Israel's mobile carriers will begin selling Apple Inc's (Nasdaq: AAPL) iPhone 4S on Friday. Cellcom Israel Ltd. (NYSE:CEL; TASE:CEL) will begin marketing at midnight Thursday via its website.

The company has not disclosed the prices, but sources inform ''Globes'' that Cellcom will charge NIS 4,284 (or NIS 119 a month for 36 months) for a 16-gigabyte iPhone 4S, and NIS 5,560 (or NIS 155 a month for 36 months) for a 64-gigabyte iPhone 4S. Subscribers whose monthly bill exceeds NIS 299 will receive a NIS 60 rebate. There will be a 10% discount for iPhone 4S's sold online.

Orange franchisee Partner Communications Ltd. (Nasdaq: PTNR; TASE: PTNR) will charge NIS 4,644 (or NIS 129 a month for 36 months) for a 16-gigabyte iPhone 4S, and NIS 5,364 (or NIS 149 a month for 36 months) for a 32-gigabyte iPhone 4S. Customers can get a discount of NIS 39-119 per month, depending on their subscriber plan, but not based on monthly usage.

Partner will also continue selling 8-gigabyte iPhone 4s for NIS 4,140 (or NIS 115 a month for 36 months).

The iPhone 4S has been available on Israel's open market for several weeks. DIY chain Home Center has been selling them through its hMobile centers for NIS 4,500. Patient buyers can save NIS 1,000 by ordering iPhones online at Mustop for NIS 3,680 ($976), or via uShops for NIS 3,635 ($964).

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on December 12, 2011

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