Cellcom to market iPhone too

Cellcom will also be selling iPhones in Israel, and recently signed a contract with the device's manufacturer, Apple.

The company had been vague about the development until now.

Pelephone and Partner Communications got there first, though, striking agreements with Apple weeks ago.

In any case, all three will have to comply with the strict terms Apple requires of companies selling its flagship product.

They'll have to invest heavily in promotion, and require Apple's stamp of approval for every step they make.

All three companies probably committed to minimum sales levels. Partner and Pelephone are known to have undertaken to sell at least 85,000 to 100,000 of the phones a year.

Pelephone and Partner are expected to start selling iPhones in about six weeks. They aren't entering a virgin market, though: Israelis are believed to have personally imported tens of thousands of the smart devices.

Cellcom refused to comment for this report.