Partner Communications (PTNR) Reports Q3 Revenues of $259M, Basic EPS of $0.04

Partner Communications Company Ltd. (NASDAQ: PTNR), a leading Israeli communications provider, announced today its results for the quarter ended September 30, 2021.

Ms. Osnat Ronen, Chairperson of Partner's board of directors, noted:

"Partner continues to execute its business strategy, maintain a strong balance sheet, continue the accelerated fiber deployment, grow in the cellular segment, and hit its financial goals. The Company achieved a quarter of healthy growth in its core operations, in both the cellular and fixed-line segments. On behalf of Partner's Board of Directors, I would like to thank Partner's management, headed by Avi Zvi, for their efforts and for the good results."

Commenting on the results for the third quarter 2021, Mr. Avi Zvi, CEO of Partner, noted:

"Partner exceeded the three million cellular subscribers mark, for the first time in almost a decade, and continued to reduce the churn rate to the lowest level since 2011. This achievement is a major part of our strategy to invest in customer service and technology, in order to maintain our customers' high loyalty levels owing to their satisfaction with the service we provide.

Along with the improvement in operational indicators, the Company has been engaged over recent months in assembling a new management team and formulating Partner's strategy for the coming years, continuing the 5G cellular network deployment and, of course, accelerating the 'Private Fiber' infrastructure deployment, that expands the Company's value chain, from a services provider to a provider of services and infrastructure.

As of today, Partner has more than 200 thousand fiber-optic subscribers, from within over 660 thousand households in dozens of municipalities around the country that have the ability to connect to Partner's fiber-optic network without delay. By the end of 2022, we expect that approximately one million households will be able to connect and enjoy Partner's fiber-optic experience across the country.

In an era of frequent technological changes that have an impact on consumer behavior, Partner aspires to position itself as a leading company in the Israeli communications market on account of its standing as the driving force in the fiber-optic revolution in Israel and being the first to implement a 'Super-Aggregator' model in television services.

Indeed, during the current quarter we continued to transform the Partner Group and its work processes to become simpler and more accessible, in particular regarding our customers' service experience, at the same time as working to preserve the human capital which is the source of the Company's strength.

In the last few days we were notified of the signing of an agreement for the sale of the controlling shares of Partner to a group of investors led by Shlomo Rodav and Avi Gabbay. This acquisition, should it be completed subject to the required approvals, is first and foremost a vote of confidence in Partner's strength and in the capabilities of the Company and its employees.

I would like to thank Partner's devoted employees and the Board of Directors for striving for excellence, for setting challenging goals and for their full backing."

Mr. Tamir Amar, Partner's Deputy CEO & Chief Financial Officer, commented on the results:

"This was another quarter where growth in cellular service and fiber-optic service subscribers together with a moderate return of roaming service revenues led to service revenues growth. These factors, along with relatively low OPEX, resulted in a double digit growth rate in Adjusted EBITDA compared to the corresponding quarter last year.

Our cellular subscriber base exceeded three million subscribers for the first time since 2012, an increase of 49 thousand in the quarter, of which 16 thousand were subscribers of voice packages provided to students with a fixed twelve-month package by the Ministry of Education. The churn rate in the third quarter of 2021, which totaled 6.4% compared to 7.3% in the corresponding quarter last year, was positively impacted by the Jewish holiday period that was held in the third quarter this year and by the continued decline in the level of subscriber switching in the market. ARPU totaled NIS 48 in the quarter compared to NIS 51 in the corresponding quarter last year, the decrease mainly reflecting the continued price erosion, although to a lesser degree, together with an ease in the impact of COVID-19 as was reflected in a decrease in interconnect revenues from incoming calls, on the one hand, and a moderate increase in roaming service revenues on the other hand, as stated above.

In the fixed-line segment, the acceleration of the fiber-optic deployment continues. The Company now expects to complete the major rollout phase of its fiber-optic infrastructure by the end of 2022, earlier than the previous expectation to complete the major rollout phase during the year 2023.

The number of Homes Connected (HC) within buildings connected to our fiber-optic infrastructure reached 624 thousand at the end of the quarter, an increase of 53 thousand in the quarter compared to an increase of 36 thousand in the corresponding quarter last year, despite the negative impact of the Jewish holiday period on the number of workdays. Partner's fiber-optic subscriber base totaled 192 thousand at the end of the quarter, reflecting a 31% penetration rate from potential customers in connected buildings. Partner's fiber-optic subscriber base increased by 19 thousand in the quarter, similar to the increase in the corresponding quarter last year, and by 53 thousand since the beginning of the year.

Regarding our television services, as a result of tariff updates, a significant decrease in the rate of growth of the customer base was recorded, with the subscriber base growing by three thousand in the third quarter of 2021.

The level of OPEX decreased compared to the corresponding quarter last year, impacted mainly by decreases in interconnect expenses and in wholesale internet expenses, which were partially offset by an increase in payroll and related expenses, largely reflecting the positive impact of COVID-19 on payroll expenses in the corresponding quarter last year.

Adjusted EBITDA in the third quarter of 2021 totaled NIS 250 million, an increase of 23% compared to the corresponding quarter last year.

Looking ahead, the Company expects that in the fourth quarter of 2021, due to the continued increase in air travel, the moderate recovery in roaming service revenues will continue compared to the corresponding quarter last year, but to a lesser degree than in third quarter due to the impact of seasonality. However, a retreat is possible in the future in view of possible implications of COVID-19 variants for air travel.

Adjusted Free Cash Flow (before interest and including lease payments) for the quarter totaled NIS 9 million, and CAPEX payments for the quarter totaled NIS 172 million.

Net debt stood at NIS 662 million at the end of the quarter, compared with NIS 646 million at the end of the corresponding quarter last year, an increase of NIS 16 million. The Company's net debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio was 0.8 at the end of the quarter, demonstrating the continued financial robustness of the Company."

Q3 2021 compared with Q3 2020

Key Performance Indicators

Partner Consolidated Results

Financial Review

In Q3 2021, total revenues were NIS 837 million (US$ 259 million), an increase of 5% from NIS 800 million in Q3 2020.

Service revenues in Q3 2021 totaled NIS 672 million (US$ 208 million), an increase of 6% from NIS 631 million in Q3 2020.

Service revenues for the cellular segment in Q3 2021 totaled NIS 435 million (US$ 135 million), an increase of 5% from NIS 415 million in Q3 2020. The increase was mainly the result of higher roaming service revenues and the growth of the cellular subscriber base, which were partially offset by a decrease in interconnect revenues.

Service revenues for the fixed-line segment in Q3 2021 totaled NIS 270 million (US$ 84 million), an increase of 7% from NIS 252 million in Q3 2020. The increase mainly reflected higher revenues from the growth in internet and TV services, which were partially offset by a continued decline in revenues from international calling services.

Equipment revenues in Q3 2021 totaled NIS 165 million (US$ 51 million), a decrease of 2% from NIS 169 million in Q3 2020, mainly reflecting lower sales in the fixed-line segment that were partially offset by higher volumes in the cellular segment.

Gross profit from equipment sales in Q3 2021 was NIS 37 million (US$ 11 million), compared with NIS 38 million in Q3 2020, a decrease of 3%, primarily reflecting the decrease in sales in the fixed-line segment, together with a change in product mix.

Total operating expenses ('OPEX') totaled NIS 467 million (US$ 145 million) in Q3 2021, a decrease of 2% or NIS 8 million from Q3 2020. The decrease mainly reflected decreases in interconnect expenses and in wholesale internet expenses, which were partially offset by an increase in payroll and related expenses, largely reflecting the positive impact of COVID-19 on payroll expenses in Q3 2020.

OPEX including depreciation and amortization expenses and other expenses (mainly amortization of employee share based compensation) increased in Q3 2021 by NIS 9 million compared with Q3 2020. As a result of changes made to packages which combine Internet and television services that included, among other things, tariff updates for a number of packages, the Company expects that this change is likely to lead to the churn of some of the customers in these packages and therefore included, in Q3 2021, a provision for an impairment in the amount of NIS 10 million regarding certain tangible and intangible assets in connection with those customers.

Operating profit for Q3 2021 was 49 million (US$ 15 million), an increase of 145% compared with NIS 20 million in Q3 2020.

Adjusted EBITDA in Q3 2021 totaled NIS 250 million (US$ 77 million), an increase of 23% from NIS 204 million in Q3 2020. Adjusted EBITDA margin in Q3 2021 was 30% compared with 26% in Q3 2020.

Adjusted EBITDA for the cellular segment was NIS 172 million (US$ 53 million) in Q3 2021, an increase of 28% from NIS 134 million in Q3 2020. The increase largely reflected the increase in revenues, as well as a decrease in interconnect expenses and a one-time decrease in network maintenance expenses. Adjusted EBITDA margin for the cellular segment was 30% in Q3 2021, compared with 24% in Q3 2020.

Adjusted EBITDA for the fixed-line segment was NIS 78 million (US$ 24 million) in Q3 2021, an increase of 11% from NIS 70 million in Q3 2020. The increase mainly reflected the increase in revenues and the decrease in wholesale internet expenses, which were partially offset by increases in fixed-line segment employee and related expenses and in TV content expenses. As a percentage of total fixed-line segment revenues, Adjusted EBITDA for the fixed-line segment was 26% in Q3 2021, compared with 24% in Q3 2020.

Finance costs, net in Q3 2021 were NIS 15 million (US$ 5 million), a decrease of 38% compared with NIS 24 million in Q3 2020, largely reflecting the one-time expenses in an amount of approximately NIS 7 million in Q3 2020 which were related to the partial early repayment of the Company's Notes Series F during that quarter.

Income tax expenses in Q3 2021 were NIS 10 million (US$ 3 million), an increase of NIS 9 million compared with NIS 1 million in Q3 2020.

Profit in Q3 2021 was NIS 24 million (US$ 7 million), an increase in profit of NIS 29 million compared with a loss of NIS 5 million in Q3 2020.

Based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during Q3 2021, basic earnings per share or ADS, was NIS 0.13 (US$ 0.04) compared with basic losses per share of NIS 0.03 in Q3 2020.

Cellular Segment Operational Review

At the end of Q3 2021, the Company's cellular subscriber base (including mobile data, 012 Mobile subscribers and M2M subscriptions) was approximately 3.02 million, including approximately 2.66 million Post-Paid subscribers or 88% of the base, and 355 thousand Pre-Paid subscribers, or 12% of the subscriber base.

During the third quarter of 2021, the cellular subscriber base increased, net, by 49 thousand subscribers. The Post-Paid subscriber base increased, net, by 49 thousand subscribers and the Pre-Paid subscriber base remained unchanged. The increase in the Post-Paid subscriber base included approximately 16 thousand subscribers of voice packages provided to students with a fixed twelve-month period by the Ministry of Education.

Total cellular market share (based on the number of subscribers) at the end of Q3 2021 was estimated to be approximately 28%, compared with 28% at the end of Q2 2021 and 26% at the end of Q3 2020.

The quarterly churn rate for cellular subscribers in Q3 2021 was 6.4%, compared with 7.2% in Q2 2021 and 7.3% in Q3 2020.

The monthly Average Revenue per User ("ARPU") for cellular subscribers in Q3 2021 was NIS 48 (US$ 15), a decrease of 6% from NIS 51 in Q3 2020, the decrease mainly reflecting the continued price erosion, although to a lesser degree, together with an ease in the impact of COVID-19 as was reflected in a decrease in interconnect revenues from incoming calls, on the one hand, and a moderate increase in roaming service revenues on the other hand.

Fixed-Line Segment Operational Review

At the end of Q3 2021:

• The Company's fiber-optic subscriber base was 192 thousand subscribers, an increase, net, of 19 thousand subscribers during the third quarter of 2021.
• The Company's infrastructure-based internet subscriber base (fiber subscribers and wholesale market subscribers) was 365 thousand subscribers, an increase, net, of 11 thousand subscribers during the third quarter of 2021.
• Households in buildings connected to our fiber-optic infrastructure (HC) totaled 624 thousand, an increase of 53 thousand during the third quarter of 2021.
• The Company's TV subscriber base totaled 226 thousand subscribers, an increase, net, of 3 thousand subscribers during the third quarter of 2021, largely reflecting the impact of the strategic business change in TV services and tariff updates during the quarter.

Funding and Investing Review

In Q3 2021, Adjusted Free Cash Flow (including lease payments) totaled NIS 9 million (US$ 3 million), a decrease of NIS 12 million compared with NIS 21 million in Q3 2020.

Cash generated from operating activities totaled NIS 224 million (US$ 69 million) in Q3 2021, an increase of 8% from NIS 207 million in Q3 2020, largely reflecting the increase in Adjusted EBITDA.

Lease payments (principal and interest), recorded in cash flows from financing activities under IFRS 16, totaled NIS 43 million (US$ 13 million) in Q3 2021, an increase of 10% from NIS 39 million in Q3 2020.

Cash capital expenditures (CAPEX payments), as represented by cash flows used for the acquisition of property and equipment and intangible assets, were NIS 172 million (US$ 53 million) in Q3 2021, an increase of 17% from NIS 147 million in Q3 2020.

The level of net debt at the end of Q3 2021 amounted to NIS 662 million (US$ 205 million), compared with NIS 646 million at the end of Q3 2020, an increase of NIS 16 million.

Regarding CAPEX additions, in October 2021 the Company received a letter from the MOC confirming that the Company has met the criteria entitling it to a grant for deployment of its 5G network, in the amount of NIS 37 million. The Grant shall be paid in accordance with the schedule set out in the license and after the Company has paid the 5G license fee, expected in 2022. Since the MOC has confirmed entitlement to the grant and the reception of the grant is only subject to the Company's payment of the 5G license fee, which is under the Company's control, the grant was recognized in its entirety as by Sep 30, 2021 under other non-current receivables against a reduction in property and equipment in its present value amount of NIS 36 million.

Regulatory Developments

Cellular license renewal

On November 18, 2021, the Ministry of Communications renewed the Company's cellular license for an additional period of ten years until February 1, 2032.

First annual incentive tender for the deployment of FTTH networks

Further to the description in the Company's 2020 Annual Report-Item 4B-12e-vii "Amendment to the Communications law regarding the deployment of fiber-optic infrastructures in Israel", 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 mechanism was described in the Company's second quarter results for 2021. The tender process is due to take place during December of 2021 and January of 2022. The Company is formulating its strategy regarding the incentive tender and has registered to participate in it.

First annual payment to the incentive fund for deployment of FTTH networks

Further to the description in the Company's 2020 Annual Report-Item 4B-12e-vii "Amendment to the Communications law regarding the deployment of fiber-optic infrastructures in Israel", 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 hearing regarding a change to the call interconnection tariff regime

Further to the Company's immediate report dated September 14, 2021 with respect to a hearing process regarding the potential reduction of the interconnect tariff, the Company filed its position regarding this hearing and argued against the change to the current tariff regime. The Company's results of operation may be negatively affected by the results of this hearing.

Reform regarding communication devices

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:

• Under certain conditions for communication devices that do not exceed 6 meters or 2/3 of the height of the building on which it is placed (the lower of the two);
• Replacement of broadcasting devices; and
• Under certain conditions for the addition of an antenna to an existing device with a permit.

Business Developments

Advocate Ehud Sol, applied to the court for the approval of a transaction subject to closing conditions to sell the company's shares under his receivership.

On November 24, 2021, that Advocate Ehud Sol, as the permanent receiver over 49,862,800 of the Company's shares held by S.B. Israel Telecom Ltd. ("SBIT"), that constitute approximately 27% of the Company's issued and outstanding share capital (the "Shares"), notified SBIT and the Company (the "Notice"), that he received on said date an offer to purchase the Shares from a group of parties led by the Phoenix group, Mr. Avi Gabbay and Mr. Shlomo Rodav (the "Offeror"), on an "as is" basis, in consideration for US $ 300,000,000 (the "Offer) and that he supports the Offer and will apply to the Tel Aviv District Court in front of which the receivership proceedings are being conducted (the "Court") for its approval. Such request for approval has been submitted to the Court on November 28, 2021. Additionally, the holders of the Fixed Rate Secured Notes of SBIT have informed Advocate Ehud Sol that they support the Offer.

According to the Notice, several Israeli institutional investors are joining the Offeror, and their payment commitments under the Offer are backed by a guarantee of entities in the Phoenix group.

The Notice states that the Offer includes customary closing conditions, including approval of the transaction by the Court and by the Ministry of Communications and the Competition Authority, and must close within 120 days of the date of the Court approval, with the Offeror having an option to extend by an additional 30 days, otherwise the transaction will terminate.

License to supply electricity without means of production

On October 18, 2021, the Minister of Energy granted Partner a license to supply electricity without means of production (the "License"). The License will allow the Company to purchase electricity for sale to consumers that have online meters. The License is granted to Partner for a period of 5 years.

Passive Infrastructure Sharing

On November 14, 2021, P.H.I. Networks (2015) a Limited Partnership, held by the Company at a rate of 50%, entered into a framework agreement with Pelephone Communications Ltd. and Cellcom Israel Ltd, to expand the cooperation between the parties in the field of passive infrastructure sharing for cellular sites, which 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.

Conference Call Details

Partner will host a conference call to discuss its financial results on Monday, November 29, 2021 at 10.00 a.m. Eastern Time / 5.00 p.m. Israel Time.

Please dial the following numbers (at least 10 minutes before the scheduled time) in order to participate:

International: +972.3.918.0687

North America toll-free: +1.866.860.9642

A live webcast of the call will also be available on Partner's Investors Relations website at:

http://www.partner.co.il/en/Investors-Relations/lobby

If you are unavailable to join live, the replay of the call will be available from November 29, 2021 until December 13, 2021, at the following numbers:

International: +972.3.925.5921

North America toll-free: +1.888.254.7270

In addition, the archived webcast of the call will be available on Partner's Investor Relations website at the above address for approximately three months.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release 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 "estimate", "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. In particular, this press release communicates our belief regarding (i) the completion of the major rollout phase of the Company's fiber-optic infrastructure by the end of 2022 and (ii) the continued moderate recovery in roaming service revenues. In addition, all statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release regarding our future performance 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, including in particular (i) the severity and duration of the impact on our business of the current health crisis and (ii) unexpected technical issues which may arise as we deploy our fiber optic infrastructure. In light of the current unreliability of predictions as to the ultimate severity and duration of the health crisis, as well as the specific regulatory and business risks facing our business, future results may differ materially from those currently anticipated. For further information regarding risks, uncertainties and assumptions about Partner, trends in the Israeli telecommunications industry in general, the impact of current global economic conditions and possible regulatory and legal developments, and other risks we face, see "Item 3. Key Information - 3D. Risk Factors", "Item 4. Information on the Company", "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects", "Item 8. Financial Information - 8A. Consolidated Financial Statements and Other Financial Information - 8A.1 Legal and Administrative Proceedings" and "Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk" in the Company's Annual Reports on Form 20-F filed with the SEC, as well as its immediate reports on Form 6-K furnished to the SEC. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

The quarterly financial results presented in this press release are unaudited financial results. The results were prepared in accordance with IFRS, other than the non-GAAP financial measures presented in the section, "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures".

The financial information is presented in NIS millions (unless otherwise stated) and the figures presented are rounded accordingly. The convenience translations of the New Israeli Shekel (NIS) figures into US Dollars were made at the rate of exchange prevailing at September 30, 2021: US $1.00 equals NIS 3.229. The translations were made purely for the convenience of the reader.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The following non-GAAP measures are used in this report. 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 nor are meant to be predictive of potential future results.

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