have built an extensive, resilient and advanced cellular network to provide cellular, fixed-line, ISP and TV services in Israel. We have also developed and are continuing to expand a fiber-optic infrastructure network to improve nationwide communications. Through these networks, we offer our customers extensive coverage and consistently high quality services. During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2021, we made capital expenditures of NIS 251 million and NIS 338 million (\$109 million), respectively, in our network infrastructure, including in our fiber-optic infrastructure. See "Item 5B.4 Total net financial debt-Capital expenditures".
Our network is a converged fixed and mobile telecommunications network. For mobile services we built a multi generation (2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G) wireless network, which offers full interactive multimedia capabilities. This technology brings wire-free networks significantly closer to the capabilities of fixed-line networks. Improvements in coding and data compression technology provide better voice quality and more reliable data transmission. 5G is the most advanced mobile network technology which is currently available in more than 400 of the macro base stations as well as our LTE network, which has nationwide coverage based on the existing spectrum of 1800 MHz band. For our fixed-line services we have built a geographical redundant network in case of a network malfunction.
Cellular Network Sharing Agreement. In 2013, we entered into a 15-year Network Sharing Agreement with HOT Mobile that was approved by the Antitrust Authority Commissioner in 2014 and by the Ministry of Communications in 2015 (there is a termination provision beginning April 20, 2023 with a prior 2 year termination notice). Pursuant to the agreement, the parties created a 50-50 limited partnership in the form of a limited partnership under the name P.H.I. Networks (2015) Limited Partnership ("PHI"), the purpose of which is to operate and develop the radio access network that is shared by both parties based on both parties' radio access network infrastructures to create a single shared pooled radio access network ("Shared Network"). The parties have also established a 50-50 company limited by shares under the name Net 4 P.H.I Ltd. that is the general partner of the limited partnership. In 2015, we were allocated a frequency bandwidth of 5MHz in the 1800MHz spectrum as a result of the 4G frequencies tender conducted by the Ministry of Communications in 2015. PHI started to operate in 2015, at which time each of Partner and HOT Mobile transferred to PHI certain employees who were previously engaged in their respective radio operations. Both companies continue to compete and differentiate their services and be responsible for providing cellular telecommunication services to its own customers, including the provision of customer service, value-added services, marketing and sales. Each company continues to retain and operate its own core network. In August 2020, we acquired through a MoC tender 2x5 MHz in 700 band, 2x10 MHz in 2600 band and 50 MHz in 3500 band (as the 5G frequency). HOT Mobile acquired the same bandwidths.
According to the Network Sharing Agreement, HOT Mobile paid Partner a onetime amount of NIS 250 million ("Lump Sum"), and since April 1, 2016, (i) each party bears half of the expenditures relating to the Shared Network, and (ii) responsibility for the operating costs of the Shared Network is apportioned according to a
pre-determined mechanism, according to which one half of the operating costs is shared equally by the parties, and one half is divided according to the relative volume of traffic of each party in the Shared Network ("Capex-Opex Mechanism"). See "Item 5A.1c Network Sharing Agreement with HOT Mobile" and notes 9 and 26(d) to the consolidated financial statements with respect to balances and transaction with PHI.
In 2014, the Antitrust Commissioner approved the Network Sharing Agreement, subject to conditions, the most important of which are set forth below:
In April 2015, the Ministry of Communications also approved the Network Sharing Agreement.
As of December 31, 2021, our Shared Network consisted of the following main elements:
Our core network domain consists of 2 DRP switching centers nationwide, in which the cellular, fixed-line, ISP, TV and the fiber networks reside.
Ericsson was initially our sole radio and core network equipment supplier; however, in January 2019, we entered into an agreement with Mavenir Systems Limited for the replacement and modernization of our packet core network (EPC- Evolved Package Core) and the IMS (IP Multimedia Sub System) supporting VOLTE and WiFi
calling technologies into a virtualized solution provided by Mavenir. As part of the transition to the modernized network, we are continuing to integrate Mavenir's EPC (virtualized EPV) and Vims (virtualized IMS) equipment with the Ericsson equipment. See "Item 4B.8g Suppliers".
Our cellular networks covered 99% of the Israeli population at year-end 2021. We are continuing to expand and improve the coverage, capacity and quality of our 4G and 5G radio accesses.
Our fixed-line network domain consists of circuit-switched and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) platforms. Ericsson, Dialogic Networks, Broadsoft, AudioCode and ACME Packet supplies our VoIP solution, whereas the circuit-switched services utilize the mobile switching center platforms alongside Dialogic Network's switches. The International Long Distance network domain consists of Dialogic ILD Switch, together with NSN's Signaling Transit Point.
In addition, our network is interconnected with two public switched telephone companies, Bezeq and HOT Telecom, in several locations across Israel. Our network is also connected to all of the cellular networks, all the Israeli international operators, the fixed-line telephone network of the Palestine Telecommunication Co. Ltd. ("Paltel"), and the cellular network of Wataniya Palestine Mobile Telecommunication Company ("Wataniya"), and indirectly to the cellular network of Palestine Cellular Communications Ltd. ("Jawwal"). Our transmission network is made up by our own microwave links and fiber-optic infrastructure, including our multi protocol label switching (MPLS) network, while for sites that are unreachable with our own transmission, we lease lines from Bezeq and other operators. Currently approximately 3% of our transmission network consists of leased lines. Our fiberoptic/MPSL network and microwave transmission network enables us to reduce our transmission costs as well as to provide our customers with bundled services of data and voice transmission and fixed-line services. Currently, our transmission network has more than 3,911 kilometers of fiber-optics (Partner and Bezeq infrastructure) and more than 1,350 microwave links. See "Item 4B.8d Fiber-optic infrastructure".
Passive Infrastructure Sharing Agreement. In November 2021, P.H.I. entered into a framework agreement with Pelephone and Cellcom, to expand the cooperation between the parties in the field of passive infrastructure sharing for cellular sites, which allows for full or partial sharing of passive elements on the network sites (for example, electricity, air conditioning). This will allow for the unification of existing and new passive infrastructures for cellular sites, and may lead to cost and investment savings entailed in establishing passive infrastructures for cellular sites. A pre-condition for the agreement to enter into force is the receipt of the approvals required by law. There is no certainty that such approvals will be received.
Our primary cellular network design objective is to further expand and improve our network to provide HD (high definition) voice quality, video streaming and internet browsing with high reliability, and the best user experience based on high capacity and nationwide coverage. In formulating our network design objectives, we have been guided by our business strategy to continue to broaden the highest quality network by best network standards. In order to enhance user experience, starting in the fourth quarter of 2018, we launched a project to expand coverage and capacity for a 4G network based on the 700 MHz frequency temporarily received from the Ministry of Communications, and in the second half of 2020 we launched the 5G new radio (NR).
We use monitoring probes and counters to ensure network quality.
In our Fixed-Line business we offer telephony lines using VoB technology, SIP voice trunks, PRI, Internet Services, FTTH and ILD services targeting households and business customers in the Israeli market. These services are provided mainly over our existing network infrastructure. In order to provide the Fixed-line Services in the residential market, we developed a variety of CPEs (all in one router and modem), that provides the customer with a setup of a home network Wi-Fi, Voice FXS and DECT supported phones, Internet services and built-in firewall.
In 2006, we purchased Med-1 I.C.–1 (1999) Ltd.'s fiber-optic transmission business. Since then we have continued to expand our fiber-optic infrastructure and to provide services to our business customers through our
fiber-optic infrastructure, and in 2017, we commercially launched services provided through the network to connect the fiber optic networks to private households. Our investment in the expansion of our fiber-optic infrastructure is part of our strategy to maintain our technological leadership in the market, compared to current market offerings. As of the date of this Annual Report, we have already connected 740 thousand households to our independent fiberoptic infrastructure (FTTH), and we are on track to connect around 1 million households by the end of 2022.
The fiber-optic infrastructure enables us as a comprehensive communications group to offer increased internet speeds compared to current market offerings, manage the quality of service and customer experience, and offer additional advanced services. The combination of the fiber-optic infrastructure together with Partner TV Service, which is also offered over our fiber-optic infrastructure, reduces our dependency on third party fixed-line infrastructure operators.
Partner recently announced its intention to deploy additional fiber-optic infrastructure within Israel, which will provide international telecommunications operators with connections and data transfer services between the Far East/Gulf countries and Europe, thereby offering a sustainable alternative to the existing undersea cable connections, including through the Suez Canal. The first agreement for such services was completed in January 2022, and we intend to further extend this line of business in the future.
MoC Regulations and an amendment to the Telecommunications Law now allow us to make use of the ducts and manholes (and other passive network elements) deployed by landline domestic operators (including Bezeq and HOT) in order to deploy our own fiber-optic cables.
Spectrum availability is limited and is allocated by the Ministry of Communications through a licensing process. Pursuant to the terms of our license and subsequent allocations, we were allocated 2x10.4 MHz in the 900 MHz frequency band, of which 2 x 2.4 MHz are shared with Jawwal which operates in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip and an additional 2 x 2.4 MHz of Jawwal's spectrum is partially available to us.
We were also allocated four additional bands of spectrum:
For a discussion of the risks associated with regulatory developments in spectrum allocation, see "Item 3D.1b The MoC might require us to terminate the use of certain spectrum ranges which have been allocated to us, limit our use of such spectrum, fail to respond to our demands for the allocation of additional spectrum, or conduct the tender for additional frequencies in an unsuitable format. Such eventualities may adversely affect our business and results of operations."
Once a new coverage area has been identified, professional staff determines the optimal base station location and the required coverage characteristics. The area is then surveyed to identify network sites. In urban areas, typical sites are building rooftops. In rural areas, masts are usually constructed. Professional staff also identifies the best means of connecting the base station to the network, for example, via leased or owned and operated microwave or fiber links or wired links leased from Bezeq. Once a preferred site has been identified and the exact equipment configuration for that site decided, the process of obtaining necessary approvals begins.
The erection of most of these network sites requires building permits from local or regional authorities, as well as a number of additional permits from governmental and regulatory authorities, such as:
See "Item 4B.12h Network Site Permits" for a description of the approvals that are required for the erection and operation of network sites and the requirement to provide indemnification undertakings to local committees.
Suppliers for our cellular network. We purchased our network equipment, such as switching equipment, base station controllers and base transceiver stations and network software, from Ericsson, who was our sole supplier of cellular core equipment and systems. During 2020, we entered into a maintenance and support agreement with a third party that provides maintenance for Ericsson equipment. For the replacement and upgrade of our EPC and IMS we entered into an agreement with Mavenir Systems Limited in 2019. See "Item 3D.2j We depend on a limited number of suppliers and vendors for key equipment and services. Our results of operations could be adversely affected if our suppliers and vendors fail to provide us with needed services and adequate supplies of network equipment, handsets and other devices or maintenance support on a timely and cost effective basis." See also "Item 10C Material Contracts".
We continue to purchase certain network components, for our cellular, fixed and ISP services, from various other key suppliers. For example, Juniper Networks provides the Company with solutions for ISP and MPLS network segments.
Handset and other equipment suppliers. We entered into a non-exclusive agreement with Apple effective April 1, 2021, for the purchase and resale of iPhone handsets in Israel for a three-year period. See "Item 10C Material Contracts". During 2021, we purchased the majority of the Company's handsets from Apple and Samsung. We also purchase handsets and other equipment, including tablets and laptops, from other vendors.
Suppliers for TV content and equipment. In 2017, we partnered with Netflix, the world leading internet entertainment network, to make its services directly accessible through our TV service. Furthermore, in April 2018, we announced a unique collaboration with Amazon Prime Video, making Partner TV the first and only television service in Israel to offer Amazon Prime Video application on a set top box and the first Over the Top service in the world to support this application on an Android TV set top box.
In addition, we have agreements with well known suppliers in the industry for the provision of the following:
• sports and kids content channels;
Suppliers for our fixed-line network. Bezeq and HOT Groups own the majority of the fixed-line telecommunications infrastructures in Israel. As a result, we use interconnection with the Bezeq and HOT Groups' infrastructure. Most of our broadband customers use Bezeq and Hot infrastructure which connects to Partner's ISP network. In addition, for international connectivity to all major Western European countries and the United States, we use Tamares Telecom Ltd. and TI Sparkle Israel (formerly Med Nautilus), who supply the Company with transmission services through their submarine infrastructures. See "Item 10C Material Contracts".
Dialogic Inc. and Broadsoft Inc. supply us with switches for the fixed-line telephony services based on Internet Protocol ("VoIP") and circuit switched calls.
All telecommunications providers with general licenses in Israel have provisions in their licenses requiring them to connect their networks with all other telecommunications networks in Israel. Currently, our cellular and land-line networks are connected directly with all other telecommunications networks operating in Israel.
The interconnect tariffs are set forth in the Interconnection Regulations that impose a uniform call interconnect tariff for all telecommunications operators.
An overview of our principal competitors and of some aspects of the competitive environment for telecommunications services is set forth below. For further information regarding the impact of regulation and regulatory changes on competition, including measures to enable new service providers to enter the market, and the competitive pressures arising from the development of full-service telecommunications providers and new technologies, see "Item 3D.1 Risks Relating To The Regulation Of Our Industry." and "Item 3D.2a As a result of substantial and continuing changes in our regulatory and business environment, our operating financial results, profitability and cash flows have remained at relatively low levels in recent years. Our operating financial results may decline further in the future, which may adversely affect our financial condition."
Within the Israeli telecommunications market there are four major communication groups: Bezeq, HOT, Cellcom and Partner, as well as a number of smaller operators. See "Item 3D.2b Competition resulting from the full service offers by telecommunications groups and additional entrants into the telecommunications market, as well as other actual and potential changes in the competitive environment and communications technologies, may continue to cause a further decrease in mobile and fixed-line service tariffs as well as an increase in subscriber acquisition and retention costs, and may reduce our subscriber base and increase our churn rate, each of which could adversely affect our business and results of operations."
There are currently five cellular telephone network operators in Israel: Partner, Cellcom, Pelephone, HOT Mobile, and Xfone. Except for Xfone, these cellular operators are part of the four main telecommunications groups. In addition, there are five active MVNO operators – Rami Levy Hashikma Communications Marketing Ltd., ("Rami Levy"), Telzar 019 International Telecommunications Services Ltd. ("Telzar"), Free Telecom Ltd. ("Free Telecom"), Cellact Communications Ltd. ("Cellact") and Lev Anatel Ltd.
We compete principally on the basis of network quality, brand identity, customer service and value-added services.
The table below sets forth an estimate of each operator's share of total subscribers in the Israeli cellular market at year-end for the years 2019 to 2021.
| Estimated Market Shares (%)* | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Partner | 25 | 27 | 28 |
| Cellcom** | 26 | 31 | 30 |
| Pelephone | 22 | 23 | 24 |
| HOT Mobile | 13 | 13 | 13 |
| Others | 14 | 6 | 5 |
* Based on Partner subscriber data, as well as information contained in published reports, and public statements issued by other operators.
** Includes Golan Telecom as of 2020.
Cellcom. Cellcom is an Israeli corporation founded in 1994 that is traded on the Tel Aviv stock exchange. Cellcom's major shareholder is Discount Investment Corporation Ltd. Cellcom operates nationwide cellular telephone networks as well as fixed-line telephony, transmission and data services. In 2014, Cellcom launched OTT television services. In 2017, Cellcom announced that it received regulatory approval for a networking sharing and hosting services agreement with Xfone. In April 2017, Cellcom announced that following receipt of regulatory approvals, its 3G and 4G networking sharing and 2G hosting services agreement with Golan Telecom, came into effect. In 2019, Cellcom reported entering into definitive agreements for investment in IBC and indefeasible right of use in IBC's fiber-optic infrastructure and a term sheet for the sale of fiber-optic infrastructure in residential areas to IBC, which was approved by the Competition Authority in January 2021 and by the MoC in February 2021. In June 2020, the Competition Authority approved Cellcom's purchase of Golan Telecom's entire share capital. To date, Cellcom's acquisition of Golan Telecom has not made a significant change in the competitive landscape. On February 20, 2022 and on February 21, 2022, Cellcom announced that the MoC and the Competition Authority respectively, approved the transfer of Xfone's means of control to the Buyers (as defined below) and the amendment to the network sharing agreement between Cellcom and Xfone.
Pelephone. Pelephone is an Israeli corporation that is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bezeq, Israel's largest telecommunications provider and the primary fixed-line operator that is controlled by B Communications Ltd. Unlike Cellcom, Hot and Partner, Pelephone does not sell Internet or TV services.
HOT Mobile. HOT mobile is held indirectly by the Altice Group, a French media group, controlled by Mr. Patrick Drahi, who also holds control of HOT Telecommunications Systems Ltd. ("HOT Telecommunications"). The HOT Group's main areas of activity are multi-channel television services, fixed-line telephony services, PRI, internet broadband access, transmission and data communications services as well as ISP services through its subsidiary HOT-NET. In 2021, the Competition Authority and the Minister of Communications approved a transaction whereby HOT Telecommunications became an equal partner in IBC, holding indirectly 23.3% of IBC's share capital. We cannot yet assess the full impact of this transaction on our results of operations.
In 2015, the MoC approved a 15-year network sharing agreement between Partner and HOT Mobile pursuant to which the parties created a limited partnership to operate and develop a radio access network to be shared by both parties. See "Item 4B.8 Our Network- Cellular Network Sharing Agreement".
Golan Telecom. Golan Telecom began operations in early 2012 after winning a Ministry of Communications' tender offer for frequencies in the 2100 MHz spectrum. In 2017, Golan Telecom was fully acquired by Electra Consumer Products Ltd., ("Electra"). In August 2020, Cellcom completed the purchase of Golan Telecom's entire share capital from Electra. Following approval of this purchase by the MoC, Golan Telecom was awarded an MVNO license in August 2020, which replaced its cellular license.
Xfone. Xfone is a privately owned telecommunications company that provides telecommunications services. Xfone was awarded a 5MHz frequency band in the 1800 spectrum and entered the market as the sixth facility-based cellular operator in 2018. Xfone offers cellular services as well as ISP and ILD services at competitive prices. In 2021, Xfone was acquired by an investment consortium led by the Clearmark Fund, a local private equity fund (the "Buyers"). At this point in time, there is no way to estimate the impact of this purchase on the competitive landscape.
MVNOs. The Ministry of Communications has granted MVNO licenses to various companies, some of which have entered into hosting agreements with cellular operators. The major MVNOs are Golan Telecom, which is now fully owned by Cellcom; Rami Levy, which is a subsidiary of a major Israeli discount supermarket chain; Telzar, an ILD operator, and Cellact which is owned by Cellact Ltd., a communications group active also in the content field.
In 2013, we signed an MVNO agreement with Telzar with respect to their use of Partner's network as an MVNO.
In addition, in the Palestinian Administered Areas, Paltel and Wataniya operate GSM mobile telephone networka. Paltel also operates a fixed-line network. Paltel's GSM network, which operates under the name "Jawwal", competes with our network in some border coverage overlap areas.
Several service providers offer competitive roaming solutions. The service is offered, among others, by the International Long Distance vendors as well as by specialized enterprises.
Market Saturation. Because the Israeli cellular market has reached a level of full saturation, except for natural market growth through the growth of population, any acquisition of new subscribers by any service provider typically results in a loss of market share for its competitors. This zero sum game (set-aside for population growth), together with the minimal switching complexity, is the main driver of the fierce competitive nature of the local mobile market.
In the fixed-line market, our main competitors are Bezeq, Israel's largest telecommunications provider and the primary fixed-line operator, HOT Telecom, and other telecommunication services providers, including Cellcom who operate in the fixed-line market. The Bezeq Group, the HOT Group and Cellcom provide cellular telephony services, ILD services, PRI, internet broadband access, ISP services, transmission and data communications services and multi-channel television services.
We compete principally on the basis of the variety of telecommunications services and offers which include bundled and triple service packages, service quality, brand identity, the variety of handsets and other equipment, tariffs and value-added services.
The Bezeq Group. The Bezeq Group is under structural separation rules which apply to management, employees, assets, marketing and finance, and data systems. Starting in 2010, the Ministry of Communications has allowed the Bezeq Group to market bundled telecommunications services to the private sector, subject to certain conditions and limitations, including provisions which prevent Bezeq from discounting the price of bundled services from their unbundled prices and from including its fixed-line telephony service within bundles. See "Item 4B.2- Broadband and Internet services." Following implementation of the broadband wholesale market, the requirement for structural separation may be removed or eased, which would allow Bezeq to take advantage of its nationwide presence and cross-subsidization to market and sell more competitive and attractive offers than we will be able to offer. Bundled offerings have become more frequent in Israel and have caused price erosion in the services included. See "Item 3D.1a If the structural separation provisions which apply to Bezeq are not enforced or are removed (in part or in whole) before we have established ourselves in the fixed-line and TV markets, this would adversely affect our business and results of operations."
The HOT Group. The HOT Group may offer a bundle of services only including fixed-line telephony, broadband infrastructure and multi-channel television ("Triple"). The bundle of services currently offered by the HOT Group may also include Cellular and ILD services, subject to the MoC's approval.
The Ministry of Communications allowed HOT Telecom LLP, HOT Telecommunication and HOT Mobile to sell and market each other's services and exchange information regarding such marketing activities.
Once an effective wholesale fixed-line market is operating, the Ministry of Communications may cancel the structural separation imposed on the Bezeq and HOT Groups. This will allow the groups to offer attractive bundles that include all of the above services that may result in a loss of market share by Partner in all relevant telecom markets. See "Item 3D.1a If the structural separation provisions which apply to Bezeq are not enforced or are removed (in part or in whole) before we have established ourselves in the fixed-line and TV markets, this would adversely affect our business and results of operations."
The Cellcom Group. Cellcom provides landline telephony, transmission, PRI, ISP and data services through inland fiber-optic transmission and complementary microwave links to business customers and private sectors. Since 2015, Cellcom began marketing an ADSL infrastructure product (wholesale Bit Stream Access service provided over Bezeq's network). During 2015, Cellcom entered the television market using hybrid OTT-DTT television services which may be bundled with additional IP TV or over the top (OTT) offerings. In 2020, Cellcom completed the purchase of Golan Telecom's entire share capital.
In the ILD services market, we compete with Netvision from the Cellcom Group, Bezeq International, Xfone, Hashikma Communications Marketing Ltd., Telzar 019 International Telecommunication Service Ltd, Golan Telecom International Ltd. and HOT Mobile International Telecommunications Ltd.
In the ISP services market, we compete with Netvision, Bezeq International, HOT Net from the HOT Group, Xfone, Triple C Cloud Computing Company Ltd., Telzar 019 International Telecommunication Service Ltd, Qwick linq 011 International Ltd., and 099 Primo Communications Ltd.
In the TV services market, we compete with Yes, a subsidiary of Bezeq, which offers TV services provided via satellite and via OTT; In 2019 Bezeq announced that Yes will migrate its satellite based broadcasting TV services to OTT, HOT that offers TV services provided via cable and via OTT and Cellcom that offers hybrid OTT-DTT TV services.
In addition, there are international VOD content providers that offer complementary TV content. See also "Item 4B.2 Special characteristics of the Fixed-Line Telecommunications Industry in Israel". Specifically, we anticipate the launch of several subscription video on demand (SVOD) services in Israel in the next few years, including, but not restricted to, Disney+, Paramount+, HBO Max and others. These services are expected to increase the intensity of competition in the market for TV services in Israel.
Israel Broadband Company (IBC). IBC received a general license for the provision of fixed-line telecom services (infrastructure) and for the establishment of a nationwide fiber-optic network using the Israeli Electric Company's infrastructure in 2013. Although IBC is in principle permitted to provide its services only to other telecommunications licensees on a wholesale basis, IBC has introduced a new business model which enables it to reach the retail market through the services of ISPs who sign agreements with them. Initially, IBC had agreements with the relatively small ISPs, however in 2019, Cellcom reported entering into definitive agreements for investment in IBC and indefeasible right of use in IBC's fiber-optic infrastructure and a term sheet for the sale of fiber-optic infrastructure in residential areas to IBC, which was completed in July 2019. In 2018, the MoC announced its decision to allow IBC to apply for a new license, thereby replacing its universal deployment obligation with an obligation to reach only 40% of Israel's households within 10 years from the grant of such license. In January 2020, the MoC published a consultation in which it proposed that IBC would be allowed to offer its infrastructure services directly to end-users in bundles which include the ISP services of other suppliers. The MoC also proposed that IBC would be allowed to offer its infrastructure services and ISP services directly to the business segment. However, the MoC did not cancel IBC's exclusive right to use the Israeli Electric Company's infrastructure nor did it require IBC to pay back the NIS 150 million grant which it received from the State. In January 2021, the Competition Authority approved HOT's acquisition of a 23.3% stake in IBC which was approved by the MoC in February 2021 and which
will require IBC among other things to expand its universal deployment obligation to reach 68% of Israel's households within 5 years from the grant of its license. See "Item 4B.12e - x Approval of the HOT-IBC Merger".
We depend upon a wide range of information technology systems to support network management, subscriber registration and billing, customer service, marketing and management functions. These systems execute critical tasks for our business, from rating and billing of calls, to monitoring our points of sale and network sites, to managing highly segmented marketing campaigns. We have devoted resources to expanding and enhancing our information technology systems, including Customer Relations Management ("CRM") systems, which have contributed to our customers' satisfaction with our service, as well as updating our financial management and accounting system. We believe these systems are an important factor in our business success.
While many of our systems have been developed by third-party vendors, all of them have been modified and refined to suit our particular needs. In certain instances, we have developed critical information technology capabilities internally to meet our specific requirements. In connection with our transformation into a diversified multi-service communications provider, we have completed significant milestones in our CRM upgrade project. In addition, the Company invested resources to improve the quality of the IT processes and billing accuracy.
We are the registered owners of the trademark "Partner" in Israel with respect to telecommunicationsrelated devices and services, as well as additional trademarks. We have also registered several internet Web domain names, including, among others: www.partner.co.il. 012 Smile is the registered owner of several trademarks in Israel with respect to telecommunications-related services that include the numbers "012". In addition, 012 Smile has registered several internet Web domain names, including, among others, www.012.net and www.012.net.il. Partner is the assignee in a patent application filed in 2012 that claims a method for delivering short messages originated by roaming prepaid subscribers. A Notice of Allowance was issued for the application in 2013 and a patent was issued in 2014.
In addition, we are a full member of the GSMA Association. In conjunction with the promotion and operation of our GSM network, we have the right to use their relevant intellectual property, such as the GSM trademark and logo, security algorithms, roaming agreement templates, and billing transfer information file formats. We are eligible to remain a member of the GSMA Association for as long as we are licensed to provide GSM service.
We operate within Israel primarily under the Telecommunications Law, the Wireless Telegraphy Ordinance (New Version), 1972 (the "Wireless Telegraphy Ordinance"), the regulations promulgated by the Ministry of Communications and our telecommunication licenses. The Ministry of Communications issues the licenses which grant the right to establish and operate mobile telephone and other telecommunication services in Israel, and sets the terms by which such services are provided. The regulatory framework under which we operate consists also of the Companies Law, the Securities Law, the Planning and Building Law, the Consumer Protection Law, 1981, and the Non-Ionizing Radiation Law. Additional areas of Israeli law may be relevant to our operations, including antitrust law, specifically the Economic Competition Law, 1988 (previously titled the Restrictive Trade Practices Law, 1988) the Class Actions Law, 2006, the Centralization Law, 2013 and administrative law.
4B.12b Telecommunications Law
The principal law governing telecommunications in Israel is the Telecommunications Law and related regulations. The Telecommunications Law prohibits any entity, other than the State of Israel, from providing public telecommunications services without a license issued by the Ministry of Communications.
General licenses, which relate to telecommunications activities over a public network or for the granting of nationwide services or international telecommunications services, have been awarded to the Bezeq Group, to the HOT Group, to other cellular operators besides Partner and to the international operators. In addition, the Ministry of Communications has granted MVNO licenses to a number of companies. During 2015 and 2016, the Ministry of Communications substituted almost all of the MVNO licenses and all general licenses for ILD services and uniquegeneral licenses for fixed line services, with a single type of general unified license which governs all the services regulated under all of such licenses.
The Ministry of Communications has the authority to amend the terms of any license. The grounds to be considered in connection with such an amendment are government telecommunications policy, public interest, the suitability of the licensee to perform the relevant services, the promotion of competition in the telecommunications market, the level of service and changes in technology. The Ministry of Communications may also make the award of certain benefits, such as new spectrum, conditional upon the licensee's consent to a license amendment. The Ministry of Communications also has the authority to revoke, limit or suspend a license at the request of the licensee or when the licensee is in breach of a fundamental condition of the license, when the licensee is not granting services under the license or is not granting services at the appropriate grade of service or when the licensee has been declared bankrupt or an order of liquidation has been issued with respect to the licensee. Public interest may also be grounds for the rescission or suspension of a license.
The Ministry of Communications, with the consent of the Ministry of Finance, may also promulgate regulations to determine interconnect tariffs, or formulae for calculating such tariffs. Moreover, the Ministry of Communications may, if interconnecting parties fail to agree on tariffs, or if regulations have not been promulgated, set the interconnect tariff based on cost plus a reasonable profit, a benchmark (derived from relevant retail prices in Israel or abroad), or based on each of the interconnecting networks bearing its own costs.
The Telecommunications Law also includes certain provisions which may be applied by the Ministry of Communications to general licensees, including rights of way which may be accorded to general licensees to facilitate the building of telecommunications networks or systems and a partial immunity against civil liability which may be granted to a general licensee, exempting the licensee, among others, from tort liability with the exception of direct damage caused by the suspension of a telecommunications service and damage stemming from intentional or grossly negligent acts or omissions of the licensee. The Ministry of Communications has applied the partial immunity provisions to us, including immunity in the event that we cause a mistake or change in a telecommunication message, unless resulting from our intentional act or gross negligence. The Ministry of Communications initiated a review to re-evaluate the scope of the immunity provisions.
The Ministry of Communications is authorized to impose significant monetary sanctions on a license holder that breaches a provision of the Telecommunications Law or of its license.
Frequency Fees. Under the Telegraph Regulations, the Company is obliged to pay an annual fixed fee for each band of frequencies used. Following the tender for 5G frequencies, the Telegraph Regulations were amended, reducing the frequency fees for existing frequencies, subject to certain conditions, and establishing fees for the new frequencies received as part of the tender. Under the above regulations should the Company choose to return a frequency, such payment would no longer be due. For the years 2019, 2020 and 2021, the Company recorded frequency fee expenses in a total amount of approximately NIS 79 million, NIS 75 million and NIS 66 million, respectively. The total amount of frequency fees of both the Company and HOT Mobile under the regulations are divided between the Company and HOT Mobile, through PHI, according to the OPEX-CAPEX mechanism (see also note 9 to the consolidated financial statements).
Royalties. Pursuant to the Communications Regulations (Telecommunications and Broadcasting) (Royalties), 2001, royalties may be payable to the State of Israel calculated as a percentage of relevant revenues. However, since 2013 the royalty rate has been set at 0%.
Provisions prohibiting Partner from engaging in anti-competitive practices can be found in our license and in the licenses of the other telecommunications operators, in the various telecommunications regulations and in the Economic Competition Law. Our license emphasizes the principle of granting users equal access to the systems of each of the operators upon equitable terms. The Telecommunications Law also provides certain protection against disruption of telecommunications services.
The Economic Competition Law is the principal statute concerning restrictive practices, mergers and monopolies. This law prohibits a monopoly from abusing its market position in a manner that might reduce competition in the market or negatively affect the public. The law empowers the Director General of the Competition Authority to instruct a monopoly abusing its market power to perform certain acts or to refrain from certain acts in order to prevent the abuse. Bezeq has been declared a monopoly in certain markets. HOT has been declared a monopoly in the multi-channel television market.
The Israeli Securities Authority, or ISA may impose various civil enforcement measures, including financial sanctions, payment to the harmed party, prohibition of the violator from serving as an executive officer for a certain period of time, annulment or suspension of licenses, approvals and permits granted under securities and securities-related laws and adopt an agreed settlement mechanism as an alternative for a criminal or administrative proceeding. In case of a violation by a corporation, the Israeli Securities laws provide for additional responsibility of the Chief Executive Officer in some cases, unless certain conditions have been met, including the existence of procedures for the prevention of the violation, as part of an internal enforcement plan. The Company is prohibited from insuring, paying or indemnifying directors or senior officers for financial sanctions imposed on them subject to certain exemptions set forth in the law.
The Company has implemented an internal enforcement plan and has implemented an internal antitrust enforcement plan intended to ensure that all relevant parties in the Company comply with antitrust laws and regulations. The Company provides ongoing guidance and training to the Company's directors, office holders and relevant employees.
See also "Item 3D.1 RISKS RELATING TO THE REGULATION OF OUR INDUSTRY" for a discussion of how recent regulatory developments create risks for our financial condition, business and results of operations.
In February 2022, the Ministry of Communications renewed the Company's cellular license for an additional period of ten years until February 1, 2032.
In June 2021, the Ministry of Communications published its decision regarding the framework for the shutdown of 2G and 3G networks (the "Old Technologies"). The MoC's decision has set the following rules, among other things: (a) the termination of Old Technologies services on December 31, 2025 (or on an earlier date, at the Company's request, subject to certain conditions); (b) a ban on the import of cellular devices that support the Old Technologies as of January 1, 2022; (c) prohibition of connecting an existing subscriber or a new subscriber with equipment operating on the Old Technologies as of January 1, 2023 (except for security forces equipment). As part of its decision regarding the shutdown of the Old Technologies networks, the MoC decided that the allotment of frequencies previously used by the Company for the Old Technologies (in the 900, 1800 and 2100 Mhz bands) shall not expire during the year 2022 but be extended until December 31, 2030. According to the decision, this extension is intended to allow the Company to invest in newer technologies (4G and 5G) for use in these frequencies.
In March 2014, the Competition Commissioner approved a merger between Bezeq and its subsidiary, Yes, a multi-channel pay TV provider, subject to certain conditions. During the year 2020, the Bezeq group requested that the Competition Authority cancel some of the conditions set in the merger decision, due to the changes that have taken place in the relevant markets since 2014. In April 2021, and after it conducted a public consultation on this matter, the Competition Commissioner decided to allow Bezeq's subsidiaries (Pelephone, Yes and Bezeq International) to sell communication packages that include Internet infrastructure, Internet service provider (ISP) and TV services without the obligation to sell the TV services at a separate price that will be uniform for package buyers and non-package buyers. These changes may allow Bezeq's subsidiaries to better market and package their services with the services provided by Bezeq. With regard to exclusivity arrangements, the Commissioner decided to amend the terms of its merger approval so that Bezeq and Yes would be allowed greater flexibility in purchasing foreign content (excluding sports content, to which the ban on exclusivity shall remain in force).
In September 2020, the Minister of Communications appointed a committee assigned with reexamining the overall regulatory regime applicable to the broadcasting segment in Israel (the "Folkman Committee"). In July 2021, the Folkman Committee submitted its recommendations to the Minister of Communications. The Folkman Committee's report includes, among other things, recommendations regarding the following issues:
The Folkman Committee's recommendations have been adopted by the Minister of Communications and their implementation would involve various amendments to legislation. The Ministry of Communications is due to prepare a draft bill for this purpose during the first half of 2022.
The fixed internet access market in Israel is currently divided into two tiers of services: infrastructure services and ISP service. This split was intended to allow entry of new competitors, which provide services over Bezeq's and HOT Telecom's infrastructure.
In June 2021, the Minister of Communications published its decision regarding the abolition of the split between the infrastructure service and the ISP service. The decision is aimed at ending the split of this segment into two tiers and allowing Bezeq and Hot Telecom to market a unified product (comprised of
both infrastructure and ISP components). The decision lays out several stages for implementation, as follows:
From the Effective Date onwards, all new subscribers (and any existing subscribers who wish to alter their existing service plans) may only be offered a unified product. This decision does not apply to the business sector, where the split between the infrastructure services and ISP service shall remain.
In October 2021, the MoC published its first annual incentive tender for the rollout of FTTH (fiber to the home) networks in non-economically feasible areas where Bezeq has decided not to deploy its FTTH network. The tender process is due to take place at the end of February 2022. The Company is formulating its strategy regarding the incentive tender and has registered to participate in it.
The MoC has established a fund for incentivizing the rollout of FTTH networks in non-economically feasible areas where Bezeq has decided not to deploy its FTTH network (the "Incentive Fund"). The Incentive Fund is funded by a tax on all relevant telecommunications operators (including Bezeq and Partner) at an annual rate of 0.5% of income (deducting Interconnection fees and fees paid for use of other operators' networks). In October 2021, the MoC notified the Company that its first annual payment to the Incentive Fund was to be NIS 12 million, to be paid by the end of the year.
A recent reform of the MoC that amended the Planning and Building Law with respect to communication devices, is intended to facilitate cellular operators' ability to deploy telecommunication infrastructure. As part of the reform, the cellular infrastructure has been classified as a national infrastructure and as such the Licensing Authority of the National Infrastructure Committee has been authorized to discuss and approve communication devices. The reform includes exemptions from building permits in the following cases (subject to various conditions):
4B.12e - ix MoC's update to Bezeq's wholesale BSA tariffs applicable to its existing copper network
In December 2021, the MoC published an update to Bezeq's wholesale tariffs applicable to the BSA (bit stream access) service provided over its existing copper network. The tariffs for this service are composed of a fixed monthly per-line tariff and a variable monthly tariff (which depends on the cumulative peak capacity of data consumed by the relevant subscribers during said month). In its update of these tariffs, the MoC raised the fixed per-line tariff from NIS 30.6 per month to NIS 32.7 per month, and raised the capacity tariff from NIS 6.5 per Mbps per month to NIS 8.2 per Mbps per month.
In September 2020, Cellcom announced that it, together with the Israel Infrastructure Fund, entered into an investment transaction with Hot Telecommunication Systems Ltd ("HOT") in IBC Israel Broadband (2013) Ltd ("IBC"). According to Cellcom's announcement, HOT shall become an equal partner in IBC, and hold indirectly 23.3% of IBC's share capital. In January 2021, the Competition Commissioner granted its approval for the transaction. In February 2021, The Minister of Communications granted its approval for the transaction under the following conditions, among others:
The Ministry of Communications and other regulators have also conducted hearings and examinations on various matters related to our business, such as:
The Israeli Economics Competition Law is the primary law dealing with competition and antitrust issues in Israel. The Law contains the substantive rules that apply to various restrictive trade practices (restrictive arrangements, mergers, monopolies and concerted oligopolistic groups). In general, violations of the Law are considered a criminal offense. Criminal enforcement is usually reserved for the most severe violations of the Law (cartels and bid rigging) In addition, each violation can lead to an administrative fine, which could be as high as 8% of the sales turnover of a corporation's revenue in the year preceding the violation (but not higher than NIS 99.7
million). The Law grants the Israel Competition Authority ("ICA") vast investigative powers, including the ability to request and seize any document or information which is required for the enforcement of the Law. The ICA can also apply various limitations regarding mergers or restrictive arrangements, as well as require monopolies or concerted oligopolistic groups to perform specific required actions in order to, among other objectives, maintain or increase the competition level among the participants in our market. In addition, the ICA may issue orders to remove or to ease entry or transfer barriers, to terminate a participant's activity, or otherwise to regulate the activities of the market.
On April 7, 1998, the Ministry of Communications granted to us a general license to establish and operate a mobile telephone network in Israel as well as offer roaming services outside the State of Israel.
Under the terms of the license, we have provided a NIS 5 million (US\$ 2 million) guarantee to the State of Israel to secure the Company's adherence to the terms of the license.
Our license allocates to us specified frequencies and telephone numbers.
Term. Our license was originally valid for a period of ten years (until April 2008), and after being extended until 2022, the Ministry of Communications renewed the license in November 2021 for an additional period of ten years until February 2032.
At the end of this period, the license may be extended for additional ten-year periods upon our request to the Ministry of Communications, and a confirmation from the MoC that we have met the following performance requirements:
We believe that we will be able to receive an extension to the license upon request.
Our license may also be revoked, limited or altered by the Ministry of Communications if we have failed to uphold our obligations under the Telecommunications Law, the Wireless Telegraphy Ordinance or the regulations, or have committed a substantial breach of the license conditions. Examples of the principal undertakings identified in our license in this connection are:
Holder in a competing mobile radio telephone operator or in an interested party in a competing mobile radio telephone operator without first obtaining a permit from the Ministry of Communications to do so or has not fulfilled one of the conditions included in such permit. See "Item 4B.12f Our Mobile Telephone License-Our Permit Regarding Cross Ownership."
Our license authorizes us on a non-exclusive basis to establish and operate a mobile telephone network in Israel. The Ministry of Communications amended our license in August 2020 to include the provision of 4G and 5G services in the 700, 900, 1800, 2100, 2600 and 3500 MHZ spectrum and to allow us access network sharing with HOT Mobile, another cellular operator.
License Conditions. Our license imposes many conditions on our conduct.
However, on July 7, 2020, the MoC published an amendment to our cellular license which provides that these two obligations may be replaced by an order issued by virtue of the Communications Law (Telecommunications and Broadcasting), 1982. During February 2021, the Company was issued with such an order, replacing the two abovementioned obligations.
Contracting with Customers. Pursuant to our license, we have submitted our standard agreement with customers to the Ministry of Communications for their examination. To date, we have not received any comments from the Ministry of Communications regarding this agreement.
Tariffs. Our license requires us to submit to the Ministry of Communications information regarding our tariffs (and any changes in our tariffs) before they enter into effect. Our license allows us to set and change our tariffs for outgoing calls and any other service without approval of the Ministry of Communications. However, the Ministry of Communications may intervene in our tariffs if it finds that our tariffs unreasonably harm consumers or competition.
Payments. Our license specifies the payments we may charge our subscribers. These include one-time installation fees, one-time SIM card payments, fixed monthly payments, airtime fees, payments for the use of other telecommunication systems, and payments for additional services. In some of our tariff plans we have chosen to charge only for airtime and use of services. See "Item 4B.5c Tariff Plans."
Interconnection. Like the licenses of Pelephone, Cellcom and HOT Mobile, our license requires that we interconnect our mobile telephone network to other telecommunications networks operating in Israel, including that of Bezeq and other domestic fixed-line operators, the other mobile telephone operators and the international operators.
Conversely, we must allow other network operators to interconnect to our network. See "Item 4B.8h Interconnection".
Service Approval. The Ministry of Communications has the authority to require us to submit for approval details of any of our services (including details concerning tariffs). In addition, we are required to inform the Ministry of Communications prior to the activation of any service on a specified list of services.
Access to Infrastructure. The Ministry of Communications has the power to require us, like the other telephone operators in Israel, to offer access to our network infrastructure to other operators. We may also be required to permit other operators to provide value-added services using our network.
Universal Service. We are required to provide any service with the same coverage as our existing network. According to our license, we are required to meet certain coverage requirements for our 3G, 4G and 5G services.
Territory of License. In May 2000, we were also granted a license from the Israeli Civil Administration, to provide mobile services to the Israeli populated areas in the West Bank. The license is effective until February 1, 2023. The provisions of the general license described above, including as to its extension, generally apply to this license, subject to certain modifications. We believe that that we will be able to receive an extension to this license upon request.
Transfer of license, assets and means of control. Our license may not be transferred, mortgaged or attached without the prior approval of the Ministry of Communications.
We may not sell, lease or mortgage any of the assets which serve for the implementation of our license without the prior approval of the Ministry of Communications, other than in favor of a banking corporation which is legally active in Israel, and in accordance with the conditions of our license.
Our license provides that no direct or indirect control of Partner may be acquired, at one time or through a series of transactions, and no means of control may be transferred in a manner which results in a transfer of control, without the consent of the Ministry of Communications. Furthermore, no direct or indirect holding of 10% or more of any means of control may be transferred or acquired at one time or through a series of transactions, without the consent of the Ministry of Communications. In addition, no shareholder of Partner may permit a lien to be placed on shares of Partner if the foreclosure on such lien would cause a change in the ownership of 10% or more of any of Partner's means of control unless such foreclosure is made subject to the consent of the Ministry of Communications. For purposes of our license, "means of control" means any of:
Each of our ordinary shares and ADSs is considered a means of control in Partner.
In addition, Partner, any entity in which Partner is an Interested Party, as defined below, an Office Holder, as defined below, in Partner or an Interested Party in Partner or an Office Holder in an Interested Party in Partner may not be a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding which may reduce or harm competition in the area of mobile telephone services or any other telecommunications services.
In connection with our initial public offering, our license was amended to provide that our entering into an underwriting agreement for the offering and sale of shares to the public, listing the shares for trading, and depositing shares with the depositary or custodian will not be considered a transfer of any means of control, as defined below. Pursuant to the amendment, if the ADSs (or other "traded means of control," that is, means of control which have been listed for trade or offered through a prospectus and are held by the public) are transferred or acquired in breach
of the restrictions imposed by the license with respect to transfer or acquisition of 10% or more of any means of control, we must notify the Ministry of Communications and request the Ministry's consent within 21 days of learning of the breach. In addition, should a shareholder, other than a founding shareholder, breach these ownership restrictions, or provisions regarding acquisition of control or cross-ownership or cross-control with other mobile telephone operators or shareholdings or agreements which may reduce or harm competition, its shareholdings will be marked as exceptional shares and will be converted into dormant shares, as long as the Ministry's consent is required but not obtained, with no rights other than the right to receive dividends and other distributions to shareholders, and to participate in rights offerings.
The dormant shares must be registered as dormant shares in our share registry. Any shareholder seeking to vote at a general meeting of our shareholders must notify us prior to the vote, or, if the vote is by deed of vote, must so indicate on the deed of vote, whether or not the shareholder's holdings in Partner or the shareholder's vote requires the consent of the Ministry of Communications due to the restrictions on transfer or acquisition of means of control, or provisions regarding cross-ownership or cross-control with other mobile telephone operators or shareholders. If the shareholder does not provide such certification, his instructions shall be invalid and his vote not counted.
The existence of shareholdings which breach the restrictions of our license in a manner which could cause them to be converted into dormant shares and may otherwise provide grounds for the revocation of our license will not serve in and of themselves as the basis for the revocation of our license so long as:
The dormant share mechanism does not apply to our founding shareholders.
The provisions contained in our license are also contained in our Articles of Association. In addition, our Articles of Association contain similar provisions in the event the holdings of shares by a shareholder breaches ownership limits contained in our license.
Revoking, limiting or altering our license. Our license contains several qualifications that we are required to meet. These conditions are designed primarily to ensure that we maintain at least a specified minimum connection to Israel. Other eligibility requirements address potential conflicts of interest and cross-ownership with other Israeli telecommunications operators. The major eligibility requirements are set forth below. A failure to meet these eligibility requirements may lead the Ministry of Communications to revoke, limit or alter our license, after we have been given an opportunity and have failed to remedy it.
However, on July 7, 2020, the MoC published an amendment to our cellular license which provides that these two obligations may be replaced by an order issued by virtue of the Communications Law
(Telecommunications and Broadcasting), 1982. During February 2021, the company was issued with such an order, replacing the two abovementioned obligations.
Change in license conditions. Under our license, the Ministry of Communications may change, add to, or remove conditions of our license if certain conditions exist, including:
During an emergency period, control of Partner's mobile radio telephone system may be assumed by any lawfully authorized person for the security of the State of Israel to ensure the provisions of necessary service to the public, and some of the spectrum granted to us may be withdrawn. In addition, our license requires us to supply certain services to the Israeli defense and security forces. Furthermore, certain of our senior officers are required to obtain security clearance from Israeli authorities.
For the purposes of this discussion, the following definitions apply:
Our license generally prohibits cross-control or cross-ownership among competing mobile telephone operators without a permit from the Ministry of Communications. In particular, Partner, an Office Holder or an Interested Party in Partner, as well as an Office Holder in an Interested Party in Partner may not control or hold, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of any means of control of a competing mobile radio telephone operator. Our license also prohibits any competing mobile radio telephone operator or an Office Holder or an Interested Party in a competing mobile radio telephone operator, or an Office Holder in an Interested Party in a competing mobile radio telephone operator or a person or corporation that controls a competing mobile radio telephone operator from either controlling, or being an Interested Party in us.
However, our license, also provides that the Ministry of Communications may permit an Interested Party in Partner to hold, either directly or indirectly, 5% or more in any of the means of control of a competing mobile radio telephone operator if the Ministry of Communications is satisfied that competition will not be harmed, and on the condition that the Interested Party is an Interested Party in Partner only by virtue of a special calculation described in the license and relating to attributed holdings of shareholders deemed to be in control of a corporation.
Unified License. Partner Land-Line, which is fully owned by the Company, was granted a general-unified license in 2016 for the provision of domestic fixed-line telecommunications services, including VoB services using the infrastructure of Bezeq and HOT Telecom to access customers as well as ILD services, ISP services and endpoint services. See Exhibit 4.(a).2.1, which is incorporated herein by reference. The license expires in 2027 but may be extended by the Ministry of Communications for successive periods of ten years provided that the licensee has complied with the terms of the license and has acted consistently for the enhancement of telecom services and their enhancement. The general conditions of the mobile telephone license described above, generally apply to this license, subject to certain modifications.
We also have a general-unified license to provide fixed-line services to the Israeli populated areas in the West Bank which is valid until January 2027. The general conditions of the general-unified license granted to Partner Land-Line by the MoC, generally apply to this license, subject to certain modifications.
ISP License. In 2001, we received a special license granted by the Ministry of Communications, allowing us through our own facilities to provide internet access to fixed-line network customers. The license is valid until March 2023. We began supplying commercial ISP services beginning in 2009. We were also granted a special license to provide ISP services to the Israeli populated areas in the West Bank which is valid until March 2023.
PHI License. In 2015, P.H.I Networks (2015) Limited Partnership, the limited partnership that we entered into with Hot Mobile received a special license for the provision of radio cellular infrastructure services to other licensees which is valid until August 2025.The license enables PHI to operate the joint network. PHI was also granted a special license to provide these services to the Israeli populated areas in the West Bank which is valid until August 2025.
Electricity License. In October 2021, we were granted a license from the Ministry of Energy to supply electricity without means of production. The License will allow the Company to purchase electricity for sale to consumers that have online meters. The license is valid until October 2026.
Other Licenses. The Ministry of Communications has granted us a trade license pursuant to the Wireless Telegraphy Ordinance. This license regulates issues of servicing and trading in equipment, infrastructure and auxiliary equipment for our network. We have also been granted a number of encryption licenses that permit us to deal with means of encryption, as provided in the aforementioned licenses, within the framework of providing mobile radio telephone services to the public.
On January 1, 2006, the Non-Ionizing Radiation Law (5766-2006), which replaced the Pharmacists (Radioactive Elements and Products) Regulations, 1980 regarding matters that pertain to radiation from cellular sites, was enacted. This law defines the various powers of the Ministry of Environmental Protection as they relate, among others, to the grant of permits for network sites and sets standards for permitted levels of non-ionizing radiation emissions and reporting procedures. Pursuant to this law, most of which entered into effect on January 1, 2007, a request for an operating permit from the Ministry of Environmental Protection with respect to either new sites or existing sites would require a building permit for such site(s). The Ministry of Environmental Protection has adopted the International Radiation Protection Agency's standard as a basis for the consents it gives for the erection and operation of our antennas. This standard is an international standard based upon a number of years of scientific study.
If we continue to face difficulties in obtaining building permits from the local planning and building committee, we may fail to obtain also operation permits from the Ministry of Environmental Protection. Operation of a network site without a permit from the Ministry of Environmental Protection may result in criminal and civil liability to us or to our officers and directors.
The Planning and Building Law requires that we receive a building permit for the construction of most of our antennas. The local committee or local licensing authority in each local authority is authorized to grant building permits, provided such permits are in accordance with National Building Plan No. 36 which came into effect on June 15, 2002. The local committee is made up of members of the local municipal council. The local committee is authorized to delegate certain of its powers to subcommittees on which senior members of the local authority may sit.
The local committee examines the manner in which an application for a building permit conforms to the plans applying to the parcel of land that is the subject of the application, and the extent to which the applicant meets the requirements set forth in the Planning and Building Law. The local committee is authorized to employ technical, vista, and aesthetic considerations in its decision-making process. The local committee may grant building permits that are conditioned upon the quality of the construction of the structure, the safety of flight over the structure, and the external appearance of the structure. Every structure located on a certain parcel of land must satisfy the requirements and definitions set forth in the building plan applicable to such parcel.
On January 3, 2006, the National Council for Planning and Building added a new requirement for obtaining a building permit for network sites: the submission of an undertaking to indemnify the local committee for claims relating to the depreciation of the surrounding property value as a result of the construction or existence of the antenna.
A decision by a local committee not to grant a building permit may be appealed to the District Appeals Committee. A person harmed by the ruling of the District Appeals Committee may have such ruling examined judicially by means of an administrative petition to the District Court sitting as an Administrative Affairs Tribunal.
National Building Plan No. 36 which came into effect on June 15, 2002 regulates the growth of telecommunications infrastructure in Israel. Chapter A of National Building Plan No. 36 sets forth the licensing requirements for the construction of mobile radio telephone infrastructure. National Building Plan No. 36 also adopts the radiation emission standards set by the International Radiation Protection Agency which were also previously adopted by the Ministry of Environmental Protection. We believe that we currently comply with these standards regarding our sites. National Building Plan No. 36 is in the process of being changed. On June 1, 2010, the National Council for Planning and Building approved the National Building Plan No. 36/A/1 version that incorporates all of the amendments to National Building Plan No. 36 ("the Amended Plan").
Current proposed changes impose additional restrictions and/or requirements on the construction and operation of network sites, however the Supreme Court accepted the position of the cellular companies and ruled that in accordance with the Amended Plan, network sites may be approved even if these sites are operating in frequencies not specifically detailed in the frequency charts attached to the Amended Plan.
Under the Non-Ionizing Radiation Law, the National Council for Planning and Building was granted the power to determine the level of indemnification for reduction of property value to be undertaken as a precondition for a cellular company to obtain a building permit for a new or existing network site. As a result, the National Council for Planning and Building has decided that until National Building Plan 36 is amended to reflect a different indemnification amount, cellular companies will be required to undertake to indemnify the building and planning committee for 100% of all losses resulting from claims against the committee. Thus, at present, in order to obtain a building permit for a new or existing network site, we must provide full indemnification for the reduction of property value.
The Amended Plan sets forth the indemnification amounts as a percentage of the value of the depreciated property claims in accordance with the manner in which the licenses were granted as follows: If the license was granted in an expedited licensing route, which is intended for installations that are relatively small in accordance with the Amended Plan criteria, then the cellular companies will be required to compensate the local planning committees in an amount of 100% of the value of the depreciated property claim. If the license was granted in a regular licensing route, which is intended for larger installations in accordance with the Amended Plan criteria, then the cellular companies will be required to compensate the local planning committees in an amount of 80% of the value of the depreciated property claim. The Amended Plan is subject to governmental approval, in accordance with the Planning and Building Law. It is unknown when the government intends to approve the Amended Plan.
The construction of our antennas may be subject to the approval of the Civil Aviation Administration which is authorized to ensure that the construction of our antennas does not interfere with air traffic, depending on the height and location of such antennas. The approval of the Israeli Defense Forces is required in order to coordinate site frequencies so that our transmissions do not interfere with the communications of the Israel Defense Forces.
We, like other cellular operators in Israel, provide repeaters, also known as bi-directional amplifiers, to subscribers seeking an interim solution to weak signal reception within specific indoor locations. In light of the lack of a clear policy of the local planning and building authorities, and in light of the practice of the other cellular operators, we have not requested permits under the Planning and Building Law for the repeaters. However, we have received from the Ministry of Communications an approval to connect the repeaters to our communications network. We have also received from the Ministry of Environmental Protection, the permits that are necessary for the repeaters.
In addition, we construct and operate microwave links as part of our transmission network. The various types of microwave links receive permits from the Ministry of Environmental Protection in respect of their radiation level. Based on an exemption in the Telecommunications Law, we believe that building permits are not required for the installation of most of these microwave links on rooftops, but if in the future the courts or the relevant regulator determine that building permits are necessary for the installation of these sites, it could have a negative impact on our ability to deploy additional microwave links, and could hinder the coverage, quality and capacity of our transmission network and our ability to continue to market our Fixed-Line Services effectively.
We have received approval from the MoC for selling and distributing all of the handsets and other terminal equipment we sell. The Ministry of Environmental Protection also has authority to regulate the sale of handsets in Israel, and under the Non-Ionizing Radiation Law, certain types of devices, which are radiation sources, including cellular handsets, have been exempted from requiring an approval from the Ministry of Environmental Protection so long as the radiation level emitted during the use of such handsets does not exceed the radiation level permitted under the Non-Ionizing Radiation Law. Since June 2002, we have been required to provide information to purchasers of handsets on the Specific Absorption Rate ("SAR") levels of the handsets as well as its compliance with certain standards pursuant to a regulation under the Consumer Protection Law. We attach a brochure to each handset that is sold that includes the SAR level of the specific handset. Such brochures are also available at our service centers and the information is also available on the Company's website. SAR levels are a measurement of non-ionizing radiation that is emitted by a hand-held cellular telephone at its specific rate of absorption by living tissue. While, to the best of our knowledge, the handsets that we market comply with the applicable laws that relate to acceptable SAR levels, we rely on the SAR published by the manufacturer of these handsets and do not perform independent inspections of the SAR levels of these handsets. As the manufacturers' approvals refer to a prototype handset and not for each and every handset, we have no information as to the actual SAR level of each specific handset and throughout its lifecycle, including in the case of equipment repair.
Under a December 2005 amendment to this procedure, in the event that the SAR level is not measured after the repair of a handset, the repairing entity is required to notify the customer by means of a label affixed to the handset that the SAR may have been altered following the repair, in accordance with the provisions relating to the form of such label set forth in the procedure. A consultant had been retained by the MoC to formulate a recommendation regarding the appropriate manner to implement the procedure for repairing handsets but to date the MoC has not yet issued any guidelines and given the continued delay we inform our customers that there may be changes in the SAR levels.
In November 2005, a procedure was adopted by the MoC with regard to the importation, marketing, and approval for 2G and 2.5G handsets. Prior to the implementation of the procedure, suppliers of 2G and 2.5G handsets in Israel were required to obtain an interim, non-binding approval of the handset type from the relevant cellular operators before receiving final approval from the MoC to supply such handsets in Israel to such operators. Under the procedure, handsets that have already received international certification, such as the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) declaration of conformity and the Conformité Européene (CE), prior to their importation into Israel are now exempt from the requirement of receiving an interim, non-binding approval from the relevant cellular operators in Israel. This could expose us to the risk that handsets not reviewed and approved by us may interfere with the operation of our network.
In addition, this procedure also called for repaired handsets to comply with all applicable standards required for obtaining handset type approval, including standards relating to the safety, electromagnetic levels, and SAR levels.
We currently have (i) five directly held wholly-owned subsidiaries, Partner Future Communications 2000 Ltd., an Israeli corporation; Partner Land-Line Communications Solutions LP, an Israeli limited partnership; Partner Business Communications Solutions, LP, an Israeli limited partnership; Get Cell Communication Products LP (formerly Partner Communication Products 2016 LP) and 012 Smile (ii) 012 Smile's wholly-owned subsidiary, 012 Telecom Ltd.; and (iii) a 50% interest in PHI. Partner Future Communications 2000 Ltd. serves as the general partner and the Company serves as the limited partner of each of the limited partnerships.
In 2013, the Company entered into a 15-year Network Sharing Agreement with HOT Mobile. Pursuant to the Network Sharing Agreement, the parties created a 50-50 limited partnership - P.H.I. Networks (2015) Limited Partnership, which will operate and develop a cellular network to be shared by both parties, starting with a pooling of both parties' radio access network infrastructures to create a single shared radio access network. The parties have also established a 50-50 company under the name Net 4 P.H.I Ltd. to be the general partner of the limited partnership. See "Item 4B.8 Our Network".
We lease our headquarter facilities in Rosh Ha-ayin, Israel, with a total of approximately 51,177 gross square meters (including parking lots). An amendment to the lease agreements for its headquarters facility in Rosh Ha'ayin was signed, according to which the lease term is extended until the end of 2034. The rental payments are linked to the Israeli CPI. We also lease call centers in several cities. The leases for each site have different lengths and specific terms. We believe that our current call center facilities are adequate for the foreseeable future, and that we will be able to extend the leases or obtain alternate or additional facilities, if needed, on acceptable commercial terms.
For a description of our telecommunications network, see "Item 4B.8 Our Network" above.
We lease most of the sites where our mobile telecommunications network equipment is installed throughout Israel. At December 31, 2021, we had 3,181 network sites (including micro-sites). The lease agreements relating to our network sites are generally for periods of two to ten years. We have the option to extend the lease periods up to ten years (including the original lease period).
The erection and operation of most of these network sites requires building permits from local or regional zoning authorities, as well as a number of additional permits from governmental and regulatory authorities, and we have had difficulties in obtaining some of these permits.
Difficulties obtaining required permits could continue and therefore affect our ability to maintain cell network sites. In addition, as we grow our subscriber base and seek to improve the range and quality of our services, we need to further expand our network, and difficulties in obtaining required permits may delay, increase the costs or prevent us from achieving these goals in full. See "Item 3D.1j We have had difficulties obtaining some of the building and environmental permits required for the erection and operation of our cellular network sites, and some building permits have not been applied for or may not be fully complied with. These difficulties could have an adverse effect on the coverage, quality and capacity of our network. Operating network sites without building or other required permits, or in a manner that deviates from the applicable permit, may result in criminal or civil liability to us or to our officers and directors." and "Item 4B.12 Regulation".
In 2013, the Company entered into a 15-year Network Sharing Agreement with HOT Mobile. Pursuant to the Network Sharing Agreement, the parties created a 50-50 limited partnership, which is intended to operate and develop a cellular network to be shared by both companies, starting with a pooling of both companies' radio access network infrastructures to create a single shared pooled radio access network. See "Item 4B.8 Our Network".
Lease agreements for our retail stores and service centers are for periods of two to ten years. We have the option to extend the lease agreements for different periods of up to ten additional years (including the original lease period). The average size of our retail stores and service center is approximately 250 square meters. See also note 19 to the consolidated financial statements.
Not applicable.
The following operating and financial review and prospects is based upon and should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and selected financial data, which appear elsewhere in this report. You should also read the risk factors appearing in Item 3D of this Annual Report for a discussion of a number of factors that affect and could affect our financial condition and results of operations.
The table below sets forth a summary of selected financial and operating data for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2021.
| Year ended December 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2021 | |
| Revenues (NIS million) | 3,189 | 3,363 |
| Operating profit (NIS million) | 96 | 163 |
| Profit before income taxes (NIS million) | 27 | 99 |
| Profit for the year (NIS million) | 17 | 115 |
| Capital expenditures (additions) (NIS million) | 595 | 680 |
| Cash flows from operating activities (NIS million) | 786 | 774 |
| Cash flows used in investing activities (NIS million) | (581) | (727) |
| Cellular Subscribers (end of period, thousands) | 2,836 | 3,023 |
| Annual cellular churn rate (%) | 30% | 28% |
| Average monthly revenue per cellular subscriber (ARPU) (NIS) | 51 | 48 |
| TV subscribers (end of period, thousands) | 232 | 226 |
| Infrastructure-based internet subscribers (end of period, thousands) | 329 | 374 |
| Fiber-optic subscribers (end of period, thousands) | 139 | 212 |
| Homes Connected (HC) to the fiber-optic infrastructure | ||
| (end of period, thousands) | 465 | 700 |
The following non-GAAP measures are used in this report. These measures are reviewed by management in assessing our performance and in making decisions regarding our performance, liquidity and financial stability. These measures are not financial measures under IFRS and may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures for other companies. Further, the measures may not be indicative of the Company's historic operating results. The measures are not meant to be predictive of potential future results, nor should they be interpreted without taking into account the Company's financial statements, the notes thereto, and the discussion in "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects".
| Non | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| GAAP | How Measures May Be | Most Comparable IFRS | |
| Measure | Used | Calculation | Measure |
| Adjusted EBITDA Adjusted EBITDA margin (%) |
• For assessing ongoing operating performance excluding depreciation and amortization expenses which are primarily related to past capital expenditures. • Commonly reported and widely used among analysts, investors and other stakeholders in the sector. • Management uses to track performance and to make decisions regarding the ongoing operations of the business. • Also an input to debt covenant ratio calculations for Company's notes payable and borrowings. |
Profit add Income tax income, Finance costs, net, Depreciation and amortization expenses (including amortization of intangible assets, deferred expenses-right of use and impairment charges), Other expenses (mainly amortization of share-based compensation). Adjusted EBITDA divided by Total revenues |
Profit |
| Adjusted Free Cash Flow |
• For assessing liquidity and comparing performance and coverage ratios with other companies in sector. • Management uses to manage and control the level of cash available to service and repay debt, plan capital expenditures and return capital to investors. |
Cash flows from operating activities add Cash flows from investing activities deduct Investment in deposits, net deduct Lease principal payments deduct Lease interest payments |
Cash flows from operating activities add Cash flows from investing activities |
| Total Operating Expenses (OPEX) |
• For assessing ongoing expenses of service revenues, excluding depreciation and amortization expenses which are primarily related to past capital expenditures, and excluding the costs of equipment sales. • Management uses to track current expenses related to service revenues and to make decisions regarding the ongoing operations of |
Cost of service revenues add Selling and marketing expenses add General and administrative expenses add Credit losses deduct Depreciation and amortization expenses deduct Other expenses (mainly amortization of employee share based compensation) |
Sum of: Cost of service revenues, Selling and marketing expenses, General and administrative expenses, Credit losses |
| our business. | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Net Debt | • For assessing financial | Current maturities of notes payable | Sum of: |
| stability, leverage and | and borrowings | Current maturities of notes | |
| flexibility. | add | payable and borrowings, | |
| • Management uses in | Notes payable | Notes payable, | |
| assessments and planning | add | Borrowings from banks, | |
| of capital structure, | Borrowings from banks | Financial liability at fair value | |
| liquidity and financial | add | Less | |
| flexibility. | Financial liability at fair value | Sum of: | |
| • Also an input to debt | deduct | Cash and cash equivalents, | |
| covenant ratio | Cash and cash equivalents | Short-term deposits, | |
| calculations for | deduct | Long-term deposits | |
| Company's notes | Short-term and long-term deposits | ||
| payable and borrowings. |
The results of the year 2021 continued to be materially negatively affected by the COVID-19 crisis which continued to significantly restrain revenues from roaming services, although to a lesser extent than in 2020.
Competition in the Israeli telecommunications market continued to remain intense, across both cellular and fixed-line segment services, as well as in the market for equipment and device sales. However, the negative impact of competition on the Company across cellular segment services continued to decline, as demonstrated by the increase in 2021 of 187,000, or 7%, in the Company's cellular subscriber base. In the fixed-line segment, the Company's infrastructure-based internet subscriber base increased by 45,000 subscribers, or 14%, which was due to the increase of 73,000, or 53%, in the Company's fiber-optic subscriber base.
Cellular market. As an illustration of the level of competition in the cellular market, approximately 1.5 million cellular subscribers are estimated to have switched operators within the Israeli market (with number porting) during 2021 compared with approximately 1.9 million subscribers in 2020.
Over 2021, the Company's cellular subscriber base increased, net, by approximately 187,000. The pre-paid subscriber base increased by approximately 11,000, compared with an increase of approximately 50,000 in 2020. However, the post-paid subscriber base increased by approximately 176,000, compared with an increase of approximately 129,000 in 2020. The increase in the post-paid subscriber base in 2021 included an increase of approximately 50,000 subscribers to twelve-month packages provided to students by the Ministry of Education ("Ministry of Education subscribers") as part of their COVID-19 program. The annual churn rate for cellular subscribers decreased in 2021 to 28% compared with 30% in 2020.
At the end of December 2021, the Company's cellular subscriber base (including cellular data, 012 Mobile subscribers and M2M subscriptions) was approximately 3.02 million, including approximately 2.67 million postpaid subscribers or 88% of the base, and approximately 352,000 pre-paid subscribers, or 12% of the subscriber base. The post-paid subscriber base at the end of December 2021 included approximately 75,000 Ministry of Education subscribers, compared with approximately 25,000 Ministry of Education subscribers at the end of December 2020. Total cellular market share in Israel (based on the number of subscribers) at the end of 2021 was estimated to be approximately 28%, compared with 27% in 2020.
The monthly Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) for cellular subscribers for the year 2021 was NIS 48 (US\$ 15), a decrease of 6% from NIS 51 in 2020. The decrease mainly reflected the continued price erosion of cellular services due to continued competitive market conditions, albeit at a lower rate than in previous years. In addition, the decrease reflected the impact of a decrease in interconnect revenues in 2021 following the particularly high incoming call volumes in 2020 which were related to the COVID-19 crisis. These downward effects were partially offset by the impact of the moderate recovery in roaming service revenues in 2021. Overall, cellular service revenues increased by 2% in 2021 compared with 2020, despite the lower ARPU, as a result of the increased subscriber base.
Fixed line market. Total fixed line segment service revenues increased by 7% in 2021, largely as a result of increased revenues from internet and TV services. Over 2021, the number of infrastructure-based internet subscribers increased, net, by approximately 45,000 from approximately 329,000 subscribers at the end of 2020 to approximately 374,000 subscribers at the end of 2021. The increase was explained by the increase of 73,000, or 53%, in the Company's fiber-optic subscriber base, partially offset by a decrease of 28,000 customers to whom access had been provided through Partner's connection to Bezeq or Hot's infrastructure. The Company's TV subscriber base decreased, net, by approximately 6,000 from approximately 232,000 subscribers at the end of 2020 to approximately 226,000 subscribers at the end of 2021. The decrease largely reflected the removal during 2021 of approximately 21,000 subscribers who had joined the Company at various times in trial periods of over six months without charge or usage. It also reflected the impact of the strategic business change in TV services in the second half of 2021 towards a focus on improving results through disciplined growth. The increase in revenues from internet and TV services was partially offset by the continued decrease in revenues from international calling services (including the market for wholesale international traffic) which continued to be adversely affected by the increased penetration of internet-based solutions.
Equipment sales. Gross profit from equipment sales increased by 5% in 2021, largely reflecting an increase in the volume of retail cellular equipment sales compared with the lower sales volumes in 2020 resulting from the closure of sales points during certain COVID-19-related lockdown periods.
Total operating expenses. Total operating expenses increased by NIS 30 million, or 2%, in 2021 compared with 2020 to a total of NIS 1,901 million (US\$ 611 million) (including cost of service revenues (NIS 2,156 million in 2021) and selling, marketing, administrative expenses and credit losses (NIS 496 million in 2021), and excluding depreciation, amortization and impairment expenses and other expenses (mainly amortization of employee sharebased compensation) (NIS 751 million in 2021); this measure is not a financial measure under IFRS and may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures for other companies. For reconciliation to GAAP measures see Item 5A.2.) The increase mainly reflected an increase in workforce expenses compared with the lower workforce expenses in 2020 as part of the cost-cutting measures taken in 2020 to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on revenues. The increase also reflected increases in TV content expenses and expenses related to the governmentmandated fiber incentive fund from 2021. These increases were offset by decreases in wholesale internet infrastructure access expenses, in credit losses and in interconnect expenses. See Items 5A.2a and 5A.2b for a breakdown of total operating expenses by segment.
Profitability. Profit for the year 2021 was NIS 115 million (US\$ 37 million), an increase of NIS 98 million, compared with NIS 17 million in 2020, mainly reflecting the increase in operating profit of NIS 67 milion and a one-time income of NIS 43 million recorded in income tax income; see Note 25 e (1) to our consolidated financial statements and Item 5A.2 for further information. Adjusted EBITDA in 2021 totaled NIS 922 million (US\$ 296 million), an increase of NIS 100 million, or 12%, from NIS 822 million in 2020, primarily reflecting the increase in service revenues, partially offset by the increase in total operating expenses. Although operating profit for the fixedline segment was negative for 2021, EBITDA improved, and the negative bottom-line reflected principally the increase in depreciation and amortization expenses as our fiber-optic network and related assets for fixed-line services were significantly expanded during the year.
In November 2013, the Company entered into a 15-year Network Sharing Agreement with HOT Mobile. Pursuant to the Network Sharing Agreement, the parties created a 50-50 limited partnership - P.H.I. Networks (2015) Limited Partnership, which operates and develops a radio access network shared by both parties, starting with a pooling of both parties' radio access network infrastructures creating a single shared pooled radio access network. See "4B.8 OUR NETWORK." The Parties also established a 50-50 company limited by shares under the name Net 4 P.H.I Ltd., to be the general partner of the limited partnership.
In February 2016, HOT Mobile exercised its option under the Network Sharing Agreement ("NSA") to advance the payment date of a onetime amount of NIS 250 million ("Lump Sum"), which was received in 2016. Therefore according to the NSA from April 2016 onward (i) each party bears half of the expenditures relating to the Shared Network, and (ii) the operating costs of the Shared Network are borne according to a pre-determined
apportionment mechanism, according to which one half of the operating costs is shared equally by the parties, and one half is divided between the parties according to the relative volume of their respective traffic consumption in the Shared Network ("Capex-Opex Mechanism").
The Lump Sum is recognized as deferred revenue for the cellular segment amortized quarterly in the income statement over a period of eight years, starting with the second quarter of 2016. Eight years has been determined to be the shorter of the expected period of the arrangement or the expected life of the related assets. Accordingly, approximately NIS 31 million (US\$ 10 million) was amortized to revenues in the Company's income statement for each of the years 2019, 2020 and 2021.
The Network Sharing Agreement provides material financial benefits to Partner in terms of both recognition of the amortized Lump Sum payments and savings in operational expenses and capital investments; however, such financial benefits are dependent on factors set forth in the related risk factor. See "Item 3D.2m If the Network Sharing Agreement entered into with HOT Mobile is unilaterally terminated by HOT Mobile earlier than we expect, we will be required to split the shared network with HOT Mobile and the resources, time and expense it may take us to have our own network in a nationwide coverage would be substantial and could also materially harm our business and the results of operations at such time."
Control over PHI is held 50-50 by the Company and Hot Mobile (the "Parties"), each nominating three directors. Decisions about the relevant activities of PHI require the unanimous consent of the Parties. As a result, PHI is considered a joint arrangement controlled by the Parties (joint control).
The activities of the joint arrangement are primarily designed for the provision of output to the Parties. The joint arrangement terms give the Parties rights to the assets, and obligations for the liabilities and expenses of PHI. Furthermore, the Parties have rights to substantially all of the economic benefits of PHI's assets. PHI's liabilities are in substance satisfied by the cash flows received from the Parties, as the Parties are substantially the source of cash flows contributing to the continuity of the operations of PHI. The Company accounts for its rights in the assets of PHI and obligations for the liabilities and expenses of PHI as a joint operation, recognizing its share in the assets, liabilities, and expenses of PHI.
Goodwill in the fixed-line segment is allocated to a single group of Cash Generating Units (CGUs) which constitute all the operations of the fixed-line segment, in an amount of NIS 407 million.
For the purpose of the goodwill impairment tests in the fixed-line segment as of December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, the recoverable amount was assessed by management with the assistance of an external independent expert (BDO Ziv Haft Consulting & Management Ltd.) based on value-in-use calculations. The value-in-use calculations use pre-tax cash flow projections covering a five-year period. Cash flows beyond the five-year period to be generated from continuing use are extrapolated using estimated growth rates. The terminal growth rate represents the long-term average growth rate of the fixed-line communications services business. The key assumptions used are as follows:
| As of December 31, | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
| Terminal growth rate | 0.9% | 1.0% | 1.0% | 1.0% | 1.0% |
| After-tax discount rate | 9.3% | 9.5% | 8.0% | 7.5% | 7.0% |
| Pre-tax discount rate | 11.2% | 11.5% | 9.6% | 9.0% | 8.5% |
The impairment tests in the fixed-line segment as of December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, were based on assessments of financial performance and future strategies in light of current and expected market and economic conditions. Trends in the economic and financial environment, competition and regulatory authorities' decisions, or changes in competitors' behavior in response to the economic environment may affect the estimate of recoverable amounts.
As a result of the impairment tests, the Group determined that no goodwill impairment existed as of December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021. See also note 4(3) and note 2(h) to our consolidated financial statements.
Sensitivity Analysis:
The headroom of the fixed line segment recoverable amount over the carrying amount as of December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021 was approximately 42%, 37% and 52% respectively. Sensitivity analysis was performed for the recoverable amount as of December 31, 2021 for a change of the after-tax discount rate within the range of ± 10% multiplied by the variable 7% (6.3% to 7.7%), assuming all other variables constant. Sensitivity analysis was also performed for a change of the terminal growth rate within the range of ± 1% of the variable 1.0% (0% to 2%), assuming all other variables constant. Results showed that no impairment charge is required for both analyses.
The economic slowdown in the markets triggered in March 2020 the identification of indicators for impairment of non-financial assets. In particular, the significant fall in the volume of international travel by the Company's customers has caused a significant decrease in revenues from roaming services, which affected the cellular segment. In addition, the temporary closures of shopping malls and changes in general consumer behavior adversely affected the volume of sales of equipment, which affected the cellular and the fixed-line segments.
The Company tested the recoverable amount of the fixed line segment as of March 31, 2020, based on value-in-use calculations. The recoverable amount was assessed by management with the assistance of an external independent expert (BDO Ziv Haft Consulting & Management Ltd.). The value-in-use calculations use pre-tax cash flow projections covering a five-year period. Cash flows beyond the five-year period to be generated from continuing use are extrapolated using estimated growth rates. The terminal growth rate represents the long-term average growth rate of the fixed-line communications services business. The key assumptions used are as follows:
| March 31, 2020 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terminal growth rate | 1.0% | |||
| After-tax discount rate | 8.25% | |||
| Pre-tax discount rate | 9.9% |
As a result of the impairment test, the Group determined that no impairment existed as of March 31, 2020.
The Company tested as of March 2020 the impairment of the cellular segment assets with the assistance of an external independent expert (BDO Ziv Haft Consulting & Management Ltd.), using a reasonable approximation of its fair value less costs of selling as its recoverable amount, and determined that no impairment was required.
For information regarding developments which have had and may have a significant impact on our operating results, see "Item 3D.1 RISKS RELATING TO THE REGULATION OF OUR INDUSTRY" and "Item 4B.12 REGULATION".
We derive revenues from both providing services and selling equipment. See also "Item 4B.5 SERVICES AND PRODUCTS".
Our principal source of revenues is the cellular segment, deriving from the provision of cellular communications services such as airtime calls, international roaming services, text messaging, internet browsing, value-added and content services, handset repair services and services provided to other operators that use the Company's cellular network.
The fixed-line business segment derives revenues from a variety of fixed-line services that include data and internet services, ILD services, transmission services, telephony services (including SIP services) and, from 2017, TV services.
Equipment revenues are derived from the sale and leasing of a variety of communications, digital audio visual and internet-related equipment and other related equipment, including cellular handsets and related cellular devices and accessories, business communications equipment, modems, domestic routers, servers and related equipment and more.
The principal components of our cost of revenues are:
The principal components of our selling and marketing expenses are:
The principal components of our general and administrative expenses are:
Credit losses are equivalent to net impairment losses on financial and contract assets under IAS1(82).
The principal component of our other income, net, is:
• Unwinding of trade receivables
The principal components of our finance expenses are:
The principal components of our finance income are:
Our primary key business indicators for the cellular segment are as follows. These indicators are widely used in the cellular telephone service industry to evaluate performance.
Our primary key business indicators for the fixed-line segment are as follows:
For the Company's Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgments, see Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with IFRS.
| New Israeli Shekels Year ended December 31, 2021 |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In millions | ||||
| Cellular segment |
Fixed-line segment |
Elimination | Consolidated | |
| Segment revenue – Services | 1,687 | 948 | 2,635 | |
| Inter-segment revenue – Services | 12 | 118 | (130) | |
| Segment revenue – Equipment | 602 | 126 | 728 | |
| Total revenues | 2,301 | 1,192 | (130) | 3,363 |
| Segment cost of revenues – Services | 1,204 | 952 | 2,156 | |
| Inter-segment cost of revenues - Services | 117 | 13 | (130) | |
| Segment cost of revenues – Equipment | 498 | 78 | 576 | |
| Cost of revenues | 1,819 | 1,043 | (130) | 2,732 |
| Gross profit | 482 | 149 | 631 | |
| Operating expenses (1) | 302 | 194 | 496 | |
| Other income, net | 17 | 11 | 28 | |
| Operating profit (loss) | 197 | (34) | 163 | |
| Reconciliation of profit for the year to Adjusted EBITDA |
||||
| Profit for the year | 115 | |||
| Finance costs, net | 64 | |||
| Income tax income | (16) | |||
| Sub Total | 163 | |||
| Depreciation and amortization | 410 | 334 | 744 | |
| Other (2) | 9 | 6 | 15 | |
| Adjusted EBITDA (3) | 616 | 306 | 922 | |
| New Israeli Shekels | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year ended December 31, 2020 | |||||
| In millions | |||||
| Cellular | Fixed-line | ||||
| segment | segment | Elimination | Consolidated | ||
| Segment revenue – Services | 1,647 | 861 | 2,508 |
| Inter-segment revenue – Services | 16 | 132 | (148) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Segment revenue – Equipment | 545 | 136 | 681 | |
| Total revenues | 2,208 | 1,129 | (148) | 3,189 |
| Segment cost of revenues – Services | 1,272 | 856 | 2,128 | |
| Inter-segment cost of revenues - Services | 131 | 17 | (148) | |
| Segment cost of revenues – Equipment | 451 | 85 | 536 | |
| Cost of revenues | 1,854 | 958 | (148) | 2,664 |
| Gross profit | 354 | 171 | 525 | |
| Operating expenses (1) | 300 | 159 | 459 | |
| Other income, net | 19 | 11 | 30 | |
| Operating profit | 73 | 23 | 96 | |
| Reconciliation of profit for the year to | ||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | ||||
| Profit for the year | 17 | |||
| Finance costs, net | 69 | |||
| Income tax expenses | 10 | |||
| Sub Total | 96 | |||
| Depreciation and amortization | 450 | 264 | 714 | |
| Other (2) | 10 | 2 | 12 | |
| Adjusted EBITDA (3) | 533 | 289 | 822 |
(1) Operating expenses include selling and marketing expenses, general and administrative expenses and credit losses.
(2) Mainly amortization of employee share-based compensation.
(3) Adjusted EBITDA represents Earnings Before Interest (finance costs, net), Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (including amortization of intangible assets, deferred expenses-right of use and impairment charges) and Other expenses (mainly amortization of share-based compensation). Adjusted EBITDA is not a financial measure under IFRS and may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures for other companies. Adjusted EBITDA may not be indicative of the Group's historic operating results nor is it meant to be predictive of potential future results. See "Item 5A.1a - NON-GAAP MEASURES" above. The usage of the term "Adjusted EBITDA" is to highlight the fact that the Amortization includes amortization of deferred expenses – right of use and amortization of employee share-based compensation and impairment charges.
Total revenues. In 2021, total revenues were NIS 3,363 million (US\$ 1,081 million), an increase of 5% from NIS 3,189 million in 2020.
Revenues from services. Service revenues in 2021 totaled NIS 2,635 million (US\$ 847 million), an increase of 5% from NIS 2,508 million in 2020.
Revenues from equipment sales. Equipment revenues in 2021 totaled NIS 728 million (US\$ 234 million), an increase of 7% from NIS 681 million in 2020, largely reflecting an increase in the volume of retail cellular equipment sales compared with the lower sales volumes in 2020 resulting from the closure of sales points during certain COVID-19-related lockdown periods. The increase was partially offset by decreases in the volume of fixedline equipment sales and of cellular equipment sales to wholesale customers.
Gross profit from service revenues. The gross profit from service revenues in 2021 was NIS 479 million (US\$ 154 million), compared with NIS 380 million in 2020, an increase of 26%. The increase reflected an increase in gross profit from service revenues for the cellular segment, partially offset by a decrease in gross profit from service revenues for the fixed-line segment. See also note 22 to our consolidated financial statements.
Gross profit from equipment sales. Gross profit from equipment sales in 2021 was NIS 152 million (US\$ 49 million), compared with NIS 145 million in 2020, an increase of 5%. As with revenues from equipment sales, the increase largely reflected the increase in the volume of retail cellular equipment sales as a result of the closure of sales points during certain COVID-19-related lockdown periods in 2020.
Selling, marketing, general and administrative expenses and credit losses. Selling, marketing, general and administrative expenses and credit losses totaled NIS 496 million (US\$ 159 million) in 2021, an increase of 8% compared with NIS 459 million in 2020. The increase mainly reflected an increase in workforce expenses compared with the lower workforce expenses in 2020 as part of the cost-cutting measures taken in 2020 to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on revenues. The increase also reflected an increase in amortization expenses of customer contract costs, as the number of customer contracts increased.
Total operating expenses ("OPEX"). Total operating expenses increased by NIS 30 million, or 2%, in 2021 compared with 2020 to a total of NIS 1,901 million (US\$ 611 million); this measure is not a financial measure under IFRS and may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures for other companies, see reconciliation below. The increase mainly reflected the increase in workforce expenses in the fixed-line segment compared with the lower workforce expenses in 2020 as part of the cost-cutting measures taken in 2020 to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on revenues. The increase also reflected increases in TV content expenses and expenses related to the government-mandated fiber incentive fund from 2021. These effects were partially offset by decreases in wholesale internet infrastructure access expenses, credit losses and interconnect expenses. See Items 5A.2a and 5A.2b for a breakdown of total operating expenses by segment.
| Reconciliation of Segment Information to Total Operating Expenses | Year ended December 31, | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2021 | ||
| NIS in millions | |||
| Segment cost of revenues – Services | 2,128 | 2,156 | |
| Add Operating expenses | 459 | 496 | |
| Deduct depreciation, amortization and impairment expenses and other | |||
| ---expenses (mainly amortization of employee share-based compensation) | (716) | (751) | |
| Total Operating Expenses | 1,871 | 1,901 |
Including depreciation, amortization and other expenses (mainly amortization of employee share-based compensation), total operating expenses in 2021 amounted to NIS 2,652 million (US\$ 853 million), an increase of 3%, or NIS 65 million, compared with NIS 2,587 million in 2020. See also note 22 to our consolidated financial statements.
Other income, net. Other income, net, totaled NIS 28 million (US\$ 9 million) in 2021, a decrease of 7% compared with NIS 30 million in 2020. See also note 23 to our consolidated financial statements.
Operating profit. Operating profit for 2021 was NIS 163 million (US\$ 52 million), an increase of 70% compared with operating profit of NIS 96 million in 2020. The increase in operating profit mainly reflected the increase in service revenues which more than offset the increase in operating expenses including depreciation and amortization expenses.
Finance costs, net. Finance costs, net in 2021 were NIS 64 million (US\$ 21 million), a decrease of 7% compared with NIS 69 million in 2020. The decrease mainly reflected the one-time expense in 2020 of approximately NIS 7 million relating to the partial early repayment of the Company's Notes Series F during the year. See also "Item 5B Liquidity and Capital Resources."
Profit before income tax. Profit before income taxes for 2021 was NIS 99 million (US\$ 32 million), an
increase of NIS 72 million compared with NIS 27 million in 2020, mainly reflecting the increase in operating profit.
Income taxes on profit. The Company recorded income tax income of NIS 16 million (US\$ 5 million) for 2021, compared with income tax expenses of NIS 10 million for 2020.
In 2021, the Company recorded one-time income of NIS 43 million in income tax reflecting the impact of the signing of a tax assessment with the tax authority for the years 2016 to 2019.
The overall effective tax rate of the Company was minus 16% in 2021 compared with 37% in 2020, largely as a result of the one-time income tax income in 2021.
Excluding the one-time income, the effective tax rate of the Company in 2021 would have been 27% compared with the regular corporate tax rate in Israel of 23%, reflecting disallowable deductions. The Company's effective tax rate is expected to continue to be higher than the general Israeli corporate tax rate (excluding one-time effects) mainly due to disallowable deductions. See also note 25 to our consolidated financial statements.
Profit. Profit in 2021 was NIS 115 million (US\$ 37 million), an increase of NIS 98 million compared with NIS 17 million in 2020. Based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during 2021, basic earnings per share or ADS was NIS 0.63 (US\$ 0.20), compared with NIS 0.09 in 2020.
For information regarding potential downward impacts on profits in 2022, see "Item 5D.2 Outlook."
Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA in 2021 totaled NIS 922 million (US\$ 296 million), an increase of 12% or NIS 100 million from NIS 822 million in 2020. As a percentage of total revenues, Adjusted EBITDA in 2021 was 27%, compared with 26% in 2020.
Total revenues. Total revenues for the cellular segment in 2021 were NIS 2,301 million (US\$ 740 million), an increase of 4% from NIS 2,208 million in 2020.
Revenues from services. Service revenues for the cellular segment in 2021 totaled NIS 1,699 million (US\$ 546 million), an increase of 2% from NIS 1,663 million in 2020. The increase was mainly the result of growth in the cellular subscriber base of 187,000 subscribers, or 7%, in 2021 and a moderate increase in revenues from roaming services following the significant negative impact of the COVID-19 crisis on revenues from roaming services in 2020. The increase was partially offset by a decrease in interconnect revenues following the significant increase in incoming call volumes in 2020 related to the COVID-19 crisis. It was also partially offset by the continued price erosion of cellular services due to on-going competitive market conditions which remain intense, although with less negative impact on the Company's revenues than in previous years.
Revenues from equipment. Revenues from equipment sales for the cellular segment in 2021 totaled NIS 602 million (US\$ 194 million), an increase of 10% from NIS 545 million in 2020, mainly reflecting the increase in the volume of retail cellular equipment sales as a result of the closure of sales points during certain COVID-19-related lockdown periods in 2020, partially offset by a decrease in the volume of cellular equipment sales to wholesale customers.
Gross profit from equipment sales. The gross profit from equipment sales for the cellular segment in 2021 was NIS 104 million (US\$ 33 million), compared with NIS 94 million in 2020, an increase of 11%. This increase mainly reflected the increase in the volume of retail cellular equipment sales as a result of the closure of sales points during certain COVID-19-related lockdown periods in 2020, as described above.
Cost of service revenues. The cost of service revenues for the cellular segment decreased by 6% from NIS 1,403 million in 2020 to NIS 1,321 million (US\$ 425 million) in 2021. This decrease mainly reflected a decrease in depreciation and amortization expenses related to the cellular network, as some fully depreciated network equipment was not replaced, as well as in workforce and related expenses, interconnect expenses and network maintenance expenses. These effects were partially offset by expenses in an amount of NIS 12 million related to the governmentmandated fiber incentive fund which began operating in 2021.
Selling, marketing, general and administrative expenses and credit losses. Selling, marketing, general and administrative expenses and credit losses for the cellular segment in 2021 amounted to NIS 302 million (US\$ 97 million), an increase of 1% from NIS 300 million in 2020. The increase mainly reflected an increase in workforce and related expenses compared with the lower workforce expenses in 2020 as part of the cost-cutting measures taken in 2020 to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on revenues. The increase also reflected an increase in selling commissions, net. These increases in expenses were partially offset by an immaterial decrease in credit losses, reflecting both a decrease in provisions for expected credit losses related to the sale of equipment with long term financing plans as well as the provision for expected credit losses related to the COVID-19 crisis that was recorded in 2020.
Total operating expenses ("OPEX"). Total operating expenses (OPEX is not a financial measure under IFRS and is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures for other companies; see "Item 5A.2" for reconciliation on a consolidated basis) for the cellular segment totaled NIS 1,212 million (US\$ 390 million) in 2021, a decrease of 3% or NIS 41 million from NIS 1,253 million in 2020, principally due to the decreases in credit losses, network and cable maintenance, interconnect expenses and workforce and related expenses. These decreases were partially offset by the expenses related to the government-mandated fiber incentive fund, as discussed above. See also note 22 to our consolidated financial statements. Including depreciation and amortization expenses and other expenses (mainly amortization of employee share-based compensation), total operating expenses totaled NIS 1,623 million (US\$ 522 million), a decrease of 5% compared with NIS 1,703 million in 2020.
Operating profit. Overall, operating profit for the cellular segment in 2021 was NIS 197 million (US\$ 63 million), an increase of NIS 124 million compared with NIS 73 million in 2020, mainly reflecting the decrease in operating expenses including depreciation and amortization expenses and other expenses and the increases in cellular segment service revenues and in gross profit from equipment sales.
Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA for the cellular segment was NIS 616 million (US\$ 198 million) in 2021, an increase of 16% from NIS 533 million in 2020, largely for the same reasons as the increase in operating profit (excluding depreciation and amortization expenses and other expenses). As a percentage of total cellular revenues, Adjusted EBITDA for the cellular segment in 2021 was 27% compared with 24% in 2020.
Total revenues. Total revenues in 2021 for the fixed-line segment were NIS 1,192 million (US\$ 383 million), an increase of 6% compared with NIS 1,129 million in 2020.
Revenues from services. Service revenues for the fixed-line segment totaled NIS 1,066 million (US\$ 343 million) in 2021, an increase of 7% compared with NIS 993 million in 2020. This increase mainly reflected the increase in revenues resulting from the growth in internet and TV services, which was partially offset by a decline in revenues from international calling services (including the market for wholesale international traffic) which continue to be adversely affected by the increased penetration of internet-based solutions. See also "Item 3D.2p The telecommunications industry is subject to rapid and significant changes in technology and industry structure which could reduce demand for our services."
Revenues from equipment. Revenues from equipment sales for the fixed-line segment in 2021 totaled NIS 126 million (US\$ 41 million), a decrease of 7% compared with NIS 136 million in 2020, mainly reflecting a decrease in the volume of sales of fixed-line equipment for both business and private customers. The decrease in the volume of sales for private customers was largely related to the Company's decision in the final quarter of 2021 to cease selling internet routers to private customers.
Gross profit from equipment sales. The gross profit from equipment sales for the fixed-line segment in 2021 was NIS 48 million (US\$ 15 million), compared with NIS 51 million in 2020, a decrease of 6%, again largely a reflection of the impact of the decrease in sales recorded from sales of of fixed-line equipment for both business and private customers.
Cost of service revenues. The cost of service revenues for the fixed-line segment increased by 11% from NIS 873 million in 2020 to NIS 965 million (US\$ 310 million) in 2021. This increase mainly reflected a significant increase in depreciation and amortization expenses related to the fiber-optic network, customer equipment and the
costs of obtaining contracts with customers. In addition, the Company recorded, in Q3 2021, a provision for an impairment of fixed-line assets in an amount of NIS 10 million, following a strategic business change in TV services which the Company estimated would likely lead to the churn of certain fixed-line service subscribers. The increase in cost of service revenues also reflected an increase in workforce and related expenses which was partially explained by the lower workforce expenses in 2020 as part of the cost-cutting measures taken in 2020 to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on revenues) and an increase in TV content expenses.
These increases were partly offset by a decrease in wholesale internet infrastructure expenses reflecting both the impact of the decrease in the regulated wholesale access tariff at the beginning of 2021 and the decrease in the number of Company subscribers using Bezeq or Hot's infrastructure. The increases in cost of service revenues were also partly offset by and decreases in international calling services expenses and in interconnect expenses.
Selling, marketing, general and administrative expenses and credit losses. Selling, marketing, general and administrative expenses and credit losses for the fixed-line segment in 2021 amounted to NIS 194 million (US\$ 62 million), an increase of 22% from NIS 159 million in 2020. The increase mainly reflected increased workforce and related expenses, partially explained by the lower workforce expenses in 2020 as part of the cost-cutting measures taken in 2020 to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on revenues, and increased depreciation and amortization expenses related to the growth in fixed-line segment services.
Total operating expenses ("OPEX"). Total operating expenses (OPEX is not a financial measure under IFRS and not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures for other companies; see Item 5A.2 for reconciliation on a consolidated basis) for the fixed-line segment totaled NIS 819 million (US\$ 263 million) in 2021, an increase of 7% or NIS 53 million from NIS 766 million in 2020. See also note 22 to our consolidated financial statements. The increase principally reflected the increases in workforce and related expenses, partially explained by the lower workforce expenses in 2020 as part of the cost-cutting measures taken in 2020 to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on revenues, and in TV content expenses, partially offset by the decrease in wholesale internet infrastructure expenses. Including depreciation, amortization and impairment expenses and other expenses (mainly amortization of employee share-based compensation), total operating expenses for the fixed-line segment totaled NIS 1,159 million (US\$ 373 million), an increase of 12% compared with NIS 1,032 million in 2020.
Operating profit/loss. Operating loss for the fixed-line segment was NIS 34 million (US\$ 11 million) in 2021, a decrease of NIS 57 million compared to operating profit of NIS 33 million in 2020. The decrease mainly reflected the impact of the growth in fixed-line segment services on depreciation and amortization expenses and the increase in workforce and related expenses, which was partially explained by the lower workforce expenses in 2020 as part of the cost-cutting measures taken to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on revenues.
Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA for the fixed-line segment was NIS 306 million (US\$ 98 million) in 2021, an increase of 6% from NIS 289 million in 2020. The increase resulted from the growth in services revenues, which was partially offset by the increase in total operating expenses (excluding depreciation, amortization and impairment expenses and other expenses (mainly amortization of employee share-based compensation)). As a percentage of total fixed-line revenues, Adjusted EBITDA for the fixed-line segment in 2021 was 26%, unchanged from 2020.
| New Israeli Shekels | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year ended December 31, 2019 | |||||
| In millions | |||||
| Cellular segment |
Fixed line segment |
Elimination | Consolidated |
| Segment revenue - Services | 1,783 | 777 | 2,560 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inter-segment revenue - Services | 15 | 148 | (163) | |
| Segment revenue - Equipment | 571 | 103 | 674 | |
| Total revenues | 2,369 | 1,028 | (163) | 3,234 |
| Segment cost of revenues - Services | 1,367 | 810 | 2,177 | |
| Inter-segment cost of revenues - Services | 147 | 16 | (163) | |
| Segment cost of revenues - Equipment | 464 | 66 | 530 | |
| Cost of revenues | 1,978 | 892 | (163) | 2,707 |
| Gross profit | 391 | 136 | 527 | |
| Operating expenses (1) | 334 | 134 | 468 | |
| Other income, net | 20 | 8 | 28 | |
| Operating profit | 77 | 10 | 87 | |
| Reconciliation of profit for the year to Adjusted EBITDA |
||||
| Profit for the year | 19 | |||
| Finance costs, net | 68 | |||
| Income tax expenses | * | |||
| Sub Total | 87 | |||
| Depreciation and amortization | 542 | 209 | 751 | |
| Other (2) | 16 | (1) | 15 | |
| Adjusted EBITDA (3) | 635 | 218 | 853 | |
(*) Representing an amount of less than 1 million.
Total revenues. In 2020, total revenues were NIS 3,189 million, a decrease of 1% from NIS 3,234 million in 2019.
Revenues from services. Service revenues in 2020 totaled NIS 2,508 million, a decrease of 2% from NIS 2,560 million in 2019.
Revenues from equipment. Equipment revenues in 2020 totaled NIS 681 million, an increase of 1% from NIS 674 million in 2019, principally reflecting significant increases in sales of cellular equipment to wholesale customers and of fixed-line equipment for both business and private customers. These increases in sales were
partially offset by lower volumes of retail sales of cellular equipment following the closure of some sales points during certain COVID-19-related lockdown periods during the year.
Gross profit from service revenues. The gross profit from service revenues in 2020 was NIS 380 million, compared with NIS 383 million in 2019, a decrease of 1%. This decrease largely reflected the negative impact of the COVID-19 on revenues from roaming services, which was partially offset by the positive contribution from the growth in internet and TV services. In addition, the decrease in revenues was partially offset by a decrease in depreciation and amortization expenses, the cost-cutting measures taken to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 crisis, and the receipt in 2020 of a government-mandated refund from Bezeq of approximately NIS 20 million of payments for access to the wholesale internet infrastructure in previous years.
Gross profit from equipment sales. Gross profit from equipment sales in 2020 was NIS 145 million, compared with NIS 144 million in 2019, an increase of 1%. The increase mainly reflected an increase in gross profit from sales of fixed-line equipment, partially offset by a decrease in gross profit from sales of cellular equipment.
Selling, marketing, general and administrative expenses and credit losses. Selling, marketing, general and administrative expenses and credit losses totaled NIS 459 million in 2020, a decrease of 2% compared with NIS 468 million in 2019. This decrease mainly reflected the cost-cutting measures on workforce expenses, whose effect was partially offset by an increase in amortization expenses related to the costs of obtaining contracts with customers under IFRS 15 and an immaterial increase in credit losses reflecting an increase in the provision for expected credit losses as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.
Total operating expenses ("OPEX"). Total operating expenses amounted to NIS 1,871 million in 2020, a decrease of 1%, or NIS 14 million, from 2019 (OPEX is not a financial measure under IFRS and not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures for other companies. It includes cost of service revenues (NIS 2,128 million in 2020) and selling, marketing, general and administrative expenses and credit losses (NIS 459 million in 2020), and excludes depreciation, amortization and impairment expenses and other expenses (mainly amortization of employee share-based compensation) (NIS 716 million in 2020)). The decrease mainly reflected a decrease in workforce and related expenses as part of the cost-cutting measures taken to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on revenues, and a decrease in wholesale internet infrastructure access expenses following receipt of a government-mandated refund from Bezeq of approximately NIS 20 million of payments for access to the wholesale internet infrastructure in previous years and a decrease in international calling services expenses. The decreases in these expenses were partially offet by increases in interconnect expenses due to the significant increase in outgoing call volumes related to the COVID-19 crisis. See also Items 5A.2a and 5A.2b for a breakdown of total operating expenses by segment.
Including depreciation, amortization and other expenses (mainly amortization of employee share-based compensation), total operating expenses in 2020 amounted to NIS 2,587 million, a decrease of 2%, or NIS 58 million, compared with NIS 2,645 million in 2019.
Other income, net. Other income, net, totaled NIS 30 million in 2020, an increase of 7% compared with NIS 28 million in 2019. See also note 23 to our consolidated financial statements.
Operating profit. Operating profit for 2020 was NIS 96 million, an increase of 10% compared with operating profit of NIS 87 million in 2019. The increase in operating profit mainly reflected the decrease in operating expenses including depreciation and amortization expenses, which more than offset the decrease in service revenues.
Finance costs, net. Finance costs, net in 2020 were NIS 69 million, an increase of 1% compared with NIS 68 million in 2019. The increase mainly reflected the one-time expense of approximately NIS 7 million relating to the partial early repayment of the Company's Notes Series F during the year, partially offset by a decrease in lease interest and an increase in interest from cash and deposits. See also "Item 5B Liquidity and Capital Resources."
Profit before income tax. Profit before income taxes for 2020 was NIS 27 million, an increase of 42% compared with NIS 19 million in 2019, reflecting the increase in operating profit.
Income taxes on profit. The Company recorded income tax expenses of NIS 10 million for 2020, compared with no income tax expenses for 2019.
In 2019, the Company recorded a one-time income of NIS 6 million in income tax expenses.
The effective tax rate of the Company was 37% in 2020 compared with 0% in 2019, and compared with the regular corporate tax rate in Israel of 23% for 2019 and 2020, largely as a result of non-deductible expenses and the one-time factor in 2019 described immediately above.
Excluding the one-time factor in 2019, the effective tax rate of the Company in 2019 would have been 32%. See also note 25 to our consolidated financial statements.
Profit. Profit in 2020 was NIS 17 million, a decrease of 11% compared with NIS 19 million in 2019. Based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during 2020, basic earnings per share or ADS was NIS 0.09, compared with NIS 0.12 in 2019.
Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA in 2020 totaled NIS 822 million, a decrease of 4% or NIS 31 million from NIS 853 million in 2019. As a percentage of total revenues, Adjusted EBITDA in 2020 was 26%, unchanged from 2019.
Total revenues. Total revenues for the cellular segment in 2020 were NIS 2,208 million, a decrease of 7% from NIS 2,369 million in 2019.
Revenues from services. Service revenues for the cellular segment in 2020 totaled NIS 1,663 million, a decrease of 8% from NIS 1,798 million in 2019. The decrease was mainly the result of the negative impact of the COVID-19 crisis, which caused a very significant reduction in revenues from roaming services, and the continued price erosion of cellular services due to on-going competitive market conditions. These decreases in service revenues were partially offset by an increase in interconnect revenues due to the significant increase in incoming call volumes related to the COVID-19 crisis and an increase in revenues due to the growth of the cellular subscriber base.
As an illustration of the level of competition in the cellular market, approximately 1.9 million cellular subscribers are estimated to have switched operators within the Israeli market (with number porting) during 2020; similarly, approximately 2.2 million subscribers switched in 2019 and approximately 2.4 million in 2018. While our annual churn rate for cellular subscribers decreased marginally in 2020 to 30% compared with 31% in 2019 and 35% in 2018, competition in the cellular subscriber market remained intense. Significant price erosion continued to be caused by the number of cellular subscribers who moved between different rateplans or airtime packages (generally with a lower monthly fee) within the Company.
Revenues from equipment. Revenues from equipment sales for the cellular segment in 2020 totaled NIS 545 million, a decrease of 5% from NIS 571 million in 2019, mainly reflecting a decrease in the volume of retail sales of cellular equipment following the closure of some sales points during certain COVID-19-related lockdown periods during the year, partially offset by a significant increase in cellular equipment sales to wholesale customers.
Gross profit from equipment sales. The gross profit from equipment sales for the cellular segment in 2020 was NIS 94 million, compared with NIS 107 million in 2019, a decrease of 12%. This decrease mainly reflected the decrease in the volume of equipment sales, as described above, in addition to a decrease in profit margins from sales due to a change in the product mix.
Cost of service revenues. The cost of service revenues for the cellular segment decreased by 7% from NIS 1,514 million in 2019 to NIS 1,403 million in 2020. This decrease mainly reflected the decrease in depreciation and amortization expenses related to the cellular network, as well as the decrease in workforce and related expenses and in roaming expenses, partially offset by the increase in interconnect expenses due to the significant increase in outgoing call volumes related to the COVID-19 crisis (in parallel to the increase in incoming call volumes discussed above).
Selling, marketing, general and administrative expenses and credit losses. Selling, marketing, general and administrative expenses and credit losses for the cellular segment in 2020 amounted to NIS 300 million, a decrease of 10% from NIS 334 million in 2019. The decrease mainly reflected the decrease in workforce and related expenses, which were partially offset by increases in amortization expenses and credit losses.
Total operating expenses ("OPEX"). Total operating expenses (OPEX is not a financial measure under IFRS and not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures for other companies; see "Item 5A.2" for reconciliation on a consolidated basis) for the cellular segment totaled NIS 1,253 million in 2020, a decrease of 4% or NIS 45 million from NIS 1,298 million in 2019, principally due to the decrease in workforce and related expenses, partially offset by the increase in interconnect expenses discussed above. See also note 22 to our consolidated financial statements. Including depreciation and amortization expenses and other expenses (mainly amortization of employee share-based compensation), total operating expenses totaled NIS 1,703 million, a decrease of 8% compared with NIS 1,848 million in 2019.
Operating profit. Overall, operating profit for the cellular segment in 2020 was NIS 73 million, a decrease of 5% compared with NIS 77 million in 2019, mainly reflecting the decrease in cellular segment service revenues and the decrease in gross profit from equipment sales which were partially offset by the decrease in operating expenses including depreciation and amortization expenses and other expenses.
Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA for the cellular segment was NIS 533 million in 2020, a decrease of 16% from NIS 635 million in 2019, largely for the same reasons as the decrease in operating profit (excluding depreciation and amortization expenses and other expenses). As a percentage of total cellular revenues, Adjusted EBITDA for the cellular segment in 2020 was 24% compared with 27% in 2019.
Total revenues. Total revenues in 2020 for the fixed-line segment were NIS 1,129 million, an increase of 10% compared with NIS 1,028 million in 2019.
Revenues from services. Service revenues for the fixed-line segment totaled NIS 993 million in 2020, an increase of 7% compared with NIS 925 million in 2019. This increase mainly reflected the increase in revenues resulting from the growth in internet and TV services, which was partially offset by a decline in revenues from international calling services (including the market for wholesale international traffic) which continue to be adversely affected by the increased penetration of internet-based solutions. See also "Item 3D.2p3D.2p The telecommunications industry is subject to rapid and significant changes in technology and industry structure which could reduce demand for our services."
Revenues from equipment. Revenues from equipment sales for the fixed-line segment in 2020 totaled NIS 136 million, an increase of 32% compared with NIS 103 million in 2019, mainly reflecting an increase in the volume of sales of fixed-line equipment for both business and private customers.
Gross profit from equipment sales. The gross profit from equipment sales for the fixed-line segment in 2020 was NIS 51 million, compared with NIS 37 million in 2019, an increase of 38%, again largely a reflection of the impact of an increase in sales recorded from sales of internet-related equipment and devices.
Cost of service revenues. The cost of service revenues for the fixed-line segment increased by 6% from NIS 826 million in 2019 to NIS 873 million in 2020. This increase mainly reflected increased expenses related to the growth in fixed-line segment services (including workforce and related expenses and depreciation and amortization expenses) and an increase in interconnect expenses (in parallel to the increase in incoming call volumes discussed in the cellular segment above), partially offset by receipt of a government-mandated refund from Bezeq of approximately NIS 20 million of payments for access to the wholesale internet infrastructure in previous years and a decrease in international calling services expenses.
Selling, marketing, general and administrative expenses and credit losses. Selling, marketing, general and administrative expenses and credit losses for the fixed-line segment in 2020 amounted to NIS 159 million, an increase of 19% from NIS 134 million in 2019. The increase mainly reflected increased workforce and related expenses and depreciation and amortization expenses related to the growth in fixed-line segment services.
Total operating expenses ("OPEX"). Total operating expenses (OPEX is not a financial measure under IFRS and not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures for other companies; see "Item 5A.2" for reconciliation on a consolidated basis) for the fixed-line segment totaled NIS 766 million in 2020, an increase of 2% or NIS 16 million from NIS 750 million in 2019. See also note 22 to our consolidated financial statements. Including depreciation, amortization and impairment expenses and other expenses (mainly amortization of employee sharebased compensation), total operating expenses for the fixed-line segment totaled NIS 1,032 million, an increase of 8% compared with NIS 960 million in 2019.
Operating profit. Operating profit for the fixed-line segment was NIS 23 million in 2020, an increase of 130% compared to NIS 10 million in 2019, mainly reflecting the impact of the growth in TV and internet services and the increase in gross profit from fixed-line segment equipment sales, which more than offset the increase in total operating expenses including depreciation, amortization expenses and other expenses (mainly amortization of employee share-based compensation).
Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA for the fixed-line segment was NIS 289 million in 2020, an increase of 33% from NIS 218 million in 2019. The increase resulted from the growth in TV and internet services and the increase in gross profit from fixed-line equipment sales, which were partially offset by the increase in total operating expenses (excluding depreciation, amortization and impairment expenses and other expenses (mainly amortization of employee share-based compensation)). As a percentage of total fixed-line revenues, Adjusted EBITDA for the fixed-line segment in 2020 was 26%, compared with 21% in 2019.
Historically, our cellular service revenues and profitability tend to show some seasonal trends over the year, resulting mainly from revenues from roaming services which tend to increase during Jewish holiday periods and during the summer months. The seasonal trends in the years 2020 and 2021 were significantly disrupted by the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on roaming service revenues.
There is no assurance that these trends will return in the future.
| NIS in millions | Three months ended | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 31 | June 30 | Sept. 30 | Dec. 31 | |||
| (Unaudited) | ||||||
| Service Revenues | ||||||
| 2019 | 624 | 642 | 658 | 636 | ||
| 2020 | 629 | 616 | 631 | 632 | ||
| 2021 | 639 | 649 | 672 | 675 |
Substantially all of our revenues and a majority of our operating expenses are denominated in shekels. However, in recent years, approximately one quarter of our operating expenses (excluding depreciation), including a substantial majority of our device and equipment purchases related to end sales to customers, were linked to non-NIS currencies, mainly the US dollar. In addition, part of our capital expenditures are incurred in, or linked to, non-NIS currencies, mainly the US dollar. See "ITEM 11 QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK".
The discussion below first describes our financial indebtedness (Notes payable, long-term borrowings and total financial debt) and capital expenditures, then our dividend payments, and finally our main sources of liquidity.
As further described below, we have over the years issued a number of series of Notes payable, which we have occasionally repurchased.
According to agreements the Company entered into in December 2017 and January 2018, the Company issued in December 2019, in a framework of a private placement, an aggregate principal amount of NIS 226.75 million of additional Series F Notes to certain Israeli institutional investors.
In January 2019, the Company issued a new Series G Notes, in a principal amount of NIS 225 million, payable as follows: 4 annual installments of NIS 22.5 million each, payable in June of each of the years 2022 through 2025, NIS 45 million payable in June 2026 and NIS 90 million payable in June 2027. The principal bears fixed annual interest of 4%, payable annually on June 25 of each year.
In 2019, 2020 and 2021, following partial exercises of option warrants exercisable for Series G Notes (see also "Private placement of option warrants" below), the Company issued Series G Notes in a total principal amount of NIS 125 million, NIS 174.3 and NIS 26.5 million respectively.
In July 2020, the Company issued in a private placement (not related to the option warrants mentioned above) additional Series G Notes in a principal amount of NIS 300 million, under the same conditions as the original series.
In July 2020, the Company also executed a partial early redemption of Series F Notes in a total principal amount of NIS 305 million. The total amount paid was NIS 313 million. The early redemption resulted in additional finance costs of NIS 7 million recorded in July 2020.
In December 2021, the Company issued Series H Notes, in a principal amount of NIS 198.4 million, payable in five annual installments as follows: NIS 39.7 million payable in June 2025, NIS 19.8 million payable in June 2026, NIS 39.7 million payable in June of each of the years 2028 through 2029 and NIS 59.5 million payable in June 2030. The principal bears fixed annual interest of 2.08%, payable annually on June 25 of each year.
All Series Notes payable are unsecured non-convertible and listed for trading on the TASE.
All Series Notes payable have been rated ilA+, on a local scale, by Standard & Poor's Maalot.
Members of our Board of Directors and senior management may have purchased a portion of the various Series Notes through stock exchange transactions.
The table below sets forth the composition and terms of the Notes payable issued by the Company and outstanding at December 31, 2021:
| Principal amount Annual interest rate |
Interest payment terms |
Original issuance date | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notes payable series F | 384 | 2.16% fixed | Semi-annual | July 2017 | |
| Notes payable series G(*) | 851 | 4% fixed | Annual | January 2019 | |
| Notes payable series H | 198 | 2.08% fixed | Annual | December 2021 |
(*) Includes Series G Notes issued pursuant to the option warrants described below.
The table below sets forth the payments of principal to be made on our Notes payable at December 31, 2021 (for payments including interest payments, see "Item 5B.5 MAIN SOURCES OF LIQUIDITY"):
| 2025 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| to | 2027 and | |||||
| 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2026 | thereafter | Total | |
| New Israeli Shekels in millions | ||||||
| Principal payments of long-term indebtedness: |
||||||
| Notes payable series F | 128 | 128 | 128 | 384 | ||
| Notes payable series G | 85 | 85 | 85 | 255 | 341 | 851 |
| Notes payable series H | 60 | 138 | 198 | |||
| Total | 213 | 213 | 213 | 315 | 479 | 1,433 |
In April 2019, the Company issued in a private placement 2 series of untradeable option warrants that were exercisable for the Company's Series G Notes. The exercise period of the first series was between July 1, 2019 and May 31, 2020 and of the second series was between July 1, 2020 and May 31, 2021. The exercise price was NIS 88 for each Series G notes principal amount of NIS 100. The Series G Notes allotted upon the exercise of an option warrant were identical in all their rights to the Company's Series G Notes immediately upon their allotment, and were entitled to any payment of interest or other benefit, the effective date of which is due after the allotment date. The Notes allotted as a result of the exercise of option warrants were registered on the TASE. The total amount received by the Company on the allotment date of the option warrants (in April 2019) was NIS 37 million.
In 2019, 2020 and 2021, following partial exercises of option warrants which were exercisable for Series G Notes, the Company issued Series G Notes in a total principal amount of NIS 125 million, NIS 174.3 million and NIS 26.5 million, respectively.
As of December 31, 2021, no option warrants were outstanding.
The Company has received borrowings from leading Israeli commercial banks. The Company may, at its discretion, prepay the borrowings, subject to certain conditions, including that the Company shall reimburse the lenders for losses sustained by the lenders as a result of the prepayment. The reimbursement is mainly based on the difference between the interest rate that the Company would otherwise pay and the current market interest rate on the prepayment date.
Borrowing P: In December 2017, the Company received a long-term borrowing from a commercial bank in the principal amount of NIS 125 million. The borrowing bears unlinked interest at the rate of 2.38% per annum and is paid in quarterly payments over 5 years. The principal is paid in quarterly equal payments commencing in December 2018.
Borrowing Q: In December 2017, the Company received a long-term borrowing from a commercial bank in the principal amount of NIS 125 million. The borrowing bears unlinked interest at the rate of 2.5% per annum and is paid in quarterly payments over 6.5 years. The principal is paid in quarterly equal payments commencing March 2019.
Borrowing R: In December 2021, the Company received a long-term loan from a commercial bank in the principal amount of NIS 150 million. The borrowing bears unlinked interest at the rate of 2.55% per annum and will be paid in 5 annual installments, NIS 30 million payable in June 2025, NIS 15 million payable in June 2026, NIS 30 million payable in June of each of the years 2028 through 2029 and NIS 45 million payable in June 2030. The principal bears fixed annual interest of 2.55%, payable on June 30 and December 31 of each year.
Borrowings as of December 31, 2021 are set forth below:
| Annual interest rate | Interest payment terms | Original reception date | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Borrowing P…………… | 2.38% fixed | Quarterly | December 2017 | |
| Borrowing Q…………… | 2.5% fixed | Quarterly | December 2017 | |
| Borrowing R | 2.55% fixed | Semi-annual | December 2021 |
The table below sets forth the payments of principal to be made on our borrowings, as of December 31, 2021 (for payments including interest payments see "Item 5B.5 MAIN SOURCES OF LIQUIDITY":
| 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 to 2026 |
2027 and thereafter |
Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Israeli Shekels in millions | ||||||
| Borrowing P………………. | 29 | 29 | ||||
| Borrowing Q……………… | 23 | 23 | 11 | 57 | ||
| Borrowing R……………… | 45 105 |
150 | ||||
| 52 | 23 | 11 | 45 105 |
236 |
Regarding Series F Notes, Series G Notes, Series H Notes, and borrowing P, borrowing Q and borrowing R, the Company is required to comply with financial covenants that the ratio of Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA shall not exceed 5. Compliance will be examined and reported on a quarterly basis. For the purpose of the covenants, Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as the sum total for the last 12 month period, excluding adjustable one-time items. As of December 31, 2021, the ratio of Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA was 0.8
Additional stipulations mainly include:
• The Company shall not create floating liens subject to certain terms. The Company has the right for early redemption under certain conditions regarding all notes and borrowings.
The Group was in compliance with the financial covenants and the additional stipulations for the year 2021.
At December 31, 2021, total net financial debt (the sum total of current notes payable and borrowings (NIS 268 million) and non-current borrowings and notes payable (NIS 1,408 million) less cash and cash equivalents (NIS 308 million) and less short-term and long-term deposits (NIS 624 million)) amounted to NIS 744 million, compared to NIS 657 million (the sum total of current notes payable and borrowings (NIS 290 million) and noncurrent borrowings and notes payable (NIS 1,305 million) and financial liability at fair value (NIS 4 million) less cash and cash equivalents (NIS 376 million) and less short-term and long-term deposits (NIS 566 million)) at December 31, 2020.
At December 31, 2021, the current portion of our total financial debt (including future interest payments during 2022) amounted to NIS 314 million, as compared to NIS 337 million at December 31, 2020, and was composed of the amounts set forth in the table below. We intend to fund the repayment of the current portion of our Notes payable, borrowings and interest in 2022, through a combination of available cash, short term deposits and operational cash flow.
| Current Portion Payable in 2022 as of December 31, 2021 | NIS in millions |
|---|---|
| Principal on notes payable……………………………………………. | 213 |
| Principal on borrowings………………………………………………. | 52 |
| Accrued interest on notes payable…………………………………… | 43 |
| Accrued interest on borrowings……………………………………… | 6 |
| Total…………………………………………………………………. | 314 |
Capital Expenditures. The communications business is highly capital intensive, requiring significant capital to acquire licenses, to construct and maintain communications networks and to purchase and install subscriber-end equipment. In 2021, capital expenditures also included expenditures on fiber-optics and related assets, subscriber equipment and installation, computer and information systems, property, leasehold improvements, furniture and equipment, costs of obtaining contracts with customers (under IFRS 15), and computer software.
In the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, our capital expenditures as represented by additions to property and equipment and intangible assets, amounted to NIS 578 million, NIS 595 million and NIS 680 million, respectively. The increase in capital expenditures from 2020 to 2021 mainly reflected the increased investment in the fiber-optic infrastructure and the increase in the computers and information systems.
During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2021, the capital expenditures noted above included NIS 251 million and NIS 338 million (US\$109 million), respectively, in our cellular and fiber-optic networks.
At December 31, 2021, our capital expenditure commitments totaled NIS 117 million, and were related almost entirely to our cellular and fixed-line networks and IT systems. For further information regarding our capital expenditure commitments at December 31, 2021, see "Item 5B.5 MAIN SOURCES OF LIQUIDITY". For our current outlook on the short-term trend in capital expenditures, see "5D.2 Outlook".
Dividend payments. For the year ending December 31, 2021, the Company did not distribute any dividends.
Cash on hand. At December 31, 2021, we had NIS 308 million in cash on hand, compared to NIS 376 million at December 31, 2020.
Short-term deposits. At December 31, 2021, we had short-term deposits in an amount of NIS 344 million, compared to NIS 411 million at December 31, 2020.
Long-term deposits. At December 31, 2021, we had long-term deposits for periods ending in March 2023 and June 2023, in an aggregate amount of NIS 280 million, compared to NIS 155 million at December 31, 2020.
Cash flows from operating activities. Cash flows from operating activities totaled NIS 774 million (US\$ 249 million) in 2021, a decrease of 2% compared to NIS 786 million in 2020. The decrease mainly reflected the impact of the increases in accounts receivables, following the advance payment of frequency fees to the Ministry of Communications in an amount of NIS 55 million, and in inventories, as well as a decrease in deferred revenues and other, partially offset by the impact of the increases in Adjusted EBITDA and in trade and other payables and provisions.
Adjusted Free Cash Flow for 2021 was negative NIS 43 million (US\$ 14 million), a decrease of NIS 115 million compared to NIS 72 million for 2020 (Adjusted Free Cash Flow is calculated as cash flows from operating activities, net of cash flows from investment activities less investment in deposits, net, and net of lease principal payments and lease interest payments; Adjusted Free Cash Flow is not a financial measure under IFRS and may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures for other companies).
| Reconciliation of cash flows to Adjusted Free Cash Flow | Year ended December 31, 2020 NIS in millions |
2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Cash flows from operating activities | 786 | 774 |
| Add Cash flows from investing activities | (581) | (727) |
| Deduct investment in deposits, net | 14 | 58 |
| Deduct lease principal payments | (129) | (130) |
| Deduct lease interest payments…………………………………………… | (18) | (18) |
| Adjusted Free Cash Flow |
72 | (43) |
Existing credit facilities. As of December 31, 2021, PHI had a short-term credit facility with a leading Israeli commercial bank in the amount of NIS 100 million. The Group's share in this facility is 50%. The facility is restricted for use by PHI only. As of December 31, 2021, no funds were drawn from this facility.
Notes payable issuance commitments. In April 2019, the Company issued in a private placement two series of untradeable option warrants that are exercisable for the Company's Series G Notes. The exercise period of the first series was between July 1, 2019 and May 31, 2020 and of the second series is between July 1, 2020 and May
31, 2021. In 2019, 2020 and 2021, following partial exercises of option warrants exercisable for Series G Notes, the Company issued Series G Notes in a total principal amount of NIS 125 million, NIS 174.3 million and NIS 26.5 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2021, no option warrants were outstanding.
The Series G Notes allotted upon the exercise of an option warrant are identical in all their rights to the Company's Series G Notes immediately upon their allotment, and are entitled to any payment of interest or other benefit, the effective date of which is due after the allotment date. The Notes allotted as a result of the exercise of option warrants have been registered on the TASE. The total amount received by the Company on the allotment date of the option warrants was NIS 37 million.
Share issuance. In January 2020, the Company issued 19,330,183 shares of the Company to institutional investors, following a tender under a shelf offering, and by way of a private placement. The total net consideration received was approximately NIS 276 million and was used for general corporate purposes. The offering expenses totaled NIS 10 million.
Set forth below are our contractual obligations and other commercial commitments (undiscounted) as of December 31, 2021:
| Payments due by period (NIS in millions) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contractual Obligations | Total | 2022 | 2023-2024 | 2025-2026 | 2027 and thereafter |
| Notes Series F* | 396 | 135 | 261 | ||
| Notes Series G* | 1,001 | 119 | 229 | 299 | 354 |
| Notes Series H* | 225 | 2 | 8 | 67 | 148 |
| Long term borrowings* | 264 | 58 | 43 | 51 | 112 |
| Lease liabilities | 784 | 139 | 216 | 151 | 278 |
| Trade payables | 705 | 705 | |||
| Payables in respect of employees | 99 | 99 | |||
| Other payables | 45 | 45 | |||
| Commitments to pay for inventory purchases** |
458 | 231 | 227 | ||
| Commitments to pay for property, equipment purchases and software elements purchases (capital expenditures)** |
117 | 117 | |||
| Commitments to pay for rights of use of | |||||
| capacities and maintenance** | 91 | 63 | 26 | 2 | |
| Total Contractual Cash Obligations | 4,185 | 1,713 | 1,010 | 570 | 892 |
* The figures include expected payments of interest on our long-term debt (borrowings and notes payable).
** See note 17 to the consolidated financial statements
The Company currently believes that its cash flows from operations, together with its cash on hand, and short and long-term deposits, will provide sufficient liquidity and resources to fund on-going operations, expected capital expenditure needs, payment of amounts due on our notes and borrowings, as well as other existing material commitments as of December 31, 2021, for the forseeable future. However, the actual amount and timing of our future requirements may differ materially from our current estimates. See also "Item 5D.2 Outlook".
We are primarily a user rather than a developer of technology. Accordingly, we did not engage in any significant research and development activities during the past three years.
See "Item 5D.2 Outlook". See also recent regulatory developments in "Item 4B.12e Regulatory Developments" and "Item 3D.1 RISKS RELATING TO THE REGULATION OF OUR INDUSTRY".
The results of the year 2021 continued to be materially negatively affected by the COVID-19 crisis which continued to significantly restrain revenues from roaming services, although to a lesser extent than in 2020. Competition in the Israeli telecommunications market continued to remain intense, across both cellular segment services and fixed-line segment services, as well as in the market for equipment and device sales. Whilst operating profit increased by 70% in 2021 and Adjusted EBITDA increased by 12%, the increases largely reflected growth in the cellular and fiber-optic subscriber bases, the continuation of which is highly dependent on the level of intensity of competition in these markets.
The increase in profits in 2021 also partly reflected a moderate increase in revenues from roaming services, which will continue to be highly dependent on the trajectory of COVID-19 in 2022.
During 2021, capital expenditures payments, as represented by cash flows used for the acquisition of property and equipment and intangible and other assets, increased from NIS 573 million in 2020 to NIS 672 million, an increase of NIS 99 million, mainly reflecting increased cash flows used for investment in the fiber-optic infrastructure and in computers and information systems. The Company currently expects that capital expenditures payments will increase further in 2022, by approximately the same amount as the increase that was recorded in 2021 to be followed by a significant decrease in the following year, following the planned completion of the major phase of deployment of the fiber-optic infrastructure by the end of 2022.
As in 2021, the Company's continued investment in the 5G cellular network is not expected to have a significant impact on capital expenditures payments in 2022.
Adjusted Free Cash Flow for 2021 was negative NIS 43 million (US\$ 14 million), a decrease of NIS 115 million compared to NIS 72 million for 2020 (which as shown in "Item 5B.5 MAIN SOURCES OF LIQUIDITY" is calculated as the sum of cash flows from operating activities and cash flows from investing activities less investment in deposits, net and net of lease principal payments and lease interest payments; Adjusted Free Cash Flow is not a financial measure under IFRS and may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures for other companies).
For 2022, the impact of the expected increase in capital expenditure payments on Adjusted Free Cash Flow is expected to be offset by other factors, including the impact of the advance-payment of frequency fees to the Ministry of Communications that was made in 2021. Further, depending on regulatory and other developments in the market as well as any continued impact of the COVID-19 disease crisis on our business and operations, Adjusted Free Cash Flow for 2022 may also decline further from the level in 2021. However, we believe that cash flows from our operations, together with our cash on hand and our short-term deposits totaling over NIS 650 million as of December 31, 2021, will provide us with enough liquidity and resources to fund our on-going operations, expected capital expenditure needs, payment of interest and principal due on our notes and borrowings, as well as other material commitments, at least for the next twelve months. However, the actual amount and timing of our future requirements may differ materially from our current estimates.
The statements above under this section regarding trends are "forward-looking" statements. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current knowledge and our present beliefs and expectations regarding possible future events. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions about Partner, consumer habits and preferences in cellular and fixed-line usage, trends in the Israeli telecommunications industry in general, possible regulatory and legal developments and trends in general economic conditions. For a description of some of the risks we face, see "Item 3D. Key Information – Risk Factors", "Item 4. Information on the Company", "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects" and "Item 8A. Consolidated Financial Statements and Other Financial Information – Legal and Administrative Proceedings". In
light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed above might not occur, and actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated.
Below is a list of the directors of the Company as of the date of this Annual Report.
| Name of Director | Age | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Osnat Ronen (5) (6) …………………… |
59 | Chairperson of the Board of Directors |
| Richard Hunter………………………… | 52 | Director |
| Roly Klinger(1)(2)(3)(4) …………………. |
62 | Director |
| Jonathan Kolodny(1)(2)(3)(4) ……………. |
52 | Director |
| Michal Maron-Brikman(1)(2)(3)(4) | 52 | Director |
| Yehuda Saban………………………… | 42 | Director |
| Yossi Shachak…………………………. | 76 | Director |
| Ori Yaron……………………………… | 56 | Director |
| Shlomo Zohar(1)(2)(4) …………………… |
70 | Director |
(1) Member of the Audit Committee
___________________________
(2) Member of the Compensation Committee
(3) External Director under the Israeli Companies Law (See "Item 6C Board Practices")
(4) Independent Director under NASDAQ rules and under the Israeli Companies Law
(5) Independent Director under NASDAQ rules
(6) Appointed by the Israeli founding shareholders
Osnat Ronen has been a director in the Company since December 2009 and was appointed to serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors in November 2019. She is also a member of the Security Committee. Ms. Ronen currently serves on the Board of Directors of Discount Capital Underwriters. She also volunteers as a director of the College for Management (Michlala Le-Minhal). Ms. Ronen serves as one of the founders of Wecheck Ltd. and serves on the Board of Directors and as President. Ms. Ronen founded FireWind 01 GP in 2015 and has since served as its general partner until 2019. Ms. Ronen has also served as an advisor to Liquidnet, Inc. from 2013 to 2015. Until March 20, 2021, Ms. Ronen served on the Board of Directors of Fox-Wizel Ltd. Between 2013 and 2018, Ms. Ronen served on the Board of Directors of Mizrahi Tefahot Bank Ltd. as Head of the Audit Committee. Ms. Ronen also served on the Board of Directors of Perion Networks Ltd. during 2016-2017. Ms. Ronen also served as a volunteer on the Board of Directors of Yissum Research Development Company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem until December 2018. Previously she served as a General Partner of Viola Private Equity from 2008 until 2013. From 1994 to 2007, Ms. Ronen served in various positions at Bank Leumi Le Israel BM, including as the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Leumi Partners Ltd. from 2001 to 2007 and as Deputy Head of the Subsidiaries Division of the Leumi Group from 1999 to 2001. Between 2004 and 2007, Ms. Ronen also led the strategic planning, deployment and execution of the Bachar Reform, one of Israel's largest financial reforms, at Leumi Group. As part of the implementation, Ms. Ronen managed the sale of Leumi's holdings in mutual, provident and training funds. Ms. Ronen served on the Board of Directors of several portfolio companies of Viola including: Amiad Water Systems Ltd., Orad Hi-tech Ltd., Aeronautics Ltd., Degania Medical Ltd. and Matomy Media Group Ltd. Ms. Ronen holds a B.Sc. in mathematics and computer science from Tel Aviv University and an M.B.A. from the Recanati School of Business Administration at Tel Aviv University.
Richard Hunter was appointed to the Board of Directors of Partner in November 2019. He is Chairman of the Board of Directors of Holmes Place International Ltd., serves on the Board of Directors of Delta Galil Industries Ltd., Samelt MCA Ltd. and Trigo Vision, and served as a director at SodaStream International Ltd. until their sale to Pepsi Co. Currently Mr. Hunter is a founding partner in Green Lantern, a private equity fund. Previously he served as CEO of McCann Erickson Israel from 2012 until 2016. During the years 2010 until 2012, Mr. Hunter served as CEO of Shufersal Ltd. and as CEO of 013 Netvision from 2007 until 2010. Prior to that Mr. Hunter was a Partner at Mckinsey and Company from 1999-2007. Mr. Hunter is an accounting and financial expert, holds an LL.B from the College of Management, Tel-Aviv and an M.B.A from INSEAD Business School.
Roly Klinger was appointed to the Board of Directors of Partner in October 2020. She served from 2018 until 2021 as an External Director in Delek Royalties (2012) Ltd. (Tomer Energy Royalties (2012) Ltd.), as Chairman of the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee and a member of the finance committee. Ms. Klinger served from 2017 until 2020 as the Director of Refinance, Vice President Legal & Regulatory Affairs and Company Secretary of IBC Israel Broadband Company (2013) Ltd. Ms. Klinger served as Partner's Chief Legal Counsel and Company Secretary from 1998 until 2012 and in 2012 until the end of 2015 she served as Vice President, Business Development, Legal & Regulatory Affairs. During this period she continued to serve as Partner Corporate Secretary until 2015. Ms. Klinger served as Vice President Legal Affairs and Company Secretary of Keshet Broadcasting Ltd. from 1994 until 1998. Ms. Klinger is a Member of the Israeli Bar Association. Ms. Klinger holds an LL.B degree from Tel Aviv University, M.A. in Conflict Research Management and Resolution (Research Track), graduated with honors, from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Ms. Klinger graduated from the Advanced Management Program (AMP 182) - Harvard Business School.
Jonathan Kolodny was appointed to the Board of Directors of Partner effective May 6, 2018. Dr. Kolodny is a General Partner in ION Crossover Partners, a late-stage technology investment fund, which he joined in March of 2018. He also serves on the Board of Directors of BlueVine Capital, Inc. since 2019, and the Board of Directors of Resident Home, Inc. since 2020. Dr. Kolodny served as the CEO of the Keter Group from 2016 to February 2018. Prior to that, he served from 2013 until 2016 as the CEO of Jardin International Holding. During the years 1994 until 2013, Dr. Kolodny served in various senior positions at McKinsey & Company in their overseas as well as local offices founding their office in Israel in 2000 and elected as a Director (senior partner) of the Firm in 2007. He also served on the Board of Directors of Sodastream International Ltd. from 2015 until its sale to Pepsico at the end of 2018. Dr. Kolodny received a B.A. in Computer Science summa cum laude from Harvard College and a Ph.D. in Cognitive Neuroscience from the University of Cambridge.
Michal Marom-Brikman was appointed to the Board of Directors of Partner effective January 2021. She serves on the Board of Directors of a variety of companies traded both in Israel as well as abroad including, Halman Aldubi Investment House Ltd., OPC Energy Ltd., Cipia Vision Ltd., Dan Transportation and The Moinian Group. Ms. Marom-Brikman served in the past as a director in various companies including: Israel Union Bank Ltd., Arko Holdings Ltd., BiondVax Pharmaceuticals Ltd., and Electreon Wireless Ltd. Ms. Marom-Brikman is a certified public accountant in Israel. Ms. Marom-Brikman holds a B.A in Business Management and Economics specializing in accounting from the College of Management Academic Studies and an M.A in Finance from the Baruch College of Management, NYU.
Yehuda Saban was appointed to the Board of Directors of Partner in April 2015. Mr. Saban served between 2011- mid 2015 as Vice President Economics & Regulation and FLNG (Floating Liquefied Natural Gas) manager at Delek Drilling & Avner oil exploration. Previously, Mr. Saban served over 6 years in various capacities with the budget department of the Ministry of Finance as Manager of the Telecommunications and Tourism Unit, Manager of the Budget and Macroeconomics unit and as an economist in the Energy unit. During those years, Mr. Saban was also an active partner in a number of committees and authorities in the energy, telecommunications and infrastructure fields. Mr. Saban served on the Board of Directors of Israel Opportunity Energy Resources LP and as Chairman of its Compensation and Audit Committee from mid 2015 until July 2021. Mr. Saban also serves as manager of Israeli operations and EVP of Business Development at Ellomay Capital Ltd. Mr. Saban holds a B.A. in Economics & Business Management (graduated with honors) and an M.B.A specializing in Financing, both from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
Yossi Shachak was appointed to the Board of Directors of Partner in November 2019. Mr. Shachak is a consultant to boards of directors, and a board member of public and private companies including, the Azrieli Group Ltd., Tefron Ltd., Southern Properties Ltd. and Emilia Development (O.F.G) Ltd. Mr. Shachak served as President of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants from 1988 to 1992 and as a director on behalf of the public at the Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange from 1980 to 1986 and from 2000 to 2006. Mr. Shachak is a certified public accountant and is a graduate of accounting from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
Ori Yaron was appointed to the Board of Directors of Partner by S.B. Israel Telecom in May 2014. Mr. Yaron practices law and manages Ilan Yaron Law Offices that specializes in the areas of insurance and torts. Mr. Yaron served from 2010 until 2016 as a member of the Board of Directors of the Geophysics Institute and served from 2006 until 2007 as a member of the Board of Directors of Mekorot Development & Enterprise and from 2011 until 2014 as a member of the Board of Directors of Hozei Israel Ltd. Mr. Yaron holds a B.A. in economics and an LL.B. both from Tel-Aviv University and is a member of the Israeli Bar Association.
Shlomo Zohar was appointed to the Board of Directors of Partner in October 2020. He serves as a director at Delek USA Energy, Inc., Ham-Let (Israel –Canada) Ltd. and Isras Investment Company Ltd. Between January 2006 and December 2009, Mr. Zohar served as a member and chairman of the boards of directors of Israel Discount Bank Ltd., Mercantile Discount Bank Ltd., Israel Discount Capital Markets & Investments Ltd. and Israel Credit Cards, Ltd. During this time, Mr. Zohar also served as a member and vice chairman of the board of directors of Israel Discount Bank of New York and as a member of the board of directors of Discount Bancorp, Inc. Mr. Zohar served as Chief Executive Officer of A.D.O. Group Ltd. from July 2011 until December 2018 and served as an executive vice chairman of the Board of ADO Properties SA. Mr. Zohar served from 2018 until October 2020 as a director at B Communications Ltd. Since June 2018, he serves as chairman of the executive committee at Bar Ilan University. From 1980 to December 2005, he was a partner in the accounting firm of Zohar, Zohar & Co., CPA (Isr). Mr. Zohar is a certified public accountant in Israel. He holds a B.A. in Economics and Accounting from Bar-Ilan University and an MBA degree from McGill University.
Below is a list of the Senior Management of the Company as of the date of this Annual Report:
| Name of Officer | Age | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Avi Zvi…………………………… | 51 | Chief Executive Officer |
| Tamir Amar……………………… | 48 | Deputy CEO & Chief Financial Officer |
| Addie Koren……………………… | 49 | Chief Operating Officer & Vice President Human Resources |
| Sarit Hecht………………………… | 47 | Vice President, Chief Legal Counsel & Corporate Secretary |
| Ori Gal…………………………… | 49 | Vice President, Marketing |
| Yael Gaoni………………………… | 50 | Vice President, Communications |
| Yigal Giladi*………………………. | 46 | Vice President, Engineering Division |
| Snir Niv……………………………. | 35 | Vice President, Regulations Division |
| Galit Shakalo Offenberg………… | 44 | Vice President, Customer Service Division |
| Yakov Truzman…………………… | 51 | Vice President, Deputy CEO-Sales |
| Roi Zohar*………………………… | 44 | Vice President, Information Technology Division |
*Effective November 28, 2021, Yigal Giladi replaced Yaron Eisenstein as the Company's Vice President Engineering Division and effective January 16, 2022, Roi Zohar replaced Yaron Eisenstein as the Company's Vice President IT Division.
Avi Zvi was appointed as Chief Executive Officer effective June 1, 2021. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Zvi served for ten years as CEO of Reshet, a major commercial broadcaster in Israel. Prior to that, he served as CEO of Ofer Media, as Deputy CEO of Netvision and in various positions at Yes and Microsoft Israel.
Tamir Amar was appointed as Chief Financial Officer of Partner effective February 1, 2018. In June 2020, he also assumed the position of Vice President Fiber-Optics and in June 2021 he was also appointed as Deputy CEO of the Company. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Amar served since 2013 as the CEO of Vaporjet Ltd., a leading and global manufacturer of nonwoven hydroentangled spunlace goods. From 2005 until 2013 he served as the CFO of Raval ACS Ltd., a global public company that fully owns 12 subsidiaries in Israel and abroad and develops, manufactures and sells unique products for the global automotive industry. Mr. Amar holds a B.A. in Economics and Accounting and an M.B.A. specializing in finance from Ben Gurion University.
Addie Koren was appointed as Chief Operating Officer & Vice President Human Resources in June 2021. Before joining Partner, Ms. Koren served for ten years as COO of Reshet, a major commercial broadcaster in Israel. Prior to that she served as VP HR and COO at Netvision and in various HR positions at Strauss and MATAV communications. Ms. Koren has a B.A. from Tel Aviv University and a Management (MSM), M.S. from the Polytechnic NY.
Ori Gal joined Partner as Vice President Marketing in October 2021. Prior to joining Partner, Mr. Gal served as CEO of Leo Burnett Israel, a leading creative agency from 2020 until joining the Company and as VP Marketing & Business Development for Yes from 2013 until 2018. He also served as Head of Strategy at Partner from 2005 until 2010 and as a consultant at Shaldor Consulting from 2003 until 2005. Mr. Gal holds an LL.B degree from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and an M.B.A from the Wharton School.
Yael Gaoni was appointed as Vice President Communications in July 2021. Prior to joining Partner, she served since 2009 as VP Communications and Spokeswoman at the commercial broadcaster Reshet 13. Ms. Gaoni has a B.A in Communications from Ramat Gan Academic College and an M.A in Communications from the Reichman University.
Yigal Giladi was appointed as Vice President Engineering Division in November 2021, after having previously served as head of operations information technology in the Company since 2016. Prior to that Mr. Giladi held a variety of positions in the Company's Technology Division since joining in 1998. Mr. Giladi holds a B.A. in Business Management and Information Systems Analysis from the Ono Academic College and is currently completing the Recanati Executive M.B.A Program at Tel Aviv University.
Sarit Hecht joined Partner as Vice President, Chief Legal Counsel and Corporate Secretary in June 2021. Prior to joining the Company, Ms. Hecht served from 2013 as Vice President and General Counsel-Keshet Broadcasting Ltd. Prior to that Ms. Hecht served from 2008 until 2013 as Vice President Business Development and Regulation-Global Wind Energy, jointly owned by Ampal and Clal Industries and Investments and beforehand as Company Secretary of Clal Industries and Investments Ltd. Ms. Hecht holds an LL.B from Tel Aviv University, an LL.M from Georgetown University Law Centre in Washington D.C. and attended the Program on Negotiation of Harvard Law School. Ms. Hecht is a member of the Israel Bar Association.
Snir Niv was appointed as Vice President of Regulation in October 2020. Before joining Partner, he led for the past 7 years significant reforms in a variety of areas in the Budget Department of the Ministry of Finance, such as, the reform of the ports, the dairy sector, the electricity sector and in the Mekorot company. In his last position, he was managing the country's budgets for transportation, energy, water and agriculture. Mr. Niv holds a B.A in Economics with honors (Magna Cum Laude) and a M.B.A. with honors (Summa Cum Laude) in the excellence program at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
Galit Shakalo-Offenberg was appointed as Vice President Customer Services in October 2021. Prior to joining the Company, she served as chief manager of the customer service division of Cellcom since March 2015. Previously she served for 7 years as head of customer service at Netvision Ltd. Ms. Shakalo- Offenberg holds a B.A majoring in statistics from Haifa University.
Yakov Truzman was appointed in May 2019 as Vice President Business and Sales Division, after having served as Vice President Business Division from March 2018. In June 2021, he was appointed as Deputy-CEO Sales of the Company. Prior to that, Mr. Truzman served as Vice President Business Division at Bynet Data Communications from 2016 until joining the Company. Prior to that, Mr. Truzman served from 2011 until 2015 as the Vice President of Sales of the HOT Group. During the years 2001 until 2011, Mr. Truzman served in several managerial positions in the Cellcom Group, including department manager of business customers. Mr. Truzman holds a B.A. in behavioral sciences, management and economics from Ben Gurion University.
Roi Zohar was appointed as Vice President of Information Technology Division in January 2022. Prior to joining the Company, he served since 2017 as CIO and COO of GI Private Holding Company, from 2014 until 2017 as CIO of Cellcom Israel Ltd. and from 2011 until 2014 as VP IT & CIO at Ness Technologies. Mr. Zohar has a B.A. with honors in managing with expertise in information systems & financials and an M.B.A. from Beer-Sheva University.
None of the above directors has any family relationship with any other director or senior manager of the Company. None of the above members of senior management has any family relationship with any other director or senior manager of the Company.
Mr. Barry Ben Zeev resigned from our Board of Directors effective November 1, 2021.
In April 2021, Mr. Isaac Benbenisti resigned as Chief Executive Officer, and in May 2021 Mr. Avi Zvi was appointed as the Company's Chief Executive Officer effective June 1, 2021.
The terms of employment of the CEO are approved by the compensation committee, the Board of Directors and the general meeting of shareholders (by a special majority) and must comply with the Company's Compensation Policy for Office Holders (as this term is defined in Item 6C.7 below) (except for certain exceptions, as set by the Israeli Companies Law). The "special majority" requires the approval of a majority of the Company's shareholders participating at the general meeting and voting on the matter and at least one of the following conditions: (i) such majority includes a majority of the votes cast by shareholders who are not controlling parties (as defined in the Israeli Companies Law) in the Company and who do not have a personal interest in the resolution, and who are present and voting (abstentions are disregarded), or (ii) the votes cast against the resolution by shareholders who are not controlling parties and who do not have a personal interest in the resolution, who are present and voting, constitute two percent or less of the outstanding voting power in the Company. The terms of employment of other senior management (Office Holders) are approved by the compensation committee and the Board of Directors, and must comply with the Company's Compensation Policy (except for certain exceptions, as set by the Israeli Companies Law). See "Item 6C.5c COMPENSATION COMMITTEE". Senior management is generally appointed by the CEO with the approval of the Board of Directors for an indefinite term of office and may be removed by the CEO with the approval of the Board of Directors at any time.
Pursuant to the provisions of the Israeli Companies Law, the compensation policy of a company shall be submitted for the approval of the general meeting of shareholders, at least once every three years. We first adopted a compensation policy that sets forth the guidelines and framework for the mode of compensation of the Company's Office Holders following the approval of the Company's shareholders, at the extraordinary general meeting of shareholders, held on October 17, 2013 (the "Former Compensation Policy"). A new Compensation Policy was approved by the Company's shareholders at the annual general meeting of shareholders ("AGM") held on October 29, 2019 and was amended by the extraordinary meeting of shareholders held on March 18, 2020 and by the annual general meeting of shareholders held on October 29, 2020 (the "Compensation Policy"). The Compensation Policy sets forth the principles and procedures for determining Office Holders' compensation, including ongoing remuneration, bonuses (including annual bonuses, severance bonuses and special bonuses), equity compensation, indemnification, insurance and release. The Compensation Policy revises the Former Compensation Policy with respect to various matters and issues that needed to be updated and amended since the adoption of the Former Compensation Policy, due to changes in market practices since then, as well as adaption to legislative changes. See Exhibit 15.(b).1.
According to the Compensation Policy, annual bonus payments for our senior management are determined with respect to a given year based on targets set for the Company as a whole, targets set for each of the Company divisions as well as on personal evaluations. The targets for the CEO and the senior management are set by the compensation committee and the Board of Directors generally in accordance with the overall Company objectives. Upon the approval of the Company's annual results, bonus payments are determined based on the extent to which the Company and division targets have been met, as well as on the personal evaluation of each Office Holder at the discretion of the compensation committee and the Board of Directors, in light of the recommendations made by the Chairman of the Board of Directors with respect to the CEO, and, in light of recommendations made by the CEO, with respect to senior management reporting to the CEO.
Compensation for senior management may also be provided in the form of equity-based compensation which includes stock options to purchase our ordinary shares and restricted shares. In 2021, options were granted to our senior management under the 2004 Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Plan to purchase up to 2,861,879 of our ordinary shares at a weighted average exercise price of NIS 15.39 (US\$ 4.95) per option with some of the options vesting at the earliest in March 2022, unless vesting is accelerated due to a change of control event, as currently anticipated by the Company. These options will expire at the latest by November 2027. In addition, in 2021, 596,745 restricted shares were granted to our senior management under the 2004 Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Plan, with some of the restricted shares vesting at the earliest in March 2022. For more information, see "Item 6E.2 Equity Incentive Plan".
The aggregate compensation paid, and benefits in kind granted to or accrued on behalf of all our directors and senior management for their services in all capacities to the Company and its subsidiaries during the year ended December 31, 2021, was approximately NIS 41 million (US\$ 13 million). This amount included approximately NIS 6 million (US\$ 1.9 million) set aside or accrued to provide pension and retirement benefits on behalf of all our senior management during the year ended December 31, 2021.
A. The table below sets forth information regarding compensation on an individual basis for the five Office Holders with the highest compensation for the year 2021.
| Compensation (the |
for compensation |
services amounts are |
Other compensation & vehicle (the compensation amounts are displayed in terms of cost for the |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| displayed | in terms |
of cost for |
Company) | Total | ||
| the | Company) | (NIS | (NIS | |||
| Details of the Compensation Recipient | (NIS thousands) | thousands) | thousands) | |||
| Payroll & | Annual | |||||
| Related | & Special | Share-based | ||||
| Name | Position | expenses | Bonus | payments(9) | Other | |
| Avi Zvi | Chief Executive Officer | 1,131 | 750 | 3,552(1) | 1,550(2) | 6,983 |
| Tamir Amar | Deputy CEO & Chief |
|||||
| Financial Officer | 1,604 | 968 | 1,335(3) | 336(2) | 4,243 | |
| Yakov Truzman | Vice President Business & Sales Division |
1,386 | 868 | 1,317(4) | 372(2) | 3,943 |
| Isaac Benbenisti | Former Chief Executive Officer |
1,071(5) | 1,286(6) | (352)(7) | 268(2) | 2,273 |
| Addie Koren | Chief Operating Officer& Vice President Human Resources |
650 | 243 | 1,003(8) | 443(2) | 2,339 |
In 2021, 280,814 share options and 60,182 restricted shares were granted to Mr. Tamir Amar with a vesting period of up to three years and subject to the fulfillment of performance targets. The theoretical fair value of the share options (according to Black-Scholes model) was approximately NIS 1.2 million and the fair value of the restricted shares was approximately NIS 1.0 million.
(4) In 2018, 272,968 share options and 86,451 restricted shares were granted to Mr. Yakov Truzman with a vesting period of up to three years and subject to the fulfillment of performance targets. The theoretical fair value of the share options (according to Black-Scholes model) was approximately NIS 0.9 million and the fair value of the restricted shares was approximately NIS 1.4 million.
In 2021, 285,979 share options and 60,329 restricted shares were granted to Mr. Yakov Truzman with a vesting period of up to three years and subject to the fulfillment of performance targets. The theoretical fair value of the share options (according to Black-Scholes model) was approximately NIS 1.2 million and the fair value of the restricted shares was approximately NIS 1.0 million.
With respect to the amount of the annual bonus, tiers were set to calculate the amount of the bonus according to the former CEO's global achievement rate with respect to all of the elements of the annual bonus (a weighted score of the Company targets and an evaluation of the former CEO's performances), as follows: achievement at a rate lower than 80% will not entitle the CEO to an annual bonus; achievement at a rate between 80%-120% will entitle the CEO to 80%-120% of the annual bonus budget; achievement at a rate that exceed 120% will entitle the CEO to 120% of the annual bonus budget.
The former CEO's Company targets for the year 2021 were determined by the Board of Directors of the Company in March 2021, based on the annual work plan of the Company for the year. They included eight individual targets: (1) Company EBITDA target with a weight of 30% of the Company's targets (2021 achievement rate: 101%); (2) Free Cash flow target with a weight of 15% of the Company's targets (2021 achievement rate: 137%); (3) Cellular ARPU Base (2021 achievement rate: 79%) and subscriber target (2021 achievement rate: 200%) with a weight of 15% of the Company's targets; (4) Sale of equipment profits target with a weight of 5% of the Company's targets (2021 achievement rate: 91%); (5) Fixed line income target with a weight of 10% (2021 achievement rate: 99%); (6) TV combined index target ARPU (2021 achievement rate: 97%) and subscriber target (2021 achievement rate: 75%) with a weight of 10% of the Company's targets; (7) Fiber combined index ARPU (2021 achievement rate: 100%) and subscriber target with a weight of 10% of the Company's targets (2021 achievement rate: 105%); (8) Reducing customer complaint target with a weight of 5% of the Company's targets (2021 achievement rate: 79%).
With respect to the above Company targets, a threshold and upper limit for achieving the target were determined as follows: achievement at a rate lower than 20% of the target will not allow eligibility for a bonus for that criteria; achievement at a rate between 20% - 200% of the target will allow eligibility at a rate of 20% - 200% for that criteria; achievement at a rate above 200% will allow eligibility of 200% for that criteria.
The global achievement rate of the former CEO of all of the elements of the annual bonus for the relative portion of 2021 for which Mr. Benbenisti served as CEO was 102%.
(7) In 2018, 810,027 share options and 194,064 restricted shares were granted to Mr. Isaac Benbenisti, in his capacity as the Company's CEO with a vesting period of up to four years. The exercise price of the options is NIS 18.86 which constitutes a premium of 5% on the average share price of the Company on the Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange, during the 30 days preceding the grant date. The theoretical fair value of the share options (according to Black-Scholes model) was approximately NIS 3.4 million and the fair value of the restricted shares was approximately NIS 3.4 million. Mr. Benbenisti's options and restricted shares vested in four tranches: 25% of the entire amount on October 28, 2019, 25% of the entire amount on October 28, 2020, 25% of the entire amount on October 28, 2021 and the rest were forfeited. With respect to the restricted shares, each tranche was conditioned on the achievement of at least 80% of the Company targets of each year.
In accordance with the 2004 Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Plan, under certain conditions, the share options and the restricted shares are entitled to vesting acceleration upon a change in control event. As of December 31, 2021, the Company estimated that a future change of control event was probable as a result of the possible Transaction by the Offerer referred to in Item 3D.3a and the table above reflects such vesting acceleration. The Transaction is subject to MOC approval.
All options and restricted shares noted above were granted pursuant to the terms of the 2004 Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Plan, among others, with respect to the exercise or earning periods and the expiration date of the options. See "Item 6E.2 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN ".
References in this Annual Report to "external directors" are to those directors who meet the definition of external directors under the Israeli Companies Law ("dahatz"), and references in this Annual Report to "US independent directors" are to those directors who meet the definition of independence under applicable listing requirements of NASDAQ. References in this Annual Report to "Israeli independent directors" are to any director who meets the definition of independence under the Israeli Companies Law ("bilty taluy").
Directors are generally elected by the annual general meeting of shareholders to serve (i) for three years, in the case of external directors under the Israeli Companies Law, or (ii) until the next annual general meeting of the shareholders (unless their office becomes vacant earlier, in accordance with the provisions of our Articles of Association). An extraordinary general meeting of shareholders 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, or 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 (seven directors), provided that the maximum number of seventeen directors is not exceeded. Any director elected in such manner (excluding an external director) shall serve in office until the coming annual general meeting of shareholders. The Articles of Association also provide that the Board of Directors, with the approval of a simple majority of the directors, may appoint an additional director to fill a vacancy or to serve as an additional member to the then existing Board of Directors, provided that the maximum number of seventeen directors is not exceeded. Any director elected in such manner shall serve in office until the coming annual general meeting of shareholders and may be re-elected.
Israeli directors are appointed by the Israeli founding shareholders, generally upon a written notice signed by at least two of the Israeli founding shareholders who are the record holders of (i) at least 50% of minimum Israeli holding shares or (ii), who hold in the aggregate the highest number of minimum Israeli holding shares among the Israeli founding shareholders. Any Israeli founding shareholders who have specified connections to a competing mobile radio telephone operator (as defined in the license) of the Company are prohibited from participation in any such appointment. The notice is addressed to our company secretary indicating the appointment until the appointee's successor is elected by a similar notice. See "10B.3 Rights Attached to Shares". In 2009, Ms. Osnat Ronen was appointed as a director on behalf of the Israeli founding shareholders.
No director has a service contract with the company or its wholly-owned subsidiaries providing for benefits upon termination of employment.
Our Office Holders (generally senior managers) serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors or until their successors are appointed. See "Item 4B.12f Our Mobile Telephone License" for a description of additional requirements of the composition of our Board of Directors and the appointment of its members.
Our Articles of Association provide that a director may appoint an individual to serve as an alternate director. An alternate director may not serve as such unless such person is qualified to serve as a director. In addition, no person who already serves as a director or an alternate director on the Company's Board of Directors may serve as an alternate director of another director on the Company's Board of Directors. Under the Israeli Companies Law, an alternate director is generally treated as a director. Under our Articles of Association, an alternate director shall have all the authorities of the director appointing him. The alternate director may not vote at any meeting at which the director appointing him is present. Unless the time period or scope of any such appointment is limited by the appointing director, such appointment shall be effective for all purposes and for an indefinite time, but will expire upon the expiration of the appointing director's term.
The Israeli Companies Law generally requires that Partner shall have at least two external directors on its Board of Directors who meet the independence criteria set by the Israeli Companies Law. The appointment of an external director (for the initial term of three years) under the Israeli Companies Law must be approved by the general meeting of shareholders provided that either: (a) the majority of votes in favor of the appointment shall include at least a majority of the votes of shareholders not constituting controlling parties (as stated in the Israeli Companies Law) in the Company, or those having a personal interest (as defined in the Israeli Companies Law) (other than a personal interest not resulting from their relations with the controlling parties) in the approval of the appointment participating in the vote, which votes shall not include abstaining votes; or (b) the total number of objecting votes of the shareholders mentioned in clause (a) does not exceed 2% of the total voting rights in the company.
Ms. Roly Klinger, Dr. Jonathan Kolodny and Ms. Michal Marom-Brikman serve as our external directors under the Israeli Companies Law.
In general, external directors may be re-appointed for two additional three-year terms by one of the following mechanisms:
(i) the Board of Directors proposed the nominee and his appointment is approved by the shareholders in the manner required to appoint external directors for their initial term (described above);
(ii) one or more shareholders that hold at least 1% or more of the company's voting rights proposed the external director for re-appointment, and the nominee is approved by a majority of the votes cast at the shareholders meeting, provided that: (A) the total number of shareholders' votes at the shareholders meeting shall not include the votes of shareholders who are controlling parties and those having a personal interest in the appointment approval (other than a personal interest not resulting from their relations with the controlling parties) and abstaining votes; (B) the aggregate votes cast by shareholders who are not excluded under clause (A) above in favor of the appointment exceed 2% of the voting rights in the company; and (B) the external director (a) is not a related or competing shareholder, or the relative of such a shareholder, at the time of the appointment and (b) is not affiliated with a related or competing shareholder at the time of the appointment or the two years preceding the appointment (the term "related or competing shareholder" is defined as a shareholder who nominated the external director for reappointment or a material shareholder (a shareholder that holds more than 5% of the shares or voting rights in the company), if at the date of such appointment, any of either such shareholder, the controlling shareholder of such shareholder, or a company controlled by either of them, has business with the company or is a competitor of the company); and
(iii) the external director proposed himself or herself and is approved by the process under clause (ii) above.
Under regulations promulgated under the Israeli Companies Law, certain companies, including dual listed companies, like Partner, may re-appoint external directors for additional terms of up to three years each (beyond the three terms of three years each), provided that all of the following conditions are fulfilled: (1) the Audit Committee and, subsequently, the Board of Directors, approves that, considering the external director's expertise and special contribution to the work of the Board of Directors and its committees, his re-appointment for an additional term of office is in the best interest of the Company; (2) the re-appointment for the additional term of office is done in conformity with one of the mechanisms described above; (3) prior to approving the re-appointment, the general meeting of shareholders is informed of the duration of the external director's service as an external director and is presented with the rationale of the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors for extending the external director's term of office.
The Israeli Companies Law requires that at least one external director has accounting and financial expertise, and that the other external director(s) have professional competence, as determined by the company's Board of Directors. Under promulgated regulations, a director having accounting and financial expertise is a person who, due to his education, experience and talents, is highly skilled in respect of, and understands, businessaccounting matters and financial reports in a manner that enables him to understand in depth the company's financial statements and to stimulate discussion regarding the manner in which the financial data is presented. Under the regulations, a director having professional competence is a person who has an academic degree in either economics, business administration, accounting, law or public administration or has another academic degree or has other higher education, all in the main business sector of the company or in a relevant area for the Board of Directors position, or has at least five years' experience in one or more of the following (or a combined five years' experience in at least two or more of the following): a senior position in the business management of a corporation with a substantial scope of business, a senior public officer or a senior position in the public service or a senior position in the field of the company's business.
In accordance with the Israeli Companies Law, Partner's Board of Directors has determined that the minimum number of directors with "accounting and financial expertise" that Partner believes is appropriate, in light of the particulars of Partner and its activities, is three. Under the Israeli Companies Law, only one of such "experts" is required to be an external director. The Board of Directors has determined that seven of our current directors have "accounting and financial expertise": Ms. Osnat Ronen, Dr. Jonathan Kolodny, Mr. Richard Hunter, Ms. Michal Marom-Brikman, Mr. Yossi Shachak, Mr. Yehuda Saban and Mr. Shlomo Zohar.
Under NASDAQ Rule 5615(a)(3), a foreign private issuer such as the Company may follow its home country practice in lieu of the requirements of the NASDAQ Rule 5600 Series ("Corporate Governance Requirements"), with certain exceptions, provided that it discloses each requirement that it does not follow and describes the home country practice followed in lieu of such requirement. We describe below the areas where we follow our home country practice rather than the NASDAQ Corporate Governance Requirements:
nominees must either be selected or recommended to the Board by the independent directors or a nomination committee comprised solely of independent directors, are thus not satisfied.
The Company's Articles of Association provide that the Board of Directors may delegate its authorities or any part of them to committees of the Board of Directors as it deems appropriate, subject to the provisions of the Israeli Companies Law. Our Board of Directors has established an audit committee, a compensation committee, a security committee and an investment committee.
Pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and the listing requirements of the NASDAQ Global Select Market, as a foreign private issuer, we are required to establish an audit committee consisting only of members who are U.S. "independent" directors as defined by SEC rules. In accordance with the Company's Audit Committee Charter, our audit committee is responsible among other things, for overseeing the Company's financial reporting process and the audits of the Company's financial statements, including monitoring the integrity of the Company's financial statements and the independence and performance of the Company's internal and external auditors. Our audit committee is also directly responsible for the appointment, remuneration and oversight of our independent auditor and for establishing procedures for receiving and handling complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal controls and audit matters. The audit committee also assists the Board in conducting periodic reviews of the Company's management of cyber risk.
The Israeli Companies Law requires public companies, including Partner, to appoint an audit committee comprised of at least three Board of Directors members, including all the company's external directors, the majority of whom must be Israeli independent directors and the chairman of the audit committee is required to be an external director. Under the Israeli Companies Law neither the controlling party or his relative, the chairman of the Board of Directors, any director employed by the company or by its controlling party or by an entity controlled by the controlling party, any director who regularly provides services to the company, to its controlling party or to an entity controlled by the controlling party, nor any director who derives most of its income from the controlling party, may be eligible to serve as a member of the audit committee.
The responsibilities of our audit committee under the Israeli Companies Law include, among others, identifying irregularities in the management of the company's business and approving related party transactions as required by law, determining whether certain related party actions and transactions are "material" or "extraordinary" in connection with their approval procedures (See 6C.8 APPROVAL OF RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS AND COMPENSATION), assessing the scope of work and remuneration of the company's independent auditor, assessing the company's internal audit system and the performance of its internal auditor and making arrangements regarding the handling of complaints by employees about company's business management deficiencies and regarding the protection given to employees who have made complaints.
The Company's audit committee was appointed by our Board of Directors to review our financial statements, in compliance with U.S. legal requirements (as described above) and in compliance with Israeli regulations (from which we are exempt).
Our audit committee is comprised of four Board of Directors members: Dr. Jonathan Kolodny (committee chairman; external director), Ms. Roly Klinger (external director), Ms. Michal Marom-Brikman (external director) and Mr. Shlomo Zohar. All of the audit committee members meet the SEC's definition of independent directors for the purpose of serving as audit committee members as well as the Israeli Companies Law's definition of Israeli independent directors. In accordance with the SEC definition of "independent" director, none of them is an affiliated person of Partner or any subsidiary of Partner.
The Board of Directors has determined that three of our four audit committee members are "audit committee financial experts" as defined by applicable SEC regulations. See "Item 16A Audit Committee Financial Expert" below.
The Israeli Companies Law requires public companies, including Partner, to appoint a compensation committee comprised of at least three Board of Directors members, including all the company's external directors who must constitute the majority of its members. Other members of the committee should be directors whose terms of compensation are the same as external directors and the chairman of the compensation committee is required to be an external director.
Under the Israeli Companies Law, the compensation committee's responsibilities include, among others, recommending to the Board of Directors, a compensation policy for office-holders to be approved by the shareholders of the Company. See "6B Compensation". The compensation committee also makes recommendations to the Board of Directors once every three years regarding the continuing effectiveness of the compensation policy, reviews modifications to the compensation policy from time to time and its implementation and approves the actual compensation terms of Office Holders which require the compensation committee's approval according to the relevant provisions of the Israeli Companies Law.
Our compensation committee is comprised of four Board of Directors members: Dr. Jonathan Kolodny (committee chairman; external director), Ms. Roly Klinger (external director), Ms. Michal Marom-Brikman (external director) and Mr. Shlomo Zohar. All of the compensation committee members meet the SEC's definition of independent directors for the purpose of serving as the compensation committee members as well as the Israeli Companies Law's definition of Israeli independent directors. In accordance with the SEC definition of "independent" director, none of them is an affiliated person of Partner or any subsidiary of Partner.
Pursuant to an amendment to our license from April 2005, a Board of Directors committee has been formed to deal with security matters. Only directors with the required clearance and those deemed appropriate by Israel's General Security Service may be members of this committee. The committee must consist of at least four members, who are subject to the clearance required from the Israeli General Security Service and at least one external director. Where any matter requires a Board of Directors' resolution and it is a security matter, then the committee should be authorized to discuss and to resolve such security matter and the resolution should bind the Company. However, in cases where the security matter concerned requires review by the Board of Directors or the audit committee according to the Israeli Companies Law or other applicable law, such as a transaction with a related party, it should be submitted for approval in accordance with the requirements of the applicable U.S. law, the Israeli Companies Law and any other applicable laws, provided that, in any case, only directors with security clearance can participate in any forum which will deal with security matters. In April 2005, our Board of Directors approved the formation of the security committee to consist of four Israeli directors, who are subject to Israeli security clearance and security compatibility to be determined by the General Security Service. Currently, Ms. Osnat Ronen (committee chairman), Dr. Jonathan Kolodny, Mr. Richard Hunter and Mr. Ori Yaron are members of the security committee.
In July 2021, our Board of Directors appointed an investment committee. The investment committee is authorized to discuss and recommend to the Board of Directors of the Company regarding policy on the following matters: working capital management and liquidity, use of financial instruments and CAPEX investments, and to approve activities within the framework of the policy rules to be approved by the Board of Directors. Our investment committee is comprised of five Board of Directors members: Mr. Shlomo Zohar (committee chairman), Ms. Osnat Ronen, Mr. Yehuda Saban, Mr. Ori Yaron and Ms. Michal Marom-Brikman.
The Israeli Companies Law requires the Board of Directors of a public company to appoint an internal auditor nominated by the audit committee. A person who does not satisfy certain independence requirements may not be appointed as an internal auditor. The role of the internal auditor is to examine, among other things, the compliance of the company's conduct with applicable law and orderly business procedures. Our internal auditor is Mr. Yehuda Motro, formerly the internal auditor of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange.
The Israeli Companies Law governs the duty of care and duty of loyalty which an Office Holder owes to the company. An "Office Holder" is defined in the Israeli Companies Law as a director, general manager, chief executive officer, executive vice president, vice president, or any other person assuming the responsibilities of any of the foregoing positions without regard to such person's title and other managers directly subordinated to the general manager.
The duty of loyalty requires the Office Holder to act in good faith and in the company's favor and to avoid any conflict of interest between the Office Holder's position in the company and personal affairs, and proscribes any competition with the company or the exploitation of any business opportunity of the company in order to receive personal advantages for him or others. This duty also requires him to reveal to the company any information or documents relating to the company's affairs that the Office Holder has received due to his position as an Office Holder. The duty of care requires an Office Holder to act in a way that a reasonable Office Holder would have acted in the same position and under the same circumstances. This includes the duty to utilize reasonable means to obtain information regarding the advisability of a given action submitted for his approval or performed by virtue of his position and all other relevant information.
The Israeli Companies Law requires that a transaction between the company and its Office Holder, and also a transaction between the company and another person in which an Office Holder has a personal interest, requires the approval of the Board of Directors if such a transaction is not an "extraordinary transaction", although, as permitted by law and subject to any relevant stock exchange rule, our Articles of Association allow our audit committee to approve such a transaction, without the need for approval from the Board of Directors. If such a transaction is an extraordinary transaction (that is, a transaction not in the ordinary course of business, not on market terms, or that is likely to have a material impact on the company's profitability, assets or liabilities), generally in addition to audit committee approval, the transaction also must be approved by our Board of Directors, and, in certain circumstances, also by the general meeting of shareholders. Under the Israeli Companies Law, an
extraordinary transaction between a public company and a controlling party of the company or an extraordinary transaction between a public company and another person, in which the controlling party has a personal interest (including a private placement), and a transaction between a public company and a controlling party or his relative, directly or indirectly, including, without limitation, via an entity controlled by the controlling party, for receiving services by the company (and if the controlling party is also an Office Holder in the company for his terms of service, and if he is an employee of the company (but not an Office Holder in it) his employment in the company) must be approved by the audit committee or the compensation committee if relates to terms of employment (as the case may be), the Board of Directors and the general meeting of shareholders, provided that either: (a) the majority of votes in favor of the transaction shall include at least a majority of the votes of shareholders who do not have a personal interest in approval of the transaction, who participate in the voting, or (b) the total number of objecting votes of the shareholders mentioned in clause (a) does not exceed 2% of the total voting rights in the company.
The audit committee is also authorized to determine, with respect to related party transactions with a controlling shareholder or in which the controlling shareholder has a personal interest, even if they are not extraordinary transactions, an obligation to conduct a competitive process (to be supervised by the audit committee, or any person authorized on its behalf or via any other method approved by the audit committee) or to determine that other processes will be conducted prior to the engagement in such transactions and all in accordance with the type of transaction. The specific criteria for such a process may be determined by the audit committee annually in advance. In addition, the audit committee is authorized to determine the approval process for transactions that are not negligible, as well as determine which types of said transactions would require the approval of the audit committee. "Non-negligible transactions" are defined as related party transactions with a controlling shareholder or in which the controlling shareholder has a personal interest, that the audit committee has deemed not to be an extraordinary transaction, but which have also been classified by the audit committee as a non-negligible transaction. Additionally, the audit committee may decide on such classifications for these types of transactions, based on criteria set annually in advance.
The Israeli Companies Law requires that an Office Holder or a controlling party promptly disclose any personal interest that he has and all related material information known to him, in connection with any existing or proposed transaction by the company. The company may then approve the transaction in accordance with the provisions of its Articles of Association and the Israeli Companies Law. Under the Israeli Companies Law, if the Office Holder or a controlling party has a personal interest in the transaction, an approval that the transaction is in the best interest of the company is required.
In most circumstances, the Israeli Companies Law restricts Office Holders who have a personal interest in a matter which is considered at a meeting of the Board of Directors or the audit committee from being present at such meeting, participating in the discussions or voting on any such matter. An exemption exists in the event that a majority of the directors in the meeting have a personal interest in the matter provided, that in case a majority of the Board of Directors has a personal interest in the matter, the transaction will require the approval of the general meeting of shareholders.
For information concerning the direct and indirect personal interests of certain of our Office Holders and principal shareholders in certain transactions, see "Item ITEM 7 MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS".
The terms of employment of Office Holders including compensation, equity awards, severance and other benefits, exemption from liability and indemnification require the approval of the compensation committee and the Board of Directors. The terms of employment of directors and the Chief Executive Officer must also be approved at the general meeting of shareholders by a majority of the Company's shareholders, provided that (i) such majority includes at least a majority of the shareholders who are not controlling shareholders and who do not have a personal interest in the matter, who participate in the voting (abstentions are disregarded), or (ii) the total number of objecting votes of the shareholders mentioned in clause (i) does not exceed 2% of the total voting rights in the company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a company may be exempted from receiving shareholder approval with respect to the terms of employment of a candidate for a Chief Executive Officer position, if such candidate meets certain independence criteria, the terms are in line with the Compensation Policy and the compensation committee has
determined for specified reasons that shareholder approval would prevent the engagement. See "Item 6C.5c COMPENSATION COMMITTEE".
Changes to existing terms of employment of Office Holders (other than directors) can be made with the approval of the compensation committee only (following adoption of the Compensation Policy), if the committee determines that the change is not substantially different from the existing terms.
Under the Israeli Companies Law and related regulations, the compensation payable to external directors and Israeli independent directors is subject to certain further limitations.
Under the Israeli Companies Law, a shareholder has a general duty to act in good faith and in a customary manner towards the company and the other shareholders and to refrain from improperly exploiting his power in the company, particularly when voting in the general meeting of shareholders on (a) any amendment to the articles of association, (b) an increase of the company's authorized share capital, (c) a merger, or (d) approval of related party transactions which require shareholder approval. A shareholder should also avoid deprivation of other shareholders' rights. In addition, any controlling party, any shareholder who knows that it possesses power to determine the outcome of a shareholder vote and any shareholder that, pursuant to the provisions of the articles of association, has the power to appoint or prevent an appointment of an Office Holder in the company or any other power towards the company, is under a duty to act in fairness towards the company under the Israeli Companies Law.
As permitted by the Israeli Companies Law, our Articles of Association provide that Partner may indemnify an Office Holder of Partner to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Without derogating from the foregoing, and subject to limitations set forth in the Israeli Securities Law, our Articles of Association specifically provide that Partner may indemnify an Office Holder of Partner for liability or expense he incurs or that is imposed upon him as a result of an action or inaction by him (or together with other Office Holders of Partner) in his capacity as an Office Holder of Partner including (subject to specified conditions) also in advance, as follows:
with a proceeding ("halich") under Chapters H3, H4 or I1 of the Israeli Securities Law, or under Chapter 4 of Part 9 of the Israeli Companies Law, in connection with any affairs, including reasonable legal expenses, which term includes attorney fees, including by indemnification in advance; and
Our Articles of Association also permit us to indemnify any Office Holders of Partner for any other liability or expense in respect of which it is permitted or will be permitted under applicable law to indemnify an Office Holder of Partner.
The Israeli Companies Law and our Articles of Association also permit us to undertake in advance to indemnify an Office Holder with respect for items (2), (3) and (4) above, or any other matter permitted by law. The Israeli Companies Law and our Articles of Association also permit us to undertake in advance to indemnify an Office Holder with respect to item (1) above, provided however, that the undertaking to indemnify is restricted to events which in the opinion of the Board of Directors are anticipated in light of Partner's activities at the time of granting the undertaking to indemnify, and is limited to a sum or measurement determined by the Board of Directors to be reasonable under the circumstances. The undertaking to indemnify shall specify the events that, in the opinion of the Board of Directors are expected in light of the Company's actual activity at the time of grant of the undertaking and the sum or measurement which the Board of Directors determined to be reasonable under the circumstances.
The Israeli Companies Law combined with our Articles of Association also permits us to indemnify an Office Holder retroactively for all kinds of events, subject to any applicable law.
In no event may we indemnify an Office Holder for any of the following:
We have undertaken to indemnify our Office Holders, subject to certain conditions as aforesaid. We consider from time to time the indemnification of our Office Holders, which indemnification will be subject to approval of our compensation committee, Board of Directors and in certain cases, such as indemnification of directors and the CEO, also of our shareholders.
Under the indemnification letters granted to Office Holders prior to the extraordinary general meeting of shareholders held on October 17, 2013 ("October 2013 EGM"), the aggregate indemnification amount payable by us to Office Holders and other indemnified persons pursuant to all letters of indemnification issued to them by us will not exceed the higher of (i) 25% of shareholders equity and (ii) 25% of market capitalization, each measured at the time of indemnification (the "Combined Maximum Indemnity Amount", and "the Original Indemnification Letter").
Under the indemnification letters granted to Office Holders after the October 2013 EGM, the aggregate indemnification amount payable by us to Office Holders (including, among others, Office Holders nominated on behalf of Partner in subsidiaries) pursuant to all letters of indemnification issued or that may be issued to them by Partner on or after the October 2013 EGM, for any occurrence of an event set out in such a letter (including an attachment thereto) will not exceed 25% of shareholders equity (according to the latest reviewed or audited financial statements approved by Partner's Board of Directors prior to approval of the indemnification payment) ("the Revised Indemnification Letter"). However, under the circumstances where indemnification for the same event is to be made in parallel under the Revised Indemnification Letter and to one or more indemnified persons under the Original Indemnification Letter, the maximum indemnity amount for the indemnified persons that received the Revised Indemnification Letter shall be adjusted so it does not exceed the Combined Maximum Indemnity Amount to which any other indemnified person is entitled under the Original Indemnification Letter.
The Companies Law and our Articles of Association authorize the Company, subject to obtaining the required approvals (of our compensation committee, Board of Directors and in certain cases, such as release of directors and the CEO, also of our shareholders), to release our Office Holders, in advance, from such persons' liability, entirely or partially, for damage in consequence of the breach of the duty of care toward us as set forth in accordance with any law, including the liabilities and expenses for which the Company may indemnify Office Holders as set forth above, see Item 6C.10a Indemnification. Furthermore, the Company may release Office Holders that are controlling shareholders or their relatives, subject to the receipt of the approvals in accordance with any law. Said release will not apply to a resolution or transaction in which the controlling shareholder or any Office Holder in the Company (including other Office Holders than the Office Holder being granted the release) has a personal interest.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, we may not release such person from such person's liability, resulting from any of the following events: (i) the breach of duty of loyalty towards us; (ii) the breach of duty of care made intentionally or recklessly ("pzizut"), other than if made only by negligence; (iii) an act intended to unlawfully yield a personal profit; (iv) a fine ("knass"), a civil fine ("knass ezrahi"), a financial sanction ("itzum caspi") or a penalty ("kofer") imposed upon such person; and (v) the breach of duty of care in a distribution ("haluka").
In addition to the Original Indemnification Letter and the Revised Indemnification Letter, the Company granted new indemnification and release letters to our Office Holders at the annual general meeting of shareholders held on September 28, 2016.
The Israeli Companies Law and the Company's Articles of Association authorize the Company (subject to certain exceptions) to enter into an insurance contract, and to arrange and pay all premiums in respect of an insurance contract, for the insurance of the liability of our Office Holders for liabilities the Office Holder incurs as a result of a direct or indirect action or inaction undertaken by such person (or together with other Office Holders of the Company) in his capacity as an Office Holder of the Company for any of the following:
The number of full-time equivalent employees at year-end 2019, 2020 and 2021, according to their activity, was as follows:
| 2019** | 2020 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Customer service* | 1,456 | 1,370 | 1,257 |
| Sales and sales support* | 541 | 491 | 537 |
| Information technology | 403 | 388 | 372 |
| Marketing and Content | 56 | 52 | 48 |
| Finance | 88 | 85 | 86 |
| Human Resources, Administration & | 91 | 86 | 86 |
| Security | |||
| Operations & Logistics | 136 | 122 | 121 |
| Remaining operations | 63 | 61 | 67 |
| TOTAL | 2,834 | ***2,655 | ****2,574 |
*Many positions in Customer service and Sales and sales support are filled by more than one part-time employee so that the employee headcount for those activities is about 12% greater than the number of full-time equivalents set forth above.
** Starting in 2019, the number of full-time employees also includes the number of full-time employees of PHI on a proportional basis of the Company's share in PHI (50%).
*** During the first half of 2020, in light of the COVID-19 crisis the Company temporarily reduced the workforce by putting a significant number of employees on unpaid leave. As of December 31, 2020, due to the COVID-19 crisis, an additional 90 full time employees were on unpaid leave from the Company.
****See "Item 3D.2f Covid-induced work patterns and changes in the labor market due to competition for technical and professional personnel have created substantial difficulties in the recruitment and retention of personnel."
The 3-year collective employment agreement that we signed in 2016 with the employees' representatives and the Histadrut, the employees' union, was renewed in March 2019 and again in December 2021 for a period of three years (2022-2024). As in the previous agreements, the organizational chapter includes, among others, provisions regarding manning and changing of positions, termination of employment tenure and a dispute resolution mechanism. The economic chapter includes, among others, provisions regarding terms of employment, benefits and welfare and provides for annual bonuses to employees and a profit sharing mechanism provision under certain conditions. The agreement applies to the Company's employees, excluding certain managerial and specific positions. See also "Item 3D.2k The unionization of our employees has negatively affected and may continue to negatively affect our financial results."
In addition, we are subject to various Israeli labor laws and practices, as well as orders extending certain provisions of collective bargaining agreements between the Histadrut and the Coordinating Bureau of Economic Organizations, the federation of employers' organizations. Such laws, agreements and orders cover a wide range of areas and impose minimum employment standards including, working hours, minimum wages, vacation and severance pay, and special issues, such as equal pay for equal work, equal opportunity in employment, and employment of women, youth, disabled persons and army veterans. We believe that our relations with our employees are good.
Our employees are entitled to a pension insurance in the following amounts (amounts vary according to choice of a pension fund or a manager's insurance fund): employer provision for pension and compensation: 12.5% - 17.33% of the employee's salary and employee provision for pension: 6% -7% of the employee's salary.
We also offer some of our employees the opportunity to participate in a "Continuing Education Fund," which also functions as a savings plan. Each of the participating employees contributes an amount equal to 2.5% of their salary and we contribute between 5% - 7.5% of such employee's salary. In addition, in accordance with the collective employment agreement, employees that have been employed for 36 months or more by the Company are entitled to participate in a "Continuing Education Fund," by contributing an amount equal to 2.5% of their salary and we contribute 7.5% of such employee's salary.
According to the National Insurance Law, Israeli employers and employees are required to pay predetermined sums to the National Insurance Institute. These contributions entitle the employees to health insurance and benefits in periods of unemployment, work injury, maternity leave, disability, reserve military service, and bankruptcy or winding-up of the employer.
Most of our employees participate in a Health Insurance Program which provides additional benefits and coverage which the public health system does not provide. Eligibility to participate in the policy does not depend on seniority or position.
Israeli labor law subjects employers to increased liability, including monetary sanctions and criminal liability, in cases of violations of certain labor laws and certain violations by contractors providing maintenance, security and cleaning services.
As of February 1, 2022, to the best of the Company's knowledge, none of our directors or senior management held more than one percent of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares, including restricted shares, restricted share units (see below for an explanation), and options to acquire ordinary shares. Directors and senior management do not have different voting rights than other shareholders of the Company.
As of February 1, 2022, our senior management held, in the aggregate, outstanding options to purchase up to 3,037,249 of our ordinary shares, of which 77,659 options were vested and exercisable as of that date, in addition to 655,329 "restricted shares" of which 21,778 restricted shares were vested as of that date (as described in "Item 6E.2 Equity Incentive Plan" below). As of such date, no senior management member held options and restricted shares together to purchase one percent or more of our issued and outstanding shares. No options or restricted shares have been granted to our directors.
The table below sets forth the number of outstanding options held by our senior management of the Company, including the CEO of the Company, according to exercise price and expiration date as of February 1, 2022:
| Option expiration year (*) | Number of outstanding options held |
Weighted average exercise price (NIS) |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 437,726 | 15.15 |
| 2023 | 2,332,996 | 15.39 |
| 2026 | 175,370 | 13.94 |
| 2027 | 91,157 | 16.61 |
| TOTAL | 3,037,249 | 15.31 |
(*) The vesting schedule takes into account the acceleration of the vesting of certain grants based on a probable future change of control event, see footnote 9 to the table in Item 6B- Highest Office Holder Compensation and note 21(b)(1) of the consolidated financial statements.
The Amended and Restated 2004 Equity Incentive Plan (formerly known as the 2004 Equity Incentive Plan) (the "Plan") is intended to promote the interests of the Company and its shareholders by providing employees, directors, office holders and advisors of the Company with appropriate incentives and rewards to encourage them to enter into and continue in the employ of, or service to, the Company and to acquire a proprietary interest in the longterm success of the Company.
The Plan's principal terms include:
Exercise price determination. The compensation committee shall determine the option and restricted share unit ("RSU") (as further explained below) exercise price per ordinary share, subject to applicable law, regulations and guidelines. Unless otherwise provided in the grant instrument, the option exercise price shall be paid in NIS and the RSU exercise price shall be zero.
Exercise price adjustment. The exercise price of options shall be reduced in the following events: (1) dividend distribution other than in the ordinary course: by the gross dividend amount so distributed per share, and (2) dividend distribution in the ordinary course: With respect to certain options (depending on the date of the granting of the options), the exercise price shall be reduced by the amount of a dividend in excess of 40% of the Company's net income for the relevant period per share, or else by the gross dividend amount so distributed per share.
Cashless exercise. Most of the options may be exercised only through a cashless exercise procedure; while holders of other options may choose between cashless exercise and the regular option exercise procedure. In accordance with such cashless exercise, the option holder would receive from the Company, without payment of the exercise price, only the number of shares whose aggregate market value equals the economic gain which the option holder would have realized by selling all the shares purchased at their market price, net of the option exercise. Unless otherwise determined by the committee in the grant instrument, the Company at its sole and absolution discretion may obligate the grantee to pay the nominal value of the ordinary shares issued and in such event the ordinary shares will not be issued (and the options and RSUs will not be exercised) prior to the payment of such nominal value.
Exercise Period. 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 not exceed ten years from the date of option grant (considering, if applicable, among others, the provisions of the Compensation Policy) unless shortened pursuant to the terms of the Plan.
Vesting. The vesting schedule of granted securities will be determined by the compensation committee and Board of Directors at their sole discretion and will be detailed in the grant instrument. The committee may set performance targets as a vesting criterion (independently or in combination with other criteria).
Acceleration of vesting upon Change in Control. In the event that within six months after a Change in Control of the Company, as defined in the Plan, the employee's employment is terminated for any reason (other than termination for Cause as defined in the Plan), whether by the Company or by the employee, or if a notice of such termination was provided during the said six month period (even where the actual termination of employment occurs following such six month period), the vesting of granted securities and exercisability of outstanding granted securities shall be immediately accelerated.
Adjustments. Upon the occurrence of any merger, consolidation, reorganization or similar event or transaction (e.g., subdivision or consolidation), equitable changes or adjustments to the number of shares subject to each outstanding option and RSU will be made in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the option and RSU holders' rights and appropriate adjustments shall be made in the number and other pertinent elements of any outstanding restricted shares, with respect to which restrictions have not yet lapsed prior to any such change.
Restricted Shares. The Company may grant "restricted shares" to beneficiaries of the Plan. Restricted shares awarded to a grantee are held by the Plan's trustee in custody for the benefit of the grantee generally until the restrictions thereon have lapsed (e.g., earning period and the other applicable conditions and restrictions under the Plan and the grant instrument under which these restricted shares were awarded). In accordance with the Plan, as long as the restricted shares are held by the trustee, the trustee shall not exercise the voting rights of the underlying
ordinary shares at the general meetings of shareholders unless requested to do so by the Company. In such event, the trustee shall vote the underlying ordinary shares proportionally to the shareholders vote and if the vote of public shareholders is counted separately, proportionally to the public shareholders vote. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company has reserved the right, upon recommendation of legal counsel, to request the grantee to exercise individually his or her voting rights. In addition, any dividend distributed during the period in which the restricted shares are held by the trustee, is accumulated and transferred to the grantee when the shares have been earned (i.e. when the restrictions lapse).
Except as provided in the immediately preceding paragraph and in the Plan and subject to the terms of the grantee's relevant grant instrument, the grantee shall have, with respect to his or her restricted shares, all of the rights of a shareholder of the Company, including the right to vote the ordinary shares (endorsed to the trustee as long as the restricted shares are held by the trustee), and the right to receive any dividend thereon (accumulated together with the underlying restricted shares).
Restricted Share Units. The Company may grant "restricted share units" to beneficiaries of the Plan. Restricted share units are options, bearing an exercise price of no more than the underlying share's nominal value. Upon the lapse of the vesting period of a RSU, such RSU shall automatically become an issued and outstanding share of the Company, subject to certain applicable conditions and restrictions under the Plan and the grant instrument and unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, the grantee shall pay to the Company its nominal value as a precondition to the issuance of such share.
Merger; Consolidation; Reorganization. Upon certain events including a merger, reorganization and consolidation, granted securities shall, at the sole and absolute discretion of the Board of Directors, either solely or in any combination: be substituted for similar granted securities to purchase shares of a successor entity, be assumed by a successor entity, be substituted for similar "phantom" granted securities of the Company or the successor entity, or each non-vested granted securities shall become fully exercisable. In the event that the ordinary shares will no longer be traded on any stock exchange, at the sole and absolute discretion of the Board of Directors, either solely or in any combination: each granted securities shall be substituted for a similar phantom granted securities, or each non-vested granted securities shall become fully exercisable.
Amendment and termination of the Plan. The Plan may generally be altered or amended in any respect by a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company, subject to the Plan, applicable law and the rules and regulations of any stock exchange applicable from time to time to the Company, by reason of their applicability to its shareholders or otherwise. The Board of Directors may, at any time and from time to time, terminate the Plan in any respect, subject to any applicable approvals or consents that may be otherwise required by law, regulation or agreement, including by reason of their applicability to the shareholders or otherwise, and provided that no termination of the Plan shall adversely affect the terms of any granted security which has already been granted.
Administration of the Plan. The Plan is administered by the compensation committee of the Board of Directors. Subject to the restrictions of the Companies Law, the compensation committee is authorized, among other things, to exercise all the powers and authorities, either specifically granted to it under the Plan or necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan.
The description of the Plan above is only a summary and is qualified by reference to the full text thereof which has been included as an annex to this Annual Report. See Exhibit 15.(a).1 incorporated by reference in this Annual Report. On March 13, 2016, the Board of Directors approved certain amendments to the Plan. The main amendments to the Plan include: (a) amendment to the cashless exercise formula; (b) the ability to allocate restricted share units to the Company's employees and office holders; (c) automatic extension of the exercise period due to black-out periods; (d) adjustments to the grantee's rights under any granted securities due to the occurrence of certain events, including a rights offering; (e) a provision allowing the Company's management bodies to decide to pay a grantee the financial benefit embedded in his equity compensation in cash compensation instead of equity compensation, in certain events in which the Company is unable to issue shares resulting from exercise of options or RSUs or to release any restricted share to a grantee; (f) extension of the exercise period as a result of a Change in Control; (g) a provision that allows the Company to limit a grantee from making transactions in the granted securities in connection with any underwritten public offering of the Company and (h) certain exercise restrictions in accordance with the Tel Aviv stock exchange rules. Share options and restricted shares (collectively, "granted securities") have been granted to employees in accordance with the Plan. Upon exercise each option provides the right to acquire one ordinary share that confers the same rights as the other ordinary shares of the Company. In
2021, following the approval of the Company's Board of Directors, 3,827,782 share options and 820,059 restricted shares were granted to senior office holders, managers and other employees of the Company and its subsidiary, compared to 1,035,635 share options and 398,055 restricted shares granted during 2020. The vesting of the options and the earning of the restricted shares granted after June 2014 are subject to vesting or restriction periods and are also subject to performance conditions set by the Company's management bodies.
As of December 31, 2021, options to acquire a total of 6,934,999 ordinary shares and 1,347,817 restricted shares (allocated to a trustee on behalf of the employees under the plan) are outstanding.
Ordinary shares issuance and repurchase:
In June 2017, the Company issued 10,178,211 shares of the Company, of which 508,911 shares were issued as Israeli founding shareholder shares. The total net consideration received was approximately NIS 190 million.
In January 2020, the Company issued 19,330,183 shares of the Company of which 937,283 shares were issued as Israeli founding shareholder shares. The total net consideration received was approximately NIS 276 million. The offering expenses totaled NIS 10 million.
Through December 31, 2008, the Company purchased its own 4,467,990 shares at the cost of NIS 351 million, and during 2018, the Company purchased its own 6,501,588 shares at the cost of NIS 100 million (upon repurchase the shares were recorded as "treasury shares"). In accordance with the Israeli Companies Law, the treasury shares are considered dormant shares as long as they are held by the Company, and as such, they do not bear any rights (including the right to vote in general meetings of shareholders and to receive dividends) until they are transferred to a third party. Some of the treasury shares were offered to employees under the Plan as restricted shares awards ("RSAs").
As of December 31, 2021, a total of 7,337,759 treasury shares remained of which 1,349,119 were allocated as RSAs to a trustee on behalf of the employees under the Plan. The RSAs offered under the Plan are under the control of the Company until vested under the Plan and therefore are not presented in the financial statements as outstanding shares until vested.
Information in respect of options and restricted shares granted under the Plan is set forth below:
| Through December 31, 2021 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of options | Number of RSAs | ||
| Granted | 39,936,212 | 6,727,668 | |
| Shares issued upon exercises and vesting | (7,022,000) | (3,633,131) | |
| Cancelled upon net exercises, expiration | |||
| and forfeitures | (25,979,213) | (1,746,720) | |
| Outstanding | 6,934,999 | 1,347,817 | |
| Of which (*): | |||
| Exercisable | 2,189,520 | 201,225 | |
| Vest in 2022 | 2,540,988 | 640,912 | |
| Vest in 2023 | 1,852,136 | 424,467 | |
| Vest in 2024 | 352,355 | 81,213 |
(*) The vesting schedule includes probable acceleration, see footnote 9 to the table in Item 6B- Highest Office Holder Compensation and note 21(b)(1) of the consolidated financial statements.
The following table, together with the notes thereto, sets forth certain information as of January 31, 2022, with respect to each person whom we believe to be the beneficial owner of 5% or more of our ordinary shares. Except where otherwise indicated, we believe, based on information publicly filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") or furnished to us by the principal shareholders, that the beneficial owners of the ordinary shares listed below have sole investment and voting power with respect to such ordinary shares. None of our major shareholders has any different voting rights than any other shareholder. See "Item 10B.3 Rights Attached to Shares".
| Name | Shares beneficially owned |
Issued Shares (1)% |
Issued and Outstanding Shares (1)% |
|---|---|---|---|
| S.B. Israel Telecom Ltd.(2) | 49,862,800 | 26.10 | 26.95 |
| Phoenix-Excellence Group (3) | 17,400,660 | 9.11 | 9.40 |
| Meitav Dash Group (4) | 16,993,673 | 8.90 | 9.18 |
| Menora Mivtachim Group (5) | 13,353,537 | 6.99 | 7.22 |
| Harel Group (6) | 13,576,166 | 7.11 | 7.34 |
| Clal Insurance Group (7) Treasury shares (8) |
13,249,633 5,988,640 |
6.94 3.135 |
7.16 - |
| Public (9) | 60,593,070 | 31.72 | 32.75 |
| Total | 191,018,179 | 100.00 | 100.00 |
treasury shares to a trustee on behalf of the Company's employees. See "Item 6E.2 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN".
(9) The shares under "Public" include 6,254,995 shares held by Israeli founding shareholders from among our founding shareholders and their approved substitutes including 937,283 Israeli founding shareholders shares which were issued following a public issuance of the Company shares during January 2020 and were approved by the Ministry of Communications on March 16, 2020. These shares, together with 1,935,000 shares held by the Phoenix-Excellence Group and 1,313,911 shares held by the Meitav Dash Group, represent approximately 4.98% of our issued shares (approximately 5.14% of the Issued and Outstanding Shares). For further information regarding required holdings by Israeli founding shareholders, see "Item 3D.1l Our cellular telephone license imposes certain obligations on our shareholders and restrictions on who can own our shares. Ensuring compliance with these obligations and restrictions may be outside our control. If the obligations or restrictions are not respected by our shareholders, we could be subject to significant monetary sanctions or lose our license."
As of January 31, 2022, to the best of the Company's knowledge, none of our directors and senior management held more than one percent of our outstanding ordinary shares; their holdings have been included under "Public" in the table above. For information regarding options held by our senior management to purchase ordinary shares, see "6E- Share Ownership".
The Company notes the possible Transaction by the Offerer referred to in Item 3D.3a. However, we are not aware of any other arrangements that might result in a change in control of our Company.
On February 1, 2022, 4,417,065 ADSs (equivalent to 4,417,065 ordinary shares) or approximately 2.39% of our total Issued and Outstanding ordinary shares, were held of record by 28 registered holders in the United States. There were 3 registered holder accounts outside the United States and 25 accounts with registered addresses within the United States. Certain accounts of record with registered addresses other than in the United States may hold our ordinary shares, in whole or in part, beneficially for United States persons. We are aware that many ADSs and ordinary shares are held of record by brokers and other nominees and accordingly the above numbers are not necessarily representative of the actual number of persons who are beneficial holders of ADSs and ordinary shares, or the number of ADSs and ordinary shares beneficially held by such persons.
Our Israeli founding shareholders and S.B. Israel Telecom are parties to a Relationship Agreement in relation to their direct holdings of our shares and the rights associated with such holdings. (The Receiver exercising rights over the S.B.Telecom shares has the same rights and responsibilities as S.B. Telecom under the agreement. See "Item 3D.3a Approximately 27% of our issued and outstanding shares and voting rights are held by a receiver (under Israeli law)." See Exhibit 4.(a).1. incorporated by reference in this Annual Report.
The parties to the Relationship Agreement have agreed that they shall at all times comply with the terms of our license requiring that our founding shareholders or their approved substitutes hold in aggregate at least 26% of our means of control. In addition, our Israeli founding shareholders or their approved substitutes (from among the founding shareholders and their approved substitutes) must hold at least 5% of our means of control unless the Company be issued with an order which will replace this requirement. In February 2021, the Company was issued with such an order. See "Item 3D.1l Our cellular telephone license imposes certain obligations on our shareholders and restrictions on who can own our shares. Ensuring compliance with these obligations and restrictions may be outside our control. If the obligations or restrictions are not respected by our shareholders, we could be subject to significant monetary sanctions or lose our license. and "Item 4B.12f Our Mobile Telephone License."
If a party to the Relationship Agreement commits certain events of default described in the agreement, it may be required to offer its shares to the other parties on a pre-emptive basis. Events of default for this purpose include a breach of the Relationship Agreement which has a material adverse effect on Partner, and in the case of such breach, the purchase price at which the shares are to be sold will be market value less a 17.5% discount.
The Relationship Agreement continues in full force and effect until we are wound up or cease to exist unless terminated earlier by the parties. The Relationship Agreement will terminate in relation to any individual party after it ceases to hold any share beneficially if it is required to comply with the minimum holding requirements for founding shareholders or Israeli founding shareholders, as applicable, and the transfer of the shares was not made in breach of the Relationship Agreement.
A shareholders agreement among the Israeli founding shareholders, or their approved substitutes, purports to establish the procedures, rights and obligations with respect to the appointment of the Israeli director. The Company's position, which is based among others upon a legal opinion from outside counsel, is that the arrangement set in this agreement with respect to the procedures, rights and obligations pertaining to the appointment of the Israeli director is not valid and the Company does not give effect to that arrangement and it acts according to the provision of its license and Articles of Association in connection with the appointment of the Israeli director. In November 2014, the agreement was amended and among other things, Israeli founding shareholders were removed from the Shareholders Agreement, leaving only Suny Cellular Communications Ltd. ("Suny Cellular", formerly "Scailex") (whose shares in the Company that constitute the holdings of Israeli founding shareholders are controlled by a court appointed receiver in light of Suny Cellular's failure to comply with its obligations to its noteholders for the benefit of Suny Cellular's noteholders) and Suny Electronics Ltd. (whose shares in the Company are mortgaged to a trustee on behalf of Suny's noteholders and constitute part of the holdings of Israeli founding shareholders) as parties to the Shareholders Agreement.
Pursuant to the Network Sharing Agreement between the Company and the limited partnership PHI, the Company has transactions during the normal course of business with PHI. See "Item 4B.8a Overview- cellular network sharing", "Item 5B.4 Total net financial debt" and also note 9 to the consolidated financial statements.
Not applicable.
Audited financial statements for the three fiscal years ended December 31, 2021, are included under "Item 18. Financial Statements."
We are party to a number of legal and administrative proceedings arising in the ordinary course of our business, in addition to the legal proceedings specifically discussed below. We do not currently expect the outcome of such matters individually or in the aggregate to have a material adverse effect upon our business and financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
We have been named as defendants in a number of civil and criminal proceedings related to our network infrastructure which may result in civil liabilities or criminal penalties against us or our office holders and directors. In addition, we have also been named as defendants in a number of proceedings regarding breaches of our license and legal provisions of various laws including the Consumer Protection Law, Privacy Act and others. Plaintiffs in some of these proceedings have successfully sought or are seeking certification as class actions. The costs that may result from these lawsuits are only accrued for when it is more likely than not that a liability, resulting from past events, will be incurred and the amount of that liability can be quantified or estimated within a reasonable range. The amount of the provisions recorded is based on a case-by-case assessment of the risk level, and events arising during the course of legal proceedings may require a reassessment of this risk. The Company's assessment of risk is based both on the advice of counsel and on the Company's estimate of the probable amounts that are expected to be incurred. Based on its best judgment of the merits or lack thereof of the class actions described below, the likely range of damages which may be involved, and any provisions made in respect thereof in the Company's balance sheet, the Company does not currently believe that the outcome of these class actions, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material negative effect on its financial condition, results of operation or cash flows. See note 20 to the consolidated financial statements for further information regarding litigation and proceedings of which we are currently aware. See also "Item 3D.2h We are exposed to, and currently engaged in, a variety of legal proceedings, including class actions and requests to approve lawsuits as class actions."
The litigations described below involve claims for which requests for certification as class actions and class actions were filed and which specify a material amount of damages or have been previously reported by the Company. The total amount of pending claims made by plaintiffs in the litigations described below is NIS 1.87 billion.
or to receive a credit for the balance. The total amount claimed against Partner is estimated by the applicant to be approximately NIS 234 million. In April 2020, the Court dismissed the case and in June 2020 the plaintiffs filed an appeal of this decision.
With respect to the following claims that have previously been reported, the Company has reached settlement agreements or agreed upon withdrawals or the applicant has unilaterally filed a withdrawal (as noted below, some of the withdrawals are still subject to Court approval).
roaming services that were consumed abroad. The applicant also pursued an injunction that will order Partner to stop charging VA.T for roaming services that are consumed abroad. In August 2014, the claim was dismissed and in October 2014, the applicant filed an appeal with the Supreme Court. The hearing was held in May 2016 before an expanded panel of seven judges and the Supreme Court accepted the appeal in July 2017 and dismissed the District Court's decisions. The claim was reverted back to the District Court. In March 2020, a settlement agreement was filed for the Court's approval and in August 2021 it was approved by the Court.
On November 2, 2020, a claim and a motion to certify the claim as a class action were filed against the Company and 012 Telecom Ltd. The claim alleges that the Company charged its customers a fee for ISP service after they began receiving this service from another company and that the respondents did not provide the service in return for payment. The total amount claimed against the Company was not stated by the applicants (however the claim was estimated by the applicants to be over NIS 2.5 million). In April 2021, the motion was dismissed in accordance with the plaintiff's request.
The litigations described below involve claims for which requests for certification as class actions were filed and which do not claim any specific aggregate amount of damages to the relevant group in the claim.
The claim is still in its preliminary stage of the motion to be certified as a class action.
Finally, as we reported on March 19, 2019, the Israeli Tax Authority ("ITA") is conducting an investigation that involves document collection and the questioning of among others, several current and former Company employees. The investigation is seeking to determine whether there have been violations of the Eilat Free Trade Zone Law regarding the sale of cellular phones in the city of Eilat. The Company is fully cooperating with the ITA. At this stage, the Company is unable to estimate the impact of the investigation on the Company, its results and its financial condition, if any.
As of December 31, 2021, one criminal proceeding was pending against us concerning the erection of network sites without building permits. We are currently negotiating with the relevant local authorities to reach a settlement regarding the relocation of affected sites or obtaining building permits for those sites. Settlements of previous criminal proceedings brought against us resulted in Partner, but not its office holders or directors, admitting guilt and paying a fine, and also resulted in the imposition of demolition orders for the relevant sites, the execution of which have been stayed for a period of time to allow us to obtain the necessary permits or to relocate the relevant network site.
Our Articles of Association allow for our Board of Directors to approve all future dividend distributions, without the need for shareholder approval, subject to the provisions governing dividends under the Israeli Companies Law.
No dividends have been distributed since 2013. For risks relating to future payments of dividends, see "Item 3D.2v There can be no assurance that dividends will be declared or, if they are, at what level. No dividends have been distributed since 2013, although we repurchased 6,501,588 shares of the Company in 2018 for a cost of NIS 100 million."
We intend to pay any dividends which may be declared in shekels. Under current Israeli regulations, any dividends or other distributions paid in respect of ordinary shares may be freely repatriated in non-Israeli currencies at the rate of exchange prevailing at the time of conversion, provided that Israeli income tax has been paid on or withheld from such dividends. Because exchange rates between the shekel and the US dollar fluctuate continuously, a holder of ADSs will be subject to currency fluctuation generally and, particularly, between the date when dividends are declared and the date dividends are paid.
No significant change has occurred since December 31, 2021, except for the possible Transaction disclosed in footnote 9 to the table in Item 6B-Highest Office Holder Compensation. See also "Item 3D.2e The Coronavirus ("COVID-19") crisis had a material harmful effect on the Company's business in 2020 and 2021, including a significant reduction in revenues from roaming services. Should trends continue or worsen, this may have a material harmful effect on our results of operations and financial position for 2022.", and "Item 5D.2 Outlook".
Our capital consists of ordinary shares, which are traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange under the symbol "PTNR". American Depositary Shares ("ADSs"), each representing one of the Company's ordinary shares, are quoted on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "PTNR". The ADSs are evidenced by American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"). Citibank serves as our depositary for ADSs.
Not applicable.
Our ADSs are quoted on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "PTNR". Our ordinary shares are traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange under the symbol "PTNR".
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
We are a public company registered under the Israeli Companies Law as Partner Communications Company Ltd., registration number 52-004431-4.
Pursuant to our Articles of Association, we were formed for the purpose of participating in the auction for the granting of a license to operate cellular radio telephone services in Israel, to provide such services, and without derogating from the above, we are also empowered to hold any right, obligation or legal action and to operate in any business or matter approved by the Company.
Pursuant to section three of our Articles of Association, our purpose is to operate in accordance with business considerations to generate profits; provided, however, that the Board of Directors is entitled to donate reasonable amounts to worthy causes, even if such donation is not within the frame of these business considerations.
Pursuant to section four of our Articles of Association, our objective is to engage in any legal business.
The power of our directors to vote on a proposal, arrangement or contract in which the director is personally interested is limited by the relevant provisions of the Israeli Companies Law and our Articles of Association. In addition, the power of our directors to vote compensation to themselves or any members of their body, requires the approval of the compensation committee, the Board of Directors and the general meeting of shareholders. Generally, the Annual Meeting of the Shareholders must be convened to elect directors and a shareholders meeting could terminate the term of office of directors. In addition, our Articles of Association provide that, in certain circumstances relating to our compliance with the license, our Board of Directors may remove any director from the Board of Directors by a resolution passed by 75% or more of the directors present and voting at the relevant meeting. See also "Item 6C Board Practices".
Our registered share capital consists of a single class of 235 million ordinary shares, par value NIS 0.01 per share, of which 191,018,179 ordinary shares were issued and 185,029,539 shares (does not include treasury shares) and 183,680,420 shares (does not include treasury shares and unearned shares held by trustee on behalf of employees under share-based payment plan) were issued and outstanding as of January 31, 2022. All issued and outstanding ordinary shares are validly issued and registered. The rights attached to our ordinary shares are described below.
Holders of ordinary shares are entitled to the full amount of any cash or share dividend subsequently declared. The Board of Directors may propose and approve distribution of a dividend with respect to any fiscal year or quarter only out of profits, subject to the provisions of the Israeli Companies Law. See "Item 10E Taxation."
Shares which are treated as dormant under section 44.6 of our Articles of Association (under circumstances relating to compliance with our license) retain the rights to receive dividends or other distributions to shareholders, and to participate in rights offerings, but no other rights. See "Item 4B.12f Our Mobile Telephone License".
One year after a dividend has been declared and is still unclaimed, the Board of Directors is entitled to invest or utilize the unclaimed amount of the dividend in any manner to the benefit of the Company until it is claimed. We are not obligated to pay interest or linkage on an unclaimed dividend.
Holders of issued and outstanding ordinary shares have one vote for each ordinary share held on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders either in person or by proxy. Such voting rights may be affected by the grant of any special voting rights to the holders of a class of shares with preferential rights that may be authorized in the future. The quorum required for a general meeting of shareholders consists of at least two shareholders present in person or by proxy who hold or represent, in the aggregate, at least one third of the voting rights of the issued share capital. In the event that a quorum is not present within thirty minutes of the scheduled time, the shareholders' meeting will be adjourned to the same day of the following week, or the next business day thereafter, at the same time and place, or such time and place as the Board of Directors may determine. If at such reconvened meeting a quorum is not present after the lapsing of 30 minutes from the time appointed for holding the meeting, one or more shareholders present in person or by proxy holding or representing in the aggregate at least 10% of the voting rights in the Company will generally constitute a quorum. Any shareholder seeking to vote at a general meeting of our shareholders must first notify us if any of the shareholder's holdings in the Company requires the consent of the Ministry of Communications. The instructions of a shareholder will not be valid unless accompanied by a declaration by the shareholder as to whether or not the shareholder's holdings in the Company or the shareholder's vote requires the consent of the Ministry of Communications due to a breach by the shareholder of the restrictions on transfer or acquisition of means of control, or provisions regarding cross-ownership with other mobile telephone operators or shareholdings or agreements which may reduce or harm competition. If the shareholder does not provide such certification declaration, his instructions will be invalid and his vote not counted.
An ordinary resolution, such as a resolution for the election of directors (excluding external directors), or the appointment of auditors, requires approval by the holders of a majority of the voting rights represented at the meeting, in person or by proxy, and voting thereon. Under our Articles of Association, resolutions such as a resolution amending our Articles of Association or approving any change in the share capital, liquidation, changes in the objectives of the company, or the name of the company, or other changes as specified in our Articles of Association, requires approval of a special majority, representing the holders of no less than 75% of the voting rights represented at the meeting, in person or by proxy, and voting thereon.
Under our Articles of Association our directors are generally elected by an ordinary majority of the shareholders at each duly convened annual meeting, and serve until the next annual meeting, and our external directors are elected in accordance with applicable law and/or relevant stock exchange rules applicable to us; or until their respective successors are elected and qualified, whichever occurs first, or in the case of Israeli directors who are appointed by the founding Israeli shareholders, generally upon a written notice signed by at least two of the founding Israeli shareholders who are the record holders of (i) at least 50% of minimum Israeli holding shares or (ii), who hold in the aggregate the highest number of minimum Israeli holding shares among the Israeli founding shareholders. Any Israeli founding shareholders who have specified connections to a competing mobile radio telephone operator (as defined in the license) of the Company are prohibited from participation in any such appointment. The notice is addressed to the Company's company secretary indicating his appointment, until their respective successors are elected upon such notice. In each annual meeting the directors that were elected at the previous annual meeting are deemed to have resigned from their office, excluding the external directors, who according to the Israeli Companies Law, are elected for a period of three years and the Israeli director whose appointment is terminated generally by a written notice by himself or by the founding Israeli shareholders. A resigning director may be reelected. Each ordinary share represents one vote. No director may be elected or removed on the basis of a vote by dormant shares. The ordinary shares do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors.
Under our Articles of Association our shareholders discuss our annual consolidated financial statements, at the annual general meeting of shareholders.
Directors may be appointed also in certain circumstances by an extraordinary general meeting and by the Board of Directors upon approval of a simple majority of the directors. Such director, excluding the external directors, shall serve for a term ending at the next annual general meeting.
Our shareholders have the rights to share in our profits distributed as a dividend and any other permitted distribution. See "Item 10B.3 Rights Attached to Shares-–Dividend Rights."
All of our ordinary shares confer equal rights among them with respect to amounts distributed to shareholders in case of liquidation.
Upon the sale of the property of the Company, the Board of Directors or the liquidators (in case of a liquidation) may receive and, if the Company's profits so permit, distribute among the shareholders fully or partially paid up shares, bonds or securities of another company or any other property of the Company without selling them or depositing them with trustees on behalf of the shareholders, provided, however, that they have received the prior authorization adopted by a special majority of the shareholders of the Company (representing at least 75% of the votes of shareholders participating and voting in the relevant general meeting). Such special majority may also decide on the valuation of such securities or property, unless the Company is in or beginning a liquidation process.
Ownership and control of our ordinary shares are limited by the terms of our licenses and our Articles of Association. See "Item 4B.12f Our Mobile Telephone License-License Conditions" and "Revoking, limiting or altering our license."
In order to comply with the conditions and restrictions imposed on us by the Ministry of Communications or under our licenses in relation to ownership or control over us, under certain events specified in our Articles of Association, the Board of Directors may determine that certain ordinary shares are dormant shares. According to our Articles of Association, dormant shares bear no rights as long as they are dormant shares, except for the right to receive dividends and other distributions to shareholders. Consequently, we have received an exemption from the requirement set out in NASDAQ's Marketplace Rule 4351 that voting rights of existing shareholders of publicly traded common stock registered under Section 12 of the US Securities Exchange Act cannot be disparately reduced or restricted through any corporate action or issuance. In addition, the Board of Directors shall not register a person as a holder of a share before receipt of their declaration that they are not a "relevant person" as defined in our Articles of Association.
Our Compensation Policy allows us to allocate in addition to shares, restricted shares. For rights attached to restricted shares see "Item 6E.2 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN".
According to our Articles of Association, in order to change the rights attached to any class of shares, the general meeting of the shareholders must adopt a resolution to change such rights by a special majority, representing at least 75% of the votes of shareholders participating and voting in the general meeting, and in case of changing the rights attached to certain class of shares, the approval by special majority of each class meeting, is required.
The Board of Directors must convene an annual general meeting of shareholders at least once every calendar year, within fifteen months of the last annual general meeting. In accordance with our Articles of Association, notice of a general meeting must be sent to each registered shareholder no later than five days after the record date set by the Board of Directors for that meeting, unless a different notice time is required under applicable law. An extraordinary meeting may be convened by the Board of Directors, as it decides or upon a demand of any two directors or 25% of the directors, whichever is lower, or of one or more shareholders holding in the aggregate at least 5% of our issued capital and at least 1% of the voting rights of the Company; or (ii) at least 5% of the voting right of the Company, can seek to convene a shareholders meeting or as otherwise permitted by the Israeli Companies Law. See "Item 10B.3 RIGHTS ATTACHED TO SHARES–Voting Rights."
One or more shareholders holding (alone or in the aggregate), 1% or more of the share capital of the Company may request that the Board of Directors include an issue on the agenda of a general meeting of shareholders (including the nomination of a candidate to the board of directors), provided that such issue is suitable to be discussed in the general meeting of shareholders. Pursuant to an amendment to regulations promulgated under the Israeli Companies Law, effective from July 2014, said shareholder request should be submitted to the company within three or seven days (depending on the type of resolution dealt with in the convened meeting) following publication of the Company's notice with respect to its general meeting of shareholders, or, if the Company publishes a preliminary notice stating its intention to convene such meeting and the agenda thereof, within fourteen days of such preliminary notice. Any such proposal must further comply with the information requirements and time frames under Israeli law.
For limitations on the rights to own our securities see "Item 4B.12f Our Mobile Telephone License– License Conditions," " – Our Permit Regarding Cross Ownership" and "Item 10B.3 Rights Attached to Shares – Limitations on Ownership and Control."
For limitations on change in control see "Item 4B.12f Our Mobile Telephone License– License Conditions" and "– Our Permit Regarding Cross Ownership".
Changes in our share capital are subject to the approval of the shareholders at a general meeting of shareholders by a special majority of 75% of the votes of shareholders participating and voting in the general meeting of shareholders.
If any article of our Articles of Association is found to be inconsistent with the terms of our mobile telephone license granted by the Ministry of Communications (see "Item 4B.12f Our Mobile Telephone License") or of any other telecommunications license we hold, the provisions of such Article shall be deemed null and void.
Network sharing agreement. In April 2015, the Ministry of Communications approved the 15 year Network Sharing Agreement that we entered into with HOT Mobile. Pursuant to the Network Sharing Agreement, the parties created a 50-50 limited partnership, the purpose of which is to operate and develop a cellular network to be shared by both parties, starting with a pooling of both parties' radio access network infrastructures to create a single shared radio access network. The limited partnership began operations in August 2015. See "Item 4B.8 OUR NETWORK".
i-Phone Agreement. Following the expiration of a previous agreement, we entered into a non-exclusive agreement with Apple Distribution International, effective April 1, 2021, for the purchase and resale of iPhone handsets in Israel. Pursuant to the agreement, we agreed to purchase a minimum quantity of iPhone handsets per year, for a period of three years.
TI Sparkle Israel (formerlyMed Nautilus) Agreement. We have an agreement with TI Sparkle for the provision of international capacity services through submarine infrastructure, which connects countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea to all major Western European countries and from there to the rest of the world until 2023 with an option to extend the agreement until 2030.
Upgrade of LTE network. In January 2019, we entered into an agreement with Mavenir Systems Limited for the upgrade and improvement of the performance of our LTE network moving into virtualized architecture of the network, alongside new functionalities and capabilities, and preparation for 5G. See "Item 4B.8g Suppliers".
There are no Israeli government laws, decrees or regulations that restrict or that affect our export or import of capital or the remittance of dividends, interest or other payments to non-resident holders of our securities, including the availability of cash and cash equivalents for use by us and our wholly-owned subsidiaries, except or otherwise as set forth under "Item 10E Taxation".
Under Israeli law (and our Memorandum and Articles of Association), persons who are neither residents nor nationals of Israel may freely hold, vote and transfer ordinary shares in the same manner as Israeli residents or nationals.
The following discussion is not intended, and should not be construed, as legal or professional tax advice and should not be relied on any specific case since it does not exhaust all possible tax considerations.
The following is a summary of the current tax laws of the State of Israel as they relate to us and to our shareholders (in relation to their investments in the Company) and also includes a discussion of the material Israeli tax consequences for persons purchasing our ordinary shares or ADSs, both referred to below as the "Shares". To the extent that the discussion is based on legislation yet to be subject to judicial or administrative interpretation, there can be no assurance that the views expressed herein will accord with any such interpretation in the future. This discussion is not intended and should not be construed as legal or professional tax advice and does not cover all possible tax considerations.
Potential investors are urged to consult their own tax advisors as to the Israeli or other tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our Shares, including, in particular, the effect of any foreign, state or local taxes.
Israeli companies are generally subject to corporate tax on their taxable income (including capital gains). In general, the regular corporate tax rate in Israel for 2014 and 2015 was 26.5%, for 2016 was 25%, for 2017 was 24% and 23% for 2018 and thereafter.
Israeli law generally imposes a capital gains tax on the sale of capital assets by residents of Israel as defined for Israeli tax purposes, and on the sale of capital assets located in Israel or the sale of direct or indirect rights to assets located in Israel, including on the sale of our Shares by some of our shareholders (see discussion below). The Israeli Income Tax Ordinance distinguishes between "Real Capital Gain" and "Inflationary Surplus". Real Capital Gain is the excess of the total capital gain over Inflationary Surplus
computed on the basis of the increase in the Israeli Consumer Price Index ("CPI") between the date of purchase and the date of sale. In 2020, the real capital gain accrued on the sale of our Shares was generally taxed at a rate of 23% for corporations (25% for 2016, 24% for 2017 and 23% for 2018 and thereafter) and a rate of up to 25% for individuals. Additionally, if such individual shareholder is considered a "Significant Shareholder" at the time of the sale or at at any time during the 12-month period preceding such sale (i.e., if such individual shareholder holds directly or indirectly, alone or with others, at least 10% of any means of control in the company, including, among other things, the right to receive profits of the company, voting rights, the right to receive the company's liquidation proceeds and the right to appoint a director), the tax rate will be up to 30%.
However, the foregoing tax rates will not apply to dealers in securities, whose income from the sale of securities is considered "business income" and shareholders who have acquired their shares prior to an initial public offering (that may be subject to a different tax arrangement). Inflationary surplus that accrued after December 31, 1993, is exempt from tax.
Generally, a semi-annual detailed return, including a computation of the tax due should be submitted to the Israeli Tax Authorities and a tax advance amounting to the tax liability arising from the capital gain is payable on January 31 and July 31 of every tax year in respect of sales of securities made within the previous six months. At the sale of traded securities, the aforementioned detailed return may not be submitted and the tax advance should not be paid, if all tax due was withheld at source according to applicable provisions of the Israeli Tax Ordinance ("ITO") and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Capital gains are also reportable on annual income tax returns.
The following is a summary of the most significant Israeli capital gains tax implications arising with respect to the sale of our Shares by shareholders who are not engaged in the business of trading in securities.
A shareholder will generally be subject to tax at up to 25% rate on realized real capital gain (if the shareholder is a Significant Shareholder, as defined above, the tax rate will be up to 30%). To the extent that the shareholder claims a deduction of real interest expenses and linkage differences, the capital gain will be subject to tax at a rate of 30% (until the determination of provisions and conditions for the deduction of real interest expenses and linkage differences under section 101A(a)(9) and 101A(b) of the ITO).
Individual shareholders whose income from the sale of securities considered as business income are taxed at the marginal tax rates applicable to business income pay up to 47%. In addition, an individual tax resident is required to pay an additional tax at the rate of 3% on his yearly taxable combined income from any source exceeding 803,520 with respect to 2016. The additional tax rate is 3% from an amount exceeding NIS 647,640 with respect to 2021.
Shareholders who are corporations will be generally subject to tax at the corporate tax rate on the realized real capital gain as described in "General Corporate Tax Structure" in Item 10E above.
Different taxation rules may apply to shareholders who purchased the Shares prior to January 1, 2009, or prior to the listing on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq Global Market. Such Shareholders should consult with their own tax advisors for the tax consequences upon sale.
In general, a partnership will be a transparent entity for Israeli tax purposes and its partners will be subject to tax with respect to their share in accordance with each of their applicable tax status and rates.
In general, under the Israel Tax Ordinance, public institutions are exempt from tax.
As mentioned above, Israeli law generally imposes a capital gains tax on sales of capital assets, including securities and any other direct or indirect rights to capital assets located in Israel. This tax is also applicable to non-Israeli residents of Israel as follows:
Under Israeli law, the capital gain from the sale of shares by non-Israeli residents is tax exempt in Israel provided that the following cumulative conditions are met: (A) the capital gain is not attributed to the foreign resident's permanent establishment in Israel, (B) the shares were acquired by the foreign resident upon or after the company's shares had been listed for trading on the stock exchange in Israel.
However, non-Israeli corporations will not be entitled to the foregoing exemption if Israeli residents: (i) have, directly or indirectly, along or together with another, a controlling interest of more than 25% of any of the means of control in such non-Israeli corporation or (ii) are the beneficiaries of, or are entitled to, 25% or more of the revenues or profits of such non-Israeli corporation, whether directly or indirectly.
In addition, the sale of shares may be exempt from Israeli capital gains tax under the provisions of an applicable tax treaty subject to the receipt in advance of a valid certificate from the Israeli Tax Authorities ("ITA") (for example, please refer to the discussion below with respect to the Convention Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the State of Israel with Respect to Taxes on Income).
Different taxation rules may apply to shareholders who purchased their shares prior to the listing on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. Such shareholders should consult with their tax advisors for the precise treatment upon sale.
Regardless of whether non-Israeli shareholders may be liable for Israeli capital gains tax on the sale of our ordinary shares, the payment of the consideration for such sale may be subject to withholding of Israeli tax at source and holders of our ordinary shares may be required to demonstrate that they are exempt from tax on their capital gains in order to avoid withholding at source at the time of sale. Specifically, the ITA may require shareholders who are not liable for Israeli capital gains tax on such a sale to sign declarations in on forms specified by the ITA, provide documentation (including, for example, a certificate of residency) or obtain a specific exemption from the ITA confirming their status as non-Israeli residents (and, in the absence of such declarations or exemptions, the ITA may require the purchaser of the shares to withhold tax at source).
Individual and corporate dealers in securities in Israel are taxed at tax rates applicable to business income.
The purchaser, the Israeli stockbrokers and any financial institution through which the sold securities are held, are obliged, subject to certain exemptions, to withhold tax on the amount of consideration paid with respect to such sale (or on the real capital gain realized on the sale, if known) at the Israeli corporate tax rate as described in "General Corporate Tax Structure" in Item 10E above.
Where the seller is an individual, the applicable withholding tax rate would be 25%, or 30% where the seller is a significant shareholder.
The individual or the company may provide an approval from the ITA for a reduced tax withholding rate, according to the applicable rate.
The following Israeli tax consequences shall apply in the event of actual payment of any dividends on the Shares.
Dividends, other than bonus shares (stock dividends), paid to Israeli resident individuals who purchased our Shares will generally be subject to income tax at a rate of 25% for individuals, or 30% if the dividend recipient is a Significant Shareholder (as defined above) at the time of distribution or any time during the 12-month period
preceding such distribution. Dividends paid to Israeli resident companies will not be included in their tax liability computation, provided the income from which such dividend is distributed was derived or accrued within Israel.
Non-residents of Israel (both individuals and corporations) are subject to income tax on income accrued or derived from sources in Israel, including dividends from Israeli corporations. The distribution of dividend income, other than bonus shares (stock dividends), to non-residents of Israel will generally be subject to income tax at a rate of 25% (or 30% for a shareholder that is considered a Significant Shareholder (as defined above) at the time of distribution or any time during the 12-month period preceding such distribution), unless a lower rate is stipulated by a double tax treaty between the State of Israel and the shareholder's country of residence. In addition, an additional tax at a rate of 3% may be imposed upon individual shareholders whose annual income from all sources that are taxable in Israel exceeds NIS 647,640 in 2021, unless relief is provided in a treaty between Israel and shareholder's country of residence and subject to receipt in advance of a valid certificate from the ITA.
In the event of actual payment of any dividends on our Shares the following withholding rates will be applied: (i) Israeli resident corporations – 0%, (ii) Israeli resident individuals – 25% (iii) non-Israeli residents – 25%, subject to a reduced tax rate under an applicable double tax treaty; (iv) Israeli resident individual who is a Significant Shareholder – 30%; and (v) non -Israeli resident who is a Significant Shareholder – 30%, subject to a reduced tax rate under an applicable double tax treaty. Nevertheless, if the Shares are held through a Nominee Company, as defined in the Israel Securities Act, the withholding tax rate for shareholders under (iv) and (v) above shall be 25% (subject to a reduced tax rate under an applicable double tax treaty for non-Israeli residents). However, a distribution of dividends, in respect of which a limited tax rate was prescribed under any statute, is subject to Israeli withholding tax at the rate prescribed.
A non-resident of Israel that has received a dividend income derived from an Israeli corporation, from which tax was withheld at the source, is generally exempt from the duty to file tax returns in Israel in respect of such income, provided that (1) such income was not connected to or derived from a trade or business conducted in Israel by such non-Israeli resident; (2) the non-Israeli resident has no other taxable sources of income in Israel with respect to which a tax return is required to be filed; and (3) the non-Israeli resident is not obligated to pay additional surtax.
Non-residents of Israel who acquire any of the Shares of the Company will be able to repatriate dividends, liquidation distributions and the proceeds from the sale of such shares in non-Israeli currencies at the rate of exchange prevailing at the time of repatriation provided that any applicable Israel income tax has been paid, or withheld, on such amounts. US holders should refer to the "United States Federal Income Considerations" section below with respect to the US federal income tax treatment of foreign currency gain or loss.
The foregoing discussion is intended only as a summary and does not purport to be a complete analysis or listing of all potential Israeli tax effects of holding of our shares. We recommend that shareholders consult their tax advisors concerning the Israeli and non-Israeli tax consequences to them of holding our shares.
Residents of the United States generally will be subject to withholding tax in Israel on dividends paid, if any, on Shares (including ADSs). Generally, under the Convention Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the State of Israel with Respect to Taxes on Income (the "US Treaty"), the maximum rate of withholding tax on dividends paid to a holder of Shares (including ADSs) who is a resident of the United States (as defined in the US Treaty) will be 25%. Under the US Treaty, the withholding tax rate on dividends will be reduced to 12.5% if (i) the shareholder is a U.S. resident corporation which holds during the portion of the taxable year which precedes the date of payment of the dividend, and during the whole of its prior taxable year, at least 10% of the outstanding shares of the voting stock of the Israeli resident paying corporation and (ii) not more than 25% of the gross income of the Israeli resident paying corporation for such prior taxable year consists of certain types of interest or dividends.
The US Treaty exempts from taxation in Israel any capital gains realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of Shares (including ADSs) provided that the following cumulative conditions are met: (a) the seller is a resident of the United States for purposes of the US Treaty; (b) the seller owns, directly or indirectly, less than 10% of our voting stock at all times during the 12-month period preceding such sale, exchange or other disposition; (c)
the seller, being an individual, is present in Israel for a period or periods of less than 183 days during the taxable year; and (d) the capital gain from the sale was not generated through a permanent establishment of the seller in Israel.
Subject to the exemptions from capital gains prescribed in the Israeli Income Tax Ordinance (as described above), purchasers of Shares (including ADSs) who are residents of the United States and who hold 10% or more of the outstanding Shares at any time during such 12-month period will be subject to Israeli capital gains tax. However, under the US Treaty, residents of the United States (as defined in the US Treaty) generally would be permitted to claim a credit for this tax against US federal income tax imposed on the sale, exchange or other disposition, subject to the limitations in US laws applicable to the utilization of foreign tax credits generally.
The application of the US Treaty provisions to dividends and capital gains described above is conditioned upon the fact that such income is not effectively connected with a permanent establishment (as defined in the US Treaty) maintained by the non-Israeli resident in Israel.
The following discussion is a summary of certain material US federal income tax considerations applicable to a US holder (as defined below) regarding the acquisition, ownership and disposition of Shares or ADSs. This summary is based on provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), existing and proposed US Treasury regulations, administrative pronouncements, rulings and judicial decisions as of the date of this Annual Report. All of these authorities are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect, and to change or changes in interpretation. In addition, this summary does not discuss all aspects of US federal income taxation that may be applicable to investors in light of their particular circumstances or to investors who are subject to special treatment under US federal income tax law, including certain former citizens or residents of the United States, insurance companies, banks, regulated investment companies, securities broker-dealers, financial institutions, taxexempt organizations, persons holding Shares or ADSs as part of a straddle, hedging or conversion transaction, persons subject to the foreign tax credit splitting events rules, persons subject to the alternative minimum tax, persons who acquired their Shares or ADSs pursuant to the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation, US holders having a functional currency other than the US dollar, persons owning (directly, indirectly or by attribution) 10% or more of our outstanding share capital or voting stock and persons not holding the Shares or ADSs as capital assets. This discussion also does not address the consequences of the Medicare tax on net investment income or any aspect of state, local or non-US tax law or any other aspect of US federal taxation other than income taxation. There can be no assurances that the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") will not take a different position concerning the tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our shares or that such a position would not be sustained. This summary is not intended to be, and should not be considered to be, legal or tax advice.
As used herein, the term "US holder" means a beneficial owner of an ordinary share or an ADS who is eligible for benefits as a US resident under the limitation on benefits article of the US Treaty (as defined above in "– Taxation of Residents of the United States under the US Treaty"), and is:
If a partnership (including entities classified as partnerships for US federal income tax purposes, or other pass-through entities, or holders that will hold our shares through such an entity) or S corporations, holds Shares or ADSs, the tax treatment of a partner generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A partnership or a partner in a partnership that holds Shares or ADSs is urged to consult its own tax advisor regarding the specific tax consequences of owning and disposing of Shares or ADSs.
For US federal income tax purposes, US holders of ADRs will be treated as owners of the ADSs evidenced by the ADRs and the Shares represented by the ADSs. Furthermore, deposits or withdrawals by a US holder of Shares for ADSs, or of ADSs for Shares, will not be subject to US federal income tax. The statement of US federal income tax law set forth below assumes that each obligation in the Deposit Agreement and any related agreement will be performed in accordance with its terms.US holders should review the summary above under "Israeli Tax Considerations" and "Taxation of Residents of the United States under the US Treaty" for a discussion of the Israeli taxes which may be applicable to them.
Holders of Shares or ADSs should consult their own tax advisors concerning the specific Israeli, US federal, state and local tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of the Shares or ADSs in light of their particular situations as well as any consequences arising under the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction. In particular, US holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors concerning whether they will be eligible for benefits under the US Treaty.
A US holder generally will be required to include in gross income as ordinary dividend income the amount of any distributions paid on the Shares and ADSs, including the amount of any Israeli taxes withheld in respect of such dividend. Dividends paid by us will not qualify for the dividends-received deduction applicable in certain cases to US corporations.
The amount of any distribution paid in NIS, including the amount of any Israeli withholding tax thereon, will be included in the gross income of a US holder of Shares in an amount equal to the US dollar value of the NIS calculated by reference to the spot rate of exchange in effect on the date the distribution is received by the US holder or, in the case of ADSs, by the Depositary. If a US holder converts dividends paid in NIS into US dollars on the day such dividends are received, the US holder generally should not be required to recognize foreign currency gain or loss with respect to such conversion. If the NIS received in the distribution are not converted into US dollars on the date of receipt, any foreign currency gain or loss recognized upon a subsequent conversion or other disposition of the NIS will be treated as US source ordinary income or loss. Special rules govern and special elections are available to accrual method taxpayers to determine the US dollar amount includible in income in the case of taxes withheld in a foreign currency. Accrual basis taxpayers are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the requirements and the elections applicable in this regard. Dividends paid with respect to Shares may be subject to rules applicable where US persons own or are treated as owning 50% or more (by vote or value) of a foreign corporation, and such rules could adversely affect the US shareholders' ability to use US foreign tax credits.
Any dividends paid by us to a US holder on the Shares or ADSs will be treated as foreign source income and generally will be categorized as "passive income" for US foreign tax credit purposes. Subject to the limitations in the Code, as modified by the US Treaty, a US holder may elect to claim a foreign tax credit against its US federal income tax liability for Israeli income tax withheld from dividends received in respect of Shares or ADSs. US holders who do not elect to claim the foreign tax credit may instead claim a deduction for Israeli income tax withheld, but only for a year in which the US holder elects to do so with respect to all foreign income taxes. A deduction does not reduce US tax on a dollar-for-dollar basis like a tax credit. The deduction, however, is not subject to the limitations applicable to foreign tax credits. The rules relating to the determination of the foreign tax credit are complex. Accordingly, if you are a US holder of Shares or ADSs, you should consult your own tax advisor to determine whether and to what extent you would be entitled to the credit.
Certain US holders (including individuals) are eligible for reduced rates of US federal income tax in respect of "qualified dividend income". For this purpose, qualified dividend income generally includes dividends paid by a non-US corporation if, among other things, the US holders meet certain minimum holding period requirements and the non-US corporation satisfies certain requirements, including that either (i) the shares (or ADSs) with respect to which the dividend has been paid are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States, or (ii) the non-US corporation is eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive US income tax treaty (such as the US Treaty) which provides for the exchange of information. We currently believe that dividends paid with respect to our Shares and ADSs should constitute qualified dividend income for US federal income tax purposes. We anticipate that our dividends will be reported as qualified dividends on Forms 1099-DIV delivered to US holders. In computing foreign tax credit limitations, non-corporate US Holders may take into account only a portion of a qualified dividend to reflect the reduced US tax rate applicable to such dividend. Individual US holders of Shares or ADSs are urged to
consult their own tax advisors regarding the availability of the reduced dividend tax rate in light of their own particular situation and regarding the computations of their foreign tax credit limitation with respect to any qualified dividend income paid by us, as applicable.
Upon the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of Shares or ADSs, a US holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the US dollar value of the amount realized on the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition and the US holder's adjusted tax basis, determined in US dollars, in the Shares or ADSs. Any gain or loss recognized upon the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of the Shares or ADSs will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if, at the time of the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition, the holding period of the Shares or ADSs exceeds one year. In the case of individual US holders, capital gains generally are subject to US federal income tax at preferential rates if specified minimum holding periods are met. The deductibility of capital losses by a US holder is subject to significant limitations. US holders should consult their own tax advisors in this regard.
In general, gain or loss recognized by a US holder on the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of Shares or ADSs will be US source income or loss for US foreign tax credit purposes. Pursuant to the US Treaty, however, gain from the sale or other taxable disposition of Shares or ADSs by a holder who is a US resident, for US Treaty purposes, and who sells the Shares or ADSs within Israel may be treated as foreign source income for US foreign tax credit purposes.
US holders who hold Shares or ADSs through an Israeli stockbroker or other Israeli intermediary may be subject to an Israeli withholding tax on any capital gains recognized if the US holder does not obtain approval of an exemption from the Israeli Tax Authorities. See "Israeli Tax Considerations" above. US holders are advised that any Israeli tax paid under circumstances in which an exemption from such tax was available will not give rise to a deduction or credit for foreign taxes paid for US federal income tax purposes. US holders are advised to consult their Israeli stockbroker or intermediary regarding the procedures for obtaining an exemption.
If a US holder receives NIS upon the sale of Shares, that US holder may recognize ordinary income or loss as a result of currency fluctuations between the date of the sale of the Shares and the date the sales proceeds are converted into US dollars.
A non-US corporation will be classified as a Passive Foreign Investment Company (a "PFIC") for any taxable year if (i) at least 75% of its gross income consists of passive income (such as dividends, interest, rents, royalties (other than rents or royalties derived in the active conduct of a trade or business and received from an unrelated person) and gains on the disposition of certain minority interests) or (ii) at least 50% of the average value of its assets consist of assets that produce or are held for the production of, passive income. We currently believe that we were not a PFIC for the year ended December 31, 2021. However, this conclusion is a factual determination that must be made at the close of each year and is based on, among other things, a valuation of our Shares, ADSs and assets, which will likely change from time to time. If we were characterized as a PFIC for any taxable year, a US holder would suffer adverse tax consequences. These consequences may include having the gains that are realized on the disposition of Shares or ADSs treated as ordinary income rather than capital gains and being subject to punitive interest charges with respect to certain dividends and gains and on the sale or other disposition of the Shares or ADSs. Furthermore, dividends paid by a PFIC are not eligible to be treated as "qualified dividend income" (as discussed above). In addition, if a US holder holds Shares or ADSs in any year in which we are treated as a PFIC, such US holder will be subject to additional tax form filing and reporting requirements.
Application of the PFIC rules is complex. A US holder of a PFIC may be required to file an IRS Form 8621. The failure to file this form when required could result in substantial penalties. US holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the potential application of the PFIC rules to the ownership of our Shares or ADSs.
Dividend payments with respect to Shares or ADSs and proceeds from the sale, exchange or other disposition of Shares or ADSs may be subject to information reporting to the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") and possible US backup withholding at a current rate of 24%. Backup withholding will not apply, however, to a
holder who furnishes a correct taxpayer identification number or certificate of foreign status and makes any other required certification or who is otherwise exempt from backup withholding. US persons who are required to establish their exempt status generally must provide IRS Form W-9 (Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification). Non-US holders generally will not be subject to US information reporting or backup withholding. However, such holders may be required to provide certification of non-US status (generally on IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS W-8BEN-E) in connection with payments received in the United States or through certain US-related financial intermediaries.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Amounts withheld as backup withholding may be credited against a holder's US federal income tax liability, and a holder may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by filing the appropriate claim for refund with the IRS and furnishing any required information in a timely fashion.
In addition, certain US holders who are individuals that hold certain foreign financial assets as defined in the Code (which may include Shares or ADSs) are required to report information relating to such assets, subject to certain exceptions.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Reports and other information of Partner filed electronically with the US Securities and Exchange Commission may be found at www.sec.gov. They can also be inspected without charge and copied at prescribed rates at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC in Room 1024, 450 Fifth Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549.
Not applicable.
We are exposed to market risk, including movements in foreign currency exchange and inflation-indexed interest rates. We do not enter into any derivative transactions to hedge underlying exposure to foreign currencies. As a matter of policy, we do not enter into transactions of a speculative or trading nature. Interest rate and foreign exchange exposures are monitored by tracking actual and projected commitments and through the use of sensitivity analysis.
The following table provides information derived from the financial statements about these liabilities as of December 31, 2020 and 2021.
As of December 31, (NIS equivalent in millions, except percentages)
| 2020 | 2021 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fair Value | Book Value | Fair Value | Book Value | |
| NIS-denominated debt linked to the CPI | ||||
| Trade payables (1)……………………………… | 29 | 29 | ||
| Lease liabilities…………………………………… | 699 | 699 | 707 | 718 |
| NIS-denominated debt not linked to the CPI | ||||
| Long-term variable interest Notes payable series D | ||||
| due 2021………………………………………… | 110 | 109 | ||
| Weighted average interest rate payable…………… | 1.31% | |||
| Long-term fixed Notes payable series F due 2024… | 524 | 512 | 392 | 384 |
| Weighted average interest rate payable…………… | 2.16% | 2.16% | ||
| Long-term fixed Notes payable series G due 2027 | 939 | 824 | 952 | 851 |
| Weighted average interest rate payable…… | 4% | 4% | ||
| Long-term fixed Notes payable series H due 2030 | 199 | 198 | ||
| Weighted average interest rate payable…… | 2.08% | |||
| Long-term borrowing bearing fixed interest……… | 60 | 59 | 30 | 29 |
| Weighted average interest rate payable…………… | 2.38% | 2.38% | ||
| Long-term borrowing bearing fixed interest……… | 82 | 79 | 58 | 57 |
| Weighted average interest rate payable…………… | 2.5% | 2.5% | ||
| Long-term borrowing bearing fixed interest……… | 150 | 150 | ||
| Weighted average interest rate payable…………… | 2.55% | |||
| Financial liability at fair value (1) ………… | 4 | 4 | ||
| Debt denominated in foreign currencies (1) | ||||
| Trade payables denominated in USD…… | 92 | 92 | 127 | 127 |
| Trade payables denominated in other foreign | 11 | 11 | ||
| currencies (mainly Euro) | 13 | 13 | ||
| Lease liabilities denominated in USD | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Total | 2,553 | 2,421 | 2,630 | 2,529 |
(1) Book value approximates fair value.
Substantially all of our revenues and a majority of our operating expenses are denominated in NIS. However, in 2021, approximately one quarter of our operating expenses (excluding depreciation), including a substantial majority of our device and equipment purchases related to end sales to customers, were linked to non-NIS currencies, mainly the US dollar. We do not enter into derivative transactions and thus we are exposed to the aforementioned foreign currency fluctuations. We do not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. In addition, part of our capital expenditures are incurred in, or linked to, non-NIS currencies, mainly the US dollar. See note 6 to the consolidated financial statements for description of the market risks.
As of December 31, 2021, most of our leases are linked to the CPI. We may not be able to raise our tariffs pursuant to our license in a manner that would fully compensate for a significant increase in the CPI. Therefore, a significant increase in the rate of inflation may also have a material adverse impact upon us by increasing our lease payments without an offsetting increase in revenue. In 2021, the CPI effective as of December 31, 2021, increased by 2.4%, compared to the CPI effective as of December 31, 2020, which caused a decrease in equity and profit or loss of approximately NIS 3 million.
Sensitivity analysis
A change of the USD exchange rate as at December 31, 2021, would increase (decrease) equity and profit in 2021 by the amounts shown below regarding assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2021, and expected capital expenditure purchases in 2022. The analysis below does not take into account the effect of any change in USD with respect to possible future commitments and other future expected purchases in US dollars, since the Company believes that it will be able to adjust NIS prices for goods and services it sells in the Israeli market to reflect any significant increases in cost resulting from changes in the NIS-USD exchange rate. This analysis assumes that all other variables remain constant.
| Change | Equity New Israeli Shekels in millions |
Profit | |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2021 | |||
| Increase in the USD of | 10% | (9) | (9) |
| Decrease in the USD of | (10)% | 9 | 9 |
A change of the CPI as at December 31, 2021, would increase (decrease) equity and profit or loss by the amounts shown below. This analysis assumes that all other variables remain constant.
| Change | Equity New Israeli Shekels in millions |
Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 2% | (2) | (2) 2 |
| (2)% | 2 |
Citibank serves as the depositary (the "Depositary") for our American Depositary Receipt ("ADR") program. Pursuant to the deposit agreement between the Company, the Depositary and owners and holders of ADRs (the "Deposit Agreement"), ADR holders may be required to pay various fees to the Depositary. In particular, the Depositary, under the terms of the Deposit Agreement, may charge the following fees: (i) Issuance Fee: to any person depositing shares or to whom ADSs are issued upon the deposit of shares, a fee not in excess of \$5.00 per 100 ADSs (or fraction thereof) (excluding issuances as a result of distributions described in paragraph (iv) below); (ii) Cancellation Fee: to any person surrendering ADSs for cancellation and withdrawal of deposited securities or to any person to whom deposited securities are delivered, a fee not in excess of \$5.00 per 100 ADSs (or fraction thereof) surrendered;(iii) Cash Distribution Fee: to any holder of ADS(s), a fee not in excess of \$5.00 per 100 ADSs (or fraction thereof) held for the distribution of cash dividends or other cash distributions (i.e., sale of rights and other entitlements); (iv) Stock Distribution/Rights Exercise Fee: to any holder of ADS(s), a fee not in excess of \$5.00 per 100 ADSs (or fraction thereof) held for (a) stock dividends or other free stock distributions or (b) exercise of rights to purchase additional ADSs; (v) Other Distribution Fee: to any holder of ADS(s), a fee not in excess of \$5.00 per 100 ADSs (or fraction thereof) held for the distribution of securities other than ADSs or rights to purchase additional ADSs (i.e., spin-off shares); and (vi) Depositary Services Fee: to any holder of ADS(s), a fee not in excess of \$5.00 per 100 ADSs (or fraction thereof) held on the applicable record date(s) established by the Depositary. The parties agreed to allow Citibank to charge an additional \$1.00 per 100 ADSs (a fee not in excess of \$6.00 in aggregate) in the event that the Company does not pay cash or stock dividends.
Owners, beneficial owners, persons depositing shares and persons surrendering ADSs for cancellation and for the purpose of withdrawing deposited securities shall be responsible for the following charges: (a) taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) and other governmental charges; (b) such registration fees as may from time to time be in effect for the registration of shares or other deposited securities on the share register and applicable to transfers of shares or other deposited securities to or from the name of the custodian, the Depositary or any nominees upon the making of deposits and withdrawals, respectively; (c) such cable, telex and facsimile transmission and delivery expenses as are expressly provided in the Deposit Agreement to be at the expense of the person depositing or withdrawing shares or owners and beneficial owners of ADSs; (d) the expenses and charges incurred by the Depositary in the conversion of foreign currency; (e) such fees and expenses as are incurred by the Depositary in connection with compliance with exchange control regulations and other regulatory requirements applicable to Shares, deposited securities, ADSs and receipts; and (f) the fees and expenses incurred by the Depositary, the Custodian, or any nominee in connection with the delivery or servicing of deposited securities.
During 2021, the Company received from Citibank payments in the amount of approximately US\$142,000.
None.
None.
(a) Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2021. Disclosure controls and procedures means controls and other procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives. Nevertheless, our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. Based upon our evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures in place as of December 31, 2021, were effective.
(b) Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our management, under the supervision of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over our financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that:
• pertain to the maintenance of our records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect our transactions during the year;
Due to its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect all misstatements. In addition, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on the framework for Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) set forth by The Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on this assessment, management concluded that the Company's internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2021.
Our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, has been audited by Kesselman & Kesselman, an independent registered public accounting firm in Israel and a member of PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited, as stated in their report which is included under Item 18.
(c) Attestation report of the registered public accounting firm. The attestation report of Kesselman & Kesselman, an independent registered public accounting firm in Israel and a member of PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited, regarding the Company's internal control over financial reporting is included under Item 18.
(d) Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. During the year ended December 31, 2021, no changes materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
The Board of Directors has determined that Dr. Jonathan Kolodny and Ms. Michal Marom-Brikman are "audit committee financial experts" as defined in Item 16A of Form 20-F. All the members of the audit committee are "independent directors" as defined in the SEC requirements applicable to us.
In 2019, we reviewed and updated our Code of Ethics. As previously, the revised Code of Ethics applies to our directors, office holders and employees. The principal modifications to our Code of Ethics adopted in 2019 include: our commitment to community and environment protection, rules of conduct on social media, an updated statement setting forth the values underlying the Code of Ethics and an updated detailed guide to appropriate behavior toward interested parties, including customers, suppliers, employees, directors, shareholders, franchisers and the community in which the Company operates.
A copy of our Code of Ethics is posted on our website at www.partner.co.il under "Investor Relations-Corporate Governance-Code of Ethics".
Kesselman & Kesselman, our independent registered public accounting firm in Israel and a member of PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited ("PwC"), have served as our independent public accountants for each of the fiscal years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2021, for which audited financial statements appear in this Annual Report on Form 20-F.
The following table presents the aggregate fees for professional services rendered by PwC to the Company in 2020 and 2021.
| 2020 (NIS thousands) |
2021 (NIS thousands) |
|
|---|---|---|
| Audit Fees (1) | 2,220 | 2,457 |
| Audit-related Fees (2) | 385 | 286 |
| Tax Fees (3) | 448 | 513 |
| TOTAL | 3,053 | 3,256 |
Our audit committee's specific responsibilities in carrying out its oversight of the quality and integrity of the accounting, auditing and reporting practices of the Company include the approval of audit and non-audit services to be provided by the external auditor. The audit committee approves in advance the particular services or categories of services to be provided to the Company during the following yearly period and also sets forth a specific budget for such audit and non-audit services. Additional non-audit services may be pre-approved by the audit committee.
Not applicable.
Not applicable
Not applicable.
See "Item 6C.5 NASDAQ Corporate Governance Rules and Our Practices", and also "Item 10B Memorandum and Articles of Association".
Not applicable.
The company has responded to "Item 18. Financial Statements" in lieu of responding to this item.
The following financial statements are filed as part of this Annual Report.
| Page |
|---|
| F-3-F-4 |
| F5-F-6 |
| F-7 |
| F-8 |
| F-9 |
| F-10-F-11 |
| F-12-F-87 |
Pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, we have filed certain agreements as exhibits to this Annual Report on Form 20-F. These agreements may contain representations and warranties by the parties. These representations and warranties have been made solely for the benefit of the other party or parties to such agreements and (i) may have been qualified by disclosures made to such other party or parties, (ii) were made only as of the date of such agreements or such other date(s) as may be specified in such agreements and are subject to more recent developments, which may not be fully reflected in our public disclosure, (iii) may reflect the allocation of risk among the parties to such agreements and (iv) may apply materiality standards different from what may be viewed as material to investors. Accordingly, these representations and warranties may not describe our actual state of affairs at the date hereof and should not be relied upon.
| Exhibit No. | Description |
|---|---|
| 1.1 | Articles of Association last updated and approved on September 28, 2016 (incorporated by reference to Annex D from the Company's Report on Form 6-K filed on August 17, 2016) |
| **1.2 | Partner's Certificate of Incorporation |
| **1.3 | Partner's Memorandum of Association |
| **2.(a).1 | Form of Share Certificate |
| ^^2.(a).2 | [Reserved] |
| ^^^^2.(a)3 | Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement Between Partner and Citibank N.A. |
| ^2.(b).1 | [Reserved] |
|---|---|
| >>>>2.(b).2 | [Reserved] |
| >>>>2.(b).3 | [Reserved] |
| ^4.(a).1 | Restatement of the Relationship Agreement dated April 20, 2005 |
| >>>>4.(a).1.1 | [Reserved] |
| [Reserved] | |
| 4.(a).2 | Integrated version of the General License for the Provision of Mobile Radio Telephone Services |
| using the Cellular Method (MRT) in Israel issued by the Ministry of Communications on April 8, 1998. |
|
| ++**4.(a).2.1 | General Unified License of Partner Land-Line Communications Solutions Limited Partnership dated February 11, 2016 as amended through January 11, 2017. |
| 4.(a).2.2 | [Reserved] |
| 4.(a).2.3 | [Reserved] |
| 4.(a).2.4 | Reserved] |
| **4.(a).4 | [Reserved] |
| +>4.(a).4.1 | [Reserved] |
| 4.(a).4.2 | [Reserved] |
| **4.(a).5 | Brand Support/Technology Transfer Agreement dated July 18, 1999 |
| **4.(a).6 | Agreement with Ericsson Radio Systems AB dated May 28, 1998 |
| #++4.(a).7 | Agreement with LM Ericsson Israel Ltd. dated November 25, 2002 |
| **4.(a).9 | Lease Agreement with Mivnei Taasia dated July 2, 1998 |
| ^^^4.(a).13 | Asset Purchase Agreement with Med-1 dated as of January 22, 2006 |
| 4.(a).14-60 | [Reserved] |
| +++4.(a).65 | [Reserved] |
| #>>4.(a).67 | Swap Agreement with LM Ericsson Israel Ltd. dated December 20, 2007 |
| 4.(a).68 | [Reserved] |
| >>>>4.(a).69 | [Reserved] |
| 4.(a).70 | [Reserved] |
| 4.(a).71 | [Reserved] |
| >>>>>4.(a) 72 | 012 Smile Share Purchase Agreement |
| >>>>>4.(a) 73 | English translation of the original Hebrew language 012 Smile Credit Facility, dated January 31, 2010 |
| 4.(a).74-97 | [Reserved] |
| #>>>>4.(b).1 | Addendum to Lease Agreements from November 1, 2002 and Lease Agreements in Beit Ofek |
| >>>>4.(b).2 | [Reserved] |
| +>>>4.(b).3 | [Reserved] |
| +>>6. | See note 2x to the consolidated financial statements for information explaining how earnings |
| (loss) per share information was calculated. | |
| 8. | List of Subsidiaries (see "Item 4C – Organizational Structure"). |
| 10.1 | Consent of Kesselman & Kesselman |
| 10.2 | Consent of BDO Ziv Haft Consulting &Management Ltd. |
| 12.(a).1 | Certification by CEO pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange |
| Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002. | |
| 12.(a).2 | Certification by CFO pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange |
| Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002. | |
| 13.(a).1 | Certification of CEO and CFO pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to |
| Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | |
| +>>>>>15.(a).1 | Amended and Restated 2004 Equity Incentive Plan as approved by the Board of Directors on |
| March 13, 2016 | |
| 15.(b).1 | Compensation Policy adopted on October 29, 2019 (incorporated by reference to Annex D from |
| the Company's Report on Form 6-K filed on August 28, 2019) and amended on March 18, 2020 | |
| (incorporated by reference to Annex B from the Company's Report on Form 6-K filed on | |
| February 12, 2020) and on August 20, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Annex C from the | |
| Company's Report on Form 6-K filed on August 28, 2019) | |
| ** | Incorporated by reference to our registration statement on Form F-1 (No. 333-10992). |
|---|---|
| ++ | Incorporated by reference to our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002. |
| +++ | Incorporated by reference to our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003. |
| ^ | Incorporated by reference to our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004. |
| ^^ | Incorporated by reference to our registration statement on Form F-6 (No. 333-132680). |
| ^^^ | Incorporated by reference to our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005. |
| ^^^^ | Incorporated by reference to our registration statement on Form F-6 (No. 333-177621). |
| >> | Incorporated by reference to our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007. |
| >>>> | Incorporated by reference to our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009. |
| >>>>> | Incorporated by reference to our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010. |
| +> | Incorporated by reference to our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. |
| +>> | Incorporated by reference to our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012. |
| +>>> | Incorporated by reference to our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013. |
| +>>>>> | Incorporated by reference to our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015. |
| ++** | Incorporated by reference to our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 |
| # | Confidential treatment requested. |
Confidential material has been redacted and has been separately filed with the Securities and Exchange
The Company hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this Annual Report on its behalf.
Partner Communications Company Ltd.
By: /s/ Avi Zvi
Chief Executive Officer
February 28, 2022
By: /s/ Tamir Amar
Chief Financial Officer
February 28, 2022
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