SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 
FORM 6-K
 
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
For the month of March, 2005

Commission File Number 1-13758
 
 

PORTUGAL TELECOM, SGPS, S.A.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 

Av. Fontes Pereira de Melo, 40
1069 - 300 Lisboa, Portugal
(Address of principal executive office)
 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F. 

Form 20-F ___X___ Form 40-F _______

 Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  

Yes _______ No ___X____

RELEASE


Portugal Telecom announces launch of Eurobond issue


Lisbon, Portugal, 14 March 2005 - Portugal Telecom, SGPS, S.A. (PT) announced today that it has launched in the international markets, through its wholly-owned subsidiary PT International Finance, a Eurobond issue. The issue will be a three-tranche benchmark transaction with maturities likely to be 7, 12 and 20 years.

The proceeds will be used to pay the Eurobond maturing in February 2006, to fund post retirement obligations, and to provide PT with additional financial flexibility.

Espírito Santo Investment, Banco Português de Investimento, Caixa Geral de Depósitos, Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley are joint lead managers. Additionally, Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley are joint lead book-runners.

PT has a rating of A3 (stable) by Moody’s and A- (stable) by S&P.


This information is also available on PT’s IR website http://ir.telecom.pt.


Contact:     Nuno Prego, Investor Relations Director
                    nuno.prego@telecom.pt

                    Portugal Telecom
                    Tel.: +351 21 500 1701
                    Fax: +351 21 500 0800

Portugal Telecom is listed on the Euronext and New York Stock Exchanges. Information may be accessed on the Reuters under the symbols PTCO.IN and PT and on Bloomberg under the symbol PTC PL.

 
SIGNATURE
 
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Date: March 14, 2005

 
PORTUGAL TELECOM, SGPS, S.A.
By:
/S/  Nuno Prego
Nuno Prego
Investor Relations Director
 

 

 
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release may contain forward-looking statements. These statements are statements that are not historical facts, and are based on management's current view and estimates of future economic circumstances, industry conditions, company performance and financial results. The words "anticipates", "believes", "estimates", "expects", "plans" and similar expressions, as they relate to the company, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Statements regarding the declaration or payment of dividends, the implementation of principal operating and financing strategies and capital expenditure plans, the direction of future operations and the factors or trends affecting financial condition, liquidity or results of operations are examples of forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current views of management and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. There is no guarantee that the expected events, trends or results will actually occur. The statements are based on many assumptions and factors, including general economic and market conditions, industry conditions, and operating factors. Any changes in such assumptions or factors could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations.