Israeli mobile phone operator Cellcom Israel Ltd. (NYSE:CEL; TASE:CEL) announced today that it is in talks with Golan Telecom to allow it to continue using Cellcom's network. This follows the regulators' opposition to its proposed purchase of Golan Telecom. Entering such an agreement is contingent on the Ministry of Communications permitting Golan Telecom to change the conditions on which it was granted a license so that it can become a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO). RELATED ARTICLES Subscribers desert Golan Telecom PM, Antitrust Authority nix Cellcom-Golan merger Allowing Golan Telecom to become an MVNO presents a major regulatory and legal challenge and it is unclear if the Ministry of Communications would sanction such a move, which would be an admission that Golan has failed to meet the conditions under which it was granted a license. Moreover, Cellcom's rival Partner Communications Ltd. (Nasdaq: PTNR; TASE: PTNR) has already written to the Ministry of Communications and Ministry of Justice protesting that if Golan Telecom's license is changed to an MVNO, then this would be reason to petition the High Court of Justice. The Ministry of Communications said that it had received no request from golan telecom on the matter. Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on May 16, 2016 © Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2016
