Internet Gold, Microsoft Team Up to Create MSN Israel

Leading Israeli ISP Internet Gold
Wednesday inked a deal with Microsoft Corp. to
create a MSN Israel portal and
Hebrew-language Web search service.

The two companies will form joint venture to run the
portal site, with Internet Gold (IGLD) owning .2 percent more than Microsoft
(MSFT) to hold the majority share of
the company equity.

The portal is expected to be live by December.

Additional offerings include online discussion groups,
business services
and electronic shopping, and will be integrated with
Internet Gold’s network of portals.

“This step is part of our business plan to focus on
content and e-commerce in preparation for
the next millennium,” said Eli Holtzman, Internet Gold’s
CEO.

Internet Gold boasts 14 POPs and provides approximately
95 percent of the Israeli population with dial-up Internet
access. The
company recently listed its initial public offering on
the Nasdaq.