During the first quarter of 2009 income grew by 3% compared to the same period last year and totaled NIS 324 million.  The net profit grew by 6% and totaled NIS 44 million.  Operational profit increased by 10% and totaled NIS 60 million.

Itzik Benbenisti, Director General of Bezeq Benleumi:  "Despite the market recession and slow down on international phone calls, we continue to show growth in all our core businesses and a considerable push forward in the internet and business integration markets."

Bezeq Benleumi, the largest and leading internet provider in Israel (about 36% of the market) and provider of leading communication solutions, publishes today its financial results for the first quarter of 2009 which show that the company continues to increase income and is consistently leading in the field.

The company's income went up by about 3%, with a net profit of 6%, an operational budget profit of 10% and the EBITDA by 7% compared to the same period last year.

Bezeq Benleumi's profits continue to climb and are especially impressive in light of the fact that international calls suffered a blow in the first quarter according to statistics of the Ministry of Communication, a drop of 5%.  The growth which Bezeq presents in the net profit is a result of a significant increase in the main components of the company - emphasis on internet and business integration services.

Operation and general expenses totaled NIS 264 million shekels in the last quarter, an increase of 2% compared to the same time last year due mainly to the increase of the company's internet services.

The significant increase in profits can be seen in the results of the EBITDA - the excellence of Bezeq Benleumi.  At the end of the first quarter the EBITDA totaled NIS 80 million (24.6% of the turnover), an increase of 7% compared to same time last year.

Itzik Benbenisti, Director General of Bezeq Benleumi:  "The task we have set for ourselves - to continue to lead the markets we work in - has become even more challenging and we must keep working hard and being focused as we have up until now. Despite the market recession and slowdown in international phone calls, we continue to show expansion in all our core businesses and even a move forward in the internet and business integration market", added Benbenisti.