The phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent sugar phosphotransferase system (sugar PTS), a major carbohydrate active transport system, catalyzes the phosphorylation of incoming sugar substrates concomitantly with their translocation across the cell membrane (By similarity). Involved in cellobiose transport with PtcB and CelB. This system can also transport lactose (PubMed:17909747, PubMed:21262549). Binds 1 Mg(2+) ion per trimer. Homotrimer. Induced by growth on cellobiose. Negativelly controled by the CcpA regulator (PubMed:17909747, PubMed:21262549). Also induced in response to galactose (PubMed:21262549). The PTS EIIA type-3 domain is phosphorylated by phospho-HPr on a histidyl residue. Then, it transfers the phosphoryl group to the PTS EIIB type-3 domain. Disruption of the gene abolishes growth on cellobiose and lactose.