As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 30, 2003.
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
FORM 20-F
¨ | REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
OR
x | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002
¨ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission file number: 1-9531
TELEFÓNICA, S.A.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
KINGDOM OF SPAIN
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
Gran Vía, 28, 28013 Madrid, Spain
(Address of principal executive offices)
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class |
Name of each | |
Ordinary Shares, nominal value 1.00 per share* | New York Stock Exchange | |
American Depositary Shares, each representing Three Ordinary Shares | New York Stock Exchange |
* | Not for trading, but only in connection with the registration of American Depositary Shares, pursuant to the requirements of the New York Stock Exchange. |
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:
None
The number of issued shares of each class of stock of Telefónica, S.A. at December 31, 2002 was:
Shares, nominal value one euro each: 4,860,661,286
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow. Item 17 ¨ Item 18 x
Table of Contents
i
C. | Markets | 156 | ||||
D. | Selling Shareholders | 157 | ||||
E. | Dilution | 157 | ||||
F. | Expenses of the Issue | 157 | ||||
Item 10. |
Additional Information | 157 | ||||
A. | Share Capital | 157 | ||||
B. | Memorandum and Articles of Association | 157 | ||||
C. | Material Contracts | 159 | ||||
D. | Exchange Controls | 161 | ||||
E. | Taxation | 163 | ||||
F. | Dividends and Paying Agents | 169 | ||||
G. | Statements by Experts | 169 | ||||
H. | Documents on Display | 169 | ||||
Item 11. |
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK | 171 | ||||
Item 12. |
Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities | 178 | ||||
Item 13. |
Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies | 178 | ||||
Item 14. |
Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds | 178 | ||||
Item 15. |
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES | 178 | ||||
Item 16. |
RESERVED | 178 | ||||
Item 17. |
Financial Statements | 178 | ||||
Item 18. |
Financial Statements | 178 | ||||
Item 19. |
Exhibits | 178 |
ii
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Report contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements in this annual report can be identified, in some instances, by the use of words such as expects, anticipates, intends, believes and similar language or the negative thereof or by the forward-looking nature of discussions of strategy, plans or intentions. These statements appear in a number of places in this Annual Report including, without limitation, certain statements made in Item 3Key InformationRisk Factors, Item 4Information on the Company and Item 5Operating and Financial Review and Prospects and include statements regarding our intent, belief or current expectations with respect to, among other things:
| the effect on our results of operations of the introduction of competition in the Spanish telecommunications market and our other principal markets; |
| trends affecting our financial condition or results of operations; |
| acquisitions or investments which we may make in the future; |
| our capital expenditures plan; |
| supervision and regulation of the Spanish telecommunications sector and in other countries where we have significant operations; |
| our strategic partnerships; and |
| the potential for growth and competition in current and anticipated areas of our business. |
Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve numerous risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. The risks and uncertainties involved in our businesses that could affect the matters referred to in such forward-looking statements include but are not limited to:
| changes in general economic, business, or political conditions in the domestic or international markets in which we operate or have material investments that may affect demand for our services; |
| changes in currency exchange rates and interest rates; |
| the impact of current, pending or future legislation and regulation in Spain, other countries where we operate and the European Union; |
| the actions of existing and potential competitors in each of our markets; |
| the outcome of pending litigation; and |
| the potential effects of technological changes. |
Some of these and other important factors that could cause such differences are discussed in more detail under Item 3Key InformationRisk Factors, Item 4Information on the Company, Item 5Operating and Financial Review and Prospects and Item 11Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on those forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Annual Report. We undertake no obligation to release publicly the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements which may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Annual Report including, without limitation, changes in our business or acquisition strategy or planned capital expenditures, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
CERTAIN TERMS AND CONVENTIONS
Our ordinary shares, nominal value one euro each, are currently listed on each of the Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao and Valencia stock exchanges under the symbol TEF. They are also listed on various foreign exchanges such as the London, Frankfurt, Paris, Buenos Aires, Lima, São Paulo and Tokyo stock exchanges and are quoted through the Automated Quotation System of the Spanish stock exchanges and through the SEAQ International System of the London Stock Exchange. American Depositary Shares (ADSs), each representing the right to receive three ordinary shares, are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TEF and on the Lima Stock Exchange. ADSs are evidenced by American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) issued under a Deposit Agreement with Citibank, N.A., as Depositary. Brazilian Depositary Shares (BDSs), each representing the right to receive one ordinary share, are listed on the São Paulo Stock Exchange. BDSs are evidenced by Brazilian Depositary Receipts (BDRs) issued under a Deposit Agreement with Banco Bradesco, S.A., as Depositary.
As used herein:
| Telefónica, Telefónica Group and terms such as we, us and our mean Telefónica, S.A. and its consolidated subsidiaries unless the context otherwise requires; |
| Telefónica de España means Telefónica de España, S.A., our subsidiary that conducts our fixed-line telecommunications services business in Spain, and its consolidated subsidiaries; |
| Telefónica Móviles means Telefónica Móviles, S.A., our subsidiary that conducts our worldwide wireless communications services business, and its consolidated subsidiaries; |
| Admira means Telefónica de Contenidos, S.A. (formerly known as Grupo Media, S.A.) and Corporación Admira Media, S.A., our subsidiaries that conduct our worldwide audiovisual content and media business, and their consolidated subsidiaries; |
| Telefónica Latinoamérica means Telefónica Internacional, S.A., our subsidiary that conducts our fixed-line telecommunications business in Latin America, and its consolidated subsidiaries; |
| Telefónica Data means Telefónica DataCorp, S.A., our subsidiary that conducts our worldwide data transmission business, and its consolidated subsidiaries; and |
| Terra Lycos and the Terra Lycos Group mean Terra Networks, S.A., our subsidiary that conducts our worldwide Internet-related business, and its consolidated subsidiaries. |
PRESENTATION OF CERTAIN FINANCIAL INFORMATION
In this Annual Report, references to dollars or $ are to United States dollars and references to euro or are to the single currency of the participating member states in the Third Stage of the European Economic and Monetary Union pursuant to the treaty establishing the European Community, as amended from time to time. We historically published our financial statements in Spanish pesetas (pesetas or Ptas). Beginning January 1, 1999, we began publishing our financial statements in both Spanish pesetas and euro. We have translated financial information presented in this Annual Report for periods prior to January 1, 1999 from Spanish pesetas into euro using the official irrevocably fixed conversion rate of Ptas 166.386 = 1.00. Financial information for periods prior to January 1, 1999 reported in euro depicts the same trends that would have been presented had we continued to present such financial information in Spanish pesetas. However, financial information for periods prior to January 1, 1999 is not comparable with that of other companies reporting in euro that restated these amounts from a currency other than the Spanish peseta.
For the convenience of the reader, some of the financial information in this Annual Report has been translated from euro into United States dollars at an assumed rate of 1.00 = $1.1423, the Noon Buying Rate in New York City for cable transfers in euro as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (the Noon Buying Rate) on June 27, 2003. These convenience translations should not be construed as representations that the euro amounts actually represent such dollar amounts or could be converted into dollars at the rate indicated. The assumed rate also differs from the rates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. Further information about recent rates of exchange between the euro and dollar appears in Item 3Key Information.
2
PART I
ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISORS
A. DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
Not applicable.
The following table presents selected consolidated financial data of Telefónica, S.A. You should read this table in conjunction with Item 5Operating and Financial Review and Prospects and the Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this annual report. The consolidated income statement data for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2002 and the consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2002 and 2001 set forth below are derived from, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in this annual report. The consolidated income statement data for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 1999 and the consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998 set forth below are derived from Telefónica, S.A.s consolidated financial statements, which are not included herein. Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Spanish GAAP, which differ in certain respects from U.S. GAAP. Please refer to note 25 to our consolidated financial statements for a discussion of these differences.
The basis of presentation and principles of consolidation are described in detail in note 2 to our consolidated financial statements.
At and for the Year ended December 31, |
|||||||||||||||
1998(1) |
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
|||||||||||
| | | | | |||||||||||
(in millions, except per share and per ADS data) | |||||||||||||||
INCOME STATEMENT DATA |
|||||||||||||||
Amounts in accordance with Spanish GAAP: |
|||||||||||||||
Revenues from operations |
17,465.5 | 22,957.0 | 28,485.5 | 31,052.6 | 28,411.3 | ||||||||||
Other operating revenues(2) |
116.5 | 199.2 | 266.7 | 254.7 | 297.6 | ||||||||||
Internal expenditures capitalized |
747.1 | 835.0 | 899.1 | 730.4 | 496.7 | ||||||||||
Increase (decrease) in inventories (net) |
50.8 | 74.5 | 112.3 | (103.9 | ) | (18.1 | ) | ||||||||
Total revenues |
18,379.9 | 24,065.7 | 29,763.6 | 31,933.8 | 29,187.5 | ||||||||||
Goods purchased |
(2,203.8 | ) | (4,093.1 | ) | (6,045.2 | ) | (7,111.9 | ) | (6,953.6 | ) | |||||
External services and local taxes |
(2,225.5 | ) | (3,975.6 | ) | (5,786.1 | ) | (5,534.3 | ) | (4,976.7 | ) | |||||
Personnel expenses |
(3,907.6 | ) | (4,411.5 | ) | (5,111.7 | ) | (5,390.3 | ) | (4,793.8 | ) |
3
At and for the Year ended December 31, |
|||||||||||||||
1998(1) |
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
|||||||||||
| | | | | |||||||||||
(in millions, except per share and per ADS data) | |||||||||||||||
Provision for depreciation and amortization |
(4,360.0 | ) | (6,108.8 | ) | (6,960.8 | ) | (7,374.0 | ) | (6,692.4 | ) | |||||
Trade provisions |
(637.7 | ) | (565.8 | ) | (761.1 | ) | (1,023.8 | ) | (645.6 | ) | |||||
Other operating expenses |
(145.5 | ) | (134.3 | ) | (140.7 | ) | (69.3 | ) | (93.7 | ) | |||||
Total operating costs before financial expenses and goodwill amortization |
(13,480.1 | ) | (19,289.1 | ) | (24,805.6 | ) | (26,503.6 | ) | (24,155.7 | ) | |||||
Operating profit |
4,899.9 | 4,776.6 | 4,958.0 | 5,430.2 | 5,031.8 | ||||||||||
Amortization of goodwill and reversal of negative goodwill |
(127.0 | ) | (194.3 | ) | (500.6 | ) | (841.6 | ) | (665.4 | ) | |||||
Financial income (expense) |
(1,339.6 | ) | (1,490.4 | ) | (1,611.8 | ) | (1,608.4 | ) | (1,589.3 | ) | |||||
Exchange gains (losses), net |
(40.6 | ) | 434.3 | (248.5 | ) | (782.7 | ) | (632.3 | ) | ||||||
Income (losses) from associated companies |
73.3 | (3.9 | ) | (161.4 | ) | (376.5 | ) | (527.9 | ) | ||||||
Profit from ordinary activities |
3,465.9 | 3,522.3 | 2,435.7 | 1,821.1 | 1,616.8 | ||||||||||
Extraordinary revenues |
329.2 | 2,029.4 | 4,302.3 | 1,167.1 | 474.6 | ||||||||||
Losses on fixed assets |
(157.9 | ) | (235.6 | ) | (239.9 | ) | (233.0 | ) | (9,614.6 | ) | |||||
Extraordinary expenses |
(1,221.3 | ) | (5,348.7 | ) | (3,630.5 | ) | (721.3 | ) | (7,078.0 | ) | |||||
Income before tax and minority interest |
2,415.9 | (32.6 | ) | 2,867.6 | 2,033.9 | (14,601.1 | ) | ||||||||
Corporate income tax |
(552.2 | ) | 758.0 | (242.2 | ) | (198.1 | ) | 3,228.7 | |||||||
Minority interest |
(556.2 | ) | (655.7 | ) | (120.6 | ) | 271.0 | 5,795.6 | |||||||
Net income |
1,307.7 | 69.6 | 2,504.8 | 2,106.8 | (5,576.8 | ) | |||||||||
Net income per share(3) |
0.35 | 0.02 | 0.59 | 0.43 | (1.13 | ) | |||||||||
Weighted average number of shares (thousands) |
3,729,942 | 3,823,536 | 4,269,839 | 4,919,843 | 4,951,316 | ||||||||||
Net income per ADS(3)(4) |
1.05 | 0.05 | 1.76 | 1.28 | (3.38 | ) | |||||||||
Weighted average number of ADSs (thousands) |
1,243,314 | 1,274,512 | 1,423,280 | 1,639,948 | 1,650,439 | ||||||||||
Amounts in accordance with U.S. GAAP |
|||||||||||||||
Total revenues |
15,866.4 | 21,190.4 | 27,326.1 | 31,577.2 | 28,912.6 | ||||||||||
Total costs and expenses |
(13,189.6 | ) | (16,813.1 | ) | (23,977.8 | ) | (37,492.9 | ) | (26,599.0 | ) | |||||
Profit from ordinary activities |
3,006.4 | 4,377.3 | 3,348.3 | (5,915.7 | ) | 2,313.6 | |||||||||
Income (loss) before tax |
1,636.4 | (367.2 | ) | 1,561.9 | (6,707.0 | ) | (8,606.5 | ) | |||||||
Corporate income tax |
340.7 | 921.4 | 294.1 | (475.3 | ) | 3,392.0 | |||||||||
Net income |
1,288.9 | 554.2 | 1,856.0 | (7,182.3 | ) | (5,214.5 | ) | ||||||||
Net income per share(3)(5) |
0.35 | 0.14 | 0.44 | (1.46 | ) | (1.05 | ) | ||||||||
Net income per ADS(3)(4)(5) |
1.04 | 0.43 | 1.30 | (4.38 | ) | (3.15 | ) | ||||||||
BALANCE SHEET DATA |
|||||||||||||||
Amounts in accordance with Spanish GAAP: |
|||||||||||||||
Cash |
143.0 | 186.1 | 765.6 | 621.9 | 517.5 | ||||||||||
Property plant and equipment |
27,821.6 | 35,754.9 | 38,721.9 | 36,606.1 | 27,099.7 | ||||||||||
Total assets |
48,593.6 | 64,114.0 | 92,377.3 | 86,422.6 | 68,041.3 | ||||||||||
Total long-term debt |
13,695.4 | 17,788.3 | 24,692.9 | 27,692.4 | 21,726.1 | ||||||||||
Total shareholders equity |
15,295.1 | 14,544.7 | 25,930.5 | 25,861.6 | 16,996.0 | ||||||||||
Amounts in accordance with U.S. GAAP: |
|||||||||||||||
Cash |
131.4 | 239.2 | 678.7 | 619.6 | 517.5 | ||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment |
23,474.1 | 30,079.1 | 38,277.9 | 35,563.2 | 25,282.7 | ||||||||||
Total assets |
43,113.8 | 59,306.5 | 108,017.1 | 91,041.1 | 67,226.6 | ||||||||||
Total long-term debt |
13,695.4 | 15,385.0 | 20,618.5 | 27,771.2 | 21,778.0 | ||||||||||
Total shareholders equity |
14,937.3 | 16,926.5 | 44,357.8 | 31,769.8 | 16,989.3 | ||||||||||
CASH FLOW DATA: |
|||||||||||||||
Amounts in accordance with Spanish GAAP: |
|||||||||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
6,735.7 | 7,758.9 | 8,996.9 | 8,828.8 | 8,814.6 | ||||||||||
Net cash used in (provided by) investing activities(6) |
11,765.8 | (9,600.9 | ) | (17,719.5 | ) | (9,895.4 | ) | (5,780.2 | ) |
4
At and for the Year ended December 31, |
|||||||||||||||
1998(1) |
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
|||||||||||
| | | | | |||||||||||
(in millions, except per share and per ADS data) | |||||||||||||||
Net cash used in (received from) financing activities |
4,630.2 | 2,332.0 | 14,320.9 | (1,321.1 | ) | (2,101.1 | ) | ||||||||
Amounts in accordance with U.S. GAAP: |
|||||||||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
5,556.0 | 6,661.7 | 16,370.1 | 8,995.8 | 9,019.5 | ||||||||||
Net cash used in (provided by) investing activities(6) |
12,228.7 | 7,633.3 | (25,572.6 | ) | (9,528.5 | ) | (5,585.4 | ) | |||||||
Net cash used in (received from) financing activities |
(3,902.2 | ) | (1,839.9 | ) | 14,689.4 | (1,347.0 | ) | (2,082.0 | ) |
(1) | The consolidated financial statements for the year ended and at December 31, 1998 were prepared in Spanish pesetas and have been translated into euro at the irrevocably fixed rate of exchange of Ptas 166.386 = 1.00. |
(2) | Includes internal expenditures capitalized and increase in inventories (net). |
(3) | The per share and per ADS computations for all periods presented have been adjusted to reflect the stock split and stock dividends which occurred during the periods presented and after the close of the 2002 period but before issuance of the financial statements. |
(4) | Each ADS represents the right to receive three ordinary shares. Figures do not include any charges of the Depositary. |
(5) | U.S. GAAP earnings per share and per ADS have been computed using the weighted average number of shares outstanding for each period. |
(6) | Includes net cash outflow for capital expenditures and for investments in affiliates. |
Exchange Rate Information
Effective January 1, 1999, the following 11 European Union member states adopted the euro as a common currency: Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Portugal and Spain. They also established fixed conversion rates between their respective sovereign currencies and the euro. On January 1, 2001, Greece joined the European Economic and Monetary Union. The exchange rate at which the Spanish peseta has been irrevocably fixed against the euro is Ptas 166.386 = 1.00. On January 1, 2002, the participating member states began issuing new euro-denominated bills and coins for use in cash transactions. As of March 1, 2002, the participating member states have withdrawn the bills and coins denominated in their respective currencies from circulation, and they are no longer legal tender for any transactions. The Noon Buying Rate for the euro on June 27, 2003 was $1.1423 = 1.00.
The following table sets forth certain information concerning the Noon Buying Rate for dollars expressed in pesetas per $1.00.
Noon Buying Rate | ||||||||
Year ended December 31, |
Period End |
Average(1) |
High |
Low | ||||
1998 |
142.15 | 149.42 | 157.41 | 136.80 |
Source: Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
(1) | The average of the Noon Buying Rates on the last day of each full month during the relevant period. |
The following tables describe, for the periods and dates indicated, information concerning the Noon Buying Rate for the euro. Amounts are expressed in U.S. dollars per 1.00.
Noon Buying Rate | ||||||||
Year ended December 31, |
Period End |
Average(1) |
High |
Low | ||||
1999 |
1.01 | 1.06 | 1.18 | 1.00 | ||||
2000 |
0.9388 | 0.9207 | 1.0335 | 0.8270 | ||||
2001 |
0.8901 | 0.8909 | 0.9535 | 0.8370 | ||||
2002 |
1.0485 | 0.9495 | 1.0485 | 0.8594 |
Source: Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
(1) | The average of the Noon Buying Rates for the euro on the last day of each month during the relevant period. |
5
Noon Buying Rate | ||||
Month ended |
High |
Low | ||
December 31, 2002 |
1.0485 | 0.9927 | ||
January 31, 2003 |
1.0861 | 1.0361 | ||
February 28, 2003 |
1.0875 | 1.0708 | ||
March 31, 2003 |
1.1062 | 1.0545 | ||
April 30, 2003 |
1.1180 | 1.0621 | ||
May 31, 2003 |
1.1853 | 1.1200 | ||
June 2003 (through June 27) |
1.1870 | 1.1423 |
Source: Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
Monetary policy within the member states of the euro zone is set by the European Central Bank. The European Central Bank has set itself the objective of containing inflation and will adjust interest rates in line with this policy without taking account of other economic variables such as the rate of unemployment. It has further declared that it will not set an exchange rate target for the euro.
Our ordinary shares are quoted on the Spanish stock exchanges in euro. Currency fluctuations may affect the dollar equivalent of the euro price of our shares listed on the Spanish stock exchanges and, as a result, the market price of our ADSs, which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Currency fluctuations may also affect the dollar amounts received by holders of ADRs on conversion by the Depositary of any cash dividends paid in euro on the underlying shares.
Our consolidated results are affected by fluctuations between the euro and the currencies in which the revenues and expenses of some of our consolidated subsidiaries are denominated (principally the Brazilian real, the Argentine peso, the Chilean peso, the Peruvian nuevo sol and the U.S. dollar). See Item 11Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
B. CAPITALIZATION AND INDEBTEDNESS
Not applicable.
C. REASONS FOR THE OFFER AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Not applicable.
In addition to the other information contained in this annual report on Form 20-F, prospective investors should carefully consider the risks described below before making any investment decisions. The risks described below are not the only ones that we face. Additional risks not currently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations. Our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected by any of these risks and investors could lose all or part of their investment.
Risks Related to Our Business
We endeavour to implement our business plans successfully, but factors beyond our control may prevent us from doing so, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Our ability to increase our revenues and maintain our position as a leading European and Latin American provider of advanced telecommunications and Internet services will depend in large part on the successful, timely and cost-effective implementation of our business plans, including our plan to operate our various businesses along global business lines.
Factors beyond our control that could affect the implementation and completion of our business plan include:
| difficulties in developing and introducing new technologies; |
6
| declining prices for some of our services; |
| the effect of adverse economic trends on our principal markets; |
| the effect of foreign exchange fluctuations on our results of operations; |
| difficulties in obtaining applicable government, shareholder and other approvals; |
| difficulties in entering into key contracts with third parties; |
| the effect of increased competition; |
| our ability to establish and maintain strategic relationships; |
| difficulties in integrating our acquired businesses; |
| the effect of future acquisitions on our financial condition and results of operations; |
| difficulties in securing the timely performance of independent contractors hired to engineer, design and construct portions of our network; |
| the potential lack of attractive investment targets; |
| difficulties in attracting and retaining highly-skilled and qualified personnel; and |
| the effect of unanticipated network interruptions. |
A material portion of our foreign operations and investments is located in Latin America, and we are therefore exposed to risks inherent in operating and investing in Latin America.
At December 31, 2002, approximately 47% of our assets were located in Latin America. In addition, approximately 35% of our revenue from operations for 2002 was derived from our Latin American operations. Our foreign operations and investments in Latin America are subject to various risks, including risks related to the following:
| government regulations and administrative policies may change quickly; |
| currencies may be devalued or may depreciate (such as the Brazilian real, which experienced a negative trend in 2002) or currency restrictions and other restraints on transfer of funds may be imposed; |
| governments may expropriate assets; |
| governments may impose burdensome taxes or tariffs; |
| political changes may lead to changes in the business environments in which we operate; |
| our operations are dependent on concessions and other agreements with existing governments; and |
| economic downturns, political instability and civil disturbances may negatively affect our operations. |
In addition, revenues from operations of our Latin American subsidiaries, their market value and the dividends and management fees received from them are exposed to material country risk as a result of adverse economic conditions in the region that may adversely affect demand, consumption and exchange rates.
7
The recent devaluation of the Argentine peso and the adverse macroeconomic conditions currently prevailing in Argentina and recent emergency measures adopted by the Argentine government have had, and may continue to have, a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
As a result of the devaluation of the Argentine peso in January 2002, in accordance with Spanish accounting regulations, we recorded various provisions and allowances against our net income for 2001 and 2002 and adjusted the Stockholders equitytranslation differences in consolidation account in our consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2001 and December 31, 2002. Accordingly, the devaluation of the Argentine peso resulted in a decrease in our net income of 369.0 and 354.7 million in 2001 and 2002, respectively, and a reduction in our shareholders equity of 1,793.1 and 1,501.8 million in 2001 and 2002, respectively (including the decrease in net income). Our financial condition and results of operations may continue to be adversely affected by any further declines in the value of the Argentine peso.
In addition, although most of the restrictions on repayment to foreign creditors implemented since December 2001 have been abolished, companies currently require Central Bank authorization to buy U.S. dollars to make accelerated payments in the context of a debt restructuring program. As a result, failure to obtain such authorization and to obtain U.S. dollars for free remittance could impede any necessary debt restructuring program. In the first half of 2003, Telefónica Comunicaciones Personales S.A., Telefónica Móviles subsidiary in Argentina, entered into several agreements with its main creditors to refinance its debt, including intercompany debt with Telefónica Móviles. Despite this, it continues to have negative net worth. Due to the uncertainty about changes in the exchange rate, tariffs renegotiation and the Argentine economy, and in order to manage its liquidity risk, on June 17, 2003, Telefónica de Argentina commenced an offer to exchange its new notes due 2007 and its new notes due 2010 for its existing notes due 2004 and 2008, respectively, plus a cash payment. It also offered to exchange two new series of its notes due 2011 for two series of existing notes due 2004 of Compañía Internacional de Telecomunicaciones S.A., its controlling shareholder and our wholly-owned subsidiary, plus a cash payment.
Furthermore, the Public Emergency Law provides that, in agreements executed by the federal government under public law regulations, including those related to public works and services, which includes the telecommunications services offered by us, indexation clauses based on foreign currency price indices or any other indexation mechanism are annulled. In this regard, the law sets forth that the prices and rates resulting from such provisions be established in pesos at a rate of Ps.1.00 per U.S.$1.00. Any further inflation will result in further decreases in revenues in real terms and will adversely affect our fixed-line operators results of operations, provided that its tariffs do not keep pace with inflation. Telefónica de Argentina is in the process of renegotiating its tariffs with the Argentina government. We cannot give you any assurance that the outcome of these negotiations will be favorable to us.
For further information on the economic situation in Argentina and its impact on our financial condition and results of operations, see Item 5Operating and Financial Review and ProspectsCritical Accounting PoliciesDevaluation in Argentina and Item 5Operating and Financial Review and ProspectsEconomic Situation in Argentina.
Our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected if we do not effectively manage our exposure to foreign currency exchange and interest rate risk.
We are exposed to various types of market risk in the normal course of our business, including the significant impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, as well as the impact of changes in interest rates. We employ risk management strategies to manage this exposure, in part through the use of financial derivatives such as foreign currency forwards, currency swap agreements and interest rate swap agreements. Our risk management strategies may not be successful, however, which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
In particular, in order to limit our exposure to Latin American currency exchange rate fluctuations, we use financial derivatives and other instruments. If the financial derivatives market is not sufficiently liquid for our risk management purposes or if we cannot enter into arrangements of the type and for the amounts necessary to limit our exposure to Latin American currency exchange rate fluctuations, such failure could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. For a more detailed description of our financial derivatives transactions, see Item 11Quantitative and Quantitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
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We have recorded an impairment charge to goodwill and may be required to make additional write offs in the future.
Goodwill represents the purchase price of an acquisition in excess of the fair value of the assets acquired less liabilities assumed. We have generated substantial amounts of goodwill from some of our acquisitions. At December 31, 2002, under Spanish GAAP we had goodwill of 6,364.0 million, equal to 9.4% of our total assets and 37.4% of our shareholders equity at that date, and at December 31, 2001, we had goodwill of 9,128.9 million, equal to 10.6% of our total assets and 35.3% of our shareholders equity at that date. At December 31, 2002, under U.S. GAAP, we had goodwill of 8,718.4 million, equal to 13.0% of our total assets and 51.3% of our shareholders equity at that date, and, at December 31, 2001, we had goodwill of 14,991.3, equal to 16.5% of our total assets and 47.2% of our shareholders equity at that date.
In December 2002, we performed an analysis of projected discounted cash flows from the Terra Lycos Group, mediaWays, I.O. Box, and other companies that are less significant as a result of which we determined that such projected cash flows were not adequate to support the value of goodwill related to these companies both under Spanish and U.S. GAAP. Accordingly, we determined that goodwill related to these companies was impaired, and we recorded a goodwill impairment charge in an aggregate amount of approximately 2,259.8 million in 2002.
We cannot be certain that we will be able to recover all of the goodwill that we now carry as an asset or that we will not have to write off additional goodwill in the future under U.S. GAAP or Spanish GAAP. We could be forced to write off goodwill because of rapid technological change, intense competition, adverse regulatory measures, significant declines in sales, earnings or cash flows and other factors that in the future indicate that the fair value of our acquisitions is not worth their carrying value.
Telefónica Móviles has engaged in a strategic review of its asset portfolio, which has led it to fully write down its investments in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. It may also in the future have to further adjust the value of its investments in Italy.
In 2002, Telefónica Móviles commissioned independent experts to assess the business plans of its UMTS operations in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy. After taking into account the independent assessments, Telefónica Móviles updated the valuations of its business plans for these operations, in order to reflect the additional delays expected by the sector regarding commercial availability of the UMTS technology and the consequent delay in revenue generation. In this context, Telefónica Móviles decided to fully write down the book value of its investments in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
With respect to its investment in Italy, Telefónica Móviles also adjusted the value of its investment in IPSE 2000. Given the differences in the regulatory environment, both with regard to compliance with coverage requirements included in the license and flexibility shown by the regulators, Telefónica Móviles estimates the value of IPSE 2000s assets at 300 million, 136 million of which represents Telefónica Móviles investment in IPSE 2000. This value estimated by Telefónica Móviles could be different in case other assumptions and estimates were made. Telefónica Móviles will perform a regular review of the value and assumptions of its investment in its UMTS operations in Italy. There can be no assurance that a change of strategy or changes in the telecommunications industry will not require Telefónica Móviles to further adjust, or fully write down, the value of its investment in Italy in the future, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operation.
Accordingly, at December 31 2002, a net loss of 4,958.2 million was recorded in the Telefónica Groups consolidated financial statements associated with the write-down of assets and the restructuring of operations in these four countries. For further information on the write-down of Telefónica Móviles assets in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy, please see Item 4Information on the CompanyBusiness OverviewRest of Europe.
The development of our business could be hindered if we fail to maintain satisfactory working relationships with our partners.
Some of our operations are conducted through joint ventures in which we own a significant, but less than controlling, ownership interest. For example, Brasilcel, which is jointly controlled by Telefónica Móviles and Portugal Telecom in Brazil, is conducted through a joint venture. In these operations, our company does not have absolute control over the operations of the venture.
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In addition, in some cases where we own a majority of the venture, we may be subject to provisions in shareholders agreements restricting our control over the venture. The relevant corporate governance provisions vary from venture to venture, and often depend upon the size of our investment relative to that of the other investors, our experience as a telecommunications operator compared to that of the other investors and the preferences or requirements of foreign governments that local owners hold an interest in licensed telecommunications operators. As a result, we must generally obtain the cooperation of our partners in order to implement and expand upon our business strategies and to finance and manage our operations.
The risk of disagreement or deadlock is inherent in jointly controlled entities and there is the risk that decisions against our interests will be made and that we may not realize the benefits from our joint ventures, including economies of scale and opportunities to realize potential synergies and cost savings. Our joint venture partners may choose not to continue their partnerships.
The costs and difficulties of acquiring and integrating businesses could impede our future growth and adversely affect our competitiveness.
We may enter into acquisition transactions in order to, among other things, provide services in countries in which we do not currently have operations or enhance our product portfolio, as we have done in recent years. If we make any such acquisitions, those acquisitions (including those already completed) may expose us to certain risks, including the following:
| the difficulty of assimilating the operations and personnel of the acquired entities; |
| the potential disruption to our ongoing business caused by senior managements focus on the acquisition transactions; |
| our failure to incorporate successfully licensed or acquired technology into our network and product offerings; |
| the failure to maintain uniform standards, controls, procedures and policies; and |
| the impairment of relationships with employees as a result of changes in management and ownership. |
We cannot assure you that we will be successful in overcoming these risks, and our failure to overcome these risks could have a negative effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Loss of key personnel could weaken our business expertise and delay the completion of our network and our other business plans.
Our operations throughout the world are managed by a small number of key executive officers. The loss of our key executive officers could significantly impede our financial plans, product development, network completion, marketing and other objectives. In addition, competition for qualified personnel in the telecommunications industry is intense. We believe that the growth and future success of our business will depend in large part on our continued ability to attract and retain highly skilled and qualified personnel. We cannot assure you that we will be able to hire or retain necessary personnel.
We may be adversely affected by unanticipated network interruptions.
Unanticipated network interruptions as a result of system failures whether accidental or otherwise, including network, hardware or software failures, that affect the quality of, or cause an interruption in, our service could result in customer dissatisfaction, reduced revenues and traffic, and costly repairs and could harm our reputation. Although we carry business interruption insurance, this policy may not be in amounts sufficient to compensate us for any losses we incur.
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Risks Relating to Our Industry
We face intense competition in most of our markets, which could result in decreases in current and potential customers, revenues and profitability.
We face significant competition in all of the markets in which we operate. Governmental authorities in many of the countries in which we operate continue to grant new licenses and concessions to new market entrants, which will result in increased competition in those countries and markets. In addition, technological developments are increasing cross-competition in certain markets, such as between wireless providers and fixed-line telephony operators.
In addition, regulatory policies of many of the countries in which we operate generally favor increased competition in most of the segments of our markets, especially in the fixed-line and wireless services industry, including by granting new licenses in existing licensed territories in order to permit the entry of new competitors. These regulatory policies are likely to have the effect, over time, of reducing our market share in the markets in which we operate. For example, Spanish telecommunications regulators have attempted to promote competition in fixed-line telecommunications services through policies that favor other fixed-line telecommunications operators. Regulations introduced in recent years in Spain have allowed other operators to locate their equipment in or adjacent to our exchanges (i.e., local loop unbundling) and made it easier for our customers to route some or all of their calls over our competitors networks (i.e., carrier pre-selection). Additional regulatory changes resulting in increased competition could have a further adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects.
In addition to this, because we hold leading market shares in many of the countries in which we operate, we could face regulatory actions by national or, in Europe, European Union antitrust or competition authorities if it is determined that we have prevented, restricted or distorted competition. These authorities could prohibit us from making further acquisitions or continuing to engage in particular practices or impose fines or other penalties on us, which if significant, could harm our financial performance and future growth.
As a result of these policies, we may lose market share in Spain and in other markets where we are the incumbent operator.
In addition, we are subject to the effects of actions by our competitors in the markets where we have operations. These competitors could:
| offer lower prices, more attractive discount plans or better services and features; |
| develop and deploy more rapidly new or improved technologies, services and products; |
| bundle offerings of one type of service with others; |
| in the case of the wireless industry, subsidize handset procurement; or |
| expand and enhance more rapidly their networks. |
Furthermore, some of our competitors in certain markets have, and some potential competitors may enjoy, competitive advantages, including the following:
| greater name recognition; |
| greater financial, technical, marketing and other resources; |
| larger customer bases; and |
| well-established relationships with current and potential customers. |
To compete effectively with our competitors, we will need to successfully market our services and anticipate and respond to various competitive factors affecting the relevant markets, such as the introduction of new products
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and services by our competitors, pricing strategies adopted by our competitors, changes in consumer preferences and general economic, political and social conditions. If we are unable to compete effectively with our competitors, it could result in price reductions, lower revenues, under-utilization of our services, reduced operating margins and loss of market share.
We operate in a highly regulated industry and could become subject to more burdensome regulation, which could adversely affect our businesses.
As a multinational telecommunications company, we are subject to different laws and regulations in each of the jurisdictions in which we provide services. Furthermore, the licensing, construction, operation and interconnection arrangements of our communications systems are regulated to varying degrees by national, state, regional, local, and supranational authorities, such as the European Union. These authorities could adopt regulations or take other actions that could adversely affect us and our companies, including revocation of any of our licenses or concessions to offer services in a particular market, failure to renew a license or concession, modification of the terms of a license or concession or the granting of new licenses or concessions to competitors. Increased or significant changes in the regulation of the activities of our operating companies, including the regulation of rates that may be charged to customers for services, could have a material adverse effect on our company. New regulations could also increase the costs of regulatory compliance.
Most of our operating companies require licenses or concessions from the governmental authorities of the countries in which they operate. These licenses and concessions specify the types of services permitted to be offered by our operating companies. The continued existence and terms of our licenses and concessions are subject to review by regulatory authorities in each country and to interpretation, modification or termination by these authorities. Many of these licenses and concessions are revocable for public interest reasons. The rules of some of the government regulatory authorities having jurisdiction over our operating companies require us to meet specified network build-out requirements and schedules. In particular, our wireless licenses and concessions typically require that we satisfy certain obligations, including minimum specified quality, service and coverage conditions and capital investment. Failure to comply with obligations in a given license area could result in the imposition of fines, or revocation or forfeiture of the license for that area. In addition, the need to meet scheduled deadlines may cause our company to expend more resources than otherwise budgeted for a particular network build-out. We cannot assure you that our operating companies will be able to comply fully with the terms and conditions of their licenses and concessions.
Our business could be negatively impacted by the consequences of any of these factors and our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected as a result.
The industry in which we conduct our business is subject to rapid technological changes and such changes could have a material adverse effect on our ability to provide competitive services.
The telecommunications industry is in a period of rapid technological change. Our future success depends, in part, on our ability to anticipate and adapt in a timely manner to technological changes. We expect that new products and technologies will emerge and that existing products and technologies will further develop. These new products and technologies may reduce the prices for our services or they may be superior to, and render obsolete, the products and services we offer and the technologies we use, and may consequently reduce the revenues generated by our products and services and require investment in new technology. Our most significant competitors in the future may be new entrants to our markets who are not burdened by an installed base of older equipment. As a result, it may be very expensive for us to upgrade our products and technology in order to continue to compete effectively with new or existing competitors.
Our business depends on the upgrading of our existing networks.
We must continue to upgrade our existing wireless and fixed-line networks in a timely and satisfactory manner in order to retain and expand our customer base in each of our markets, to enhance our financial performance and to satisfy regulatory requirements. Among other things, we must:
| upgrade the functionality of our networks to permit increased customization of services; |
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| fill in coverage gaps and increase coverage in building some of our markets; |
| expand and maintain customer service, network management and administrative systems; and |
| upgrade older systems as new technologies become available. |
Many of these tasks are not entirely under our control. If we fail to successfully execute them, our services and products may be less attractive to new customers and we may lose existing customers to our competitors, which would adversely affect our results of operations.
Failure to generate sufficient cash flows and higher capital expenditure requirements could make us more dependant on external financing. If we are unable to obtain financing, our business may be adversely affected.
The operation, expansion and upgrade of our networks, as well as the marketing and distribution of our services and products, require substantial financing. Moreover, our liquidity and capital resource requirements may further increase if we participate in other fixed-line or wireless license award processes or make acquisitions in other countries. We also have major capital resource requirements relating to, among other things, the following:
| acquisition or construction of networks and of additional network capacity for existing networks; |
| development of new services and products; |
| development of distribution channels in new countries of operations; and |
| development and implementation of new technologies. |
We may need to incur a significant amount of debt to support our capital resource requirements for the ongoing development and expansion of our business. However, spreads on debt issuances by telecommunications operators have risen considerably as a result of the increased risk associated with debt securities in the telecommunications sector. Our ability to raise capital is also related to our stock price and the liquidity of the equity markets. Adverse trends in these areas could prevent us from raising capital. If we are unable to borrow the amounts we need at affordable rates and we cannot raise equity, we may be unable to pursue our business plans. We cannot assure you that future conditions in the equity and financial markets will not adversely affect our ability to finance our operations.
Our business could be adversely affected if our suppliers fail to provide necessary equipment and services on a timely basis.
We depend upon a small number of major suppliers for essential products and services, mainly network infrastructure. These suppliers may, among other things, extend delivery times, raise prices and limit supply due to their own shortages and business requirements. If these suppliers fail to deliver products and services on a timely basis, our results of operations could be negatively affected. Similarly, interruptions in the supply of telecommunications equipment for our networks could impede network development and expansion, which in some cases could adversely affect our ability to satisfy license requirements. These equipment supply risks could be substantial in relation to the build-out of UMTS networks as multiple operators seek to construct networks in multiple countries at the same time.
The wireless industry may be harmed by reports suggesting that radio frequency emissions cause health problems and interfere with medical devices.
Media and other reports have suggested that radio frequency emissions from wireless handsets and base stations may cause health problems. If consumers harbor health-related concerns, they may be discouraged from using wireless handsets. These concerns could have an adverse effect on the wireless communications industry and, possibly, expose wireless providers, including us, to litigation. We cannot assure you that further medical research and studies will refute a link between the radio frequency emissions of wireless handsets and base stations and these health concerns. Government authorities could increase regulation of wireless handsets and base stations as a result of these health concerns or wireless companies, including Telefónica Móviles, could be held liable for costs or
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damages associated with these concerns, which could have an adverse effect on our business. In Spain, for example, Telefónica Móviles is required by law to test and certify the emissions of its base stations in or close to populated areas. For the year ended 2002, such tests have confirmed lower emission levels than those required by regulations. If in the future Telefónica Móviles fails to comply fully with these standards, it could be subject to claims or regulatory actions.
Other Risks
We face risks associated with litigation.
We are party to lawsuits and other legal proceedings in the ordinary course of our business. An adverse outcome in, or any settlement of, these or other lawsuits (including any that may be asserted in the future) could result in significant costs to us. In addition, our senior management may be required to devote substantial time to these lawsuits which they could otherwise devote to our business. For a more detailed description of current lawsuits, see Item 8Legal Proceedings.
We will be obliged to adopt new accounting standards in 2005 that will impact our financial reporting.
We currently prepare our financial statements in accordance with Spanish GAAP, and prepare a reconciliation of certain items to U.S. GAAP as required by SEC regulation. In June 2002, the Council of Ministers of the European Union adopted new regulations requiring all listed EU companies, including us, to apply International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) (previously known as International Accounting Standards or IAS) in preparing their consolidated financial statements from January 1, 2005. Because IFRS emphasizes the measure of the fair value of certain assets and liabilities, applying these standards to our financial statements may have a considerable impact on a number of important areas, including, among others, accounting for share-based payments, business combinations, goodwill and intangible assets, employee benefits and financial instruments. Other impacts not related to fair value include the classification of balance sheet positions as debt or equity.
Because our financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS would differ from our financial statements prepared in accordance with Spanish GAAP, the methods used by the financial community to assess our financial performance and value our publicly-traded securities, such as price-to-earnings ratios and debt-to-equity ratios, could be affected.
Forward-looking statements may not be realized.
All statements in this Annual Report that are not clearly historical in nature are forward-looking. Examples of forward-looking statements include:
| statements concerning our operations and prospects; |
| the size of European and Latin American telecommunications markets; |
| estimated demand forecasts; |
| our ability to secure and maintain telecommunications infrastructure licenses, rights-of-way and other regulatory approvals; |
| our strategic initiatives and plans for business growth; |
| plans for entering into strategic relationships and joint ventures; |
| possible bids for additional licenses or concessions; |
| industry conditions; |
| funding needs and financing sources; |
| network completion and product development schedules; |
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| strategy, plans and timing for the introduction or enhancement of our services and products; |
| expected characteristics of competing networks, products and services; |
| some of our Argentine subsidiaries ability to meet its debts as they come due and to continue as a going concern; and |
| other statements of our expectations, beliefs, future plans and strategies, anticipated developments and other matters that are not historical facts. |
These forward-looking statements are uncertain, and we cannot assure you that any such statements will prove to be correct. Actual results and developments may be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements. Readers should carefully review the other risk factors set forth in this section and the information under Item 4Information on the Company, Item 5Operating and Financial Review and Prospects and Item 11Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk for a discussion of factors which could result in any of these forward-looking statements proving to be inaccurate.
The market price for our shares and ADSs may be subject to significant volatility due to many different factors.
The market price of our ordinary shares and ADSs may fluctuate significantly due to a number of factors, including among others:
| our actual or anticipated results of operations and financial condition; |
| investor perceptions of investments relating to Latin America and other less developed geographic regions in which we now operate or may conduct operations; |
| announcements by us or our competitors regarding strategic partnerships, changes in capital structure, new services or products or other important changes in activity; |
| changes in, or our failure to meet, securities analysts expectations; |
| changes in analysts and investors preferences and expectations with respect to our industry; |
| the recruitment or departure of key employees; |
| developments affecting the regulation of our industry; |
| technological innovations relevant to our industry; and |
| general market conditions and other factors beyond our control. |
Securities markets have periodically experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that have especially affected the market prices of ordinary shares and ADSs of telecommunications and other technology-related companies. These changes have often been unrelated to such companies financial performance. Broad market developments such as these may adversely affect the market price of our ordinary shares and ADSs.
ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY
A. HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMPANY
Overview
Telefónica, S.A. is a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the Kingdom of Spain, incorporated on April 19, 1924. We are:
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| a diversified telecommunications group which provides a comprehensive range of services in Spain and Latin America through one of the worlds largest and most modern telecommunications networks; |
| the leading provider of fixed-line public voice telephone services, wireless communications services, Internet access services and data transmission services in Spain; |
| one of the largest telecommunications operators in Latin America, with operations principally in Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala and Puerto Rico; and |
| a leading Spanish multinational corporation. |
At December 31, 2002, we had approximately 42.3 million access lines in service, 41.4 million wireless subscribers and 1.11 million pay television subscribers, including approximately 775,000 pay television subscribers in Spain and 340,000 pay television subscribers in Peru. We had a total of approximately 84.7 million clients at December 31, 2002, more than half of which are in Latin America.
The following table reflects the development of our customer base since 2000.
At December 31, | ||||||
2000 |
2001 |
2002 | ||||
(in thousands) | ||||||
Access lines in service in Spain(1) |
20,317.8 | 20,646.9 | 20,803.9 | |||
Access lines in service in other countries(2) |
19,374.7 | 21,649.7 | 21,469.4 | |||
Total access lines in service |
39,692.5 | 42,296.6 | 42,273.3 | |||
Wireless subscribers in Spain |
13,669.1 | 16,793.4 | 18,412.1 | |||
Wireless subscribers in other countries(3) |
9,545.1 | 13,001.4 | 22,963.4 | |||
Total wireless subscribers |
23,214.2 | 29,794.8 | 41,375.5 | |||
Pay television subscribers in Spain |
633.1 | 806.4 | 775.0 | |||
Pay television subscribers in Peru |
349.4 | 341.7 | 340.0 | |||
Total pay television subscribers |
982.5 | 1,148.1 | 1,115.0 |
(1) | Includes third-party private automatic branch exchange services that use Telefónica de Españas network access services. |
(2) | Includes 100% of the access lines of our subsidiaries in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, El Salvador, Guatemala and Peru. |
(3) | Includes 100% of the wireless subscribers of our subsidiaries in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, El Salvador, Germany, Guatemala, Mexico and Peru. Also includes 100% of the wireless subscribers of the wireless operations in Puerto Rico and Morocco (in 2000 only) in which we have minority interests but which we solely or jointly manage. |
In January 2000, we announced a reorganization of our business along global business lines to enhance our strategic and competitive position globally and in each of these business lines. As part of this reorganization, our Board of Directors formed two new global business divisions, Telefónica Móviles and Telefónica Data. Some or parts of some of our then-existing lines of business were combined with other business lines in connection with the reorganization. As a result of this reorganization, our group is now organized according to six principal lines of business, each of which is headed by an operating subsidiary that is under our direct control. These six principal lines of business are:
| fixed-line telecommunications services in Spain conducted through Telefónica de España; |
| worldwide wireless communications services conducted through Telefónica Móviles; |
| fixed-line telecommunications services in Latin America conducted through Telefónica Latinoamérica; |
| worldwide corporate data transmission conducted through Telefónica Data; |
| worldwide Internet-related services conducted through Terra Lycos; and |
| worldwide audiovisual content and media conducted through Admira. |
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In addition, we have several other lines of business, including:
| publishing, development and sale of advertising in telephone directories conducted through Telefónica Publicidad e Información, S.A.; |
| operation of contact centers in Europe (Spain), Latin America, Northern Africa (Morocco) and Asia (Japan) conducted through Atento Holding Telecomunicaciónes, S.A.; |
| provision of broadband communications through submarine fiber optic cable conducted through Emergia, S.A.; and |
| provision of international data transmission services and international services through Telefónica International Wholesale Services (TIWS) (a subsidiary of Telefónica Data), into which we plan to integrate Emergia during 2003. |
We may create new business lines in the future.
As part of the reorganization of our business along global business lines, during 2000 and 2001 we spun off or transferred the wireless operations, data operations and directory publishing businesses of certain of our integrated Latin American operators to our respective companies which head those lines of business. The following chart shows the organizational structure of the principal subsidiaries of the Telefónica Group at March 31, 2003, including their jurisdictions of incorporation and our ownership interest.
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In addition, we operate a corporate center. Our corporate centers objectives are to:
| coordinate the groups activities; |
| allocate resources efficiently among the group; |
| provide managerial guidelines for the group; |
| manage the portfolio of businesses; |
| provide cohesion within the group; and |
| foster synergies among the groups subsidiaries. |
Our principal executive offices are located at Gran Vía, 28, 28013 Madrid, Spain and our telephone number is (34) 91-584-03-06.
Fixed-Line Telecommunications Services in SpainTelefónica de España
Our fixed-line telecommunications services in Spain are managed by Telefónica de España. The principal services offered by Telefónica de España are:
| fixed-line telecommunications services, including access lines and local and long-distance calling; |
| integrated services digital network, which provides high-speed transmission of voice, data and video through existing fixed-line infrastructure; |
| public telephone services from phone booths; |
| circuit leasing; |
| value-added services, including call waiting, call barring, call forwarding, fixed-line messaging system and conference calling; |
| private automatic branch exchange services for companies under the trade name Ibercom, which, through a telephone switch located on the customers premises, provides voice-grade circuits with advanced features for local premises, including features such as least-cost routing and call-detail recording; |
| leasing and sale of terminal equipment and exchanges; |
| interconnection services; |
| intelligent network services, including services such as caller identification, phone-messaging and call forwarding; and |
| Internet access services, including asymmetrical digital subscriber (ADSL) line services. |
Historically, fixed-line telecommunications services in Spain have been our leading business in terms of total revenues. However, its relative contribution to total revenues has decreased in recent years, principally due to the adverse effects of competition, tariff reductions and discount plans in Spain and the rapid growth of our wireless operations in recent years. For a more detailed description of the contribution of our business lines to total revenues from operations, see Item 5Operating and Financial Review and Prospects.
Telefónica de España is developing a multidimensional strategy in order to continue to compete effectively in the Spanish telecommunications market. This strategy involves:
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| developing a commercial strategy that: |
| creates customer loyalty through incentive programs; |
| increases revenues by introducing new and attractive services; |
| offers global solutions through integrated approaches contributed by our affiliates; |
| maintains income levels; |
| improves the efficiency of the network by increasing the volume of traffic, and |
| decreasing the unit cost of the network and achieving a higher level of asset turnover. |
Operations
The following table shows the development of Telefónica de Españas domestic telecommunications network and growth in usage of that network since 2000:
At December 31, |
|||||||||
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
|||||||
Equivalent lines in service in Spain(1) (thousands)(*) |
20,365.8 | 21,022.8 | 20,803.9 | ||||||
Fixed telephone service, including payphones (thousands) |
16,373.0 | 16,094.7 | 15,470.2 | ||||||
Ibercom(2) (thousands) |
955.9 | 1,074.1 | 1,117.4 | ||||||
Integrated services digital network (thousands) |
1,674.1 | 2,094.2 | 2,165.9 | ||||||
Growth in fixed telephone lines in service, including payphones |
(0.7 | )% | (1.7 | )% | (3.9 | )% | |||
Fixed-lines in service, including payphones, Ibercom and integrated services digital networks, per 100 inhabitants(3) |
52.5 | 53.4 | 50.5 | ||||||
Fixed telephone lines, payphones, Ibercom and integrated services digital network lines in service per employee |
493.2 | 505.4 | 511.7 | ||||||
Degree of digitalization |
86.6 | % | 86.8 | % | 89.2 | % | |||
Average days between application and installation |
8.8 | 7.7 | 10.1 | ||||||
Average line usage (minutes per day)(4) |
16.8 | 21.1 | 22.1 | ||||||
Growth in average line usage(4) |
25.6 | % | 25.6 | % | 4.7 | % | |||
Internet access users (thousands) |
2,504.0 | 3,109.0 | 3,045.0 | ||||||
Growth of outgoing international traffic |
30.7 | % | 18.4 | % | (22.5 | )% | |||
Growth of incoming international traffic |
9.4 | % | 24.4 | % | (5.1 | )% | |||
Fixed telephone lines installed and billed (thousands) |
17,101.7 | 17,238.1 | 16,347.3 | ||||||
Coaxial cable (km) |
4,787.0 | 4,756.0 | 4,692.0 | ||||||
Fiber-optic cable (km) |
54,920.0 | 58,156.0 | 60,932.0 | ||||||
Copper cable in domestic long-distance lines (km) |
57,259.0 | 57,095.0 | 56,753.0 | ||||||
Subscriber networks (thousand km-par)(5) |
67,554.0 | 68,563.0 | 69,148.0 |
(*) | A change in the calculation of equivalent lines in service was introduced at the beginning of 2003. This new criterion introduces a different treatment of ISDN Primary Accesses and 2/6 Accesses for PBX and Ibercom. These will be restated by accounting the number of channels per access (30), instead of the extensions making use of them, as was used before. This change will bring about a better calculation of the number of equivalent lines, as it will serve as a lever for understanding both the trends of revenue and minutes over time and evolution of activity for maintenance of lines in service. This change does not imply any modification to financial data of the Company. The figures shown above have not been restated in accordance with the new criteria. |
(1) | Does not include third-party private automatic branch exchange services that use Telefónica de Españas network access services. |
(2) | Ibercom is the trade name for Telefónica de Españas private automatic branch exchange service. The number of Ibercom lines is presented on the basis of extensions. |
(3) | Includes third-party private automatic branch exchange services that use Telefónica de Españas network access services. |
(4) | Includes interconnection with wireless networks. |
(5) | The transmission cables in the subscriber networks contain a variable number of conducting filaments, which are insulated from each other and grouped in pairs. Each such pair is called a par. |
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In 2002, line usage continued to increase, although at a slower pace, while revenues from line usage decreased as a percentage of total revenues from operations. For a description of the composition of Telefónica de Españas revenues from operations by category, please see The Tariff Structure and Pricing for Principal Services. The number of minutes consumed increased 3.8% to 144,204 million in 2002 from 138,580 million in 2001, which in turn represented a 30.2% increase from 2000. The increase in line usage in 2002 was mainly due to an 8.9% increase in the average duration per call to 3.9 minutes offset by a 4.7% decrease in the number of calls to 37,408 million. Increases in provincial calls to and from wireless telephones and traffic with other fixed-line operators were the most significant factors contributing to these increases, more than offsetting the 8.1% decrease in metropolitan calls to 34,434 million minutes in 2002 from 37,470 million minutes in 2001. During 2002, calls to wireless telephones increased 4.7% to 5,728 million minutes in 2002 from 5,470 million minutes in 2001, calls from wireless telephones increased 4.3% to 5,236 million minutes in 2002 from 5,020 million minutes in 2001, calls for Internet access decreased 1.0% to 35,161 million minutes in 2002 from 35,499 million minutes in 2001, provincial calls increased 15.9% to 8,854 million minutes in 2002 from 7,640 million minutes in 2001 and traffic with other fixed-line operators increased 27.3% to 38,174 million minutes in 2002 from 29,995 million minutes in 2001.
In 2001, the number of minutes consumed increased 30.2% to 138,580 million from 106,400 million in 2000, which in turn represented a 28.9% increase from 1999. The increase in line usage in 2001 was mainly due to a 5.6% increase in the number of calls to 39,169 million and a 21.5% increase in the average duration per call to 3.54 minutes. Increases in Internet access traffic, provincial and interprovincial calls and traffic with other fixed-line operators were the most significant factors contributing to these increases, more than offsetting the 5.0% decrease in metropolitan calls to 37,470 million minutes in 2001 from 39,440 million minutes in 2000. Calls for Internet access increased 47.8% to 35,499 million minutes in 2001 from 24,020 million minutes in 2000, provincial calls increased 26.5% to 7,640 million minutes in 2001 from 6,040 million minutes in 2000, interprovincial calls increased 0.4% to 7,996 million minutes in 2001 from 7,964 million minutes in 2000 and traffic with other fixed-line operators increased 134.8% to 29,995 million minutes in 2001 from 12,775 million minutes in 2000.
Services such as voice mail are also an important factor in increasing line usage. At December 31, 2002, almost all of Telefónica de Españas lines in service were capable of using network-based voice mail, and more than 11.1 million customers took advantage of this service during 2002 compared to 10 million customers in 2001. At December 31, 2002, 5.3 million customers had caller-ID service.
In August 2002, we launched our fixed-line messaging system. This service allows customers to send text messages from their fixed-line telephones. At December 31, 2002, 444,136 messages had been sent from fixed-line telephones.
Despite the growth in Telefónica de Españas domestic telecommunications network in recent years, the level of penetration of fixed telephone service in Spain of approximately 50.5 access lines in service per 100 inhabitants at December 31, 2002 remains relatively low compared to other Western European countries.
We introduced ADSL service in August 2001. We had 606,417 individual subscribers at December 31, 2002, and a total of 957,204 ADSL lines including wholesale and retail customers.
International Traffic
Currently, 99.9% of all international traffic originating in Spain is dialed direct. Total revenues from international incoming and outgoing calls decreased by 27.8% in 2002 compared to a 13.2% increase in 2001. The decrease in 2002 was principally a result of a 12.8% decrease in the number of minutes of international traffic and the application of tariff reductions and discount plans in 2002.
Revenues from outgoing calls are usually derived from tariffs paid by customers in Spain, net of our payments to foreign carriers for the portion of the calls carried over such operators networks. Revenues from incoming calls are derived from payments made by foreign carriers. Payment rates and currencies are agreed upon bilaterally under the general auspices of the International Telecommunications Union. Due to Spains geographic location between the United States and the Middle East and between Northern Europe and Africa, we also derive revenues from the use of our network to retransmit voice and data traffic and television signals between such regions.
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Digitalization
At December 31, 2002, 89.2% of Telefónica de Españas urban lines were digital. In addition, Telefónica de España has completed the upgrading of its telephone exchanges. As a result, Telefónica de España is able to provide basic digital services, such as itemized billing, to 100% of its customers. The high degree of digitalization of Telefónica de Españas network also enables it to provide a broad range of digital services to satisfy customer demands. Telefónica de Españas international switching exchanges and domestic and international transmission links are 100% digitalized.
Broadband Telecommunications
Throughout 2002, Telefónica de España continued to make progress in the Internet and broadband business. As a result of the dedicated commitment to ADSL technology, accesses in Spain through Telefónica de España exceeded 957,000. Despite this increase in broadband, narrowband Internet traffic volume remained virtually unchanged (-1%) and, as such, we strengthened our leadership position in ISP Internet and broadband.
Throughout the year, a series of new value-added services was launched on ADSL technology, both in the business segment (ADSL Solution Intranet, Web (March), ADSL Solution e-Business and ADSL Solution net-LAN) and the residential segment (video conference and Internet games).
Regulation
Overview
Below is a description of the current Spanish telecommunications regulatory framework. This description should be considered in light of certain developments currently underway in the regulatory and competitive environment that will have a material impact on Telefónica de Españas business and operations in future years.
The State Contract
Since 1991, we have provided telecommunications services under a state contract entered into with the Spanish government in that year, in accordance with the Telecommunications Regulation Law of 1987. The state contract was approved by the Spanish government on November 21, 1991 and published in the Official Gazette on January 23, 1992. As of the date of this Annual Report, the state contract remains in effect solely with respect to fixed-line telecommunications services.
The state contract requires us to:
| pay taxes as required by general tax regulations; |
| adopt whatever measures are necessary to guarantee privacy in communications; |
| prepare plans to establish technical conditions, investments and goals for improvement of services and network upgrades and to present such plans to the Ministry of Science and Technology; |
| present information to the Secretary of State for Telecommunications and Information Society regarding internal procedures, an annual audit by independent accountants and financial statements that segregate our industrial activities from our investments in other companies and segregate services provided on a monopoly basis from services open to competition; and |
| pay certain royalties. |
On August 27, 1998, we requested the Spanish government to transform our concession into a Type B1 license to provide fixed-line telecommunications services through the operation of a fixed telephone network. As of the date of this Annual Report, the Spanish government has not granted our request, and we continue to provide fixed-line telecommunications services under the state contract.
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European Union Regulations
Since 1995, the European Union has adopted a number of directives that regulate the provision of telecommunications services in European Union member states, including:
| regulations designed to ensure the full liberalization of the telecommunications sector; |
| regulations which impose standard conditions throughout member states for granting individual licenses and general authorizations; |
| regulations regarding access and interconnection between competing operators; |
| regulations dealing with the universal service obligation; |
| regulations requiring member states to allocate wireless radio based services according to the DCS-1800 standard and the UMTS standard; |
| regulations relating to telecommunications data protection and privacy regulations; and |
| regulations for unbundled access to the local loop. |
The General Law on Telecommunications and other applicable Spanish laws were designed to implement all applicable European Union directives with respect to the provision of telecommunications services. With the aim of consolidating the harmonized framework achieved amongst its Member States for regulation of free competition in telecommunications, in March 2002 the European Union approved a new regulatory framework for electronic communications. These new directives for the provision of telecommunications services in European member states include provisions related to:
| universal service and users rights relating to electronic communications networks and services (the Universal Service Directive); |
| access to, and interconnection of, electronic communications networks and associated facilities (the Access Directive); |
| authorization of electronic communications networks and services (the Authorization Directive); |
| the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy in the electronic communications sector (the Directive on Privacy and Electronic Communications); and |
| guidelines on market analysis and the assessment of significant market power under the European Community regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services. |
All European Union member states, including Spain, are obliged to transpose the related directives into their respective national laws prior to July 25, 2003. Consequently, the Spanish Parliament is currently considering a General Telecommunications Bill as a vehicle for such transposition. The proposed law is intended to push ahead the liberalization of the provision of services and installation and operation of electronic communications networks. A fundamental principle of the law is the need to avoid ex ante control by regulators, with the consequent elimination of current rules on authorizations and licenses, which are to be replaced by ex post control via mechanisms for market identification and analysis to determine whether effective competition exists. In the absence of real competition, a series of obligations would be imposed on operators with significant weight in the market. In this new regulatory environment, market regulators would play an important role.
Regulatory Entities in Spain
The provision of telecommunications services in Spain is regulated and overseen by the Spanish government through the Secretary of State for Telecommunications and Information Society, a unit of the Ministry of Science and Technology. The Ministry of Science and Technology has various powers, including in certain cases the authority to grant licenses or authorizations, if applicable, for telecommunications services and to impose sanctions for certain infringements of the General Law on Telecommunications. An additional independent oversight body,
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the Telecommunications Market Commission, was created in 1996. The Telecommunications Market Commission supervises the activities of telecommunications operators and has the authority to grant licenses for telecommunications services and to arbitrate any conflicts that may arise between operators, subject to the consent of the interested parties. The Telecommunications Market Commission is also responsible for safeguarding free competition in the telecommunications market, particularly with regard to a plurality of service offerings, access to networks and network interconnection. With regard to interconnection, the Telecommunications Market Commission may make a binding decision in respect of any conflict between operators and may fix tariffs (other than for regulated services), such as interconnection charges, in the event of disputes.
The Telecommunications Market Commission has advisory and arbitration responsibilities with respect to tariffs for end user services. It issues reports on all proposed tariffs and the regulation of prices for telecommunications services. It also issues reports on proposed tariffs for exclusive services or services for which a dominant operator exists.
The General Law on Telecommunications
The General Law on Telecommunications culminated the liberalization process initiated in 1987 with the enactment of the Telecommunications Regulation Law and established a regulatory framework for telecommunications services in accordance with applicable European Union directives. The General Law on Telecommunications provides for free competition with respect to all telecommunications services and with respect to the construction and operation of telecommunications networks, subject to individual licensing or general authorization requirements.
Within this regulatory framework, the basic telephone service provided by the group headed by Telefónica de España has been strongly conditioned by this companys status as a dominant operator both in the fixed-line telephony market and in the circuit leasing market. During several years, including 2002, Telefónica de España has been declared a dominant operator in these markets after having obtained, in the preceding year, a market share of more than 25%. This means that Telefónica de España is subject to certain obligations regarding interconnection and access to public networks, provision of universal service and other public service obligations.
Tariffs. Under the general principles of the General Law on Telecommunications, operators are free to fix tariffs. Nevertheless, the Spanish governments Delegate Commission for Economic Affairs has the authority, subject to the issuance of a report by the Telecommunications Market Commission, to establish fixed, maximum or minimum tariffs, or to determine the criteria by which to establish tariffs and the mechanism for their control. In doing so, the governments Delegate Commission for Economic Affairs must take into account:
| the effective cost of the applicable service; and |
| the degree of competition in the market for the applicable service. |
The Spanish Parliament is currently reviewing a bill under which the regulatory bodies would be authorized to intervene in the fixing of tariffs.
The General Law on Telecommunications recognized the existence of an imbalance in the tariffs charged for fixed-line telephone services as of the date of its enactment and the need to rebalance such tariffs. The General Law on Telecommunications further recognized the possibility of compensating the dominant operator (Telefónica de España) for the access deficit which may result from the existing rate imbalance. Because the access deficit problem had not been resolved, on December 1, 1998, the date the market was fully liberalized, we filed a complaint against the Spanish government with the European Commission alleging that the Spanish government failed to comply with European Union directives that require rates to be rebalanced prior to the liberalization of a telecommunications market. In November 1999, we also filed a complaint against the Spanish government with the Ministers Council seeking compensation for the imbalance in tariffs. The Ministers Council denied our claim on March 7, 2003.
On January 29, 2001, the European Commission issued an opinion addressed to the Kingdom of Spain in which it concluded that the Spanish government failed to comply with the relevant European Union directives because the Spanish government did not allow Telefónica de España to raise tariffs sufficiently to cover its costs. In June 2001, the Delegate Commission for Economic Affairs of the Spanish government approved rate rebalancing measures. See The Tariff Structure and Pricing for Principal Services. The Spanish government informed the European
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Commission of these measures, which were adopted in order to comply with the European Union directives related to the access deficit and with the above-mentioned opinion of the European Commission. Nonetheless, the European Commission initiated a formal sanction proceeding against the Kingdom of Spain before the European Court of Justice based on the Kingdom of Spains failure to comply with its obligations under the relevant European Union directives.
Interconnection. The General Law on Telecommunications requires owners of public telecommunications networks to allow competitors to interconnect with their networks and services at non-discriminatory rates and under non-discriminatory conditions. The General Law on Telecommunications provides that the conditions for interconnection are to be freely agreed among the parties while the government has the authority to establish the minimum conditions for interconnection agreements, which must be included in all interconnection agreements. On July 24, 1998, the government issued a Royal Decree elaborating the regulations relating to interconnection. Where the parties are unable to reach an agreement, the Telecommunications Market Commission may impose the obligation to interconnect upon the conditions it dictates. Similarly, the Telecommunications Market Commission may release certain network owners, temporarily and on a case-by-case basis, from the obligation to interconnect where there are technical or commercial alternatives to such interconnection.
Although under the General Law on Telecommunications interconnection prices may be freely negotiated, prices charged by Telefónica de España, as the dominant operator, are determined by an Interconnection Offer Framework approved by the government. In 1998, we proposed an initial Interconnection Offer Framework, which was subsequently modified and approved by the Ministry of Science and Technology. Under our proposal and in accordance with the principles set forth in the Interconnection Offer Framework, interconnection prices charged to Telefónica de Españas competitors would be consistent with Telefónica de Españas actual costs. However, the Ministerial Order dated October 29, 1998, which approved the Interconnection Offer Framework, and its subsequent modifications provide for interconnection prices that are below Telefónica de Españas actual costs. Because Telefónica de España continues to provide interconnection services to its competitors at prices below its costs, Telefónica de Españas ability to compete is effectively limited which has contributed to its decline in market share for certain services, such as domestic long-distance and international long-distance, since 1999. Consequently, Telefónica de España filed an appeal with the Sala de lo Contencioso Administrativo de la Audencia Nacional Sección VII against the Interconnection Offer Framework.
In August 2001, the Telecommunications Market Commission approved modifications to the Interconnection Offer Framework, which include among other things, new interconnection prices that are between 20% and 30% below previously existing interconnection prices. Consequently, on September 11, 2001, Telefónica de España filed a petition with the Telecommunications Market Commission against the new interconnection prices, claiming that they are below Telefónica de Españas actual costs, as measured in accordance with accounting criteria approved by the Telecommunications Market Commission. On November 2, 2001, the Telecommunications Market Commission dismissed Telefónica de Españas petition, except with respect to interconnection rates in connection with Internet access. As a result, Telefónica de España is seeking relief through administrative litigation. See The Tariff Structure and Pricing for Principal ServicesInterconnection Prices.
The modifications to the Interconnection Offer Framework approved in August 2001 provide for interconnection based on capacity as well as time. In early 2002, the Telecommunications Market Commission introduced further modifications to the Interconnection Offer Framework with respect to intelligent network services and the establishment of prices for the interconnection of circuits, which were reduced by approximately 25%.
Service Standards. Quality of service standards are governed by the State Contract of 1991, the General Law on Telecommunications, the Ministerial Order dated October 14, 1999 on Quality and the Ministerial Order dated December 21, 2001 on Universal Service. This regulatory framework establishes quality of service standards for a range of telecommunications services, including fixed-line telephony, mobile telephony and Internet access services.
Public Service Obligation. The General Law on Telecommunications provides that the owners of public telecommunications networks, as well as operators rendering telecommunications services on the basis of an individual license, are subject to certain public service obligations. In addition, some of these obligations may be imposed on operators whose services require a general authorization.
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The public service obligations include:
| the universal service obligation, which is elaborated in the Royal Decree of July 31, 1998; |
| the compulsory services obligation; and |
| other public service obligations. |
The universal service obligation consists of the obligation to provide basic telephony to all end users within Spain, free telephone directory services, sufficient public pay phones throughout Spain and access to telephony services for disabled people. These services must be provided by the dominant operator in each territory, or in certain cases, by another operator, pursuant to regulations yet to be issued. As of the date of this Annual Report, we are the dominant operator in each territory and, according to the General Law on Telecommunications, we will be considered to be the dominant operator until at least 2005. If meeting the universal service obligation in a particular territory is loss-producing, all operators in that territory could be obligated to contribute to meeting this obligation through the National Fund for Universal Service.
To finance the universal service, the General Law on Telecommunications stipulates that the Spanish Telecommunications Market Commission will determine whether the universal service obligation implies a competitive disadvantage for the carriers providing that service. On July 19, 2001, the Spanish Telecommunications Market Commission Resolution decided that we would not be compensated for the net cost of the universal service provided by Telefónica de España SAU during 1998 and 1999. On January 31, 2002, the Spanish Telecommunications Market Commission acknowledged the net cost of the universal service incurred by Telefónica de España S.A.U. during 2000, but decided that the shared financing mechanisms provided for in the General Law on Telecommunications would not apply because no appreciable impairment was detected in its capacity to compete. These two resolutions have been appealed to the competent authority.
The compulsory services obligation enables the government to appoint a telecommunications operator to provide certain essential telecommunications services, such as emergency call services and telex, telegraphic and maritime communications. We were designated as the provider of maritime communications services through April 2003. In the future, providers of maritime communication services will be designated pursuant to a bidding contest. The Spanish government may establish further public service obligations to the extent that the government determines that such services are not adequately provided, are in the public interest or are necessary for national defense.
In December 2001, the Spanish government adopted a ministerial order that governs certain aspects of the universal service obligation, including among others:
| maximum time periods for the provision of initial interconnection to telecommunications networks; |
| requirements with respect to the guarantee of continuing fixed-line telephone service to the public; |
| criteria with respect to the information included in public telephone directories; and |
| standards and systems for measuring the quality of services. |
On July 11, 2002, the General Law on Telecommunications was modified by Law 34, the Law on Information Services to Society and Electronic Commerce. The new Law 34:
| modified Article 37 of Law 11/98 to include internet access as part of the universal service obligation; and |
| included a new twelfth transitory provision to the General Law on Telecommunications, which establishes criteria for upgrading the access network to the fixed-line telephony network, in order to facilitate Internet access for members of the Rural Telephony Cellular Access, or TRAC. |
Ownership Limitations. Pursuant to the General Law on Telecommunications, direct or indirect investments in us and Telefónica Móviles by foreign persons may not exceed 25% of our or its respective share capital unless
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otherwise provided for by applicable international treaties or agreements, including the Fourth Protocol of the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), or authorized by the Spanish government. Pursuant to European Union directives, citizens of other European Union member states, including entities domiciled in such countries, are not considered foreign persons for the purposes of this provision. However, under Spanish law any foreign investment by non-European Union governments and state-owned and state-controlled entities (regardless of the amount of such investment) requires the Council of Ministers prior approval unless otherwise provided for in the applicable treaties. However, if the non-European Union Government is a party to the Telecoms Annex to GATS, specific authorization will not be required, so long as direct or indirect control of 25% or more of the entities assets or share capital is owned by persons or entities domiciled in countries party to the Telecoms Annex to GATS. See Item 10Additional InformationExchange ControlsExchange Controls and Other Limitations Affecting Security Holders. For purposes of computing the 25% threshold, only holdings of capital stock in excess of 5% and holdings that would entitle the foreign investor to designate a member of our or Telefónica Móviles Board of Directors are taken into account. The 25% threshold does not apply to our subsidiaries generally. However, certain of our subsidiaries may be subject independently to similar constraints. For example, pursuant to the Private Television Law, no person may, directly or indirectly, have interests in two companies having a commercial television concession. Foreign persons who are not residents or citizens of a European Union member state may hold an interest in a commercial television licensee only if the member state in which such person resides, or of which such person is a citizen, permits residents and citizens of Spain to hold similar interests in such states commercial television licensees.
Cable Telecommunications
Law 42/1995, the Cable Telecommunications Law, formerly governed the exchange of video, audio broadband, and other telecommunications over the cable telecommunications network. The Cable Telecommunications Law has been repealed by the General Law on Telecommunications, except for those provisions dealing with cable television, which remain in effect. As part of the repeal of the Cable Telecommunications Law, the licenses pursuant to which telecommunications services via cable were previously provided have been amended to authorize the provision of telecommunications services via cable under the General Law on Telecommunications. On January 31, 2002, the Secretary of State for Telecommunications and Information Society approved a resolution which transformed Telefónica Cables concessions into a Type B1 license for the provision of fixed-line telecommunications services, a Type C authorization for the transmission of data, a provisional authorization for the offering of video-on-demand services and a concession for the provision of broadcast services.
Competition
The following describes our current main competitors in the principal market segments in which the Telefónica de España Group operates.
| In the public fixed-line telephone services sector, the entrance of new competitors was initiated in June of 1997 with the concession to Retevisión of a licence to provide public fixed-line telephone services in the national territory. Retevisión began operations in January of 1998. |
In May 1998, the consortium Lince, comprised of France Telecom and Editel, S.A., a consortium which includes Multitel Cable, S.A. and Ferrovial Telecommunicaciones, received the third license for the provision of fixed-line telephone services in Spain. Lince commenced operations in December 1998 under the trade name Uni2.
Since that date, the supply of fixed-line telephone services to the public has been open to all possible competitors, subject to basic licensing requirements as provided for in the General Law on Telecommunications, as well as the obtention of the legal authorization for installment of such services.
| During 2002, as part of the reorganization process undertaken by the Auna Group, the second telecommunications provider of the country, Retevisión, merged with Aunacable (a cable operator for the Auna Group). The new name of this fixed-line telephone company in Spain is Auna Telecommunicaciones S.A. The main partners of the Auna Group are Endesa (29.88%), Santander Central Hispano (23.49%), Unión Fenosa (18.7%) and ING (10.27%), together with several savings banks. |
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| In July 2001, France Telecom reached an agreement with the rest of the Lince consortium partners to acquire the Lince group. As a result, it now owns 100% of the company Uni2, which together with Al-Pi Telecommunicaciones (a 75% subsidiary of Uni2 that serves corporate clients and professionals in Catalonia) comprises the Uni2 group. |
| Jazztel, a company created in July 1998 had a shareholding structure at December 2, 2002 comprised of Spectrum Equity (22%), funds managed by Espírito Santo Bank (8%), ING (3%), Martín Varsavsky (2%), stock exchange (10%) and other bond owners (55%). |
The Ministerial Order dated September 22, 1998 sets forth the rules applicable to individual licensees for telecommunications services and networks in addition to the terms and conditions applicable to such licensees. The Ministerial Order provides for two different types of licenses for the provision of fixed-line public voice telephone services:
| Type B license: This license authorizes the provision of fixed-line telephone service through the establishment or operation of a fixed public telephone network by the licensee. This type of license also permits the licensee to lease its circuits to third parties. Two different categories of Type B licenses are contemplated: |
| a Type B1 license for fixed-line public voice telephone services through the establishment or operation of a fixed telephone network; and |
| a public Type B2 license for the provision of such services through the establishment or operation of a wireless network. |
| Type A license: This license authorizes the provision of fixed-line public voice telephone service through the use of third-party switching and transmission equipment without the corresponding obligation or right to establish and operate a network as in the case of a Type B license. The Ministerial Order CTE/601/2002 dated March 14, 2002, which modified certain provisions of the Ministerial Order dated September 22, 1998 relating to licenses, introduced a new type of license for the provision of mobile telephony to the public (a virtual mobile operator), as a result of which there are now two categories of Type A licenses: |
| a Type A1 license for the provision of fixed-line public telephone voice services; and |
| a Type A2 license for the provision of public mobile telephone services. |
In addition, a third type of license, a Type C license, authorizes the establishment or operation of public networks, but the holder of such license may not provide fixed-line telephone services to the public. Type C licensees will compete with Telefónica de España in providing network access to Type A and B licensees.
At June 1, 2003, the following licenses had been granted:
| 69 Type A licenses |
| 17 Type B1 national licenses |
| 58 Type B1 restricted licenses |
| 7 Type B2 licenses |
| 229 Type C licenses |
The government has also granted 75 licenses to cable operators formerly operating under concessions. Each of these operators received Type B1 licenses.
Telefónica de España is currently the only significant provider of comprehensive local service. This is expected to change gradually as cable operators develop their networks. In addition, in March 2000, the government issued six new licenses (in addition to those previously awarded to Retevisión and Lince) for the provision of local
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multipoint distribution services (LMDS), and the new licensees have begun to deploy their networks. The new licensees are expected to compete with Telefónica de España in the local access market.
Pursuant to a Royal Decree adopted in December 2000, Telefónica de España is required to implement local loop unbundling, line sharing and sub loop unbundling. Local loop unbundling enables other telecommunications operators to provide telecommunications services, including DSL-type services, to end customers using Telefónica de Españas existing local loop (i.e., the connections between the customers premises and the exchange) to connect with their customers. Other operators may install their own equipment either in Telefónica de Españas exchanges or in nearby buildings to provide service. Telefónica de España has offered local loop unbundling since January 2001. Line sharing similarly enables other telecommunications operators to provide telecommunications services using a high frequency portion of Telefónica de Españas copper loop on an unbundled basis. For that reason, shared access to the local loop enables a consumer to retain Telefónica de España for voice services and use a competing operator for high speed data services.
The resolution of December 28, 2000 published the first offer for access to the local loop. It was later modified by the Resolution of April 29, 2002. Access tariffs are approved by the Telecommunications Market Commission. The monthly tariff for direct access to the local loop is 12.60, the monthly tariff for shared access is 4.80 and the monthly tariff for indirect access is between 22 and 90, depending on the speed of the connection.
As of the date of this Annual Report, there has been limited demand for direct and shared access to Telefónica de Españas local loop. The greatest demand has been for indirect access to the local loop for the provision of data transmission services, particularly Internet access. In March 2002, there were more than 1,000,000 indirect access connections.
Competition in domestic and international long-distance services, particularly in the residential segment, is based on access through interconnection with Telefónica de España. Since 2001, Telefónica de Españas customers have been able to select alternative providers of domestic and international long-distance services without having to dial a designated code prior to making each call. Preselection allows customers to choose their preferred local, long-distance, international long-distance and fixed-to-mobile carriers. As of December 31, 2002, preselected lines amounted to 1,778,072, of which 81.4% (or 1,447,097 lines) were globally preassigned and also carry local traffic. The increase in preselected lines compared to 2001 was due to increased competition.
Telefónica de España also faces indirect competition in international long-distance services from a number of sources, including calling cards, call-back services and call rerouting by other international operators. In addition, Telefónica de España competes with a number of international operators for the provision of closed user group communications services to multinational and large corporate customers and with a number of providers of data transmission services.
In the future, competition in the market for fixed-line public voice telephone services in Spain is likely to be based on such distinct factors as:
| the financial strength and operating capacity of competitors; |
| market conditions and applicable Spanish and European Union regulations with respect to telecommunications services and basic telecommunications infrastructure; |
| regulations in effect with respect to tariff structures and interconnection rates; and |
| the effectiveness of our efforts to withstand increased competition, as described below. |
Because our capacity to compete will be affected by factors such as these which are not fully within our control, we cannot predict the degree of any resulting adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
Telefónica de España aims to strengthen its ability to compete in fixed-line telecommunications services by:
| improving its customer service; |
| expanding its catalog of products and services and improving the quality of its services; |
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| modernizing its network infrastructure and management systems; |
| streamlining its investments; and |
| containing costs, particularly personnel expenses, which have been reduced significantly during the past several years through workforce reductions. |
The Tariff Structure and Pricing for Principal Services
Tariff Sructure
The General Law on Telecommunications established in principle the freedom of telecommunications operators to set tariffs. However, it also provided that the Delegate Commission for Economic Affairs, at the proposal of the Ministry of Development and after a hearing of the Telecommunications Market Commission, could establish fixed tariffs, maximum or minimum tariffs, or the criteria by which tariffs are established, taking into account the actual costs of rendering the services and the degree of competition in the market for the relevant services.
The General Law on Telecommunications also recognized the existence of an imbalance in the rates in effect as of the date of its publication and the need to rebalance the rates, as well as the possibility of compensating the dominant operator (i.e., Telefónica de España) for the access deficit which might result from the existing rate imbalance. In view of the rate imbalance, the Ministry has been periodically updating prices for basic telephone service to offset the existing rate imbalance.
The Ministerial Order of July 31, 2000 established new tariffs for fixed-line telephone services, fixed-to-mobile calls and leased lines, featuring limits on annual price increases for these services during 2001 and 2002. The period during which these price caps are to apply was extended through 2003 by the Ministerial Order of May 10, 2001.
In addition, in May 2001, the following measures adopted by the Delegate Commission for Economic Affairs of the Spanish government at its meeting in April 2001 became effective. Among other things, the Delegate Commission for Economic Affairs approved the following rate rebalancing measures:
| aggregate tariff reductions of 14.3% through 2003, due to the reductions imposed by the IPC-Y formula for price caps which required a 7% decrease in 2001, a 6% decrease in 2002 and a 2% decrease in 2003; |
| an increase in the monthly subscription rate to 12.62 in 2003; and |
| the elimination of mandatory reductions for fixed-to-mobile tariffs in 2003. |
Additionally, the Delegate Commission for Economic Affairs of the Spanish government approved:
| the establishment of a two-month period for the review and approval of discount plans relating to Internet connection, service packages, subscription fees, metropolitan service and discounts of more than 25% for interprovincial and international long-distance services and the approval of new services; |
| the reduction in the time period for the communication of prices to 10 days from 15 days and the price cap to 25 days from 30 days; |
| the introduction of more flexibility in the approval of discount plans relating to provincial, interprovincial and international long-distance services, including the reduction of the approval period to 25 days if the discounts are less than 15%; and |
| the postponement to January 1, 2002 of the change in billing for public pay telephones to seconds from minutes. |
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Pricing for Principal Services
In 2001, the first year in which the price cap mechanism was applied, prices for Telefónica de Españas services were significantly reduced. For example, the price per minute for:
| provincial and interprovincial calls each decreased by an aggregate of 30.0%; and |
| international long-distance calls decreased by an aggregate of 19.9%. |
In addition, the price per minute for fixed-to-mobile calls terminating in Telefónica Móviles networks decreased by an aggregate of approximately 13%.
In 2002, the price cap mechanism continued to be applied and prices for Telefónica de Españas services were again significantly reduced. The price per minute for:
| provincial calls decreased by 20.5%; |
| interprovincial calls decreased by 27.6%; and |
| international long distance calls decreased by an aggregate of 19%. |
In addition, the price per minute for fixed-to-mobile calls terminating in Telefónica Móviles and Vodafones networks decreased by an aggregate of 17.3% and by 9.7% for calls terminating at Amenas network.
The following tables show the tariffs in effect for Telefónica de Españas principal services at year-end 2002 and for the other periods indicated. The prices at year-end 2002 are the nominal prices set by Telefónica de España in accordance with the price cap mechanism. Telefónica de España may apply discounts to these prices through calling plans which have been approved by the regulatory authorities.
The following table sets forth fees (excluding value-added taxes) for access to Telefónica de Españas most common services at the dates indicated.
At December 31, | ||||||
Rate Category |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 | |||
(euro) | ||||||
Connection fee: |
||||||
Individual telephone line and integrated service digital network link |
127.72 | 95.00 | 59.50 | |||
Primary access |
3,606.07 | 3,606.07 | 3,606.01 | |||
Basic access |
168.28 | 168.28 | 168.28 | |||
Monthly subscription fee: |
||||||
Individual telephone line |
9.27 | 10.47 | 11.68 | |||
Integrated service digital network: |
||||||
Primary access |
342.58 | 342.58 | 342.58 | |||
Basic access |
22.84 | 22.84 | 22.84 | |||
4 Km 64KB/s digital circuit |
263.06 | 255.31 | 236.24 |
On January 1, 2003, the monthly subscription fee for individual telephone lines increased approximately 8.1% to 12.62 in accordance with the price cap mechanism.
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The table below sets forth Telefónica de Españas pricing structure at December 31, 2002 for local and domestic long-distance calls.
Euro cents for Three- Minute Calls(1)(2) | |||||||
Connection Charge |
Standard Rate(3) |
Reduced Rate(4) | |||||
(euro cents) | |||||||
Local |
6.85 | (5) | 7.65 | 7.18 | |||
Provincial |
8.33 | 19.85 | 16.25 | ||||
Interprovincial |
8.33 | 28.67 | 19.67 |
(1) | Includes call connection charge. |
(2) | Calls are billed per second. |
(3) | For local calls weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and for provincial and interprovincial calls from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays. |
(4) | For remaining time periods and national holidays. |
(5) | Includes 160 seconds of talk time. |
As of January 1, 2003, the price per minute for provincial calls during business hours (i.e., 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.) on weekdays decreased approximately 31.9%, and interprovincial calls during business hours on weekdays decreased approximately 35.2%. As of that date, during other weekday times and weekends, the price per minute for provincial calls decreased approximately 34.4%, and the price per minute for interprovincial calls decreased approximately 39.4%.
During 2002, prices for fixed-to-mobile calls decreased an average of 13%. The following tables set forth prices at December 31, 2002 for fixed-to-mobile calls originating in Telefónica de Españas network and terminating in the respective networks of the two dominant operators, Telefónica Móviles and Vodafone, and Amena. Mandatory reductions for fixed-to-mobile tariffs were eliminated in 2003.
Euro cents Per Minute(1) | ||||||
Network |
Connection Charge |
Tariff A(2) |
Tariff B(3) | |||
(euro cents) | ||||||
Telefónica Móviles (MoviStar and Moviline) |
6.85 | 19.46 | 11.27 | |||
Vodafone |
6.85 | 19.46 | 11.27 |
(1) | First minute is billed in full. Subsequent minutes are billed per second. |
(2) | Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
(3) | For weekday calls from 12 p.m. to 8 a.m. and from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m., Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays. |
Euro cents Per Minute(1) | ||||||||
Network |
Connection Charge |
Tariff C(2) |
Tariff D(3) |
Tariff E(4) | ||||
(euro cents) | ||||||||
Amena |
6.85 | 23.87 | 23.40 | 13.22 |
(1) | First minute is billed in full. Subsequent minutes are billed per second. |
(2) | Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
(3) | Monday to Friday 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. |
(4) | Monday to Friday 12 p.m. to 8 a.m., Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays. |
The table below sets forth Telefónica de Españas average prices for a three-minute international call to the indicated regions at peak hours at the dates specified.
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At December 31, | |||||||||||||
2000 |
2001 |
2002 | |||||||||||
Standard Rates(1)(2) |
Discount Rates(1)(3) |
Standard Rates(1) |
Discount Rates |
Standard Rates(1) |
Discount Rates | ||||||||
(euro) | |||||||||||||
Western Europe |
1.02 | 0.91 | 0.65 | 0.65 | 0.48 | 0.65 | |||||||
Rest of Europe and North Africa |
1.71 | 1.42 | 1.37 | 1.37 | 1.08 | 1.08 | |||||||
United States |
1.18 | 1.09 | 0.65 | 0.65 | 0.48 | 0.48 | |||||||
Latin America(4) |
2.45 | 2.09 | 1.87 | 1.87 | 1.47 | 1.47 | |||||||
Japan and Australia |
3.22 | 2.95 | 2.93 | 2.93 | 2.2 | 2.2 | |||||||
Rest of the world |
3.62 | 3.29 | 3.29 | 3.29 | 3.29 | (5) | 3.29 |
(1) | Includes a 0.11 flat connection charge. |
(2) | Applies weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
(3) | Applies weekdays from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays. |
(4) | Includes Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and Venezuela. |
(5) | Different tariffs not shown in this table apply to the rest of Latin America, Ecuatorial Guinea, Canada, Alaska, Hawaii, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Farse Islands, Hungary, Malta, Morocco, Poland, Norway, Andorra and Ireland. |
Telefónica de Españas marketing efforts in response to competition have focused on quality of service and relied on discount plans and the introduction of new services in order to increase consumption. Accordingly, since 1998, Telefónica de España has introduced a number of discount plans for its residential and business segment customers. During 2002, the number of calling plan calls made by Telefónica de Españas customers pursuant to the existing calling plans decreased by 5.3% to 19,452.0 million calls at December 31, 2002. Because the plans are not necessarily exclusive, the same customer can take advantage of more than one plan. Each discount plan must be submitted by Telefónica de España to the regulatory agency for prior administrative approval.
The following table sets forth the composition of Telefónica de Españas revenues from operations for 2000, 2001 and 2002 for the categories shown below.
Percentage of Telefónica de Españas Revenue | ||||||
2000 |
2001 |
2002 | ||||
(Percentages) | ||||||
Monthly subscription fee and connection fee |
35.3 | 37.0 | 41.8 | |||
Local calls(1) |
18.1 | 16.5 | 13.9 | |||
Provincial calls |
5.8 | 3.8 | 3.2 | |||
Interprovincial calls |
10.6 | 7.2 | 5.6 | |||
International calls(2) |
11.1 | 7.2 | 4.4 | |||
Fixed-to-mobile |
16.3 | 15.0 | 14.9 | |||
Other(3) |
2.8 | 13.4 | 16.1 |
(1) | Metropolitan calls and calls to access the Internet. |
(2) | For 2000, includes incoming and outgoing international calls. Includes outgoing international calls for 2001 and 2002. |
(3) | Includes incoming international calls for 2001 and 2002, sales of terminals, surcharges from calls placed from public pay telephones, intelligent network calls, maritime service and other revenues, deducting discounts in connection with calling plans. |
During 2000, revenues with respect to provincial and interprovincial calls were negatively affected by increased competition and discounted pricing, but revenues from international calls (which, for 2000, include incoming and outgoing calls) improved due to a strong increase in traffic. In 2001, revenues from monthly subscription fees increased relative to revenues from network traffic. In addition, other revenues increased as a percentage of total revenues. These revenues include principally, the sale of terminals, services to other telecommunications operators and other traffic-related revenues such as incoming international calls, mobile-to-fixed traffic, international carrier services and interconnection charges. In 2002, revenues derived from network traffic, particularly revenues from local, interprovincial and international long-distance calls, decreased as a percentage of total revenues.
Since the beginning of 1999, following the introduction of competition, Telefónica de España has experienced some loss of market share for provincial and fixed-to-mobile calls. At December 31, 2002, according to its
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estimates, Telefónica de Españas market share for voice services (on the basis of total annual traffic volume) was 83.2%, representing a loss of 1% compared to year-end 2001 (including ADSL).
Comparative Pricing Information
The table below provides comparative monthly subscription fee pricing information (excluding value-added taxes) with respect to the other principal European operators at December 31, 2002.
Telefónica |
Deutsche Telekom |
France Telecom |
Telecom Italia |
British Telecom(1) | ||||||
(euro) | ||||||||||
Residential |
11.68 | 11.49 | 10.87 | 12.14 | 13.73 | |||||
Business |
11.68 | 11.49 | 13.10 | 15.20 | 21.09 |
Source: Eurodata, Tarifica and the operators.
(1) | Prices translated into euros from British pounds at the average exchange rate for December 2002. |
The table below shows the prices (excluding value-added taxes) for three minute calls during business hours of the other principal European operators at December 31, 2002.
Telefónica |
Deutsche Telekom |
France Telecom |
Telecom Italia |
British Telecom(1) | ||||||
(euro) | ||||||||||
Local |
0.08 | 0.10 | 0.13 | 0.10 | 0.15 | |||||
Domestic long-distance |
0.29 | 0.32 | 0.27 | 0.35 | 0.31 | |||||
International long-distance (European Union) |
0.48 | 0.32 | 0.62 | 0.74 | 1.12 |
Source: Eurodata, Tarifica and the operators.
(1) | Prices translated into euros from British pounds at the average exchange rate for December 2002. |
As a result of the rate rebalancing measures adopted by the Spanish government in 2001, Telefónica de Españas rates for domestic long-distance and international long-distance are now more in line with the median prices and fees charged by other European operators.
Interconnection Prices
Under the General Law on Telecommunications, interconnection prices may be freely negotiated between telecommunications operators. However, prices charged by Telefónica de España, as the dominant operator, are determined by the Interconnection Offer Framework, which was initially proposed by us in 1998 and subsequently modified and approved by the Ministry of Science and Technology on August 9, 2001.
On August 9, 2001, the Telecommunications Market Commission approved new interconnection prices which include:
| volume discounts |
| new interconnection rates for local traffic |
| interconnection rates in connection with flat rate Internet access plans |
| interconnection rates based on capacity rather than time. |
The interconnection prices approved by the Telecommunications Market Commission were between 20% and 30% below previously existing interconnection prices. Consequently, on September 11, 2001, Telefónica de España filed a petition with the Telecommunications Market Commission against the new interconnection prices, claiming that they were below Telefónica de Españas actual costs, as measured in accordance with accounting criteria approved by the Telecommunications Market Commission. On November 2, 2001, the Telecommunications Market
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Commission dismissed Telefónica de Españas petition, except with respect to interconnection prices in connection with Internet access. As a result, Telefónica de España is seeking relief through administrative litigation.
The tables below set forth the new interconnection prices approved by the Telecommunications Market Commission on August 9, 2001, which became effective on August 19, 2001.
1. Commutated Traffic
Interconnection Tariffs (Access and Termination) per minute | ||||
Standard Rate(1) |
Discounted Rate(2) | |||
(hundredths of euro) | ||||
Local |
0.76 | 0.46 | ||
Single transit |
1.16 | 0.70 | ||
Double transit |
2.16 | 1.33 | ||
Metropolitan |
1.05 | 0.63 |
2. Transit Services
Interconnection Tariffs (Access and Termination) per minute | ||||
Standard Rate(1) |
Discounted Rate(2) | |||
(hundredths of euro) | ||||
Unicentral |
0.42 | 0.23 | ||
National |
1.91 | 1.04 | ||
National with local extension |
2.16 | 1.33 |
(1) Applies weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
(2) Applies on Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays, and weekdays from 8:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.
3. Interconnection based on Capacity
Interconnection Tariffs by Capacity per month | ||||
Price for 64 Kbps circuit |
Price for 2 Mbps local loop | |||
(euro) | ||||
Local |
44.17 | 1,326.11 | ||
Metropolitan |
55.83 | 1,675.29 | ||
Single transit |
67.58 | 2,027.58 | ||
Double transit |
129.12 | 3,873.80 |
During its annual review of interconnection fees in 2002, the Telecommunications Market Commission decided not to modify the interconnection charges based on capacity.
Other services
The Telecommunications Market Commission also regulates certain of the other services we provide. For example, value added services such as call waiting, call barring, call forwarding, fixed line messaging systems and conference calling are subject to interconnection benchmark compensation levels, pursuant to the January 17, 2002 resolution from the Telecommunications Market Commission.
On June 27, 2002, the Telecommunications Market Commission established applicable rates for transit services to 908 and 909 numbers.
Telefónica de España leases its excess capacity to other fixed-line telephony operators for the use of their customers. Under the terms of such leases, we provide other operators with access to our network and to our excess telephone-line capacity. The Telecommunications Market Commission establishes the maximum rates that Telefónica de España can charge other fixed-line telephony operators for leasing its lines.
Customer Service
In order to adequately respond to the new competitive environment, we have undertaken considerable efforts to improve the quality of our customer service. We have segmented our customers so that the specific needs of each segment may be served best. In addition, we have increased our contact center capacity to focus more on customer
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service. In connection with our efforts to improve customer service and meet the needs of our customers, in 2002 we introduced 127 new products and services. Most notably, we introduced a number of limited flat rate plans for various types of calls (e.g., Short Messaging Service from fixed telephony or ADSL solutions). Telefónica de España has also introduced a variety of Internet access plans, including flat rate Internet access plans. Together, these plans have helped mitigate Telefónica de Españas loss of market share due to increased competition. In 2002, Telefónica de España has also concentrated its efforts on expanding its offering of asymmetric digital subscriber lines, or ADSL, service. At December 31, 2002, Telefónica de España was capable of providing this service through approximately 1 million lines and, at that date, a similar number of customers subscribed to this service, representing an increase of approximately 150% from year-end 2001.
The corporate customer service model developed by Telefónica de España, which is aimed at achieving the highest degree of efficiency in customer service, features the following:
| A 24-hour personal customer service line for purchasing any type of product and service and handling customer queries |
| The Tiendas Telefónica (Telefónica stores) where customers can test and buy all of the products marketed by Telefónica |
| Telefónicas virtual store, accessible by Internet, which offers the ability to order and purchase online all of the services and products offered by Telefónica |
| Catalog sales through which any customer can buy a product by placing a toll-free call to a commercial customer service number. |
Telefónica is devoting special attention to the corporate customer market, with a sales force that exclusively handles this segment and seeks customized solutions for each type of corporate customer.
Telefónica Telecomunicaciones Públicas (TTP formerly known as Cabinas Telefónicas, S.A., Cabitel)
TTP is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Telefónica de España, S.A., which focuses on the commercialization, installation, management and maintenance of public telephony as well as the advertising use of any base, outlet or service capable of supporting this activity.
Telefónica Cable
Telefónica Cable operates in the ADSL environments, through the IMAGENIO project, providing digital television, digital audio, broadband internet through both television and PC, and video on demand. As of year-end 2002, it did not receive revenues from these activities.
Telyco Group
The Telyco group is comprised of the two following entities.
| Telyco S.A.U. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Telefónica de España, S.A., which supplies commercially, distributes and commercializes telecommunications equipment directly through its stores and authorized dealers, as well as engaging in wholesale distribution, throughout Spain. |
| Telyco Maroc S.A. is a 54% owned subsidiary of Telefónica de España, S.A. located in Morocco, which supplies mobile telephone products to Medi Telecom. |
Telefónica Soluciones Sectoriales
Telefónica Soluciones Sectoriales, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Telefónica de España, S.A., serves as an investment vehicle for information technology and telecommunications projects through shareholdings in related companies and participation on the boards of trustees of five foundations.
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Worldwide Wireless Communications ServicesTelefónica Móviles
We conduct our worldwide wireless operations principally through Telefónica Móviles. Telefónica Móviles is a leading provider of wireless communications services in Spain and Latin America and according to Telefónica Móviles estimates, Telefónica Móviles is the ninth largest global provider of wireless communication services, based upon total active customers at December 31, 2002. Telefónica Móviles was incorporated in February 2000 as the holding company for the Telefónica Groups wireless communications operations. In November 2000, Telefónica Móviles completed an initial public offering of approximately 7.3% of its ordinary shares. At December 31, 2002, Telefónica, S.A. and other Telefónica Group companies held an aggregate of 92.4% of Telefónica Móviles outstanding share capital.
At December 31, 2002, Telefónica Móviles provided wireless services through its operating companies and joint ventures, including Brasilcel N.V., our joint venture with Portugal Telecom in Brazil, to approximately 39.4 million customers, compared with 28 million customers at year-end 2001. Telefónica Móviles has operations in Spain, Mexico, Peru, Argentina, El Salvador, Guatemala and, through its joint ventures with Portugal Telecom, Telefónica Móviles also provides wireless communication services in Brazil and Morocco.
According to Pyramid Research, Telefónica Móviles operating companies and its joint ventures with Portugal Telecom in Brazil and Morocco cover service territories with a total population of approximately 353 million. In addition, Telefónica Móviles manages our wireless operations in Chile and Puerto Rico of which we own 43.6% and 49.9% (in the form of convertible notes), respectively. Telefónica Móviles also has licenses to provide services in Austria and Switzerland through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, in Germany through its 57.2% interest in the Group 3G UMTS Holding GmbH consortium, or Group 3G, and in Italy through its 45.6% interest in the IPSE 2000 consortium. Telefónica Móviles has, however, restructured its operations in these countries. For further information see Telefónica Móviles OperationsRest of Europe.
The following table provides a summary overview of our wireless operations.
Country |
Name of Company |
Service Territory |
Ownership Interest at December 31, 2002(1) |
Population |
Total Customers at December 31, 2002 | ||||||
(in millions) | (in millions) | ||||||||||
Spain |
Telefónica Móviles España | Nationwide | 92.4 | % | 40 | 18.4 | |||||
Brazil |
Brasilcel, N.V.(2)(3) | Rio de Janeiro/ Espírito Santo/ Rio Grande do Sul/ Bahia/Sergipe/ São Paulo/Paraná |
46.2 | % | 97 | 13.7 | |||||
Mexico |
Telefónica Móviles Mexico(4) | Nationwide | 85.0 | % | 102 | 2.4 | |||||
Peru |
Telefónica Móviles Perú | Nationwide | 90.6 | % | 27 | 1.2 | |||||
Argentina |
Telefónica Comunicaciones Personales | Nationwide | 90.5 | % | 38 | 1.6 | |||||
El Salvador |
Telefónica Móviles El Salvador | Nationwide | 83.5 | % | 7 | 0.2 | |||||
Guatemala |
Telefónica Centroamérica Guatemala | Nationwide | 92.4 | % | 12 | 0.1 | |||||
Morocco |
Medi Telecom | Nationwide | 29.0 | % | 30 | 1.6 | |||||
Chile |
Telefónica Móvil(5) | Nationwide | 43.6 | % | 15.2 | 1.8 | |||||
Puerto Rico |
NewComm Wireless Services(6) | Intra island | 49.9 | % | 4.0 | 0.2 | |||||
Total |
n.a. | 372 | 41.4 | ||||||||
(1) | Represents the ownership interest of the Telefónica Group. |
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(2) | Jointly controlled and managed through Telefónica Móviles with Portugal Telecom. As of December 31, 2002, Brasilcel, Telefónica Móviles joint venture established with Portugal Telecom, holds 83.6% of Tele Sudeste Celular, 48.5% of Celular CRT, 27.7% of Tele Leste Celular and 65.1% of Telesp Celular Participações, S.A. Through its 50% interest in Brasilcel, as of December 31, 2002, Telefónica Móviles indirectly holds 41.8% of Tele Sudeste, 24.2% of Celular CRT, 13.9% of Tele Leste Celular and 32.6% of Telesp Celular Participações, S.A. Telefónica Móviles share ownership in Tele Sudeste and Celular CRT has been modified since December 31, 2002, due to a capital increase during the first quarter of 2003. |
(3) | Joint venture with Portugal Telecom that includes 100% of the assets of the Brazilian mobile companies transferred to Telefónica Móviles (Tele Sudeste Celular, Celular CRT, Tele Leste Celular and Telesp Celular) and Portugal Telecom (Telesp Celular and Global Telecom). Tele Sudeste Celular and Celular CRT were fully consolidated as of December 31, 2000 and December 31, 2001, and Tele Leste Celular was included in Telefónica Móviles combined financial statements in these periods under the equity method. Brasilcels balance sheet was proportionally consolidated in its combined financial statements as of December 31, 2002 and the results for the whole year of Tele Leste Celular, Tele Sudeste Celular and Celular CRT were fully consolidated in the combined statement of operations until this transfer was made on December 27, 2002. |
(4) | Telefónica Móviles México, S.A. de C.V. holds interests in 100% of Baja Celular Mexicano, 90.0% of Movitel del Noroeste, 100% of Telefónica Celular del Norte, 100% of Celular de Telefónica, S.A. de C.V. and 100% of Pegaso PCS. Through its 92.0% interest in Telefónica Móviles México, S.A. de C.V., as of December 31, 2002, Telefónica Móviles indirectly holds 92.0% of Baja Celular Mexicano, 82.8% of Movitel del Noroeste, 92.0% of Telefónica Celular del Norte, 92.0% of Celular de Telefónica, S.A. de C.V. and 92.0% of Pegaso PCS. |
(5) | Startel, which operates under the trade name Telefónica Móvil, is a subsidiary of Compañía Telecomunicaciones de Chile in which we held a 43.6% interest at December 31, 2002 through Telefónica Latinoamérica. Startels operations are managed by Telefónica Móviles. |
(6) | Our interest is in the form of a note convertible into up to 49.9% of the capital stock of NewComm Wireless Services, subject to the receipt of necessary U.S. regulatory authorizations. NewComm Wireless Services operations are managed by Telefónica Móviles. We plan to transfer our investment in NewComm Wireless Services, which is held through Telefónica Latinoamérica, to Telefónica Móviles in 2003. |
Services and Products
Telefónica Móviles operating companies offer a wide variety of wireless and related services and products to consumer and business customers. Although the products available vary from country to country, the following are Telefónica Móviles principal services and products:
| Wireless Voice Services. Telefónica Móviles principal service in all of its markets is wireless voice telephony, and most of Telefónica Móviles other services and products involve enhancements and additional features for its wireless customers. Telefónica Móviles offers convenient and affordable wireless service with a variety of payment plans and packages, including payment on a contract and pre-paid basis. Telefónica Móviles networks are designed and managed to provide high quality wireless voice services throughout its markets. |
| Enhanced Calling Features. Customers in most of Telefónica Móviles markets now have access to a range of enhanced calling features including voice mail, call hold, call waiting, call forwarding and three-way calling. Customers may receive a number of these services bundled with basic voice service, while other customers may choose to order them as optional supplements to their basic voice service. |
| Wireless Data Transmission. Telefónica Móviles networks and systems allow customers to use their handsets for data transmission, including for short messaging services (SMS). In Spain Telefónica Móviles also offers multimedia messaging services, or MMS, which allows customers to send messages with images, photographs and sounds. Customers may also receive selected information, such as news, sports scores and stock quotes. Telefónica Móviles also provides wireless connectivity for devices such as laptops and personal digital assistants. These services are at different stages of development in each of Telefónica Móviles markets. |
| Wireless Internet. As part of its strategy to become a leader in the wireless Internet sector, Telefónica Móviles offers Internet access using wireless application protocol technology in a growing number of its service areas, primarily under the MoviStar e-moción brand. MoviStar e-moción was the first wireless internet access service in Spanish and, in Brazil, the first wireless internet access service in Portuguese. With wireless Internet access, Telefónica Móviles customers can send and receive e-mail, browse web pages, purchase goods and services in m-commerce transactions and use other data services. Telefónica Móviles launched GPRS services in Spain for customers in 2001, and in Brazil we launched CDMA 1XRTT services in the States of Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and recently in Santa Catarina. |
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| Corporate Services. Telefónica Móviles provides business solutions, including wireless infrastructure in offices, private networking and portals for corporate customers that provide flexible on-line billing. Telefónica Móviles España offers corporate services through MoviStar Corporativo 2000, and other advanced solutions for data, developed for specific sectors. |
| Trunking and Paging. In Spain, Argentina and Guatemala, Telefónica Móviles provides digital wireless services for closed user groups of clients and paging services. |
| Roaming. Telefónica Móviles has roaming agreements that allow its customers to use their handsets when they are outside of their service territories, including on an international basis. In 2002 Telefónica Móviles extended international roaming services to pre-paid customers. Telefónica Móviles has also implemented intelligent network technology using the CAMEL standard for our customers in Spain. This allows Telefónica Móviles customers to use their mobiles in European countries where a roaming agreement has been reached, as if they were in their home country, for example, by not having to dial customary roaming prefixes. In Brazil, Mexico and Argentina, Telefónica Móviles roaming agreements allow its customers to make and receive calls throughout the national territories of these countries. |
| M-payment. On May 30, 2001, Telefónica Móviles, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, Banco Santander Central Hispano and Vodafone agreed to integrate our respective mobile payment systems to form a single mobile payment standard. The new payment system is an open system, which other financial institutions, wireless operators (such as Amena) and payment processing companies in Spain have joined. This system is being developed in Spain through Mobipay España, S.A. and outside of Spain through Mobipay International, S.A. In addition, on February 26, 2003 Telefónica Móviles announced its participation in the new MPSA association (Mobile Payment Services Association). The association, which is composed of Vodafone, Orange, T-Mobile and Telefónica Móviles will operate under the brand name Simpay and aims to provide a common trademark open solution for m-payments. |
| Other Services. Telefónica Móviles also has the technology available to provide other value-added wireless services such as location-based services and telematics. Location-based services permit the precise location of the handset to be determined by Telefónica Móviles networks, which will permit users to receive and access information specific to such location. Telefónica Móviles believes that this technology will be widely used in fleet management, logistics and security monitoring. Telematics applications permit delivery of data to machines, such as automobiles and vending machines. |
Telefónica Móviles Operations
Telefónica Móviles operations currently are conducted in three distinct geographic areas:
| Spain, |
| Morocco, |
| Latin America. |
Spain
Telefónica Móviles offers wireless services in Spain through Telefónica Móviles España, the leading wireless operator in Spain with approximately 18.4 million active customers at December 31, 2002, representing an estimated 55% market share, based on publicly available information.
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The following table presents, at the dates and for the periods indicated, selected statistical data relating to Telefónica Móviles operations in Spain:
Year ended December 31, | ||||||
2000 |
2001 |
2002 | ||||
Total customers (in millions at period end) |
13.7 | 16.8 | 18.4 | |||
Pre-paid customers (in millions at period end) |
8.9 | 11.5 | 11.9 | |||
Population in service territory (in millions at period end) |
40 | 40 | 40 |
We have offered wireless services in Spain since 1982 with the launch of analog wireless services under the brand MoviLine. Digital wireless services, using GSM 900 MHz technology, were launched in 1995 under the MoviStar brand name, which has since become one of the most widely recognized brands in Spain. In 1997, Telefónica Móviles España launched the first pre-paid wireless service in Spain under the MoviStar Activa brand name, and in January 1999, Telefónica Móviles España launched the GSM 1800 MHz service. In March 2000, having achieved the highest rating in the awards process, Telefónica Móviles España was awarded a third generation wireless, or UMTS, license covering the Spanish national territory for 131 million.
Network and Technology. Telefónica Móviles Españas licenses and concessions in Spain permit it to operate both analog and digital networks. Telefónica Móviles España also holds one of four nationwide licenses for UMTS services in the country.
Telefónica Móviles Españas digital network in Spain is based upon the GSM standard, which has been adopted by more than 130 countries worldwide, including all member countries of the European Union. The prevalence of the GSM standard, together with Telefónica Móviles Españas international roaming agreements, enables its MoviStar customers to make and receive calls throughout Western Europe and in more than 170 countries worldwide. Telefónica Móviles Españas GSM-based network provides its customers with access to many of the most advanced wireless handsets and a full panoply of services and products.
Telefónica Móviles Españas licenses entitle it to 40 MHz of spectrum in the 900 MHz band and 2 x 24.8 MHz of spectrum in the DCS-1800 MHz band. Under the terms of its UMTS license, Telefónica Móviles España is authorized to operate using two paired, or two-way, 15 MHz channels plus one unpaired, or one-way, 5 MHz channel. Telefónica Móviles España believes that this spectrum is adequate for its requirements.
In 2000, 2001 and 2002, Telefónica Móviles España invested in the aggregate approximately 2,194 million in building out and enhancing its networks in Spain. At December 31, 2002, Telefónica Móviles Españas digital network in Spain, which consisted of more than 115 switching centers and more than 14,200 base stations, provided coverage to approximately 99% of the population. The amounts invested in 2001 and 2002 have been used to enhance the quality of its coverage of high-density areas, to permit more intensive use of its wireless services within buildings in an urban environment, further enhancing the appeal of wireless communications and to introduce new technologies.
Sales and Marketing
Telefónica Móviles España utilizes all types of marketing channels, including television, radio, exterior signage, telemarketing, direct mail and internet advertising. Telefónica Móviles España also sponsors a leading motorcycle grand prix racing team and cultural and sporting events in order to increase its brand recognition. Its advertising emphasizes its image as the market leader and characteristics such as quality, convenience and reliability, with specific campaigns based on price or new product offerings. For example, campaigns for its pre-paid service, MoviStar Activa, emphasize the simplicity and mobility of the pre-paid service with a focus on the younger segment of the market. For its contract customers, Telefónica Móviles España markets MoviStar Plus, which emphasizes exclusivity and value with specific offers of new services, and a loyalty program based on points earned.
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Regulation
Telefónica Móviles holds 18 individual licenses under the General Law on Telecommunications, covering the following:
| nationwide digital services (GSM and DCS-1800); |
| nationwide UMTS services; |
| trunking, or closed user group, services; |
| paging services (12 regional and 1 national service); and |
| fixed-line telephony. |
The General Law on Telecommunications is described in Item 4Information on the CompanyBusiness OverviewRegulation.
Telefónica Móviles licenses, terms and extension periods are detailed in the table below. In March 2002, Telefónica Móviles requested of the relevant authority that its trunking licenses be terminated due to changes in technical, economic and market conditions since the licenses were granted.
License type |
License duration |
Ending date |
Extension period | |||||
SPAIN |
B1 (fixed telephony) | 20 years | July 8, 2019 | 10-year periods-the total duration of the licence including extensions must not be longer than 50 years | ||||
B2GSM |
15 years | February 3, 2010 | 5 years | |||||
B2 DCS1800 |
25 years | July 24, 2023 | 5 years | |||||
B2UMTS |
20 years | April 18, 2020 | 10 years | |||||
C2 (trunking) |
20 years | March 21, 2020 | 10 years | |||||
C2 (paging) |
20 years | April 24, 2020 | 10 years | |||||
C2 paging |
20 years | April 23, 2020 | 10 years |
Telefónica Móviles rights and obligations under the individual licenses are similar to those under its administrative concessions, though they generally require more disclosure of rates and product information to the Spanish regulatory authorities and the public and also require Telefónica Móviles to keep separate accounts for each of its activities and services. Telefónica Móviles licenses also impose some additional obligations, including an obligation to provide bank guarantees to secure commitments assumed in its UMTS license application.
Telefónica Móviles was also required to provide bank guarantees totaling 1,100 million to secure commitments assumed in this UMTS license applications. Telefónica Móviles España commenced administrative proceedings to change the current system of guarantees. On April 7, 2003, a resolution was announced that modifies the UMTS guarantee system for all operators. New annual guarantees will replace the current guarantees which amount to 631 million. The amount of the new annual guarantee for Telefónica Móviles España will be as follows:
Period 0 (until service launch): 167.5 million;
Year 1: 167.5 million;
Year 2: 149.5 million;
Year 3: 114.8 million; and
Year 4: 114.8 million.
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This resolution does not modify nor reduce the commitments assumed by Telefónica Móviles España in its license application nor diminishes the individual guarantee for each commitment. If a commitment is not satisfied in a given period, the guarantee compromised for that year in the license will be forfeited and the operator will have to replenish the annual guarantee. Currently Telefónica Móviles España is negotiating both with financial institutions and The Ministry the definitive terms of the new guarantees that will replace the current ones.
In the case of Telefónica Móviles UMTS license, Telefónica Móviles paid to the Spanish Treasury a one-time fee of 131 million in connection with the issuance of that license in 2001. The Spanish government adopted legislation imposing additional fees totaling approximately 233.3 million for the year 2001 for use of spectrum both for new UMTS licenses as well as existing analog and digital concessions and other uses. In 2001, the Spanish government adopted new legislation reducing such fees by 75% for the year 2002 and setting a framework for the determination of the amount of such fees for the next five years. In June 2002, Telefónica Móviles fulfilled the Spanish governments requirements regarding initial roll-out of its UMTS network. In addition, the Spanish government has announced that it may, when UMTS technology is a reality, award additional licenses permitting the offer of wireless services, subject to spectrum availability.
Telefónica Móviles licenses may be amended or revoked. Telefónica Móviles licenses may be amended only for objective cause, including a change in law or for public interest reasons. Telefónica Móviles would not be entitled to any compensation in the event of an amendment to a license. Amendments to the applicable laws may also result in changes to the obligations of a license holder. Telefónica Móviles licenses may be revoked if it fails to comply with any of the specified obligations or commitments in these licenses as well as for reasons similar to those applicable to its administrative concessions, as discussed above. In addition, any infringements defined in the General Law on Telecommunications may result in the imposition of sanctions including fines.
Under the General Law on Telecommunications, non-European Union individuals or entities cannot own, directly or indirectly, more than 25% of Telefónica Móviles assets or share capital, unless such ownership is permitted by authorization of the Spanish government, in cases of reciprocal treatment between Spain and a non-European Union country, or by specific agreement between Spain and a non-European Union country. Spain has ratified the Telecoms Annex to the General Agreement on Trade in Services, or GATS, pursuant to which specific authorization will not be required so long as direct or indirect control of 25% or more of Telefónica Móviles assets or share capital is owned by persons or entities domiciled in countries party to the Telecoms Annex to GATS. Until 2007, the Spanish government holds approval rights for specified fundamental corporate transactions affecting Telefónica Móviles and its Spanish operating company. In May 2003, the European Court of Justice found against the Spanish and United Kingdom rules regulating special shares (golden shares). The ECJ ruled that the system of prior administrative approval relating to the winding-up, demerger, merger or disposal of certain assets as introduced by the Spanish legislation, create obstacles to the free movement of capital. The Court held that although these obstacles may be justified by a public-security reason, the measures imposed by the Spanish rules are not proportional to the public-security interest. We expect that the Spanish Government will review the terms of its current golden share affecting Telefónica Móviles, S.A.
Rates. Wireless operators are generally free to fix customer rates for the provision of services under the General Law on Telecommunications, except with respect to analog wireless services for which the Government Commission for Economic Affairs has prescribed maximum rates. In accordance with the General Law on Telecommunications, the Government Commission for Economic Affairs may prescribe temporary fixed, maximum and minimum rates, or criteria for establishing rates, based on actual costs of the services rendered and the degree of competition in the market. Telefónica Móviles must report any increase in customer rates not less than 15 days before new tariffs go into effect. The Government Commission for Economic Affairs has imposed rate regulations for analog wireless services but it has not regulated rates of digital wireless services to date. The Ministry of Science and Technology is reviewing methods of promoting increased competition in the Spanish telecommunications market. We cannot assure you that the Ministry of Science and Technology will not make recommendations affecting the pricing of wireless services in Spain or other aspects of Telefónica Móviles business.
Interconnection. Because Telefónica Móviles has been classified by the Telecommunications Market Commission as an operator with significant market power in the wireless communications and interconnection markets (a classification that is generally defined as the attainment of a market share of more than 25% measured by income tax generated by networks and services in the previous year), Telefónica Móviles is required, among other obligations, to facilitate cost-oriented interconnection rates on a non-discriminatory and transparent basis and report
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to the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Science and Technology regarding its compliance. In addition, on July 11, 2002, the Telecommunications Market Commission provisionally set Telefónica Móviles interconnection rates. The interconnection rates have not been revised again. The Ministry of Economy has opened an investigation against the three mobile operators in answer to Uni2 and Worldcoms protest about fixed-to-mobile interconnection rates. Additionally, Telefónica Móviles is required every year to disclose the interconnection rates it charges its subsidiaries and affiliates as well as the rates charged to other users.
Fees. Telefónica Móviles must pay a fee for reservation of the public domain radioelectric spectrum in respect of the frequencies allocated. Current annual fees are reflected in the following table:
Technologies |
Year 2001 (/MHz) |
Year 2002 (/MHz) |
Year 2003 (/MHz) | |||
TACS |
188,180.86 | 205,892 | 631,908.18 | |||
GSM |
1,309,359.29 | 601,911.15 | 631,908.18 | |||
DCS-1800 |
1,267,027.72 | 601,984.13 | 505,643.32 | |||
UMTS |
4,656,472.83 | 601,947.65 | 631,871.69 | |||
UMTS |
4,656,472.83 | 601,947.65 | 631,871.69 |
Radioelectric emissions. Royal Decree 1066/2001 was promulgated in September 2001 to regulate radioelectric emissions. As part of the National Antenna Certification Plan and pursuant to Ministerial Order CTE/23/2002 of January 11, 2002, conditions were established for the presentation of research studies and certifications by operators of emissions of radio-communication services. Pursuant to those provisions, the antenna certification process for the three GSM wireless operators in Spain was completed in July 2002. For the year ended 2002, such tests have confirmed lower emission levels than those required by regulations. If in the future we fail to comply fully with these standards, we could be subject to claims or regulatory actions.
Competition. Telefónica Móviles España currently has two competitors in the Spanish market for wireless communications service: Vodafone España, a subsidiary of Vodafone PLC, and Retevisión Móvil S.A., which operates under the trade name Amena. Although Telefónica Móviles España anticipates that its market share will continue to decline as its competitors pursue new customers, Telefónica Móviles España believes that, to date, it has been successful in preserving and expanding its advantage in terms of absolute numbers of customers and quality of average customer in terms of minutes of usage. Telefónica Móviles España is the only operator in Spain whose estimated outgoing traffic market share is higher than its customer market share.
In early 2000, the Spanish government awarded four third-generation wireless, or UMTS, licenses, which cover the entire country of Spain. We were awarded one of these licenses, while the others were awarded to Retevisión Móvil, Vodafone and the Xfera consortium.
Morocco
Telefónica Móviles provides wireless services in Morocco through Medi Telecom, S.A., in which it holds a 31.3% interest and shares management responsibilities with Portugal Telecom, which also holds a 31.3% interest in Medi Telecom. Medi Telecom is also owned by local minority shareholders. Medi Telecom, S.A. is the second largest wireless operator in Morocco with approximately 1.6 million customers, at December 31, 2002, representing approximately 41% of the market according to Telefónica Móviles estimates. Medi Telecom commenced offering wireless services in Morocco in March 2000, eight months after it was awarded a GSM license covering the Moroccan national territory.
The following table presents, at the dates and for the periods indicated, selected statistical data relating to Medi Telecom:
Year ended December 31, | ||||||
2000 |
2001 |
2002 | ||||
Total wireless customers (in millions at period end) |
0.51 | 1.1 | 1.6 | |||
Pre-paid customers (in millions at period end) |
0.49 | 1.0 | 1.5 | |||
Population in service territory (in millions at period end) |
29.0 | 29.0 | 30.0 |
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Network and Technology. Medi Telecoms network in Morocco is based upon the GSM standard. Its licenses entitle it to 50 MHz of spectrum in the 900 MHz band. In 2000, 2001 and 2002, Medi Telecom invested a total of approximately 530 million in building out and enhancing its digital network in Morocco. At December 31, 2002, Medi Telecoms digital network in Morocco consisted of nine switching centers and 1,428 base stations giving coverage to over 86% of the population. Medi Telecom plans to make new investments to increase the coverage of its network. Medi Telecom has been offering wireless Internet since April 2001.
Competition. Medi Telecom currently competes with Maroc Telecom, the former state monopoly provider of all telecommunications services in Morocco.
Latin America
Brazil
Telefónica Móviles, along with Portugal Telecom, are 50:50 shareholders in Brasilcel N.V., a joint venture which combines Telefónica Móviles wireless businesses in Brazil with those of Portugal Telecom. This joint venture is the leading wireless operator in Brazil based on the total number of customers at December 31, 2002, with a total of 13.7 million customers, of which 3.7 million are contract customers. Brasilcel has an estimated average share in its markets of operations of approximately 61%. All of the operating companies participating in the joint venture have been operating under the name Vivo since April 2003. The licensed areas of Brasilcel include five of the six largest regions in Brazil in terms of gross domestic product with a population of approximately 97 million, and covering more than 70% of Brazils gross domestic product.
Brazil is one of the largest countries in the world, with a surface area of 8.5 million square kilometers and a population of approximately 175 million people. At December 31, 2002, with 34.6 million wireless subscribers, Brazil ranked first in Latin America in terms of number of wireless customers. At that date, Brazil had an estimated market penetration rate of 19.8% and experienced a 21.3% increase in the number of wireless customers in 2002.
Acquisition of Interests in Brazil.
Agreement with Iberdrola. On April 5, 2001, we entered into an agreement with Iberdrola, S.A. and certain of its affiliates pursuant to which we acquired in December 2001 and March 2002 in exchange for our shares the Iberdrola groups shares in the Brazilian wireless operators, or the holding companies that control such wireless operators, in which we and Iberdrola each participate. In accordance with this agreement, we acquired:
| 7% of TBS Celular Participações S.A., the holding company that controls Celular CRT Participações S.A. |
| 7% of SudesteCel Participações S.A., the holding company that controls Tele Sudeste Celular Participações S.A., as well as an additional interest in Tele Sudeste Celular Participações S.A. |
| 62% of Iberoleste Participações S.A., the holding company that controls Tele Leste Celular Participações S.A., as well as an additional direct interest of 3.38% of Tele Leste Celular Participações S.A. |
| 0.63% of CRT Participações S.A., the holding company that controls 100% of Celular CRT, S.A. |
In May 2002, we transferred all these shares, except those of Celular CRT Participações S.A., to Telefónica Móviles in exchange for a total of 26,801,494 new Telefónica Móviles ordinary shares. Subsequently on October 17, 2002, we transferred to Telefónica Móviles our 0.63% holding in Celular CRT Participações, S.A. for a cash consideration of 11.5 million, bringing Telefónica Móviles direct and indirect investment in Celular CRT Participações to 40.9%.
Joint Venture with Portugal Telecom. On January 23, 2001, we, Telefónica Móviles, S.A., Portugal Telecom and its subsidiary PT Moveis agreed to create a joint venture to consolidate Telefónica Móviles wireless businesses in Brazil with those of Portugal Telecom. Under this joint venture framework agreement, each of the Telefónica Group and the Portugal Telecom Group agreed to contribute to a 50:50 joint venture their respective wireless businesses in Brazil, including interests in operating companies and holding companies that own cellular or wireless licenses in Brazil.
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On October 17, 2002, Telefónica Móviles, Portugal Telecom and PT Moveis entered into a Shareholders Agreement and Subscription Agreement that implemented the joint venture framework agreement signed in January 2001. Additionally, on October 21, 2002, Telefónica Móviles acquired from Portugal Telecom for approximately 200 million a 14.7% holding in Telesp Celular Participações, S.A., a company that provides wireless services in the Brazilian state of São Paulo through Telesp Celular S.A. and in the Brazilian states of Paraná and Santa Catarina through Global Telecom, S.A.
Following the agreements entered into with the Portugal Telecom Group on October 17, 2002 and after having obtained the necessary authorization from the Brazilian authorities for the contribution, on December 27, 2002, Telefónica Móviles and PT Moveis contributed to Brasilcel, N.V. all the shares held directly or indirectly by the two groups in their wireless communications companies in Brazil, as set out below:
The terms of the joint venture are described in Item 10CMaterial ContractsAgreement with Portugal Telecom.
% Contributed |
Ownership Interest of Brasilcel N.V. at December 31, 2002 |
Total | ||||||||||||||
Company |
State |
Telefónica Móviles |
PT Moveis |
Total Equity |
Voting equity |
|||||||||||
(millions) | ||||||||||||||||
Tele Sudeste Celular Participações S.A |
Rio de Janeiro and Espírito Santo |
83.56 | % | | 83.56 | % | 80.50 | % | 3.5 | |||||||
Celular CRT Participações S.A |
Rio Grande do Sul | 40.90 | % | 7.58 | % | 48.48 | % | 86.94 | % | 2.1 | ||||||
Tele Leste Celular Participações S.A |
Bahia and Sergipe | 27.71 | % | | 27.71 | % | 58.42 | % | 1.0 | |||||||
Telesp Celular Participações S.A |
São Paulo Paraná and Santa Catarina |
14.68 | % | 50.44 | % | 65.12 | % | 93.66 | % | 7.2 |
Given the effective transfer date of the operations contributed to Brasilcel by Telefónica Móviles and Portugal Telecom, Brasilcels impact on Telefónica Móviles consolidated income was not significant and thus it was not consolidated in Telefónica Móviles 2002 income statement.
Acquisition of TCO. On January 16, 2003, Telesp Celular Participações, S.A. (or TCP), a subsidiary of Brasilcel, N.V. entered into a Preliminary Stock Purchase Agreement with the Brazilian company Fixcel to acquire up to 61.1% of the ordinary shares of Tele Centro Oeste Participações, S.A., or TCO, which represents 20.4% of the total capital of TCO. On April 25, 2003, TCP finalized the acquisition. The purchase price was approximately reais 1.5 billion (approximately reais 19.49 per each lot of 1,000 shares acquired). As of the date of this annual report, TCP has paid reais 284.7 million of the total amount and the remaining will be paid in future installments.
On May 25, 2003, in compliance with Brazilian legislation, TCP made a request to launch a tender offer, which currently is being reviewed by the CVM, the Brazilian Securities and Exchange Commission, for the voting shares of the minority shareholders of TCO for a price equal to 80% of the price paid to the controlling shareholders. The minority shareholders that tender their shares will be compensated pro rata, in the same manner as the controlling shareholders, as described above. After the acquisition and the tender offer, TCP expects to incorporate TCOs shares and ADSs into TCP and de-list TCOs shares.
TCO operates in regions 7 and 8 of the SMC through the operators in Band A (TCO) and Band B (NTB) respectively. In total TCO operates in 12 Brazilian states, the most significant of which being the Distrito Federal of Brazilia. At March 31, 2003, TCO had approximately 3.1 million customers, according to data published by TCO. With this acquisition, Telefónica Móviles estimates that Brasilcel will provide services to approximately 16.8
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million customers, or more than 50% of the Brazilian market, and its network will cover 74% of the Brazilian population.
Operations provided by Telefónica Móviles prior to the Consummation of the Joint Venture. Before the consummation of the Brasilcel joint venture on December 27, 2002, Telefónica Móviles provided wireless services in the Brazilian states of:
| Rio de Janeiro and Espírito Santo through Tele Sudeste Celular; |
| Bahia and Sergipe through Tele Leste Celular; |
| Rio Grande do Sul through Celular CRT. |
Rio de Janeiro/Espírito SantoTele Sudeste Celular Participações S.A.
Tele Sudeste Celular Participações S.A., or Tele Sudeste, which has been operating under the brand name Vivo since April 2003, is according to our estimates the leading wireless operator in the Rio de Janeiro and Espírito Santo region of Brazil with approximately 3.5 million customers at December 31, 2002, representing 58% of the market. At December 31, 2002, Brasilcel had a 83.6% equity interest in Tele Sudeste Celular and 80.5% of the voting rights.
The remaining ownership interest in Tele Sudeste is held, indirectly, by Itochu Corporation and NTT DoCoMo, Inc., as well as other minority shareholders. Brasilcel holds its ownership interest in Tele Sudeste directly, as well as through Sudestecel Participações S.A., a consortium that it controls, and through Tagilo Participações, S.A., one of its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Telefónica Móviles is subject to a shareholders agreement with Itochu Corporation and NTT DoCoMo.
Tele Sudestes operations in the region are conducted through its two operating subsidiaries, Telerj Celular S.A. and Telest Celular S.A. Telefónica Móviles manages Tele Sudeste Celulars two operating subsidiaries in exchange for an annual fee of 1% of their net revenues excluding handset sales.
The following table presents, at the dates and for the years indicated, selected statistical data relating to Telefónica Móviles operations in Rio de Janeiro and Espírito Santo:
Year ended December 31, | ||||||
2000 |
2001 |
2002 | ||||
Total customers (in millions at period end) |
2.5 | 3.0 | 3.5 | |||
Pre-paid customers (in millions at period end) |
1.5 | 2.0 | 2.4 | |||
Population in service territory (in millions at period end) |
17.0 | 18.0 | 18.0 |
Network and Technology. Tele Sudestes licenses in Rio de Janeiro/Espírito Santo permit it to operate both an analog network and a digital network, which is based upon the CDMA standard. Tele Sudestes roaming agreements with other networks in Brazil and abroad enable its customers to make and receive calls throughout Brazil and in over 100 countries worldwide.
Tele Sudestes licenses entitle it to 25 MHz of spectrum in the 800 MHz band. Tele Sudeste believes that this spectrum is adequate for its requirements.
Tele Sudeste invested a total of approximately 573 million in building out and enhancing its network in Rio de Janeiro/Espírito Santo in 2000, 2001 and 2002. At December 31, 2002, its network in Rio de Janeiro/Espírito Santo consisted of 12 digital switching centers, 1,245 digital radio base stations, two dual capacity switching centers, six analog switching centers and approximately 599 analog base stations, giving coverage to over 87% of the population. Tele Sudestes network platforms were enhanced to enable it to offer wireless Internet, under the MoviStar e-moción brand, starting in July 2000. As part of Brasilcels marketing effort, all wireless internet services in Brazil have been rebranded Vivo Wap. In April 2002, Tele Sudeste began rolling out its 2.5G network, based on CDMA 1xRTT technology. Tele Sudeste does not anticipate making significant capital expenditures on its analog network in the future.
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Competition. Competition has increased in the Rio de Janeiro/Espírito Santo region with the provision of new licenses. Tele Sudeste currently has three competitors in the Rio de Janeiro/Espírito Santo market for wireless communications services: Algar Telecom Leste S.A., or ATL, which is controlled by Telecom Americas Ltd; TNL PCS S.A., or Oi, which is controlled by Telemar; and Portale Rio Norte S.A., or TIM, which is controlled by TIM. ATL began operations in December 1998 using the TDMA D-AMPS digital standard. Oi began operations in June 2002 using GSM/GPRS technology. TIM began operations in September 2002 also using GSM/GPRS standards.
Rio Grande do SulCelular CRT Participações S.A.
Celular CRT, which has been operating under the brand name Vivo since April 2003, is, according to Telefónica Móviles estimates, the leading wireless operator in the Rio Grande do Sul region of Brazil with approximately 2.1 million customers at December 31, 2002, representing approximately 65% of the market. Brasilcel holds a 48.5% equity interest in Celular CRT, and 86.9% of the voting rights. The remaining ownership interest in Celular CRT is held, directly or indirectly, by us as well as various minority shareholders.
Celular CRTs operations are conducted through its operating subsidiary Celular CRT S.A. Telefónica Móviles manages Celular CRT under a Services Agreement with TBS Celular Participações, S.A., which entitles Telefónica Móviles to an annual fee of 1% of Celular CRTs net revenues, excluding handset sales.
The following table presents, at the dates and for the periods indicated, selected statistical data relating to Celular CRTs operations in Rio Grande do Sul:
Year ended December 31, | ||||||
2000 |
2001 |
2002 | ||||
Total customers (in millions at period end) |
1.4 | 1.8 | 2.1 | |||
Pre-paid customers (in millions at period end) |
0.9 | 1.2 | 1.5 | |||
Population in service territory (in millions at period end) |
10.0 | 10.0 | 10.0 |
Network and Technology. Celular CRTs licenses in Rio Grande do Sul permit it to operate both an analog network and digital network, which is based upon the Time Division Multiple Access Standard, known as TDMA. Celular CRTs roaming agreements with other networks in Brazil and abroad enable its customers to make and receive calls throughout Brazil and in over 100 countries worldwide. Celular CRT also plans to roll out a CDMA overlay in Rio Grande do Sul in 2003.
Celular CRTs licenses entitle it to 25 MHz of spectrum in the 800 MHz band. Celular CRT believes that this spectrum is adequate for its requirements.
Celular CRT invested a total of approximately 227 million in building out and enhancing its network in Rio Grande do Sul in 2000, 2001 and 2002. At December 31, 2002, its network in Rio de Janeiro/Espírito Santo consisted of 12 dual capacity switching centers, 832 digital base stations and 113 analog base stations giving coverage to over 85% of the total population. These funds have been used to expand and enhance its digital network, to increase coverage, systems capacity and roll-out data services, among other things. In July 2000, Celular CRT launched wireless application protocol services under the MoviStar e-moción brand name. As part of Brasilcels marketing effort, all wireless internet services in Brazil have been rebranded Vivo Wap. Celular CRT does not anticipate making significant capital expenditures on its analog network in the future.
Competition. Celular CRT currently has two competitors operating in the Rio Grande do Sul market for wireless communications services: Telet S.A., which began operations in March 1999 and is owned by Telecom Americas, as well as other minority shareholders and TIM, which is controlled by TIM, was awarded a license in 2001 and began operations in 2002. In addition, Brasil Telecom was awarded a PCS license at the end of 2002. It is expected that they will commence operations in the third quarter of 2003.
Bahia/SergipeTele Leste Celular Participações S.A.
Tele Leste Celular, which has been operating under the brand name Vivo since April 2003, is, according to Telefónica Móviles estimates, the leading wireless operator in the Bahia and Sergipe region of Brazil with approximately 973 thousand customers at December 31, 2002, representing 61% of the market. Brasilcel holds directly and indirectly 27.7% of the total equity of Tele Leste and 58.4% of the voting rights. Tele Leste Celulars
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operations are conducted through its two operating subsidiaries, Telebahia Celular S.A. and Telergipe Celular S.A.I. Telefónica Móviles manages Tele Leste Celulars two operating subsidiaries under management agreements that entitle it to 1% of net revenues, excluding handset sales.
The following table presents, at the dates and for the periods indicated, selected statistical data relating to Tele Lestes operations in Bahia and Sergipe. Telefónica Móviles accounts for its interest in Tele Leste Celular under the equity method.
Year ended December 31, | ||||||
2000 |
2001 |
2002 | ||||
Total customers (in millions at period end) |
0.7 | 0.8 | 1.0 | |||
Pre-paid customers (in millions at period end) |
0.3 | 0.5 | 0.7 | |||
Population in service territory (in millions at period end) |
15 | 15 | 15 |
Network and Technology. Tele Leste Celular operates both analog and digital networks. Tele Leste Celulars digital network is based upon the CDMA standard. Tele Leste Celular invested a total of approximately 217 million in building out and enhancing its network in Bahia/Sergipe in 2000, 2001 and 2002. At December 31, 2002, Tele Leste Celulars network consisted of four digital switching centers, 282 digital radio base stations, four analog switching centers and 252 analog base stations and 3 commuting cellular stations giving coverage to over 63% of the population. In July 2000, Tele Leste Celular launched wireless application protocol services under the MoviStar e-moción brand name. As part of Brasilcels marketing effort, all wireless internet services in Brazil have been rebranded Vivo Wap.
Competition. Tele Leste Celular competes with two operators in Bahia/Sergipe: Maxitel, which is controlled by Telecom Italia and launched its operations in April 1998; and Oi which is controlled by Telemar and launched its operations in June 2002. In November 2002, Telecom Americas also acquired a license to provide wireless services in Bahia/Sergipe. Telefónica Móviles expects Telecom Americas to provide wireless services in Bahia and Sergipe in late 2003.
Regulation
On December 4, 2002, ANATEL authorized the constitution of Brasilcel, the joint venture between Telefónica Móviles and Portugal Telecom, allowing the migration of Brasilcels operators to a new licensing regime, Personal Mobile Service, or the SMP regime. Accordingly, Brasilcels operators replaced all their old licensing titles with new SMP authorization titles. The old licensing titles were concessions, granted under the Cellular Mobile Service, or the SMC regime. The new SMP authorizations include the right of providing cellular services for an unlimited period of time but restrain the right of using the spectrum according to the schedule listed in the old licensing titles (Celular CRT until 2007, Telerj Celular until 2005, Telest Celular until 2008, Telebahia Celular and Telergipe Celular until 2008 and Telesp Celular until 2008). Spectrum rights can be renewed for a 15 year-period only once.
The wireless companies who operate pursuant to authorizations are subject to general obligations set forth by the National Agency for Telecommunications and to obligations pursuant to each authorization agreement concerning quality of service and network expansion and modernization.
Mobile Personal Service (SMP) Regulation
In November 2000, the National Agency for Telecommunications published regulations for the issuance of new SMP licenses to provide wireless communication services, using the 1800 MHz frequency band. New operators under SMP licenses will compete with existing SMC cellular operators in each region. ANATEL held auctions for SMP licenses during the first quarter of 2001 and 2002 in which some SMP licenses were awarded.
Band A and Band B cellular service providers have the option of exchanging their existing SMC concessions for SMP authorizations.
The main objectives of the new SMP regime are to facilitate both the consolidation of wireless operators and the convergence regulation.
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SMP regulation has replaced the older SMC regime. Wireless operators must comply with the new SMP regulations after replacing their concession, with the following exceptions:
| Operators will have until May 31, 2003 to adapt service plans; |
| Operators will have until July 6, 2003 to introduce carrier selection codes and implement call by call long distance carrier selection; |
| Operators will have until December 31, 2003 to introduce reverted charge pre-paid services; |
| Operators will have 180 days after replacing their concessions (SMC) to comply with SMP quality indicators; and |
| Operators should use the bill and keep interconnection payment method after July 31, 2004. |
Sales and Marketing. Brasilcel has launched a unified brand, Vivo, in April 2003, helping to consolidate its leadership position in the regions where its companies operate. In addition, a new marketing campaign was launched in 2002 across all Brasilcel companies, including Tele Sudeste, under the name A Coisa targeting the younger segment of the market and promoting the use of voice, SMS and WAP.
Peru
Telefónica Móviles provides wireless services in Peru through Telefónica Móviles, S.A.C., or Telefónica Móviles Perú. Telefónica Móviles Perú is the leading wireless operator in Peru with approximately 1.2 million customers at December 31, 2002. Telefónica Móviles Perú has approximately 55.0% of the market share, according to our estimates.
In March 2001, as a preliminary step in the transfer to Telefónica Móviles of our wireless operations in Peru, we transferred to Telefónica Móviles an approximately 16.5% interest in Telefónica del Perú S.A.A. in exchange for 65,939,564 ordinary shares of Telefónica Móviles. In accordance with the resolution of the shareholders of Telefónica del Perú to divide the company along business lines, Telefónica del Perú spun-off its wireless operations in June 2001 in the form of shares of Telefónica Móviles, S.A.C. and its data operations. Telefónica Móviles agreed with other members of the Telefónica Group who were shareholders of Telefónica del Perú to exchange, following such spin-offs, the shares of such data operations that Telefónica Móviles received in its spin-off, as well as the shares Telefónica Móviles held in Telefónica del Perú, for the shares in Telefónica Móviles, S.A.C. that they received in its spin-off. Following the spin-off and share exchanges, and additional share purchases, Telefónica Móviles holds indirectly a 98.0% interest in Telefónica Móviles, S.A.C. and does not hold any interest in such data operations or Telefónica del Perú.
The following table presents, at the dates and for the periods indicated, selected statistical data relating to Telefónica Móviles Perú. Telefónica Móviles began consolidating Telefónica Móviles Perú in its combined financial statements as of January 1, 2001.
Year ended December 31, | ||||||
2000(1) |
2001 |
2002 | ||||
Total customers (in millions at period end) |
0.9 | 1.1 | 1.2 | |||
Pre-paid customers (in millions at period end) |
0.7 | 0.9 | 1 | |||
Population in service territory (in millions at period end) |
26 | 26 | 27 |
(1) | Information for this period has been provided based on the 12 months ended December 31, 2000. |
The predecessor entity of Telefónica Móviles Perú commenced offering wireless services in Peru in 1993 with the launch of analog wireless services. In April 1997, the Telefónica Group launched the first pre-paid wireless service in Peru. In September 1997, the Telefónica Group launched digital wireless service in Peru under the MoviStar brand name, which has since become one of the most widely recognized brands in Peru.
Regulation. The Telecommunications Act (Texto Único Ordenado de la Ley de Telecomunicaciones) approved in 1993 (DS 13-93-TCC) and the General Regulations implementing the statute, approved in 1994 (DS 6-94-TCC 1994) are the legal framework for the telecommunications sector in Peru.
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Wireless call rates are freely determined by each operator under the control of OSPITEL, the national regulatory body entity. Operators are free to set fixed-to-mobile per minute calling rates as well as mobile-to-mobile rates. However, operators must offer reasonable rates, under OSPITEL surveillance.
Although interconnection charges are negotiable, OSPITEL establishes a weighted average maximum charge for calls ending in a local area. This weighted average charge is determined based on comparable international rates and cost information furnished by the wireless operators and are based on an efficient-enterprise simulation.
Network and Technology. Telefónica Móviles Perú operates both analog and digital networks. Its digital network is based upon the CDMA standard. It has roaming agreements enabling Telefónica Móviles Perus contract customers to make and receive calls in over 140 countries, including most of the Americas.
Telefónica Móviles Perús licenses entitle it to 25 MHz of spectrum in the 800 MHz band. Telefónica Móviles Perú believes that this spectrum is adequate for its requirements.
Telefónica Móviles Perú invested approximately 126 million in building out and enhancing its network in 2000, 2001 and 2002. At December 31, 2002, its digital network consisted of six dual capacity switching centers and 318 base stations, providing coverage to over 50% of the population in its service territory. In October 2000, Telefónica Móviles Perú launched wireless application protocol services in Peru under the MoviStar e-moción brand name.
Telefónica Móviles Perús analog network has six dual capacity switching centers and 302 base stations, some of which also have dual capacity. Telefónica Móviles does not anticipate significant capital expenditures in the future on the Peruvian analog network.
Competition. According to Telefónica Móviles estimates, Telefónica Móviles Perú is the leading operator in the Peruvian market with 1.2 million customers representing approximately 54.9% of the market share. Telefónica Móviles Perú currently has three competitors in the Peruvian market for wireless communications service: BellSouth, which began providing wireless services in 1993; Stet Mobile Holdings, which obtained a GSM PCS license in March 2000 and subsequently launched its services under the TIM brand; and Nextel Peru, which began providing wireless services exclusive to the corporate sector since April 1999 and has recently begun providing residential services.
Argentina
Telefónica Comunicaciones Personales S.A. is, according to Telefónica Móviles estimates, the second largest wireless operator in Argentina with approximately 1.6 million customers at December 31, 2002, representing approximately 25% of the market share.
In January 2001, as a preliminary step in the transfer to Telefónica Móviles of the our wireless operations in Argentina, we transferred to Telefónica Móviles 15.1% of the common stock of Telefónica de Argentina S.A. in exchange for 174,863,364 ordinary shares of Telefónica Móviles. In accordance with the resolution of the shareholders of Telefónica de Argentina S.A. to divide the company along business lines, in November 2001 Telefónica de Argentina S.A. spun-off its wireless operations in the form of shares of Telefónica Comunicaciones Personales S.A. and its data operations. Telefónica Móviles previously had agreed with other members of the Telefónica Group who are shareholders of Telefónica de Argentina S.A. to exchange, following such spin-offs, the shares of such data operations that Telefónica Móviles receives in its spin-off, as well as the shares Telefónica Móviles holds in Telefónica de Argentina S.A., for the shares of Telefónica Comunicaciones Personales that they receive in the spin-off. Following the spin-offs and share exchanges, Telefónica Móviles holds a 97.9% interest in Telefónica Comunicaciones Personales S.A. and does not hold any interest in such data operations of Telefónica de Argentina S.A.
For a discussion of general macroeconomic conditions in Argentina, as well as the impact of the macroeconomic and political crisis in Argentina on our results of operations, see Item 5Operating and Financial Review and ProspectsOperating ResultsOperating Environment and Business TrendsEconomic Situation in Argentina.
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The following table presents, at the dates and for the periods indicated, selected statistical data relating to Telefónica Comunicaciones Personales. Telefónica Móviles began consolidating Telefónica Comunicaciones Personales in its combined financial statements as of January 1, 2001.
Year ended December 31(1), | ||||||
2000(1) |
2001(2) |
2002 | ||||
Total customers (in millions at period end) |
1.7 | 1.8 | 1.6 | |||
Pre-paid customers (in millions at period end) |
1.0 | 1.2 | 1.1 | |||
Population in service territory (in millions at period end) |
37 | 37 | 38 |
(1) | Information for prior periods has been provided based on the 12 months ended December 31, 2000. |
(2) | In the fourth quarter of 2001, the fiscal year end of Telefónica Comunicaciones Personales was changed from September 30 to December 31. As a result, Telefónica Móviles combined financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2001 incorporate the financial statements of Telefónica Comunicaciones Personales for year 2001 and three months (October to December) of the year 2000. Previously, Telefónica Móviles combined financial statements incorporated the financial statements of Telefónica Comunicaciones Personales according to its fiscal year, which ran from October 1 to September 31. This change does not give rise to material differences. |
Telefónica Comunicaciones Personales provides wireless services in each of Argentinas three service regions: Greater Buenos Aires; Southern Argentina; and Northern Argentina. In Greater Buenos Aires, the Telefónica Group commenced offering analog wireless services in 1993 under the Miniphone brand name through a company that it owned jointly with Telecom Argentina, an affiliate of France Telecom and Telecom Italia. In 1994, Miniphone launched digital wireless services in Greater Buenos Aires. In 1999 Telefónica Comunicaciones Personales and Telecom Personal divided Miniphones assets, including customers, between them and entered into an agreement which allows Telefónica Comunicaciones Personales and Telecom Personal to continue to operate in Greater Buenos Aires separately.
In Southern Argentina, the Telefónica Group launched wireless services through Telefónica Comunicaciones Personales in 1996 under the Unifón brand. In October 1997, the Telefónica Group launched pre-paid wireless services in Greater Buenos Aires and in May 1999 in Southern Argentina.
In Northern Argentina, Telefónica Comunicaciones Personales began offering wireless services in May 2000 following receipt of personal communication service, or PCS, licenses covering the three service regions. As a result, Telefónica Comunicaciones Personales is now a nationwide provider of wireless services.
Regulation. The National Telecommunications Law num. 19798 of 1972 (Ley Nacional de Telecomunicaciones) and in the specific regulations for each service including Governmental Decree 264/98 liberalized the telecommunications market in Argentina, extending until November 1999 the exclusivity in the provision of fixed-line telephony services by Telefónica de Argentina, and its sole competitor at that time, Telecom de Argentina, with a transitional period ending on November 2000.
In addition, in September 2000 Decree 764/00 was approved, establishing the provisions for the liberalization of the telecommunications services. This Decree provides the basis for regulating licenses, interconnection and network access and defines the universal service and the methods for financing it. Also regulated is the allocation of frequencies in the radioelectric spectrum.
The calling party pays system is in the process of being slowly introduced in Argentina. This system has not yet been introduced for mobile-to-mobile calls and for payphone to mobile calls. Nevertheless, mobile companies have signed private agreements beginning in 2003 and pay to each other traffic termination fees from the second quarter of 2003. Resolution 623/2002 established the benchmark rate for fixed-to-mobile termination under the calling party pays system. This benchmark takes into account the weighted average revenues and average traffic for all mobile operators.
Licenses granted to Mobile Celular Radio-communications Service, Mobile Telephony Service and Personal Communication Service operators do not preclude them from offering any other telecommunication services on a competitive basis although each of these operators is subject to specific regulations.
Network and Technology. Telefónica Comunicaciones Personales operates both analog and digital networks. Its digital network is based upon the TDMA standard. It has roaming agreements enabling its customers to make and receive calls in over 100 countries worldwide.
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Telefónica Comunicaciones Personales licenses entitle it to 12.5 MHz of spectrum in the 800 MHz band and 30 MHz of spectrum in the 1900 MHz band in Greater Buenos Aires, 25 MHz of spectrum in the 800 MHz band and 20 MHz of spectrum in the 1900 MHz band in Southern Argentina and 40 MHz of spectrum in the 1900 MHz band in Northern Argentina. Telefónica Móviles believes that Telefónica Comunicaciones Personales spectrum is adequate for its requirements.
Telefónica Comunicaciones Personales invested a total of approximately 551 million in building out and enhancing its digital network in Argentina in 2000, 2001 and 2002. In 2002, Telefónica Comunicaciones Personales adjusted its investments to market conditions, resulting in a total investment under 3 million. In December 2000, Telefónica Comunicaciones Personales launched wireless application protocol services in Argentina.
At December 31, 2002, its digital network in Argentina consisted of 32 switching centers and 1,314 base stations giving coverage over 90% of the population. Telefónica Comunicaciones Personales network has dual capacity so that the analog network has the same number of switching centers and base stations as the digital network. We do not anticipate significant capital expenditures on Telefónica Comunicaciones Personales analog network in the future.
Competition. Telefónica Comunicaciones Personales currently has three competitors in the Argentine market for wireless communications service, each of which provides services on a nationwide basis: Telecom Personal, which is controlled by France Telecom and Telecom Italia through Telecom Argentina, BellSouths Movicom and CTI Móvil.
Mexico
Telefónica Móviles holds 92.0% of Telefónica Móviles Mexico, which is Mexicos second largest wireless operator, with over 2.4 million customers. Telefónica Móviles Mexico owns licenses for the entire Mexican territory.
The companies making up Telefónica Móviles Mexico were acquired by Telefónica Móviles in two steps :
1) Acquisition of Northern Operators. In July 2001, we transferred to Telefónica Móviles the four wireless operators in Northern Mexico that we had acquired from Motorola, Inc. (Bajacel, Movitel, Norcel and Cedetel). We had acquired such operators from Motorola, Inc. in exchange for an aggregate of U.S.$1,835.5 million in our shares and U.S.$10.5 million in cash, and transferred them to Telefónica Móviles in exchange for approximately 203 million of Telefónica Móviles ordinary shares.
2) Acquisition of Pegaso Telecomunicaciones, S.A. de C.V. and Formation of Telefónica Móviles Mexico. On April 26, 2002, Telefónica Móviles signed agreements to purchase 65.2% of Pegaso from Sprint, Leap Wireless, Qualcomm and other financial investors. Pegaso owns licenses to operate on a nationwide basis. In connection with this agreement, Telefónica Móviles also agreed with the Burillo Group, who held a 34.8% interest in Pegaso at the time of the acquisition, to contribute Telefónica Móviles interests in Pegaso and its other Mexican operators and with Burillo Groups interest in Pegaso into a new holding company, Telefónica Móviles Mexico.
On September 10, 2002, having obtained authorization from the relevant Mexican authorities, Telefónica Móviles acquired a 65.2% holding in Pegaso for $92.9 million. In accordance with Telefónica Móviles agreement with the Burillo Group, on September 10, 2002 Telefónica Móviles contributed its interest in Pegaso and its other Mexican operators (Bajacel, Movitel, Norcel and Cedetel) to Telefónica Móviles Mexico. On the same date the Burillo Group contributed its wireless interests to Telefónica Móviles Mexico. Telefónica Móviles holds a 92.0% interest in Telefónica Móviles Mexico and the Burillo Group owns the remaining 8.0%.
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The following table presents, at the dates and for the periods indicated, selected statistical data relating to Telefónica Móviles Mexican operators. Telefónica Móviles began consolidating its Mexican operators in its combined financial statements as of July 1, 2001.
July 1 to December 31, |
Year ended December 31 | |||
2001(1) |
2002(1) | |||
Total customers (in millions at period end) |
1.2 | 2.4 | ||
Pre-paid customers (in millions at period end) |
1.0 | 2.1 | ||
Population in service territory (in millions at period end) |
21.3 | 102 |
(1) | The figures for fiscal year 2001 include only Telefónica Móviles four Northern Mexican operators. The figures for fiscal year 2002 include the four Northern Mexican operators and, from September 10, 2002, Pegaso. |
Regulation. Telecommunications services in Mexico are regulated by the Federal Telecommunications Law (Ley Federal de Telecomunicaciones) enacted in 1995 (D.O.F.7/6/95), as well as specific service regulations. Since the Federal Telecommunications Law came into effect, allocation of radio spectrum frequency bands for certain uses is conducted through public auctions. There is currently under way a review of telecommunications legislation in which such critical topics as the autonomy of the regulator, interconnection and foreign investments will be revised.
Mexican telecommunications law obliges all network concession holders to sign interconnection agreements when another operator so requests. The interconnection agreements must be freely negotiated between the parties on a non-discriminatory basis and signed within a maximum of 60 days after one of the operators seeks the agreement. The interconnection agreements must be registered in the telecommunications registry and those reached with foreign network operators require prior authorization from the Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes.
Since May 1, 1999 the calling party pays system applies exclusively to the local service (for calls established between exchanges within the same local area) although the user has the option of maintaining the Receiving Party Pays system and pay for incoming calls to his mobile phone.
The interconnection tariffs for domestic and international long distance, local telephony and cellular and wireless telephony services under the CPP formula have been established by COFETEL, since Telmex and the local and long distance operators have generally been unable to reach agreement for the interconnection rates. In December 2001, however, COFETEL announced that Telmex and various long distance carriers reached an agreement on the interconnection rates payable by the operators to Telmex for use of its local network, effective as of January 1, 2002. According to COFETEL, the arrangement is in line with the costs of the network used to offer the service and international practices.
Except in the case of Telmex (dominant operator in different relevant markets), the telecommunications services tariffs applied to customers are not regulated.
Network and Technology. Telefónica Móviles Mexico offers both analog and digital networks. Their digital networks are based upon the CDMA standard. At December 31, 2002, Telefónica Móviles Mexicos digital network in Mexico consisted of 18 switching centers and 1,630 base stations, including both digital and analog base stations, giving coverage to more than 40% of the population.
Telefónica Móviles Mexico has decided to adopt the GSM standard for its networks and began the rollout of a GSM network on a nationwide basis during 2003. Telefónica Móviles Mexico expects that by the end of 2003 its GSM network will cover Mexicos principal cities. The investment in networks by Telefónica Móviles four Northern Mexican operators from July 2001 until the year ended 2002 and by Pegaso from September 2002, the date of acquisition, to the year ended 2002 was approximately 177 million.
In each of the regions in which Telefónica Móviles Mexico operates, it holds licenses of 20 MHz of spectrum on the 800 MHz band, and 30 MHz and 10 MHz of spectrum on the 1900 MHz band. Telefónica Móviles Mexico believes this spectrum is adequate for its likely requirements in these regions.
Competition. Telefónica Móviles Mexico competes with various operators at a national level, most of which are subsidiaries of larger international telecommunications companies. The principal competitor of Telefónica
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Móviles Mexico is Telcel, which is controlled by América Móvil. The other competitors of Telefónica Móviles Mexico are: Iusacell, which is controlled by Verizon and the Vodafone group; and Unefon, which is controlled by TV Azteca, Moisés Saba Masri and Nextel (wholly-owned by Nextel International Inc). The Salinas Group, which owns Unefon through TV Azteca, has announced the signing of an agreement with the majority shareholders of Grupo lusacell S.A. de C.V. to acquire 100% of its shares by means of a public exchange offer.
Chile
Although we may elect to do so in the future, we have chosen not to transfer our wireless operations in Chile to Telefónica Móviles at this time due to business considerations relating to the minority shareholders of that operation. Telefónica Móviles instead manages our wireless operations in Chile pursuant to a letter of intent with Telefónica Móvil de Chile S.A., which will serve as the basis for negotiations of a definitive management agreement.
Our Chilean wireless operator, which operates under the trade name Telefónica Móvil, had approximately 1.8 million customers at December 31, 2002 which, according to Telefónica Móvils estimates, accounted for 30.4% of the overall mobile telephony market.
The following table presents, at the dates and for the period indicated, selected statistical data relating to Telefónica Móvil.
Year ended December 31, | ||||||
2000 |
2001 |
2002 | ||||
Total customers (in millions at period end) |
1.2 | 1.6 | 1.8 | |||
Pre-paid customers (in millions at period end) |
0.9 | 1.2 | 1.4 | |||
Population in service territory (in millions at period end) |
15.3 | 15.5 | 15.2 |
Regulation. In 1999 the Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications set prices and tariffs for interconnection services provided to the four mobile telephony operators. The interconnection tariffs are based on the incremental cost of development or on long-term marginal costs. As a result, the calling-party-pays system began operating in March 1999 for mobile telephony, for determining the access charge (network use) which mobile operators can charge to fixed-line operators for a call ending in their networks. This access charge can then be passed on to its customers. The process of setting new mobile telephone interconnection tariffs is currently in progress and new decrees are expected to be issued in early 2004.
Network and Technology. Telefónica Móvil operates a fully digital nationwide network based upon the TDMA standard. It has roaming agreements enabling its contract customers to make and receive calls in over 100 countries, including most of the Americas.
Telefónica Móvils licenses entitle it to 25 MHz of spectrum in the 800 MHz band.
In 2002, Telefónica Móvil acquired two nationwide bands of 10 MHz each in the 1900 MHz mobile frequency (PCS), which it is developing with GSM/GPRS technology. GSM service was launched in April 2003. Over these networks, Telefónica Móvils customers will have access to roaming in over 140 countries.
Competition. Telefónica Móvil currently has three competitors in the Chilean market for wireless communications service: Entel PCS, an affiliate of Telecom Italia, Bell South, and Smartcom, an affiliate of Endesa, S.A.
Central America
Telefónica Móviles provides wireless services in El Salvador and Guatemala through TES Holdings, S.A. and TCG Holding, S.A., respectively. These holding companies hold its interests in Telefónica Móviles El Salvador, S.A. de C.V., and Telefónica Centroamérica Guatemala, S.A. de C.V., Telefónica Móviles operators in these two countries.
Telefónica Móviles manages Telefónica Móviles El Salvador and Telefónica Centroamérica Guatemala in exchange for an annual fee of 9% of operating profits of each operating company.
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In August 2001, Telefónica Móviles entered into an agreement with Mesotel de Costa Rica, S.A., a subsidiary of Mesoamérica Telecom, to acquire its direct and indirect interests in Telefónica Móviles El Salvador, Telefónica Centroamérica Guatemala, Telca Gestión, S.A. and Telca Gestión Guatemala, S.A., and other companies in which Telefónica Móviles had shared holdings, in exchange for approximately 21.9 million of Telefónica Móviles ordinary shares. In January 2002 Telefónica Móviles amended this agreement and acquired one-third of Mesotel de Costa Rica, S.A.s interests in exchange for 7.3 million of Telefónica Móviles ordinary shares. The remaining two-thirds were transferred by Group Mesotel in July 2002 for the remaining 14.6 million of Telefónica Móviles ordinary shares. Telefónica Móviles subsequently holds through TES Holdings S.A. and TCG Holdings S.A. a 90.3% indirect interest in Telefónica Móviles El Salvador and a 100% indirect interest in Telefónica Centroamérica Guatemala.
El Salvador
Telefónica Móviles provides wireless services in El Salvador through Telefónica Móviles El Salvador S.A. de C.V., the second largest of the three wireless operators in El Salvador, with approximately 231 thousand customers at December 31, 2002, representing 35% of the market. Telefónica Móviles indirectly holds a 90.3% interest in Telefónica Móviles El Salvador.
The following table presents, at the dates and for the periods indicated, selected statistical data relating to Telefónica Móviles operations in El Salvador:
Year ended December 31, | ||||||
2000 |
2001 |
2002 | ||||
Total customers (at period end) |
230,319 | 238,605 | 230,856 | |||
Pre-paid customers (at period end) |
83,292 | 91,293 | 160,266 | |||
Population in service territory (in millions at period end) |
6.2 | 6.3 | 6.8 |
Telefónica Móviles El Salvador commenced offering digital wireless services in El Salvador in December 1998 under the MoviStar brand name. In addition to wireless services, Telefónica Móviles El Salvador also provides fixed-line telephone services through Telefónica Multiservicios, a joint venture between Telefónica Móviles El Salvador and Amnet, an international communications provider in El Salvador. Telefónica Móviles El Salvador may enter in the future into an agreement with us or our affiliates providing for the spin-off or transfer to it of all of the non-wireless assets that Telefónica Móviles El Salvador holds in El Salvador.
Network and Technology. The digital network of Telefónica Móviles in El Salvador is based upon the CDMA standard. Telefónica Móviles El Salvadors licenses entitle it to 25 MHz of spectrum in the 800 MHz band. During 2000, 2001 and 2002, Telefónica Móviles El Salvador invested a total of approximately 127 million in building out and enhancing its networks in El Salvador, including 12.7 million in 2002. At December 31, 2002, the digital network of Telefónica Móviles in El Salvador, consisted of two switching centers shared by the fixed-line and mobile networks and 130 base stations giving coverage to over 77% of the population. Telefónica Móviles El Salvador will continue investing in order to continue the build out and rollout of its network. In August 2000, Telefónica Móviles El Salvador launched wireless application protocol services in El Salvador under the MoviStar e-moción brand name.
Competition. Telefónica Móviles El Salvador currently competes in the El Salvador market for wireless communications service with Telemóvil, which is controlled by Millicom, CTE Telecom, which is controlled by France Telecom and Digicel controlled by Digicel Holding.
Guatemala
Telefónica Móviles provides wireless services in Guatemala indirectly through its wholly-owned subsidiary Telefónica Centroamérica Guatemala. Telefónica Centroamérica Guatemala had approximately 97 thousand active customers in Guatemala at December 31, 2002, representing approximately 13% of the market.
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The following table presents, at the dates and for the periods indicated, selected statistical data relating to Telefónica Móviles operations in Guatemala:
Year ended December 31, | ||||||
2000 |
2001 |
2002 | ||||
Total customers (at period end) |
141,915 | 156,178 | 97,089 | |||
Pre-paid customers (at period end) |
22,597 | 31,309 | 48,865 | |||
Population in service territory (in millions at period end) |
12.0 | 12.3 | 12.9 |
Telefónica Centroamérica Guatemala commenced offering digital wireless services in Guatemala in October 1999 under the MoviStar brand name. Telefónica Centroamérica Guatemala also provides fixed-line public telephone service, data and long distance services in Guatemala. Telefónica Centroamérica Guatemala may in the future enter into an agreement with Telefónica or its affiliates providing for the spin-off or transfer to it of all of the non-wireless assets that Telefónica Centroamérica Guatemala holds in Guatemala.
Network and Technology. In Guatemala, Telefónica Centroamérica Guatemala operates a digital network, which is based upon the CDMA standard. Telefónica Centroamérica Guatemalas license entitles it to 30 MHz of spectrum in the 1900 MHz band. In 2000, 2001 and 2002, Telefónica Centroamérica Guatemala invested a total of approximately 123 million in building out and enhancing its network in Guatemala. At December 31, 2002, Telefónica Centroamérica Guatemalas digital wireless network consisted of two switching centers and 221 base stations giving coverage to over 81% of the population. In August 2000, Telefónica Centroamérica Guatemala launched wireless application protocol services in Guatemala under the MoviStar e-moción brand name.
Competition. Telefónica Móviles currently has three competitors in the Guatemala wireless market: Telgua, which is controlled by Telmex; Comcel, which is controlled by Millicom; and BellSouth, which commenced operations in the fourth quarter of 2000. Comcel began operations in Guatemala in 1989, and Telgua began operations in 1999.
Puerto Rico
We plan to transfer to Telefónica Móviles our investment in NewComm Wireless Services, Inc., a Puerto Rican wireless operator with approximately 169 thousand customers at December 31, 2002. This investment has been made through several convertible notes in an aggregate amount of U.S.$54.0 million that are convertible into up to 49.9% of the capital stock of NewComm Wireless, subject to receipt of necessary U.S. regulatory authorizations. Any conversion of the convertible notes into NewComm Wireless capital stock that would result in a foreign company acquiring more than 25% of such stock requires the approval of the FCC. Our interest in NewComm Wireless is held indirectly, through Telefónica Larga Distancia.
The transfer of the convertible notes from us to the Telefónica Móviles Group is expected to be completed in 2003. Once the convertible notes have been transferred, Telefónica Móviles plans to convert the notes into 49.9% of the capital stock of NewComm Wireless subject to the approval of the FCC. In addition, with a view to holding a controlling interest in NewComm Wireless Services, we have entered into an agreement with ClearComm to purchase a further 0.2% interest in NewComm Wireless Services. We also intend to transfer this additional right to purchase a 0.2% interest to the Telefónica Móviles Group. Telefónica Móviles currently manages the day-to-day operations of NewComm Wireless.
Puerto Rico has a population of approximately four million people, with income per capita levels similar to Spain, and a wireless market penetration rate of approximately 33.4% at December 31, 2002. NewComm Wireless commenced operations in late September 1999. NewComm Wireless operates a CDMA standard digital network, which consists of one switching center and approximately 152 base stations at December 31, 2002. In July 2000, NewComm Wireless launched wireless application protocol, or WAP, services under the MoviStar e-moción brand. NewComm Services currently has five competitors: Cellular One, which is controlled by SBC Communications; Celulares Telefónica, controlled by Verizon; Centennial, which belongs to Centennial Cellular Corp USA; Suncom, which belongs to AT&T Wireless; and Sprint PCS.
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Rest of Europe
Telefónica Móviles began its expansion in Europe by participating in the award processes of UMTS licenses in 2000. Telefónica Móviles, directly or through consortia with other international and local partners, were awarded UMTS licenses in Germany, Italy, Austria and Switzerland. The financial, technological, competitive and regulatory changes that have taken place in the market since then resulted in its reviewing its European strategy. In 2002, Telefónica Móviles updated the valuations of the business plans of its UMTS operators in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy after the business plans were assessed by the company and by independent experts, in order to reflect the additional delays expected by the sector regarding commercial availability of the UMTS technology and the consequent delay in revenue generation.
Based on the assessments obtained, taking into account that in Germany, Austria and Switzerland the coverage requirements in the licences might come into force earlier than in Italy, and to ensure that the investments are correctly valued at all times, Telefónica Móviles decided to fully write off the book value of its investments in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Regarding its investment in Italy, Telefónica Móviles estimated the value of the UMTS license of IPSE 2000, S.p.A. at 300 million, 136 million of which represents Telefónica Móviles investment in IPSE 2000. Accordingly, at December 31, 2002, a net loss of 4,958.2 million was recorded in the Telefónica Groups combined financial statements associated with the write-down of assets and the restructuring of operations in these four countries.
In Italy the license terms and conditions make it possible to implement business plans with lower investments than in the other countries, since assignment of the right to use the spectrum is envisaged. For these reasons, based on current business plans analysed to date, Telefónica Móviles believes it should be possible to recover the remaining value assigned to the license. In addition, license awardees which were not operating formerly in Italy received 5 MHz of additional spectrum for 827 million and could avail themselves of a deferred payment arrangement. The 827 million cost of the additional spectrum was included in the value of the license prior to the write-down for accounting purposes. The IPSE 2000, making use of its right to return, has returned this additional spectrum with a view to set-off the 827 million cost against the original license payment. The Italian Ministry of Communication, however, has notified us, that they consider that the return of such additional spectrum to be a unilateral modification of the conditions of the UTMS license, which would require IPSE 2000s 827 million obligation with respect to the additional spectrum to remain in force. IPSE 2000 is challenging the decision of the Italian Ministry of Communication.
Germany
In August 2000, Group 3G in which Telefónica Móviles holds a 57.2% interest, was awarded a UMTS license in Germany through its subsidiary Group 3G UMTS GmbH for a total purchase price of 8,471 million. Telia Sonera, the leading Finnish wireless communications company, holds the other 42.8% interest in Group 3G through Sonera 3G Holding B.V. Telefónica Móviles pro rata share of the total purchase price for the UMTS license was 4,845 million. This license expires on December 31, 2021. The license allocation rules neither explicitly permit nor exclude an extension period upon expiration. Group 3G was also awarded a class 3 license, which allows it to deploy a proprietary telecommunications infrastructure.
Under the UMTS license, Group 3G was allocated frequency packages of two paired, or two-way, 5 MHz channels and one unpaired, or one-way, 5 MHz channel. Group 3G can use these frequencies within the license territory, unless there is a need to coordinate with other users or the same or bordering frequencies.
Under Telefónica Móviles UMTS license, Telefónica Móviles is required to meet certain coverage targets. Specifically, it must reach 25% of the population by year-end 2003 and 50% of the population by year-end 2005. If Telefónica Móviles does not meet the minimum coverage requirements by the date set in the licenses, the respective regulatory authorities could suspend, change or revoke the terms of the licenses.
The financial, technological, competitive and regulatory changes that have taken place in the market since Group 3G was awarded a license resulted in Telefónica Móviles reviewing its strategy in Germany. Accordingly, in July 2002, Telefónica Móviles decided to halt its commercial activities in Germany as a GSM/GPRS mobile virtual operator (MUNO) and commission independent experts to assess the business plan of the UMTS operator in Germany.
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As a consequence of the restructuring of these operations, Group 3G disconnected all of its customers and transferred them to T-Mobil and ended all its commercial relationships, including its roaming agreement with E-Plus. Our operations in Germany now have a minimal structure and are awaiting changes in market conditions and improvements to the initial licensing terms and conditions. Other than write-down of the investment, Group 3G is focusing its activities on maximizing value for its UMTS license.
Agreements. Under Telefónica Móviles shareholders agreement with Telia-Sonera (as amended in November 2001), upon a change of control of either party that results in that party being controlled by a competitor of the other party, a call right is triggered under which the party which was not the subject of the change of control may, provided that it holds more than 50% of Group 3G, purchase the other partys interest. In addition, the shareholders agreement provides that, if the acquiring competitor holds a UMTS license in Germany and the German regulator issues an order stating that it will revoke Group 3Gs license unless the party subject to the change of control divests from Group 3G, this party may, provided that it holds less than 51% of Group 3G, compel the party not affected by the change of control to acquire its interest in Group 3G at fair market value, as determined by an independent expert.
Italy
In October 2000, the IPSE 2000 consortium, in which Telefónica Móviles holds a 45.6% interest, won an auction for a UMTS license in Italy for a total payment of 3,269 million, of which Telefónica Móviles pro rata share is 1,491 million. Approximately 2 billion was paid upon award of the license in October 2000, and the balance is payable over a ten-year period. We also have an additional indirect 4.1% interest in IPSE 2000 through our holding in Atlanet, an Italian company. Telefónica Móviles partners in this consortium include the following: Telia Sonera, its partner in Group 3G in Germany which has a 12.55% interest; Banca di Roma, which has 10%; Xera, a technology company, which has 5%; Syntek, a financial company with strategic investments in the technology field, which has 4.8%; Acea, an Italian multi-utility company, which has 3.96% through Altanet; Fiat, which has 3.96% through Altanet; Montedison, which has 5%; e-planet, which has 0.5%; and 29 other Italian partners, which have an aggregate of 4.55%.
Under this license, IPSE 2000 has been allocated frequency packages of two paired, or two-way, 15 MHz channels. In addition, license awardees which were operating formerly in Italy received 5 MHz of additional spectrum which has been returned by IPSE 2000. This license expires on December 31, 2022 and may be extended, subject to the submission of a request six months prior to the expiration, for additional twenty year periods.
Under the UMTS license, Telefónica Móviles is required to meet certain coverage targets. Specifically, it must reach all regional capitals by July 1, 2004, all provincial capitals by year-end 2007, the region of Camarra by year-end 2005 and eighteen cities by year-end 2006. If Telefónica Móviles does not meet the minimum coverage requirements by the date set in the licenses, the respective regulatory authorities could suspend, change or revoke the terms of the licenses.
In 2002, the IPSE 2000 board of directors resolved to restructure the companys activities in line with the decision adopted in the companys new business plan of launching services in the market only when UMTS technology is commercially available and both the market and regulatory conditions are favourable.
By the end of 2002, IPSE 2000 cut its workforce by 70% with respect to the beginning of the year and had cancelled most of its commercial agreements. IPSE 2000 remains committed to focusing on changes in the regulatory environment, with a view towards becoming more flexible in managing its spectrum.
Agreements. Under the terms of Telefónica Móviles consortium agreement in Italy (as amended on January 30, 2002), a change of control affecting Sonera and a finding by the Italian regulator that such change of control would be prejudicial to the holding of Telefónica Móviles UMTS license and that, consequently, the person acquiring such control cannot hold an interest in the consortium, would trigger a right for Telefónica Móviles to purchase Telia Soneras interest and a right for Telia Sonera to sell its interest to Telefónica Móviles, in both cases at terms agreed upon between the parties at such time.
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Austria and Switzerland
In November 2000, Telefónica Móviles was awarded a UMTS license in Austria at a cost of 117 million. In December 2000, Telefónica Móviles won an auction for a UMTS license in Switzerland for a total payment of 32.5 million. Telefónica Móviles holds a 100% interest in these licenses.
Telefónica Móviles was awarded one out of six UMTS licenses in Austria. Under this license, Telefónica Móviles has been allocated frequency packages of two paired, or two-way, 5 MHz channels within the designated frequency spectrum. Operation pursuant to each frequency is subject to authorization from the relevant telecommunications authority. Telefónica Móviles can use these frequencies within the license territory. Restrictions on usage in border areas will be determined pursuant to the authorization to operate each frequency. This license expires on December 31, 2020. UMTS licenses in Austria can be renewed without limitation, either in duration or how often. Limitations on the duration of licenses may be imposed only when necessary due to scarce resources. Under the UMTS, Telefónica Móviles is required to meet certain coverage targets. Specifically, it must reach 25% of the population by year-end 2003 and 50% by year-end 2005. If Telefónica Móviles does not meet the minimum coverage requirements by the date set in the license, the respective regulatory authorities could suspend, change or revoke the terms of the license, or impose a penalty.
Telefónica Móviles has been awarded a UMTS license in Switzerland. Under this license, Telefónica Móviles will be allocated frequency packages of two paired, or two-way, 15 MHz channels and one unpaired, or one-way, 5 MHz channel within the designated frequency spectrum. This license expires on December 31, 2016, and may be extended subject to the submission of a request to the Federal Communications Commission prior to December 31, 2014 and can be renewed for additional fifteen year periods.
Under the UMTS license, Telefónica Móviles is required to meet certain coverage targets. Specifically, it must reach 50% of the population by year-end 2004. If Telefónica Móviles does not meet the minimum coverage requirements by the date set in the license, the respective regulatory authorities could suspend, change or revoke the terms of the license.
Telefónica Móviles began to implement restructuring plans for its Austrian and Swiss operations in the second half of 2002. These were finalized in both countries in 2002 and the various commercial agreements entered into up to then had been cancelled.
Telefónica Móviles operations in Austria and Switzerland now have a minimal structure and are awaiting changes in market conditions and improvements to the initial licensing terms and conditions. Other than the write-down of these investments, the companies in Austria and Switzerland are focusing their activities on maximizing value for their UMTS licenses.
Wireless Internet and Data Initiatives
Wireless Internet
In June 2000, Telefónica Móviles launched MoviStar e-moción, its wireless Internet service provider in Spain. MoviStar e-moción offers Telefónica Móviles customers wireless access to the Internet, including the ability to browse any wireless application protocol site and access to a broad and fast growing menu of links to wireless content providers, which, in the case of Spain, number more than 210 at December 31, 2002. It also offers customers the ability to access preconfigured links to wireless application protocol and universal resource locator sites with sub-levels that offer customization options. Most of Telefónica Móviles operating companies (Brazil, Argentina, Peru, El Salvador, Guatemala, Morocco and Puerto Rico) have launched MoviStar e-moción or similar services under different brands such as Vivo Wap in Brazil.
Terra MobileWireless Portal
Telefónica Móviles has acquired in the second quarter of 2003 from Terra Networks its remaining interest in Terra Mobile, increasing Telefónica Móviles interest in Terra Mobile to 100%. Terra Mobile will be incorporated into Telefónica Móviles operating structure to support the development of MoviStar e-moción by assisting content and service providers in extending their product offerings over wireless networks.
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Wireless Data Services
In Spain, Telefónica Móviles wireless data services include SMS, MMS and internet access via personal computers and PDAs. In other markets such as Brazil and Peru, Telefónica Móviles has already launched high speed data services based on technologies such as CDMA 1XRTT.
In November 2001, Telefónica Móviles España together with Ericsson, Hewlett Packard and the regional government of Cataluña created Tempos21, Innovación en Aplicaciones Móviles, S.A., with the objective of conducting research and development on wireless services and applications based on the GSM, 4PRS and UMTS standards or other technologies that may be developed. Tempos21 which began operations in 2002, is developing, implementing and managing wireless internet related products and other wireless services and applications for enterprises (B2B and B2B2C). Tempos21 also provides consulting services and develops integrated solutions for the aforementioned sectors, Telefónica Móviles España holds a 38.5% interest in Tempos21.
Telefónica Móviles is jointly developing with other companies a new, simple, fast, low cost and secure mobile payment system that, under the Mobipay brand, offers merchants and customers the capability for onsite (in person) or remote automated transactions including vending machines, for personal money transfers, micropayments and for value added services like electronic invoicing.
On May 30, 2001, Telefónica Móviles, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, Banco Santander Central Hispano and Vodafone agreed to integrate their respective mobile payment systems to form a single mobile payment standard for the Spanish market.
In addition, on February 26, 2003, Telefónica Móviles, Orange, T-Mobile and Vodafone signed an agreement for the creation of the Mobile Payment Services Association which will operate under the brand name Simpay. The objective of the association is to promote an open solution under one common brand for payments through mobile phones, that would be compatible with the networks of the different operators. This system would be available in several countries, and would complement other systems that already exist in the telecommunications sector.
Fixed-Line Telecommunications Services in Latin AmericaTelefónica Latinoamérica
Our fixed-line telecommunications services business in Latin America is conducted through Telefónica Latinoamérica. The following tables set forth information with respect to the fixed-line telecommunications services provided by the principal telecommunications operators that are members of the Telefónica Latinoamérica group. Information is given as of December 31, 2002, unless otherwise specified.
Company |
Country |
Population at December 31, 2002(1) |
Principal Fixed-Line Telecommunications Services Provided |
Competition | ||||
(millions) | ||||||||
Telecomunicações de São PauloTELESP |
Brazil | 38.0 | Basic telephony Public telephony, Internet, Value-added services |
All existing telephone services in Brazil are open to free competition. | ||||
Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile |
Chile | 15.2 | Basic telephony Domestic Public telephony, Internet, Value-added services |
All existing telephone services in Chile are open to free competition. | ||||
Telefónica de Argentina |
Argentina | 38.0 | Basic telephony Domestic and Public telephony, Internet, |
All existing telephone services in Argentina are open to free competition. |
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Company |
Country |
Population at December 31, 2002(1) |
Principal Fixed-Line Telecommunications Services Provided |
Competition | ||||
(millions) | ||||||||
Radio search services, ISP Value-added services |
||||||||
Telefónica del Perú |
Peru | 26.5 | Basic telephony Domestic and Public telephony, Internet, Value-added services, Cable |
All existing telephone services in Peru are open to free competition, except for new PCS licenses which have been awarded on an exclusive basis for a three-year period. | ||||
Telefónica Larga Distancia de Puerto Rico |
Puerto Rico |
4.0 | Long-distance services | Open to free competition. |
(1) | Population of coverage area. |
The following table sets forth ownership and management information as of December 31, 2002 regarding the principal telecommunications operators that are members of the Telefónica Latinoamérica group.
Company |
Year Acquired |
Interest |
Management | |||
Telecomunicações de São PauloTELESP |
1998 | 87.4% | Telefónica Latinoamérica manages Telesp pursuant to a management contract. | |||
Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile |
1990 | 43.6% | Telefónica Latinoamérica appoints a majority of board members. | |||
Telefónica de Argentina |
1990 | 98.1% | Telefónica Latinoamérica controls Telefónica de Argentina through its stake in COINTEL. In addition, Telefónica Latinoamérica manages Telefónica de Argentina pursuant to a management contract. | |||
Telefónica del Perú |
1994 | 97.1% | Telefónica Latinoamérica appoints a majority of board members and manages Telefónica del Perú pursuant to a management contract. | |||
Telefónica Larga Distancia de Puerto Rico |
1992 | 98.0% | Telefónica Latinoamérica appoints a majority of board members. |
Brazil
Telecomunicações de São PauloTelesp
Telesp provides fixed-line and other telecommunications services in the Brazilian state of São Paulo under concessions and licenses from Brazils federal government. We acquired our initial interest in Telesp in 1998 as part of a consortium that acquired a majority interest in Telesp in connection with the restructuring of Telebrás, the former Brazilian state-owned telecommunications monopoly. In mid-2000, we completed an exchange offer for the Telesp shares and ADSs held by minority investors. In July 2000, we agreed to exchange our interest in Portelcom Participações S.A., the holding company which controls Telesp Celular, for Portugal Telecoms minority interest in SP Telecomunicações S.A., the holding company through which we control Telesp. In addition, we paid an aggregate of approximately U.S.$60 million to Portugal Telecom pursuant to the terms of the agreement. In December 2001, we acquired an additional 3.5% of SP Telecomunicações S.A. from the Iberdrola group.
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At December 31, 2002, Telesp managed approximately 12,506.0 million access lines in service, representing a decrease of 0.9% from 12,616 million in 2001 due to a slight reduction in lower revenue-producing lines following an increase in 2001 due to the achievement of targets set by the Brazilian regulator. In 2002, the digitalization of Telesps network increased to 96% and its productivity ratio increased to 1,314 lines in service per employee at December 31, 2002 from 1,192 lines in service per employee at December 31, 2001, principally due to workforce reductions in 2002. At December 31, 2002, Telesp had 333.3 thousand ADSL lines, a 68.1% increase from 198.3 thousand lines in 2001. At year-end 2002, 83% of Telesps network had ADSL services.
The following table provides information with respect to Telesps fixed-line telecommunications network at and for the periods indicated.
At December 31, |
Percentage Increase/(Decrease) |
|||||||||||
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2001-2002 |
|||||||||
Lines installed (thousands) |
12,480 | 14,347 | 14,356 | 0.1 | % | |||||||
Lines in service (thousands)* |
10,596 | 12,616 | 12,506 | (0.9 | %) | |||||||
Penetration rate in São Paulo |
29.5 | % | 33.8 | % | 32.9 | % | (0.9 | %) | ||||
Lines in service per employee |
790 | 1,192 | 1,314 | 10.3 | % | |||||||
Average months between application and installation |
12 | 0.5 | 0.1 | (82.0 | %) |
* | A change in the calculation of equivalent lines in service was introduced at the beginning of 2003. This new criterion introduces a different treatment of ISDN Primary Accesses and 2/6 Accesses for PBX and Ibercom. These will be restated by accounting the number of channels per access (30), instead of the extensions making use of them, as was used before. In addition, ADSL (x1) will be included. This change will bring about a better calculation of the number of equivalent lines, as it will serve as a lever for understanding both the trends of revenue and minutes over time and evolution of activity for maintenance of lines in service. This change does not imply any modification to financial data of the Company. The figures shown above have not been restated in accordance with the new criteria. |
Telesp is subject to competition for local telephone services from a mirror license holder, who was granted rights similar to those granted to Telesp as part of the privatization of Telebrás. It is subject to competition for interprovincial long-distance services from a mirror license holder, Embratel and Embratels mirror license holder.
Regulation. In 1996 the Minimum Law (Ley Minima) was published, establishing the separation between fixed-line and mobile services in each of the regional monopolies, as a preliminary step towards the privatization of fixed-line and wireless operating companies. The law also initiated the process for awarding the new mobile telephony licenses (Band B). This regulation was complemented by the Regulation of the Cellular Mobile Service CMSDecree 2056/96 (Reglamento del Servicio Móvil Celular) and General Telecommunications Standards num. 20 to 28, which regulate telecommunications services. In 1997 the General Telecommunications Law 9472/97 (Ley General de Telecomunicaciones) was enacted and the regulatory body for the Brazilian telecommunications market (ANATEL) was created. The General Objectives Plan (PGO) set January 1, 2002 as the deadline for the liberalization of the authorization process for fixed-line telephone services in Brazil. The operators who accelerated the achievement of their targets to 2001 could apply for new long-distance licenses in 2002. Telesp was the first operator in Brazil to achieve these liberalization targets and commenced providing long-distance services in 2002.
The concession agreement under which Telesp operates to provide local services ends in December 2005. Telesp is entitled to a twenty year extension if it communicates its intention to extend the agreement to ANATEL, the Brazilian telecommunications regulator, by June 2003. As of the date of this Annual Report, Telesp is negotiating with ANATEL the extension of the concession agreement.
In July 2002, ANATEL approved an 8.3% increase in tariffs for local calls. Resolution 40/98 established the General Interconnection Regulations. Network interconnection is mandatory for all operators and they have 60 days to negotiate the related agreements.
Operators are obligated to make their excess network capacity accessible to other operators under the Industrial Operation (Operación Industrial) system.
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Switched fixed telephony services rates are determined by ANATEL, and they are adjusted in accordance with the concession agreement to include an annual readjustment for inflation as measured by the General Price Index (GPI), with an adjustment for productivity.
Interconnection rates are determined by ANATEL, and are adjusted annually based on the GPI minus a reduction tied to a productivity factor. Interconnection charges between operators are settled through a bill-and-keep method and obligations to pay between operators are eliminated unless the traffic in any one direction surpasses 55% of the total. This rule does not apply for international long distance.
ANATEL certified in Act No. 23.395 of 1/3/2002, published in the Diário Oficial da União on March 4, 2002, that Telesp achieved the quality and expansion targets established in Telesps concession contract. As a result, according to Brazilian regulation, the Telefónica Latinoamérica group has the right to operate domestic and international long-distance fixed-line telecommunications services throughout the entire national territory of Brazil. Accordingly Telesp began providing international long-distance services from São Paulo in May 2002 and domestic long-distance services from São Paulo in July 2002.
According to its estimates, at year-end 2002 Telesp is the second international and domestic long-distance provider in São Paulo based on market share.
Telefónica Latinoamérica has entered into a management contract pursuant to which Telefónica Latinoamérica received 1% of Telesps revenues until 2000, which amount was reduced to 0.5% through 2002, and is reduced to 0.2% beyond that date. The contract expires December 31, 2003 and may be renewed.
Chile
Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile
Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile, in which we held a 43.6% stake at December 31, 2002, is the leading telecommunications operator in Chile based on number of customers, according to its estimates. As of December 31, 2002, Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile owned approximately 76.1% of all telephone lines in Chile, according to the companys estimates. Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile provides a broad range of telecommunications and other services throughout Chile, including local telephone service, domestic and international long-distance service, broadband access and services, dedicated lines, terminal equipment sales and leasing, public telephone service, interconnection services, certain value-added services and Internet access for corporate customers. For a description of Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chiles wireless operations, see Worldwide Wireless Communications ServicesTelefónica MóvilesTelefónica Móviles OperationsLatin AmericaChile.
Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile holds licenses to provide local telephone service and data transmission services throughout Chile. It also holds licenses to provide long-distance service throughout Chile and internationally through certain of its subsidiaries. Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile provides local telephone service, interconnection of domestic and international long-distance telecommunications providers to central switches, and other services provided to carriers through its own digital telecommunications network.
Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile managed approximately 2.8 million lines in service at December 31, 2002 and the access line penetration rate for the market in Chile was approximately 23.0% at that date. Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chiles productivity ratio increased to 980 lines per employee in 2002 from 803 lines per employee in 2001, principally as a result of a 20.2% decrease in basic telephony personnel due to workforce reductions in 2002. Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile provides all of its fixed telephony services through its own digital telecommunications network, including local telephone service and interconnection services. At December 31, 2002, Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile had 54,163 ADSL connections in service.
In 2000, Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile sold its 40% stake in Metropólis-Intercom, the second largest cable TV provider in Chile, to Cordillera. In September 2002, Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile sold 25% of Sonda thereby reducing its equity interest in Sonda to 35%. For a description of the put option granted by Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile pursuant to this transaction, please see Item 5Operating and Financial Review and ProspectsLiquidity and Capital ResourcesContractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments and Off-Balance Sheet ArrangementsTelefónica CTC Chile-Sonda.
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Regulation. The regulatory framework is defined in the General Telecommunications Law (Ley General de Telecomunicaciones), enacted in 1982. This law introduced competition in the telecommunications services sector in Chile (Law 18168/82 amended by Decree 1/87, Laws 19091/91 and 19302/94) and dictated provisions on grants of licenses and permits for operating telecommunications services, rate regulation and network interconnection. Those provisions were later amended or replaced by subsequent modifications.
Telecommunications services in Chile are provided on a competitive basis, although access rates (for network use), according to article 25 of the General Telecommunications Law, must be set by the Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications and the Ministry of Economy.
Interconnection is mandatory for concessionaires of public telecommunications services and of intermediate services (such as interconnection and leasing of circuits) that provide long distance services. Resolution 1007/95 stipulated the procedures and time limits for establishing and accepting interconnections between the public telephone service and intermediate services.
According to Law 18168 (the Telecommunications Law), the maximum rates for telecommunications services are set every five years. Telecommunications services in Chile are not regulated unless the Comisión Resolutiva Antimonopolios, Chiles antitrust authority determines that certain telecommunications services must be subject to tariff regulation due to the existence of insufficient competition. The Antitrust Commission can make any telecommunications service subject to price regulation, except for mobile telephony services, which are expressly exempted under the Telecommunications Law. Interconnection service prices are subject to tariff regulation and are set according to the procedures established in the Telecommunications Law.
According to the Telecommunications Law, the structure, level and indexing of the maximum rates to be charged for services subject to tariff regulation are set by a joint decree issued by the Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications and the Ministry of Economy. These Ministries determine the maximum rates by applying to each regulated operator an economic model that include, among others, costs, efficiency and growth rates of a hypothetical company that only provides regulated services and calculates a rate of return on those services comparable to the operators market cost of capital. The rate of return for Telefónica CTC Chile, however, can vary from the models predictions.
On April 22, 1998 the Antitrust Commission excluded domestic and international long distance services from the tariff regulation system.
Argentina
Telefónica de Argentina
Telefónica de Argentina is a leading provider of fixed-line public telecommunications services and basic telephone services in Argentina based on number of customers, according to its estimates. Telefónica de Argentina is licensed to provide local and domestic long-distance and international services and domestic and international telex services throughout Argentina. During 2000, we increased our stake in Telefónica de Argentina through a public exchange offer for Telefónica de Argentina shares and ADSs held by minority investors and our acquisition of 50% of Compañía de Inversiones en Telecomunicaciones (COINTEL), which held a 52.9% stake in Telefónica de Argentina. At December 31, 2002, we held a 98.1% interest in Telefónica de Argentina.
As part of our reorganization along global lines of business, in 2001 we spun off the wireless operations of Telefónica de Argentina, held by Telefónica Comunicaciones Personales, S.A., to Telefónica Móviles Argentina in exchange for shares of Telefónica de Argentina. Additionally, we spun off the data transmission operations of Telefónica de Argentina (held by Advance Telecommunications S.A.) to Telefónica Data.
At December 31, 2002, Telefónica de Argentinas telecommunications network had approximately 4.4 million lines in service, a decrease of 3.0% from approximately 4.5 million at December 31, 2001, and the access line penetration rate for the market in Argentina was 22%. At that date, Telefónica de Argentinas estimated market share for local telephony was 52.4%, its estimated market share for domestic long-distance was 39.4% and its estimated market share for international long-distance was 43.8% compared to estimated market shares of approximately 52%, 40% and 47%, respectively, at December 31, 2001.
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We have a management contract with Telefónica de Argentina under which we have agreed to manage Telefónica de Argentinas business and provide services and expertise regarding Telefónica de Argentinas entire range of activities in return for a percentage of Telefónica de Argentinas operating margin equivalent to 9% of its gross margin prior to amortization and interest expense. This contract is due to expire in 2003, unless it is extended through 2008 pursuant to its terms. Pursuant to an agreement between Telefónica de Argentina and Telefónica de España dated April 30, 2003, the parties have agreed that they and we will negotiate the determination of the amount to be paid by Telefónica de Argentina under the Management Contract during the period from May 1, 2003 until June 30, 2003 and that during the negotiation period, Telefónica de Argentina will suspend payment of the management fee. We are currently in the process of negotiating the extension of the management contract and, once an agreement is reached as to the amount of the applicable fee, Telefónica de Argentina will pay such amount retroactively as from May 1, 2003.
Telefónica de Argentina provides basic telephone services throughout Argentina. Telecom Argentina, Compañía de Teléfonos del Interior S.A., an affiliate of GTE Mobile International Inc., and Compañía de Teléfonos del Plata S.A., an affiliate of BellSouth, were awarded licenses to provide the same basic telephone services throughout Argentina as of October 10, 1999. Since November 2000, other principal competitors, including Impset Corp. and AT&T, have also entered the market, as well as smaller regional competitors.
Regulation. The National Telecommunications Law num. 19798 of 1972 (Ley Nacional de Telecomunicaciones) and the specific regulations for each service, including Governmental Decree 264/98, liberalized the telecommunications market in Argentina, extending until November 1999 the exclusivity of the provision of fixed-line telephony services by Telefónica de Argentina and its sole competitor at that time, Telecom de Argentina, with a transitional period ending on November 2000.
In addition, in September 2000 Decree 764/00 was approved, establishing the provisions for the liberalization of the telecommunications services. This Decree provides the basis for regulating licenses, interconnection and network access and defines the universal service and the methods for financing it. Also regulated is the allocation of frequencies in the radioelectric spectrum.
The National Interconnection Regulation (NIR) was approved by Decree 764/2000 and established basic guidelines for interconnection between operators including procedures for requesting and granting interconnection to other operators networks. Interconnection charges are negotiated among operators. Local operators must pay interconnection charges for calls terminating in other local networks. Long-distance operators must pay charges for calls initiating and terminating in local operators networks. Interconnection between fixed-line and mobile operators is based on the calling-party-pays method in which the originating carrier passes on the interconnection charge to the customer making the call.
The NIR obliges dominant operators to allow access to their local loop as long as technically viable. The NIR provided for a task force to set the benchmark prices for collocation and unbundled access to the local loop. At year-end 2002 no benchmark has been set. Therefore the unbundling of the loop has not occurred.
Calling rates may be freely determined by operators as long as there is no discrimination. However, dominant operators such as Telefónica de Argentina have the obligation to comply with the price caps set by the General Tariff Structure under Decree 764/2000.
The Economic Emergency Law (Ley de Emergencia Económica) enacted in early 2002 froze the General Tariffs Structure, eliminated the indexation of tariffs and imposed an obligation to maintain the 1-to-1 convertibility for public services.
Telefónica de Argentinas results of operations in 2002 have been materially adversely affected by the political and economic crisis currently affecting the country, as well as emergency measures adopted by the Argentine government in response to the crisis (in particular, by the devaluation of the Argentinean peso and the freezing and pesification of tariffs). Due to the uncertainty about changes in the exchange rate, tariff renegotiation and the Argentine economy, and in order to manage its liquidity risk, on June 17, 2003, Telefónica de Argentina commenced an offer to exchange its new notes due 2007 and its new notes due 2010 for its existing notes due 2004 and 2008, respectively, plus a cash payment. It also offered to exchange two series of its new notes due 2011, plus a cash payment, for two series of existing notes due 2004 of Compania Internacional de Telecomunicaciones S.A., its controlling shareholder and our wholly-owned subsidiary. For a discussion of the risks
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associated with these events and the impact on our results of operations, see Item 3Key InformationRisk Factors and Item 5Operating and Financial Review and ProspectsOperating ResultsOperating Environment and Business TrendsEconomic Situation in Argentina.
Peru
Telefónica del Perú
At December 31, 2002, Telefónica del Perú is the leading global telecommunications operator in Peru based on number of customers, according to its estimates. Telefónica del Perú offers fixed local, domestic and international long-distance services throughout Peru as well as a wide range of other telecommunications services including public telephone, cable television and data communications.
On April 15, 2003, OSPITEL introduced the Multicarrier dial-up service for the long-distance market. This system allows users to freely select the operator they want to use for the call. Each operator has a predetermined number that the caller dials as a prefix to the call. This service favored the entrance of new operators with lower long-distance tariffs. Within the Lima metropolitan area, Telefónica del Perú had approximately 99.3% market share, according to its estimates, with AT&T and BellSouth as its only competitors. Outside the Lima metropolitan area, Telefónica del Perú is the only provider of public telephone service. In addition, Telefónica del Perú provides cable television in the Lima metropolitan area and seven other cities through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Telefónica Multimedia S.A.C.
In mid-2000, we completed an exchange offer for the Telefónica del Perú shares and ADSs held by minority investors. Following our acquisition in September 2001 of an additional 10% interest in Telefónica del Perú Holding from Wiese Telefónica S.A. and IGM Teléfonos, S.A. for a total of 227.3 million, we held an approximately 97% interest in Telefónica del Perú at December 31, 2002.
Telefónica del Perús major competitors in the fixed local telephony are AT&T Perú, in the public telephone services are Bellsouth del Perú, and AT&T Perú, and in long-distance telephony services are Americatel del Perú, AHT Perú and Nortek.
As part of our reorganization along global lines of business, in 2001 we spun-off the data transmission business of Telefónica del Perú to Telefónica Data. In addition, we spun-off the wireless business of Telefónica del Perú to Telefónica Móviles.
In 2002 Telefónica del Perú owned 99.6% of the telephone lines in service in Peru, according to its estimates.
At December 31, 2002, Telefónica del Perú had approximately 1.8 million lines in service, including public telephone lines operated by Telefónica del Perú, and 340,001 pay television subscribers. Telefónica del Perú had 34,400 ADSL and cable modem subscribers at December 31, 2002, a 378% increase compared to 7,200 subscribers in 2001. The access line penetration rate for the market in Peru was 6.8% at December 31, 2002. The increase in the number of access lines in service was due to the successful marketing of pre-paid products limit-use lines which offers fixed-line service with limits on consumption. In 2002, the degree of digitalization of Telefónica del Perús network remained unchanged at 96%.
Regulation. The Peruvian regulatory framework is based on the single consolidated text of the Telecommunications Act (Acto Unico Ordenodo de la Ley de Telecommunicaciones) approved in 1993, and the complementary regulations enacted in 1994. In March 2003 Telefónica del Perú introduced with the approval of OSPITEL, the local telecommunications regulator, a group of new tariff plans for local fixed-line telephony. Under the new rate plans, subscribers are able to select the plan best suited to their calling habits and obtain savings in their monthly bills. The results generated by these new plans will help Telefónica del Perú reach the productivity factor established by OSPITEL. On July 23, 2001, OSPITEL set a quarterly productivity factor of 1.535% (equal to 6.0% per annum), the highest in Latin America.
The rules for the tariff ceilings formula with a productivity factor are established with quarterly adjustments of tariffs as from September 2001 and in force until August 2004. The objectives include generating incentives to foster cost efficiency in the company and benefit consumers with quarterly rate adjustments in the local and long-distance fixed-line telephony services.
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Interconnection charges have been trending downward, in line with the international tendency. Resolution 029-2001-CD/OSPITEL of the Executive Council of OSPITEL, published on June 28, 2001 and effective as of July 1, 2001, set lower weighted average interconnection charge ceilings for calls terminated in the local fixed-line network and switched transmission effective as of July 1, 2001.
Under a management contract between Telefónica Latinoamérica and Telefónica del Perú, Telefónica Latinoamérica provides Telefónica del Perú with management and technical support in exchange for management equivalent to 9% of its quarterly operating profits as defined in the management contract before depreciation and amortization. The technology transfer fee is 1% of its revenues. This contract expires in 2014.
Telefónica Larga Distancia de Puerto Rico
At December 31, 2002, we held a 98% interest in Telefónica Larga Distancia de Puerto Rico, Inc., which provides long-distance telephone services in Puerto Rico.
In 2002, Telefónica Larga Distancias customers consumed 397.8 million minutes a 3.4% decrease compared to 411.7 million minutes in 2001.
Other Investments
Compañía Anónima de Teléfonos de Venezuela (CANTV).
CANTV, in which the Telefónica Group held a 6.9% stake at December 31, 2002, is the only provider of telecommunications services in Venezuela. At December 31, 2002, CANTV had approximately 2.7 million access lines in service and approximately 2.6 million wireless customers.
Infonet Services Corporation.
At December 31, 2002, we held a 14.3% economic interest and a 17.1% voting interest in Infonet Services Corporation, a data telecommunications firm that uses telecommunications tools to electronically link offices within a multinational company and to speed the transfer of information between them. The remaining shares in Infonet are publicly held.
Worldwide Corporate Data TransmissionTelefónica Data
Telefónica Data manages our data transmission business on a global basis. ADSL technology is the focal point of our strategy for innovation in large-capacity fixed communications. Today broadband business lies almost exclusively in connectivity, a great potential for growth if innovative business models are developed. As part of our reorganization along global lines of business, in 2000 we transferred Acea Telefónica, our joint venture to provide voice, data and Internet services in Lazio, Italy, and the data transmission operations of European Telecom International in Austria to Telefónica Data.
In addition, in 2001 we spun off the data transmission operations of our integrated telecommunications operators in Brazil, Argentina and Peru to Telefónica Data. Together with Telefónica Datas other operations in Colombia, Mexico and the United States, Telefónica Data offers a unique network platform for the provision of corporate data transmission services to multinational clients in Latin America. With the acquisition in January 2001 of mediaWays, the operator of the second largest communications network based on the Internet Protocol (IP) in Germany and a provider of IP network services in the United Kingdom, Telefónica Data has also expanded its presence in Europe.
Following the acquisition of mediaWays, at the beginning of 2002, Telefónica Data acquired HighwayOne to become part of the groups presence in Germany, supplementing its strategy to include broadband services and the provision of integrated communications solutions for companies. At the end of 2002 the two companies were merged to form Telefónica Deutschland, which is, according to its estimates, the second largest IP network provider in Germany after Deutsche Telekom based on points of presence.
In 2002, in order to enhance the efficiency and profitability of its operations, Telefónica Data undertook a review of its operations in those countries in which its scale of operations was insufficient to achieve returns on future
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investments. In July 2002, it sold ETI, its Austrian subsidiary and, at the end of 2002, it sold Data Uruguay. As from July 2002, Atlanet (its subsidiary in Italy) has been accounted for by the equity method.
Also as part of the profitability strategy, several of the Telefónica Data Group subsidiaries were reorganized. In the U.S., the business was refocused on marketing the services of the Data Internet Center in Miami which provides network services and hosting services, principally to large corporate customers and new technology companies. In Mexico the Group has focused on seeking synergies with other Group lines and identifying joint commercial opportunities with the US.
At December 31, 2002, Telefónica Data had operations in 10 countries. Telefónica Datas strategy in each country depends on the status of development of its network and its market share. In those countries in which the Telefónica Group holds a leading position, Telefónica Data concentrates on offering one-stop shopping services and customized communications solutions to corporate customers, with particular emphasis on value-added services, such as hosting, content delivery and e-solutions. We refer to these markets as Telefónica Datas incumbent markets. In those countries where Telefónica Data is a new entrant, Telefónica Data offers a complete portfolio of IP services and packaged solutions to the most attractive market segments, such as small and medium-sized enterprises, Internet service providers and other Telefónica Group companies. We refer to these markets as Telefónica Datas expansion markets. Our international data transmission services are discussed below under International Networks.
In order to increase revenue growth, Telefónica Datas business capacity was reinforced to provide higher value added services, based on broadband and the Data Internet Center services (the eBA concept). These new services enable clients to reduce costs and improve their efficiency by transferring centralized information to broadband-based network. The Group also enhanced customer services by creating new posts such as Services Managers, which provide pre-sale and post-sale technical support.
Telefónica Data provides a variety of corporate communication services such as:
| Data transmission and Internet services: data transmission services that allow for a reliable interchange of information between destinations (Virtual Private NetworkVPNbased on different protocols X.25 Frame Relay, ATM, IP); Internet services provide access to information, applications and content published in the Internet |
| International Services |
| Hostings and ISP services: web hosting service using the facilities of the Data Internal Centers (hosting, content, delivery, applications) |
| Solutions: consulting services for integrated communications |
Regulation. Spanish lawmakers have sought to eliminate the legal uncertainties relating to the Internet as a vehicle for transmission and exchange of all types of information. Thus, Law 34/2002 of July 11, 2002 on the Information Society and Electronic Commerce Services (Ley de Servicios de la Sociedad de la Información y de Comercio Electrónico) has introduced the concept of information society services, covering, amongst others, contracting of goods and services and supply of information via electronic channels.
Incumbent Markets
Spain
In June 1998, Telefónica Data launched a new IP network in Spain, which enhances our ability to market value-added services such as e-mail and other messaging and posting services. Telefónica Data has established itself as a leading provider of global services based on the IP and value-added services for corporate customers. In addition, Telefónica Data is responsible for traditional data transmission services, maximizing their value and managing service migration within the IP environment.
In July 1999, Telefónica Data España, Telefónica Datas operating subsidiary in Spain, obtained an individual Type A license, which permits it to offer its corporate customers bundled voice and data services packages via a
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single connection. The license also allows interconnection with other operators and their users. Telefónica Data España also holds a Type C license, which permits it to render data transmission services.
In Spain, 2002 marked the consolidation of a business model focused on offering value-added services to major clients. As a result of Telefónica Datas new organizational structure (concentrating system and customer consultation services in the Business Solutions Line), the financial results for Spain are similar to those in 2001, without including the equivalent results from Telefónica Systems in Spain. At December 31, 2002, Telefónica Datas network in Spain had wide geographic coverage with 213 points of presence (POPs) and approximately 160,000 end user connections. During 2002, a series of new value-added services were launched on ADSL technology, both in the Company segment (ADSL Solution Intranet, Web (March), ADSL Solution e-Business and ADSL Solution net-LAN) and the Residential segment (Video conference and Internet Games). In addition, Telefónica Data had 125,900 ADSL subscribers at December 31, 2002. Most data transmission services are currently provided through a switch network that is independent from our fixed-line network. With more than one million ADSL lines installed, Spain is the second country in Europe with regard to broadband coverage in private homes (7.3% of lines), behind Germany (7.6%).
Other Incumbent Markets
Telefónica Datas other incumbent markets include Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Peru. In Chile, Telefónica Data manages the data operations of the Telefónica Group. During 2002, Telefónica Data increased its catalog of services in each of these countries and expanded its network. At December 31, 2002, Telefónica Data had 139 POPs and approximately 119,000 end user connections in Brazil, 88 POPs and approximately 14,000 end user connections in Argentina, 23 POPs and 5,600 end user connections in Peru and 69 POPs and 28,000 end user connections in Chile.
In June 2001, the Telefónica Group and Banco Itaú, one of Brazils largest financial institutions, formed an alliance for the provision of telecommunications services. As part of this agreement, we began managing Banco Itaús corporate and SMEs communications network, thereby increasing our presence in the Latin American market for corporate and SMEs data transmission. Pursuant to our 2001 business plan, we expected to invest up to 18 million to improve Banco Itaús corporate communications network as well as to rollout its services outside of the São Paulo metropolitan area over three years. Banco Itaús customer base includes over 500,000 corporate clients and 7 million individuals.
Expansion Markets
Rest of Europe
Telefónica Datas expansion markets in Europe include Germany and the United Kingdom. At December 31, 2002, Telefónica Data had 823 points of presence (POPs) in Europe and more than 285,000 end user connections. In addition, Telefónica Data had 46,715 ADSL lines in service outside Spain, principally in Germany.
In 2000, Acea Telefónica merged with Telexis, a member of the Fiat group. As a result of the merger, we owned 34% of the resulting company, Atlanet, and have management control. As from July 2002, Atlanet has been accounted for by the equity method. We invested approximately 170 million as part of the transaction. Telefónica Data continues to evaluate its business opportunities in Italy.
In January 2001, we acquired from Bertelsmann AG its affiliate, mediaWays GmbH, for a total purchase price of 1,536 million. mediaWays specializes in Internet services, data transmission and other value-added services for businesses. Its product portfolio is comprised of one-stop solutions for Internet service providers, full-scale application hosting and corporate communications solutions. mediaWays has provided services in Germany since 1996 and in the United Kingdom since 2001.
In early 2002, Telefónica Data acquired HighwayOne to complete our strategy based on the development of broadband and the provision of integrated communications solutions for companies using IP network. At the end of 2002, mediaWays and HighwayOne were merged to create Telefónica Deutschland, the second largest IP network provider in Germany after Deutsche Telekom, based on points of presence.
In July 2002, we sold ETI, our Austrian subsidiary, giving rise to a 38.8 million loss for the Telefónica Group.
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Rest of Latin America and the United States
Telefónica Datas other expansion markets include Colombia, Mexico, Puerto Rico and the United States. At December 31, 2002, Telefónica Data had 79 points of presence (POPs) and 3,600 end user connections in these expansion markets. Despite the commencement of operations at Telefónica Datas data center in Miami in September 2001, which has enabled Telefónica Data to begin providing hosting services in the United States (principally in Florida), Telefónica Datas results of operations in these expansion markets were adversely affected by the decline of new technology companies and the economic recession in the United States.
In November 2002, Telefónica Data sold its operation in Uruguay due to continuous losses sustained by the company, giving rise to a 2.3 million loss to the Telefónica Group.
International Network
In 2002, Telefónica Datas international network included the international data transmission services and the international services integrated in Telefónica DataCorp. During 2003, Telefónica DataCorp transferred the international network to Telefónica International Wholesale Services (TIWS), a new business line of the Telefónica Group. TIWS was created to become a global wholesale operator of data, voice and capacity. It is currently intended that Emergia will also be transferred to TIWS by the end of 2003.
Certain Agreements
In February 2001, Telefónica Data entered into an agreement with Akamai Technologies to provide enhanced infrastructure capabilities to enable Akamai to optimize the speed, functionality and availability of its value-added services.
In May 2001, Telefónica Data entered into an agreement with Sol Meliá to develop its SolNet network that will connect all of Sol Meliás hotels and corporate offices worldwide. Pursuant to the agreement, Telefónica Data and Sol Meliá will also engage in joint sales and marketing activities.
In June 2001, Telefónica Data España entered into an agreement with Fiat Auto España to develop a data transmission network which will link more than 100 Fiat dealerships in Spain and Andorra.
In April 2002, Telefónica DataCorp and Sabre Holding Corporation signed an agreement that will permit the travel agencies of Sabre to use the most advanced services of access to Internet offering a competitive advantage over the rest of the market.
In May 2002, Telefónica Data España and IBM signed an agreement whereby IBM controls the operations of Telefónica Data Internet Center (TIC) platforms.
In June 2002, Telefónica Data España and SAVIA Amadeus, leader in travel distribution in Spain, signed an agreement to become technological partners. This agreement will permit the clients of SAVIA to benefit from the most advanced technology in network communications.
In July 2002, Telefónica Data España and Logic Control, a leading software company, signed a collaboration agreement to improve data network and Internet connectivity.
In October 2002, Telefónica Data España and La Caixa, one of the main financial companies in Spain, have reinforced their relations with an agreement for the outsourcing of the telecommunication services of its 4,500 banking branch offices.
In November 2002, Telefónica Data and Agencia de Certificación Electrónica (Electronic Certification Agency) jointly launched a new regulated services line, adapted to the new legislation covering data protection and electronic commerce (LOPD and LSSICE).
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Telefónica Business Solutions
In the second quarter of 2002 we created a Business Solutions area, as part of a strategy aimed to explore new growth opportunities. Telefónica Solutions initially will integrate our four subsidiaries dedicated to these activities: Telefónica Systems, Katalyx, Art Media and Telefónica Mobile Solutions.
The objective of Telefónica Solutions is to assist clients through advisory services, designing and integrating available business solutions supplied by the new information and telecommunications technologies. At December 31, 2002, this new business unit includes the results of Telefónica Systems and the second semester results of Art Mediá.
Worldwide Internet-Related ServicesTerra Lycos
Our worldwide Internet-related services business is led by the Terra Lycos Group. The Terra Lycos Group has an Internet network in the United States and is a leading portal to Spanish and Portuguese-speaking markets. It is the result of the combination in October 2000 between Terra Networks S.A., an Internet company and a leading provider of Internet access and interactive content and services to the Spanish and Portuguese-speaking world, and Lycos, Inc., a leading Internet multi-brand network in the United States with joint ventures in Europe and Asia.
We created Terra Networks in December 1998 to operate the Spanish residential and small office/home office Internet access business carried on by the Telefónica Group since December 1995. In November 1999, Terra Networks, S.A. completed an initial public offering of approximately 30% of its ordinary shares. In 2000, Terra Networks, S.A. acquired 100% of Lycos, Inc. in a stock-for-stock exchange. We account for our interest in the Terra Lycos Group on a consolidated basis since we exercise effective control over Terra Lycos as a result of our 38.6% ownership interest at December 31, 2002. On May 28, 2003, we launched a tender offer for 100% of the outstanding shares of Terra Networks, S.A. that we do not currently own. For more detailed information, please see Strategic Alliance with Terra Networks.
Terra Lycos offers a suite of Internet services in a variety of languages that provides its users throughout its core markets in Europe, Latin America and North America with:
| access to the Internet (in Spain and certain countries in Latin America); |
| portal and network services that incorporate a wide variety of content individually tailored for each market and featuring enhanced functionality; |
| a range of online advertising, marketing and e-commerce opportunities; |
| multiple solutions for customers Internet needs, such as web design and hosting and communication; and |
| consulting services such as web audit, web rationalization and web maintenance. |
Through its portals and network of websites and joint venture partnerships, the Terra Lycos Group has one of the largest global footprints of any Internet portal or network, with portals in 40 countries. The Terra Lycos Group currently holds a leading position in the following markets: Spain, Latin America and the U.S. Hispanic market. Through its joint ventures and other interests, the Terra Lycos Group also holds a leading position in Europe (Lycos Europe) on a pan-regional basis and has different licensing agreements with Lycos Japan and Lycos Korea. The Terra Lycos Group is also a leading interactive services provider in Spain and Latin America, offering Internet access and local language interactive content and services to more than 3.1 million pay customers in Spain, the United States, Brazil, Mexico, Peru, Chile and Central America. In 2002, the Terra Lycos Group was one of the leading broadband services and content providers in Spain and Brazil. Terra Lycos ended 2002 with a total of 1.4 million pay access subscribers, including 378,000 ADSL subscribers, 62% more than the previous year.
In May 2002, Terra Lycos adopted a new organizational structure consisting of the three main regionsSpain, Latin America and the United Statessupported by global operations, a new division in which all technology-operation and engineering resources are centralized, and Terra Business. With profitability as its main objective in 2002, the Terra Lycos Group forged ahead with the strategy already implemented in 2001 of migrating from free
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services to value-added pay services and of achieving higher average revenue per user from existing clients by selling additional services, through the OBP (Open, Basic and Premium) model. Under this strategy, the OBP model was gradually expanded to all of its business lines and geographical areas in which the Terra Lycos Group operates, diversifying its revenues towards paid subscriptions, to include more than traditional access subscriptions. Communication services and portal subscriptions have been added on as new sources of revenues.
The Terra Lycos Groups business model has changed over the years to suit prevailing market conditions in general and the Internet industry in particular, with the aim of achieving profits. An example is its access business, which in 2001 had already abandoned its strategy of fostering free access as it gradually turned its attention to pay access, and in 2002 had focused on ADSL and broadband access.
The Terra Lycos Groups efforts in this direction have materialized as ADSL services mainly in Latin America and Spain. The Terra Lycos Group currently offers its customers high-speed broadband connections to the Internet together with the related communications services and media content.
In August 2002 and December 2002 Terra Lycos sold its stakes in Lycos Korea and Lycos Japan, respectively. However, Terra Lycos entered into license agreements with the resulting entities relating to our brand and certain products during limited periods. Lastly, in September 2002, the Terra Lycos Group sold its holdings in the Canadian subsidiary, Sympatico-Lycos.
Strategic Alliance with Terra Networks
In connection with Terra Networks agreement to acquire Lycos on May 16, 2000, we, Terra Networks, Lycos and Bertelsmann entered into certain strategic alliance agreements pursuant to which Bertelsmann agreed to pay $325 million to Terra Lycos for services (on terms no worse than terms provided to third parties) during the first and second years from the date of the combination of Terra Networks and Lycos. During the third, fourth and fifth years after the date of such combination, Bertelsmann had agreed to purchase up to $675 million of services from Terra Lycos. As described in our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000, we had agreed to purchase, if necessary, any portion of those services that Bertelsmann does not buy, up to $675 million. In addition, in connection with such acquisition we agreed to underwrite a 2.2 billion rights offering completed by Terra Lycos in September 2000. Pursuant to such rights offering, we acquired 35,380,101 newly-issued shares of Terra Lycos for an aggregate of approximately 2.2 billion.
On February 12, 2003, we and Terra Networks have signed a Strategic Alliance Master Agreement that substitutes the above mentioned strategic alliance agreement signed on May 16, 2000.
In addition, we, Terra Networks, Lycos and Bertelsmann entered into a preferential interest agreement that will make it possible to continue exploring opportunities for the mutual provision of communications services, development and content services in the on-line market.
For further information on the Strategic Alliance Master Agreement, please see Item 7Major Shareholders and Related Party TransactionsRelated Party TransactionsStrategic Alliance Master Agreement.
On May 28, 2003, we launched a tender offer for 100% of the outstanding shares of Terra Networks, S.A. that we do not currently own. The CNMV approved the prospectus for the tender offer on June 19, 2003. The offer price is 5.25 per share, payable in cash. Our offer is subject to us owning at least 75% of the total share capital of Terra Networks on the closing date of the offer. We have, however, expressly reserved the right to waive this condition. The tender offer has a one-month acceptance period beginning on the day the offer was published. The acceptance period began on June 23, 2003 and will end on July 23, 2003.
Our objective in filing this bid is to increase our holding in Terra Networks, in order to obtain full control and to further integrate the two companies, in accordance with the terms set out in Item 7Major Shareholders and Related Party TransactionsRelated Party TransactionsStrategic Alliance Master Agreement.
BankingUno-e (BBVA)
On January 10, 2003, Terra Networks, S.A. signed an agreement with Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. to merge Uno-e Bank S.A. and the private consumer finance activities operated by Finanzia Banco de Crédito S.A.
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The agreement is subject to the necessary authorizations to be obtained before June 30, 2003. BBVA, S.A. and Terra Networks, S.A. in an Extraordinary General Shareholders Meeting have unanimously approved an increase in capital in Uno-e Bank S.A. to be wholly subscribed by Finanzia Banco de Crédito, S.A. As a result of the capital increase, BBVA Group and the Terra Lycos Group will hold stakes in Uno-e Bank, S.A.s share capital of 67% and 33%, respectively. For a description of the agreement please see Other Lines of BusinessInternational Strategic PartnershipsOur Strategic Alliance with Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentina Uno-e Bank and Item 5Operating and Financial Review and ProspectsLiquidity and Capital ResourcesContractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments.
Travel-Rumbo/One Travel (Amadeus)
In July 1999, Terra Lycos agreed to create a 50/50 joint venture with Amadeus Global Travel Distribution, S.A., a global leader in the travel industry that operates travel reservation and distribution systems. The purpose of the joint venture is to develop a website for travel and tourism related services targeted at the Spanish and Portuguese speaking market. In September 2000, Terra Lycos launched Rumbo in Spain through this joint venture. In 2001, the Terra Lycos Group launched Rumbo in Argentina, Brazil and Mexico, and in 2002, Terra Lycos launched the website in Chile, Colombia, Venezuela, Uruguay and Peru.
In November 2000, the Terra Lycos Group decided to expand its business to the U.S. market by acquiring a significant stake in OneTravel, a top ten U.S. online travel website and one of the first value-oriented travel websites. The Terra Lycos Group increased its stake from 27.7% to 39.6% in OneTravel in March 2002. In April 2003, The Terra Lycos Group increased its participation in OneTravel by 12.5% to 52.1%, thus acquiring a controlling stake while its joint venture partner, Amadeus, held 38.9% as of that date.
E-learning-Educaterra
Educaterra, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Terra Lycos Group, is the exclusive e-learning services provider of the Telefónica Group, providing solutions for the residential market and the corporate market. During 2002, Educaterra.com was launched as the Terra Lycos Groups exclusive e-learning vertical channel. Educaterra.com is currently present in Spain, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and Uruguay, and Terra Lycos plans to make it available in several other Latin American countries. The portal provides a wide range of e-learning content in languages, IT, tutoring support, edutainment, parent school and officeware, among others, with more than 25,000 hours of content in Spanish.
Online auctions-DeRemate
In February 2000, the Terra Lycos Group acquired 30% of DeRemate, a leading auction site in Latin America. DeRemate has operations in Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Mexico, the U.S. and Peru. The Terra Lycos Group currently has a 17.81% interest after subscribing for new shares in a capital increase. DeRemates business model is now expanding to include B2B services with online outlet sales.
Worldwide Audiovisual Content and MediaAdmira
The Admira group conducts our worldwide audiovisual content and media business. The Admira group develops and distributes audiovisual content through traditional media and new technology platforms.
During 2002, Admira, Telefónicas media subsidiary, was restructured. On May 30, 2002, its Board of Directors agreed to start the process of dividing the company in two:
| Corporación Admira Media (Admira Media Corporation), dedicated to free-to-air broadcasting. The Media group holds our shares in Antena 3 (which owns 100% of Onda Cero, one of the main radio broadcasters in Spain), the ATCO group (Telefé and Radio Continental, both in Argentina) and the Pearson Group. |
| Telefónica Contenidos (Telefónica Content), which manages the operations of Endemol, Vía Digital and other assets. |
This process has not been legally formalized at the time of drawing up this Annual Report.
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Antena 3
At December 31, 2002, Admira directly owned 47.5% of Antena 3, one of the leading private commercial television stations in Spain. In 2002, Antena 3s operating margin was adversely affected by decreased advertising revenues as a result of soft demand in the advertising market and increased competition from TVE, the state-owned television station. Consequently, Antena 3s operating margin decreased to 33.5 million in 2002 from 91.5 million in 2001. In addition, Antena 3 showed net losses of 31.3 million in 2002, compared to a net profit of 39.4 million in 2001. We account for our interest in Antena 3 by the equity method.
The development of new audiovisual broadcasting technologies such as digital terrestrial television as well as the granting of licenses to new television operators may adversely affect Antena 3s advertising revenues as advertisers reallocate their advertising budgets.
On January 7, 2003, Admira exercised a call option to purchase 17,365,125 and 2,167,500 shares of Antena 3 for 117.6 million held by Banco Santander, Central Hispano, representing 11.7% of the outstanding capital of the company.
In March 2003, Telefónica acquired the participations of Corporación Admira Media and Telefónica de Contenidos in Antena 3 Television (11.7% and 47.5% respectively).
As a condition to the merger between Sogecables and our digital platform, Canal Satélite Digital and Vía Digital, we must divest of our interest in Antena 3 TV in order to comply with the current regulatory framework.
At our annual general meeting of shareholders held on April 11, 2003, our shareholders approved the distribution of up to 50,000,400 shares of Antena 3 held directly by us, representing 30% of the outstanding share capital of Antena 3. The number of shares to be distributed to each of our shareholders will be the result of dividing the number of Antena 3 shares to be distributed by the number of our shares that have a right to such distribution, adjusted for any splits in the Antena 3 shares or in our shares. This distribution is subject to us commencing an initial public offering of the Antena 3 shares in Spain by November 29, 2003. If by this date Antena 3 has not registered its shares with the Spanish National Securities Market Commission (Comisión Nacional de Mercado de Valores), the distribution will be canceled. The other shareholders of Antena 3 may also register their shares in the initial public offering.
Our Board of Directors may elect to reduce the number of shares to be registered to 5% of the outstanding share capital of Antena 3 in order to facilitate the registration of the securities with the Spanish National Securities Market Commission.
On April 30, 2003, our Board of Directors decided, as approved by the general meeting of shareholders held on April 11, 2003, to accept an offer made by Grupo Planeta for 25.1% of the Antena 3 shares. We agreed to sell our 25.1% interest in Antena 3 for 364 million (assuming an equity value of 1,450.0 million), subject to obtaining the necessary administrative authorizations as requested by the Spanish Act 10/88 on Private Television and to clearance from the Spanish anti-trust authorities. The sale is also subject to the successful initial public offering of Antena 3 in Spain. Such administrative authorizations and clearances were obtained on June 13, 2002. As agreed with Grupo Planeta, the sale and purchase agreement will be executed within twenty days following such date. The price is subject to a limited adjustment based on the Antena 3 financial statements as of December 31, 2002.
Telefé
In 1998, the Telefónica Group acquired an initial stake in Atlántida de Comunicaciones, an Argentine holding company, which owns the publishing company Atlántida and the Argentine television channels, Telefé and Televisoras Provinciales, as well as Radio Continental. In 2000, we acquired in several steps the remaining interest in Atlántida de Comunicaciones in exchange for our shares.
In Argentina, audiences are measured only in Buenos Aires City and Greater Buenos Aires, therefore the figures in the following discussion are measured only on this basis. In 2002, Telefé had an estimated average audience share of 31.9% and captured an estimated 34.8% of television advertising spending in Argentina according to its estimates. In addition, Telefé operates seven free-to-air television stations in Argentinas interior provinces. Telefé also produces motion pictures and television
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programming, some of which is distributed throughout Latin America and in the United States and Europe. The free-to-air television market in Argentina depends to a significant extent on advertising revenues. The advertising market generally, and the television advertising market specifically, has been characterized by softness of demand due to the general macroeconomic and political crisis in Argentina. As a result, spending on advertising has significantly decreased in 2002, which has had and continues to have an adverse effect on Telefés results of operations. For a discussion of the impact of the macroeconomic and political crisis in Argentina, see Item 5Operating and Financial Review and ProspectsOperating ResultsOperating Environment and Business TrendsEconomic Situation in Argentina.
Azul TV
On July 4, 2002 we sold our holdings in Telearte, S.A., commercially known as Azul TV, to HFS Group for $12.0 million.
Onda Cero Radio Network
In 1999, we acquired all of the shares of Uniprex, which owns the Onda Cero radio network, and Cadena Voz de Radiofusión, S.A. These companies maintain radio network coverage through more than 200 proprietary or affiliated radio stations which carry the programming of Onda Cero Radio, Europa FM, Onda Melodía, Onda Cero Radio Internacional, Radio Voz and Onda Rambla. In July 2001, Onda Cero entered into an alliance with Radio Blanca for the development of new projects in the thematic radio segment. As a result of this agreement, Onda Cero expanded its urban coverage in the FM band to an additional 55 radio stations operated by Radio Blanca in Spains provincial capitals. The alliance has a term of 10 years.
In September 2002, Admira sold its 100% interest in Uniprex, S.A. to Antena 3 Televisión. This acquisition by Antena 3 Televisión should permit it to achieve synergies as a result of extending Antena 3s management experience and technological advances to Onda Ceros operations, as well as from the resulting joint control of content and commercial activities. This acquisition was dated as of January 1, 2002. In 2002, according to a survey by Estudio General de Medios, Onda Cero Radio ranked second in the Spanish conventional radio station market in terms of listening audience.
Radio Continental
Admira owns 100.0% of Radio Continental, a chain of AM and FM radio stations in Argentina that it acquired in connection with its acquisition of Atlántida de Comunicaciones S.A. See Telefé above.
Endemol Entertainment
In July 2000, we acquired 99.2% of Endemol Entertainment Holding N.V., one of Europes leading television producers, through an exchange offer outside the United States. Endemol develops and produces audiovisual programming for free-to-air television, pay television and the Internet. Endemol has had a strong success in the production of reality shows such as Operación Triunfo.
Endemol has a very strong international network built by a combination of start-ups, acquisitions and joint ventures with operations in 21 countries around the world.
Telefónica Sport
Through Telefónica Sport, Admira holds certain audiovisual rights. In particular, Admira owns 70% of Euroleague Marketing, which owns broadcasting, merchandising and other sports-related rights relating to Euroleague basketball pursuant to an agreement which expires at the end of the 2007/2008 season, unless terminated earlier at the end of the 2004/2005 season by Euroleague Marketing. In addition, Admira has a 40% interest in Audivisual Sport, which owns audiovisual rights for free television, pay television and pay per view of the Spanish Soccer League and Spanish Soccer Cup (excluding the final) that expire at the end of the 2002/2003 season. Pursuant to the merger agreement between Sogecable and Vía Digital, Sogecable will acquire the Admira Groups 40% interest in Audiovisual Sport.
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Torneos y Competencias
Torneos y Competencias, in which Admira held a 20% stake at December 31, 2002, holds broadcasting rights for the Argentine National Soccer League.
Other Interests
Admira owns a 100.0% interest in ST-Hilo which produces and transmits specialized audio channels to business and residential customers in Spain and a 70.0% interest in Lola Films, a Spanish motion picture production company. Admira also holds a 7.4% interest in Media Park, a Spanish television channel production company, and a 51% interest in the Venezuelan company, Rodven, S.A., which owns a record label, Líderes, and sponsors artistic events.
Pay Television
We offer direct-to-home (DTH) satellite television service in Spain through DTS Distribuidora de Televisión Digital, S.A. (DTS), a joint venture along with a number of television broadcasters. DTS markets its services under the Vía Digital trademark. At December 31, 2002, Vía Digital had approximately 775,000 subscribers compared to 806,379 subscribers at December 31, 2001. For the year ended December 31, 2002, Vía Digital had operating revenues of 335.8 million and a net loss of 239.7 million compared to operating revenues of 272.3 million and a net loss of 334.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2001.
During 1999, we increased our ownership interest in Vía Digital to 68.6%. In January 2000, Vía Digital issued additional ordinary shares. We purchased some of these shares, but fewer than our proportionate interest in the company. As a result, our interest in Vía Digital declined to 48.6%.
In March 1999, Vía Digital acquired the exclusive rights to broadcast the United European Football Association Champions League on pay per view through the 2002/2003 season. In June 1999, Sogecable and Admira entered into an agreement relating to joint broadcast rights for the National Championship Soccer League and the Kings Cup of Spain through the 2008-2009 season. As part of this agreement, Admira granted to Sogecable joint rights to broadcast the United European Football Association Champions League. Sogecables shareholders include Grupo Prisa, a Spanish media company, Canal Plus France and other financial shareholders.
On March 14, 2003, Telefónica de Contenidos acquired the 18.8% stake held by Strategic Money Management, B.V. (SMM) in Vía Digital.
On April 14, 2003, the acquisition of a 2.075% participation in DTH Europa, a 100% owned affiliate of the Mexican media group Televisa, was effected.
On April 28, 2003, the acquisition of a 1.15% participation in Galaxy Entertainment, a joint venture of the Venezuelan media company Group Cisneros and the U.S. DTH operator Direct TV, was effected.
On February 13, 2003, Telefónica de Contenidos communicated to Vía Digital its intention to convert all of its convertible bonds into common equity. This conversion was approved by the board of Vía Digital in its meeting on February 20, 2003. 9,446,625 bonds were converted into 9,446,625 common shares at par value (17.4 per share), with all economic and political rights, through a capital increase amounting to 164,371,275. As a consequence, Vía Digitals common stock increased to 328,742,550 (18,893,250 shares at 17.40 per share).
For a further discussion of our commitments with respect to these transactions, see Item 5Operating and Financial Review and ProspectusLiquidity and Capital ResourcesContractual Obligations and Commercial CommitmentsCommitments relating to Vía Digital.
Integration of Vía Digital and Sogecable
On May 8, 2002, Telefónica de Contenidos (formerly Grupo Admira Media S.A.) entered into an agreement with Sogecable to integrate Vía Digital with Sogecable.
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On November 29, 2002, the Spanish government approved the integration of Vía Digital with Sogecable, subject to the fulfillment of 24 general conditions and 14 conditions related to the exploitation of television broadcast soccer rights.
On January 29, 2003, Sogecable, Telefónica de Contenidos and we agreed to continue with the integration and signed a complementary agreement that adapts the May 2002 agreement to the conditions established by the Spanish government. As per this agreement, the conditions imposed by the government were accepted, although in parallel the parties filed an appeal against five of the conditions. A plan implementing such conditions was agreed by the parties and was submitted to the Spanish government, who approved it on April 3, 2003.
Under the May 2002 and January 2003 agreements, the integration of Vía Digital and Sogecable is structured as follows:
| A share capital increase of 23% in Sogecable has been offered to Vía Digitals shareholders in exchange for their 100% of Vía Digital. Should all Vía Digitals shareholders accept such exchange offer, Sogecables current shareholders would own 77% of Sogecables capital, while Vía Digitals shareholders would own 23%. |
| As a result of the share exchange, Telefónica de Contenidos may hold a higher stake than those of each of Grupo Prisa and Groupe Canal+ (16.4%). However, it has been agreed that Telefónica de Contenidos voting rights for the shares exceeding such 16.4% shall be suspended. As a consequence, the corporate governance rights of the three reference shareholders in Sogecable will be equal. |
| Telefónica de Contenidos has represented that its current strategic plans envisage that the 16.4% stake in Sogecable would not be sold during the three year period following the share exchange. |
| Telefónica de Contenidos, Grupo Prisa and Groupe Canal+ will have equal representation in the Board of Directors of Sogecable with the same number of members. Grupo Prisa has undertaken to propose that the new president of the board will be designated among the board members appointed by Telefónica de Contenidos. |
| Groupe Canal+ and Grupo Prisa agreed to maintain their existing shareholder agreement with respect to Sogecable, to which Telefónica de Contenidos will not be a party. |
| Each of the three reference shareholders, Grupo Prisa, Groupe Canal+ and Telefónica de Contenidos will underwrite and fund an equal amount of 50 million as participative loans, for a global amount of 150 million. These loans will have a maturity of 10 years and an annual interest rate of 11%. |
| Subordinated debt in an amount of 175 million will be offered to all of the shareholders of Sogecable. Such offer will be underwritten by us. This debt will have a maturity of 9 years and the applicable interest rate will be 10.3% per annum plus attached warrants equivalent to 1% of Sogecable shares. |
| Sogecables and Vía Digitals existing net debt as of April 30, 2003 may not exceed 705 million and 425 million, respectively. In order to maintain such thresholds, Vía Digital shall be recapitalized for the appropriate amount. |
In order to execute the above mentioned agreements, Sogecables and Vía Digitals general shareholders meetings adopted the necessary resolutions to increase each companys capital. Such resolutions are currently being implemented and Sogecable and Vía Digital envisage that the share exchange would take place in early July 2003, with the outstanding agreements being executed shortly afterwards.
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Telefónica Servicios Audiovisuales and Hispasat
Through Telefónica Servicios Audiovisuales we offer audiovisual transmission services, production services and systems integration services to the television industry. Admira also holds a 13.2% interest in Hispasat, a Spanish satellite communications system.
Other Investments
In 1999, we acquired a 5% stake in Pearson plc for 621.4 million and sold our 20% stake in Recoletos Compañía Editorial to Pearson plc. We have announced our intention to sell our stake in Pearson plc. At the end of 2002, Admira wrote off the existing goodwill related to its acquisition of Pearson plc.
Other Lines of Business
Telefónica Publicidad e InformaciónDirectory Publishing
Telefónica Publicidad e Información publishes, develops and sells advertising in telephone directories. In addition to printed directories, it offers directories online and in telephone-based format. Telefónica Publicidad e Información has operations in Spain, Brazil and Chile, and in February 2002 acquired the directory publishing business of Telefónica del Perú for U.S.$31.2 million. In addition, Telinver is the Groups telephone directory subsidiary in Argentina. In June 1999, Telefónica Publicidad e Información completed an initial public offering of approximately 35% of its ordinary shares to institutional and retail investors. Telefónica Publicidad e Información was the first Spanish advertising company and Internet service provider to be traded publicly. At December 31, 2002, we held a 59.9% interest in Telefónica Publicidad e Información.
Spain
Telefónica Publicidad e Informacións core products in Spain are:
| Páginas Amarillas (Yellow Pages), an annual advertising directory containing certain information on companies, businesses and professionals in a particular geographical area, classified by sector, location and alphabetical order. The directory contained approximately 1.6 million listings and 302,000 paid advertisements at December 31, 2002. Páginas Amarillas was consulted by over 22 million users (approximately 21 million residential users and over one million businesses) in 2002, according to market research carried out by Emer GfK on behalf of Telefónica Publicidad e Información. According to this research, there were more than 1 million daily consultations during 2002. In 2002, there were a total of 78 books published and over 15 million copies printed. |
| In 2001, Telefónica Publicidad e Información introduced a new product known as Páginas Amarillas de Bolsillo (Pocket Yellow Pages) through initial distribution on a limited basis in Madrid and the area of Sevilla-Cádiz-Huelva. This product is designed for use outside the home and permits the user to conveniently carry the directory. The objective of this new product is to increase the use of the yellow pages directories, through new modes of usage and increased frequency of usage, and to increase the number of paid advertisers. |
| Páginas Blancas (White Pages), which includes residential, professional and business telephone numbers in a particular geographic area, classified by location and alphabetical order. The directory has been redesigned and new content and information has been added, offering information of general interest to users. In 2002, approximately 22 million users consulted the directory, of which 21 million were residential users and 1 million were businesses. During 2002, there was a total of 61 White Pages guides published and 15 million copies printed. |
| Páginas Amarillas Online (PAOL) (Yellow Pages Online) is one of the largest and most complete online databases of Spanish businesses in terms of number of listings. The number of Páginas Amarillas Online advertisers increased 12.7% to 276,000 in 2002. The number of pages viewed in 2002 increased 37.2% to 621 million, while the number of registered visits increased 53.8% to 30.6 million. Páginas Amarillas Online also offers supplementary information, |
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including job listings, international directory listings (with access to yellow page listings in other countries) and street guides to more than 300 Spanish cities.
| Páginas Amarillas Habladas (operator-assisted Yellow Pages) offers 24-hour operator-assisted information over the telephone for all companies, businesses, professionals, products and services located in the Páginas Amarillas. This service also provides a wide range of additional information, including stock quotes, weather reports and theater listings. In 2002, this service received 4.2 million calls, representing an increase of 170.4% over 2001. In February 2003, Telefónica Publicidad e Información launched 11888, a new telephone number for information. Customers who call this number are able to request information about listed individuals. The information available about each customer includes their telephone number, website address and e-mail. Customers are able to obtain their answers by SMS to a mobile phone, by fax or sent to their e-mail address. |
| Europages, available in paper, CD-Rom and over the Internet is the most comprehensive trans-European directory containing information on major European export companies, classified by activity and grouped by country of origin. The Europages are edited annually by Euredit, a company in which Telefónica Publicidad e Información had a 5% stake at December 31, 2002. Telefónica Publicidad e Información is responsible for managing the advertising business and the distribution of the directory in Spain. |
In May 1999, Telefónica Publicidad e Información entered into an agreement with us to publish, distribute, market and sell advertising in Páginas Blancas. Under this agreement, Telefónica Publicidad e Información pays us a commission based on the revenues generated from advertising and the costs associated with the Guías Básicas de Referencia (Basic Guides). Such fees were approximately 27.2 million in 2001 and 27.3 million in 2002. Additionally, Telefónica Publicidad e Información pays us a variable fee based on the number of registers and individual updates. Such fees were approximately 3.5 million in 2001 and 3.7 million in 2002.
Latin America
Brazil. Telefónica Publicidad e Información commenced its operations in Brazil in 1999. Telefónica Publicidad e Información publishes a yellow pages directory in the Brazilian cities of São Paulo, Guarulhos, Riberão Preto and Curitiba under the name GuiaMais, and in 2002, it began publishing GuiaMais in Osasco-Barueri and the ABC region. It also offers its directories online, in telephone-based format and through wireless access protocol (WAP). In 2002, advertising revenues from Publication of GuiaMais increased 13% in local currency and accounted for 84% of operating revenues for Brazil.
Telefónica Publicidad e Información also publishes a white pages directory in Brazil. It published eight of these directories in 2001 for Telesp, our fixed-line operator in the Brazilian state of São Paulo. In July 2001, ANATEL, the Brazilian telecommunications regulator, temporarily suspended Telesps obligation to distribute printed copies of white pages directories to its customers as long as it offers an alternative service and its customers do not request a printed copy. Consequently, Telesp reduced significantly its number of orders for white pages directories in 2002 and for 2003 this number is not expected to vary significantly. In 2002, Telefónica Publicidad e Información had revenues of 3.3 million from the publication of the white pages directory for Telesp.
Telefónica Publicidad e Informacións agreement for the publication of white pages directories and yellow pages directories with Listel was cancelled by Listel at the end of 2001.
Chile. At December 31, 2002, Telefónica Publicidad e Información held a 51.0% interest in Impresora y Comercial Publiguías, S.A. Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile, our fixed-line operator in Chile, held another 9.0% of Impresora y Comercial Publiguías, S.A. at that date. In 2001, Impresora y Comercial Publiguías, S.A. and Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile renegotiated the contract governing the publication, marketing and sale of yellow pages and white pages directories in Chile. In connection with this agreement, Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile will provide billing and collection services for its sale of advertising in the yellow pages and white pages directories and will receive a percentage of the revenues generated by Impresora y Comercial Publiguías, S.A. as a result of such sales. In addition Impresora y Comercial Publiguías, S.A. will pay Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile a variable fee based on the number of directories published and the number of individual updates. The agreement has a term of five years, expiring in June 2006. As a result of the early
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termination of the preexisting contract between the companies that was scheduled to expire in December 2002, Impresora y Comercial Publiguías, S.A. paid Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile a one-time fee of approximately U.S.$31.6 million.
In early 2001, the Chilean regulatory authority modified the requirement to publish and distribute annually white pages directories to customers. As a result, white pages directories are only required to be published every other year with a supplement being distributed in the year of non-publication. Impresora y Comercial Publiguias, S.A. and Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile believe that this new regulation applies only with respect to the distribution of residential white pages directories in Santiago, Chile. In 2001, Telefónica Publicidad e Información published an addendum to the Santiago residential white pages directories and published a complete directory in 2002.
In September 2002 Impresora y Comercial Publiguías, S.A. subscribed to new publishing agreements for white pages directories with Telefonos del Sur and Compañía de Telefonos de Coyhaique for the period between 2003 and 2007. In July 2002 Publiguías signed agreements with ENTEL Telefonía local, VTR Banda Ancha, Manguehue Net and GDT Teleductos to supply white page directories for metropolitan areas.
Peru. Telefónica Publicidad e Información purchased the directory publishing business of Telefónica del Peru in February 2002 for U.S.$36.3 million. TPI Perú publishes white pages and yellow pages directories in Lima, and in central, northern and southern Peru. Telefónica Publicidad e Información is the only directory publisher due to BellSouths exit from the Peruvian market.
Argentina. Telefónica Publicidad e Información also manages the directory publishing business of Telinver in Argentina. Telinver decided to print the new directory in December and not in August as previously done.
AtentoContact Centers
We formed Atento in 1999 to hold and develop our contact center business. Atento offers integrated telephone assistance services as well as sophisticated customer relationship management services such as the development and implementation of customer loyalty programs, telemarketing services and market research. In addition, Atento provides staff and rents contact center positions to third parties. At December 31, 2002, Atento operated more than 50 contact centers and 27,144 contact centers in 13 countries on four continents, including Europe (Spain), Latin America, Northern Africa (Morocco) and Asia (Japan).
In December 2001, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria agreed to transfer its domestic and international contact center business to our wholly-owned subsidiary, Atento. In May 2002 we created Atento N.V., a new holding company for our contact center operations. We contributed to Atento N.V., our entire contact center business in Spain and overseas. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya and we are in the process of transferring Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentarias contact center operations to the new holding company, in exchange for up to a 9% holding in Atento N.V., as described below.
In connection with this transfer, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya and we agreed to enter into a series of agreements pursuant to which Atento will provide contact center services to the Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria group in Spain, Portugal and nine Latin American countries. The majority of the agreements have already been signed. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentarias anticipated 9% interest in Atento may be subject to adjustments depending upon the amount of business transactions between the parties pursuant to such agreements.
In 2002, Atento continued to consolidate as a contact center service provider for the Portuguese and Spanish speaking market. Atento has reached its main goals through a business plan focused on providing services to strategic clients, operating performance and cost containment.
Atentos major competitors are APAC Customer Serv., Convergys, ICT Group, Teleperformance, SITEL, Sykes Enterprise, Teletech Holdings and WestCorp.
Business-to-Business MarketplacesKatalyx
In 2000, we created Katalyx to develop and operate electronic business-to-business (B2B) marketplaces, known as e-marketplaces, in Spain and Latin America. In 2001, we undertook a restructuring of Katalyxs operations in
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Spain, Argentina, Brazil and Mexico, significantly reducing costs in response to the adverse market conditions affecting new technology companies and the slowdown in the implementation of B2B initiatives.
Submarine CableEmergia
We formed Emergia to provide broadband telecommunications services through a high capacity fiber optic submarine cable that would seamlessly connect Latin America, the United States and the Caribbean. The first phase of the network commenced operations in the third quarter of 2000. During the first quarter of 2001, Emergia completed the installation of its fiber optic ring, consisting of more than 25,000 terrestrial and submarine kilometers of fiber optic cable and representing an investment of more than 1,400 million. Emergias network has the capacity to deliver initially up to 40 gigabits per second, which may be increased to 1.9 terabits per second. Following completion of the fiber optic ring, Emergia expanded its network by entering into capacity exchange agreements to permit it to offer connections to Europe. Emergia also expanded its fiber optic network in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.
In addition to its fiber optic network, Emergia provides broadband infrastructure services to the wholesale market, including international carriers, Internet service providers and communications-intensive businesses, providing city-to-city and door-to-door connectivity between Latin America, the United States and Europe. Emergia is also conducting tests for the transmission of television signals through its fiber optic network.
The market for fiber optic capacity was characterized by soft demand in 2002. One Emergia customer has confirmed to Emergia that it will not renew its agreement with Emergia to lease fiber optic capacity when the current agreement expires, and additional Emergia customers may do the same in the future. As a result, Emergia implemented a cost containment plan to reduce operating expenses, pursuant to which Emergia reduced travel and other expenses, as well as decreased its marketing budget for the second half of 2002. In addition, Emergia renegotiated its agreements with local loop providers and with its maintenance suppliers.
In December 2002, we increased our holdings in Emergia to 100% from 94% by purchasing from Tyco the remaining 6% as previously agreed for 47.1 million.
During 2003 Emergia will become part of the new business line Telefónica International Wholesale Services. The international network of Telefónica Data Corp is currently being transferred to this business line from Telefónica Data.
We created Telefónica International Wholesale Services to manage Emergias international wholesale market for voice, IP, data and capacity services and its support network. This division will integrate Emergias activities, as well as the international operations of the fixed-line telephone operators in Spain and Latin America, and Telefónica DataCorps International Network.
International Strategic Partnerships
Portugal Telecom
In January 2001, we and Telefónica Móviles entered into a joint venture agreement with Portugal Telecom to consolidate certain of our wireless operations in Brazil with those of Portugal Telecom. For a description of the terms of the joint venture agreement, see Worldwide Wireless Communications ServicesTelefónica MóvilesTelefónica Móviles OperationsLatin AmericaBrazilJoint Venture with Portugal Telecom.
Mobipay
Telefónica Móviles is jointly developing with other companies a new, simple, fast, low cost and secure mobile payment system that, under the Mobipay brand, offers merchants and customers the capability for onsite (in person) or remote automated transactions including vending machines, for personal money transfers, micropayments and for value-added services like electronic invoicing.
Telefónica Móviles initially began developing this business in conjunction with Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria as a 50/50 joint venture. At the same time, Banco Santander Central Hispano, a major Spanish bank, and Vodafone were jointly developing a separate mobile payment system. On May 30, 2001, Telefónica Móviles, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, Banco Santander Central Hispano and Vodafone agreed to integrate their respective mobile payment systems to form a single mobile payment standard.
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In addition, in February 2003, Telefónica Móviles, Orange, T-Mobile and Vodafone signed an agreement for the creation of the Association for Mobile Payment Services which will operate under the brand name Simpay. The objective of the association is to promote an open solution under one common brand for payments through mobile phones, that would be compatible with the networks of the different operators. This system would be available in several countries, and would complement other systems that already exist in the telecommunications sector.
Our Strategic Alliance with Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria
Uno-e Bank
In February 2000, we and Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. entered into a strategic alliance agreement, which provided that the online bank, Uno-e, would be 49%-owned by Terra Lycos and 51%-owned by Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. Following receipt of the necessary government approvals, Terra Networks, S.A. acquired a 49% stake in Uno-e Bank from Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. in August 2001 for 160 million. In February 2002, Terra Networks, S.A. subscribed for new shares amounting to 29.4 million in a capital increase. At December 31, 2002, Uno-e Bank had over 160,000 customers and managed assets of approximately 1.3 billion.
On May 15, 2002, Terra Networks, S.A. and Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. signed a Protocol of Intent, to merge Uno-e Bank, S.A. with the private consumer finance activities operated by Finanzia Banco de Crédito, S.A. a wholly-owned subsidiary of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. On January 10, 2003, Terra Networks S.A. and Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentina, S.A. signed an agreement providing for the merger. The agreement was subject to the completion of the corresponding due diligence process, the execution of a definitive agreement and the receipt of necessary authorizations. On June 23, 2003, Terra Networks S.A. and BBVA finalized the merger, and Terra Networks S.A.s stake in Uno-e Bank has consequently been reduced to 33%. In connection with Terra Networks S.A.s investment in Uno-e Bank, S.A., Terra Networks, S.A. also signed a contract providing for a liquidity mechanism with Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentina, S.A. on May 15, 2002. According to this liquidity mechanism, Terra Networks, S.A. has a put option to sell its interest in Uno-e Bank, S.A. to Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A.
On January 10, 2003, Terra Networks, S.A. signed a liquidity contract that replaced the previous agreement signed on May 15, 2002. The liquidity contract regulates its put option to sell its interest in the merged entity to Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. between April 1, 2005 and September 30, 2007. The sale price will be the greater of (i) the value determined by an investment bank; or (ii) the value calculated by multiplying Uno-es last year earnings by BBVAs price-to-earnings ratio (PER). Additionally, the contract provides that if Uno-e does not obtain the planned ordinary revenue and earnings before taxes, the aggregate market value of the shares Terra Networks, S.A. owns cannot be evaluated at less than 148.5 million.
On the same date, (January 10, 2003), Terra Networks, S.A. signed an advertising agreement by which Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. has agreed to buy advertising space for 6 million annually for the next five years.
Atento
In December 2001, BBVA agreed to transfer its domestic and international contact center business to Atento, our subsidiary that conducts our contact center business, in exchange for up to a 9% stake in Atento N.V. For a description of this transaction, see Item 4Information on the CompanyBusiness OverviewAtentoContact Centers.
Electronic Ticketing
In September 2001, we acquired through Admira a 47.5% stake in Tick Tack Ticket, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentarias electronic ticketing business, which sells tickets to entertainment events.
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Capital Expenditures and Divestitures
We have invested over 33,466.7 million in capital expenditures (consisting of additions to property, plant and equipment, which we refer to as tangible investments, and additions to intangible assets, which we refer to as intangible investments) since January 1, 2000. Of this amount, 3,926.2 million was invested in 2002, 8,420.9 million was invested in 2001 and 21,119 was invested in 2000. Losses on property, plant and equipment, which we refer to as tangible (property and equipment) divestitures, and losses on intangible assets, which we refer to as intangible asset divestitures, in 2000 and 2001 were not material. Tangible (property and equipment) and intangible asset divestitures in 2002 were 9,526.2 million, principally due to the value adjustments for the UMTS licenses and other intangible assets in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Year Ended December 31, 2002
Our principal capital expenditures in 2002 were investments made by Telefónica de España in the development of its broadband services. Capital expenditures in 2002 were substantially reduced due to the freeze of the development of UMTS licenses in Europe and the reduction of investments in Spain and Latin America. In 2002 capital expenditures decreased by 53.4% from 2001, due to an investment rationalization policy implemented in 2002 and included:
| intangible investments (1,106.6 million) |
| tangible investments made by Telefónica Internacional (628.5 million) |
| tangible investments made by Telefónica de España (1,262.9 million) |
| tangible investments made by Telefónica Móviles (684.3 million) |
| tangible investments made by Telefónica Data (146.5 million) |
| tangible investments made by Atento (12.7 million) |
Year Ended December 31, 2001
Our principal capital expenditures in 2001 were investments made by Telefónica de España in the development of its broadband services, investments made by Telefónica Data in the development of its emerging businesses in Europe and Latin America and investments made by Telesp in connection with the roll-out of its network:
| intangible investments (1,650.1 million) |
| tangible investments made by Telefónica Internacional (3,123.7 million) |
| tangible investments made by Telefónica de España (1,560.4 million) |
| tangible investments made by Telefónica Móviles (1,419.3 million) |
| tangible investments made by Atento (71.6 million) |
Year Ended December 31, 2000
Our principal capital expenditures in 2000 were investments made by Telefónica Móviles in connection with the acquisition of licenses to provide UMTS services in Western Europe, investments made by Telesp in connection with the roll-out of its network and investments made by our fixed-line operators to upgrade their networks to facilitate the provision of broadband services:
| intangible investments (13,112.0 million), including 12,171.6 million paid in the aggregate by Telefónica Móviles and the relevant consortia for the acquisition of UMTS licenses by Telefónica Móviles in Spain, Germany, Italy and Austria (of which 6,611.1 million were paid by Telefónica Móviles), 105.9 million in research and development expenses and 515.0 million in software licenses and development |
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| tangible investments made by Telefónica Internacional (4,045.2 million) |
| tangible investments made by Telefónica de España (1,436.5 million) |
| tangible investments made by Telefónica Móviles (1,002.8 million) |
| tangible investments made by Atento (722.5 million) |
Financial Investments and Divestitures
Our principal financial investments in 2002 were made by Telefónica Móviles (712.4 million), Admira (488.6 million) and Telefónica, S.A. (264.0 million). Our principal financial divestitures in 2002 were divestitures by Telefónica de Contenidos of 100% of its holding in Grupo Uniprex Onda Cero, Cadena Voz de Radiodifusión and Azul Televisión, and its sale of 4.11% of its holding in Hispasat, S.A. Telefónica de Contenidos maintains a 13.23% holding in Hispasat, S.A. Additional divestitures have been recorded by Telefónica Datacorp, SAU, with respect to its holding in European Telecom International, as well as by Terra Lycos of its holdings in GmbH Lycos Korea and Sympatico Lycos.
Our principal financial investments in 2001 were made by Telefónica Data (1,534.5 million), Telefónica Móviles (1,166.1 million), Telefónica, S.A. (756.2 million), Admira (676.4 million) and Terra Lycos (198.2 million). Our principal financial divestitures in 2001 were divestitures by Admira of 5.4% of its holding in Hispasat, S.A. for 35.2 million and by Telefónica Latinoamérica of its 35.86% holding in Cablevisión, S.A., which we did not consolidate in our financial statements for 2001, for 255.9 million. Admira maintains a 17.34% holding in Hispasat, S.A.
During 2000, principal investments were made by Telefónica Latinoamérica (961.5 million), Telefónica Móviles (321.5 million) and Telefónica, S.A. (710.9). Principal financial divestitures in 2000 were divestitures in companies accounted for under the equity method of 162.3 million, comprised principally of Companhia Riograndese de Telecommunicaçoes S.A. and Amper, S.A.
Seasonality
Our main business is not significantly affected by seasonal trends.
Patents
Our business is not materially dependent upon the ownership of patents, commercial or financial contracts or new manufacturing processes.
Public Takeover Offers
On May 28, 2003, we launched a tender offer for 100% of the outstanding shares of Terra Networks, S.A. that we do not currently own. The CNMV approved the prospectus for the tender offer on June 19, 2003. The offer price is 5.25 per share, payable in cash. Our offer is subject to us owning at least 75% of the total share capital of Terra Networks on the closing date of the offer. We have, however, expressly reserved the right to waive this condition. The tender offer has a one-month acceptance period beginning on the day the offer was published. The acceptance period began on June 23, 2003 and will end on July 23, 2003. For further information, see Item 7BRelated Party Transactions.
On May 25, 2003, Telesp Celular Participações, S.A. (TCP), in compliance with Brazilian legislations, made a request to launch a tender offer, which is currently being reviewed by the CVM, the Brazilian Securities and Exchange Commission, for the voting shares of the minority shareholders of Tele Centro Oeste Participações, S.A. (TCO). For further information, see Item 4Business OverviewTelefónica MóvilesTelefónica Móviles OperationsBrazil.
Please see History and Development of the CompanyOverview.
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D. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Description of Property
Domestic Network
Fixed-line Network
In order to provide residential and other telecommunications services in Spain, we operate a full service telecommunications network. We benefit from an intensive capital investment program carried out over the last decade, which focused on network expansion as well as network upgrading. As a result, we now have:
| a network consisting of fiber optic cable to the curb in every Spanish city with a population of more than 50,000 |
| switching including synchronous digital hierarchy |
| an asynchronous transfer mode roll-out |
| System 7 signaling throughout |
Our infrastructure development objective is to achieve a fully digital system which permits simultaneous voice, data, text and image transmission, and which permits cost-efficient network management and maintenance. Consistent with this aim, we are moving towards a simplified two-level network hierarchy through the use of remote units, and we are presently increasing operational efficiencies through centralization of our network monitoring and management functions. The local digitalization rate in our network has increased from 56.7% in 1995 to 86.8% at December 31, 2002, and our long-distance lines are now 100% digitalized. All international services are also 100% digitalized.
We have continued to increase the number of integrated service digital network lines in our network. At December 31, 2002, we had approximately 2.2 million integrated service digital network lines, a 3.4% increase compared with the number of integrated service digital network lines in service at December 31, 2001. This will enable provision of a further range of services over the network, including simultaneous image transmission and voice telephony over the same line. Currently, we are marketing integrated service digital network primarily to commercial and high-usage residential customers. We expect that integrated service digital network costs will decline significantly in the coming years, thereby making integrated service digital network services more attractive to a larger customer base and increasing overall traffic over our network.
In carrying out our infrastructure development program, we have increased the use of fiber optic cables in our network. The table below shows the total length of the four basic types of cable in our network as of the dates indicated.
At December 31, | ||||||||||
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 | ||||||
Coaxial cable (km) |
9,990 | 5,059 | 4,787 | 4,756 | 4,692 | |||||
Fiber optic cable (km) |
49,653 | 52,511 | 54,920 | 58,156 | 60,932 | |||||
Copper cable in domestic long-distance lines (km) |
57,802 | 57,430 | 57,259 | 57,095 | 56,753 | |||||
Subscriber networks (thousand km-par)(1) |
66,237 | 66,713 | 67,554 | 68,563 | 69,148 |
(1) | The transmission cables in the subscriber networks contain a variable number of conducting filaments, which are insulated from each other and grouped in pairs. Each such pair is called a par. |
In carrying out our infrastructure development program we have consistently used a core group of primary equipment suppliers, including AT&T/Lucent Technologies, Ericsson and Alcatel, in order to maintain technological compatibility while at the same time decreasing dependence on any one vendor. We believe that our relationships with our primary vendors are stable and exhibit a high degree of cooperation with respect to our particular infrastructure needs.
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Spains demographic makeup and topography present significant challenges to the provision of basic telephone service throughout the country, particularly in rural areas. Our continuing rural expansion program has been funded in part by local Spanish authorities. We are able to use alternative technologies in order to extend service into remote and thinly populated areas in compliance with our universal service obligation, and we have installed wireless access where this is more cost-efficient than extending fixed-line service.
Wireless Network
Telefónica Móviles Españas digital network in Spain is based upon the GSM standard, which has been adopted by more than 130 countries worldwide, including all member countries of the European Union. The prevalence of the GSM standard, together with its international roaming agreements, enables Telefónica Móviles Españas customers to make and receive calls throughout Western Europe and in more than 100 countries worldwide. Telefónica Móviles Españas GSM-based network provides its customers with access to many of the most advanced wireless handsets and a full panoply of services and products. In addition, in 2001 Telefónica Móviles España launched general packet radio service, or GPRS, which permits faster packet-based technology for the transmission of data and improved network utilization than circuit-switched technology.
At December 31, 2002, Telefónica Móviles Españas network in Spain, which consisted of approximately 115 switching centers and more than 14,380 base stations, provided coverage to approximately 99% of the population and 97% of the national territory.
Telefónica Móviles España offers analog service on the ETACS 900, or extended total access communications system, in Spain. Its analog network has 29 switching centers and over 3,000 base stations.
International Network
Fixed-Line Networks
Telefónica Latinoamérica operates full service telecommunications networks in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru and Puerto Rico through its subsidiaries. Telefónica Latinoaméricas principal properties consist of numerous buildings and telecommunications installations, including exchanges of various sizes, transmission equipment, cable networks, base stations for cellular networks and equipment for radio communications. Telefónica Latinoamérica intends to digitalize its telecommunications networks fully. In Brazil, Telefónica Latinoaméricas subsidiaries have digitalized 83% of their access lines, 57% in Argentina, 68% in Chile and 89% in Peru. As of December 31, 2002, Telefónica Latinoamérica had approximately 12,505.3 million access lines in service in the Brazilian state of São Paulo, 4,419.2 million access lines in service in Argentina, 2,686.7 million access lines in service in Chile and 1,815.6 million access lines in service in Peru.
Wireless Networks
Telefónica Móviles owns, or controls through long-term leases or licenses, properties consisting of plant and equipment used to provide wireless communications services. In addition, Telefónica Móviles owns, or controls through leases, properties used as administrative office buildings and/or retail sales locations, customer relationship centers, and other facilities, such as research and development facilities. These properties include land, interior office space, and space on existing structures of various types used to support equipment used to provide wireless communications services. Most of the leased properties are owned by private entities and the balance is owned by municipal entities.
Plant and equipment used to provide wireless communications services consist of:
| switching, transmissions and receiving equipment; |
| connecting lines (cables, wires, poles and other support structures, conduits and similar items); |
| land and buildings; |
| easements; and |
| other miscellaneous properties (work equipment, furniture and plants under construction). |
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The majority of the lines connecting Telefónica Móviles services to other telecommunications services and power sources are on or under public roads, highways and streets. The remainder are on or under private property.
Satellite Communications
We have interests in five international satellite communications organizations or companies, including:
| Intelsat, 3,674,630 shares (0.7%), the global satellite consortium |
| Inmarsat, 1,175,900 shares (1.2%), the maritime satellite organization |
| Eutelsat (2.1%), the European regional satellite organization |
| Hispasat (13.2%), the communications satellite organization which carries the Vía Digital direct-to-home (DTH) satellite television service and has a license to operate a new satellite system in Brazil (Amazonas) |
| New Skies Satellites 984,810 shares (0.8%), the communications satellite company that was formerly part of Intelsat |
| We operate over 42 high performance earth stations providing advance services to these satellite companies |
Submarine Cable
We are also one of the worlds leading submarine cable operators. We are currently participating in the following projects: SAT-3/WASC/SAFE and ESTEPONATEUTAN. These two projects are extensions of existing submarine cable projects. We currently participate in 44 international underwater cable systems (13 of which are moored in Spain) and own 14 domestic fiber optic cables.
The SAT-3, a fiber optic undersea cable system linking southern Europe, the West Coast of Africa and the South Coast of Asia, was built by a consortium which consists of Telefónica de España, Marconi, Telekom South Africa, Concert and more than 20 other carriers. We funded $34.5 million of the $665 million cost of the project, which spans 14,580 nautical miles. We have 5.2% participation in this project. The system commenced operations in April 2002. The upgrading of this submarine cable project had an additional cost of approximately $68 million of which we assumed the funding of $3.5 million. The new upgraded project began operations in June 2003.
The ESTEPONA-TEUTAN is an underwater system linking Spain with Morocco in the Mediterranean coast. The system is 61 miles long and was built by Telefónica and Itissalat al Maghrib. Each company holds 50% of the submarine cable. The underwater system began operations on May 4, 2003.
Transfers and Development of Real Property
In 2003, we received authorization from the Ministry of Science and Technology to transfer from Telefónica de España, S.A. to our wholly-owned subsidiary, Telefónica Inmobiliaria, all of Telefónica de Españas real property, including office buildings, commercial sites, storage space, garages and other real property. As part of this transfer, which is currently underway, Telefónica de España will not transfer any strategic assets of the Telefónica de España Group.
In 2002, the Master Plan for Real Estate Efficiency was approved. The plan is expected to generate approximately 1 billion from the sale of properties in Spain. In the context of this plan, a total of 204 non-strategic surplus properties were sold during 2002. The sale of an additional 380 properties is currently underway.
The Communications City project, which will be built by Inmobiliaria Telefónica at PAU de Las Tablas, north of Madrid, to house the Telefónica Groups Decision Centres, is undergoing intensive development. It will follow an open business park model, comprising 13 buildings of between 7,000 and 12,000 square meters, grouped among four zones in an open landscaped environment. The expected cost of this project is approximately 400 million through 2005.
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ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
Presentation of Financial Information
The information in this section should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements, and the notes thereto, included elsewhere in this Annual Report. Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Spanish GAAP, which differ in certain respects from U.S. GAAP. Please refer to note 25 to our consolidated financial statements for a discussion of these differences.
Changes in the Composition of the Group Affecting the Comparison of our Results
During 2001 and 2002, various changes occurred in the composition of the Telefónica Group that affect the comparability of our historical operating results. Please see note 2 to our consolidated financial statements for a discussion of the principles of consolidation and a description of the principal changes in the composition of the group affecting our financial statements during the periods covered by the consolidated financial statements. The most significant changes are described below.
Year ended December 31, 2002
In March 2002, we completed the final stage of our agreement with Iberdrola, S.A. to acquire all shareholdings previously held by Iberdrola Group in our Brazilian operators. Following the completion of the acquisition of these investments in May 2002, we contributed the shares that we owned in the aforementioned Brazilian companies to Telefónica Móviles. Following this transaction, the percentage that the Telefónica Group holds, directly and indirectly, in the Brazilian companies are the following: 40.91% of TBS Celular Participações, S.A., 83.56% of Sudestecel Participações, S.A, 27.71% of Tele Leste Celular Participações, S.A., and 100% of Iberoleste Participações, S.A. All these companies have been included in the consolidated financial statements of Telefónica Group using the global integration method up to December 31, 2002 (in fiscal year 2001, Tele Leste Celular Participações, S.A. was included in the consolidated financial statements of Telefónica Group using the equity method), when they were included through the Brasilcel, N.V., joint venture using the proportionate integration method.
In June 2002, Telefónica de Contenidos sold its interest in Prime Argentina, owner of the channel Azul Televisión, for U.S.$12 million, which led to recording of extraordinary losses of 162.8 million. Prime Argentina had previously been accounted for using the equity method in the Telefónica Groups consolidated financial statements.
In September 2002, Telefónica Móviles, S.A. acquired 65.23% of Pegaso PCS (México) for 92.9 million. Subsequently, Pegaso carried out a capital increase to which Telefónica Móviles, S.A. subscribed for 211.5 million, corresponding to its 65.23% stake. Among the agreements signed with Burillo was a commitment to combine the equity both companies would hold in the Pegaso Group and in Telefónica Móviles subsidiaries in northern Mexico. The two groups would hold shares in the new Mexican company that would result. This contribution was paid for by the sale of their equity to Telefónica Móviles México, to take place after a debt capitalization by creditors. Telefónica Móviles now holds 92% of the new holding companys capital.
In September 2002, we formalized the sale of 100% of the Telefónica de Contenidos, S.A.s equity in both Group Uniprex Onda Cero and Cadena Voz de Radiodifusión, S.A. Admira Group sold this equity to Antena 3 de Televisión Group, obtaining consolidated capital gains totaling 35.8 million. Both companies, which during fiscal 2001 were being incorporated into Telefónica Groups consolidation perimeter using the global integration method, are now being accounted for (forming part of Antena 3 de Televisión Group) using the equity method.
In May 2002, Datacorp Group, through its affiliate Telefónica Data do Brasil Ltd., subscribed for new shares in a capital increase by Telefónica Data Brasil Holding, S.A., contributing loans previously granted for an amount of 482.9 million reais. After this transaction, Telefónica Groups stake in the company grew from 87.5% to 94.0%.
On December 27, 2002, after complying with Brazilian regulatory requirements, Telefónica Móviles, S.A., and PT Móveis Serviços de Telecomunicações, SGPS, S.A. (PT Móveis) incorporated Brasilcel, the 50/50 Joint Venture,
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by contributing 100% of their respective direct and indirect interests in the mobile communications companies in Brazil.
Year ended December 31, 2001
In June 2001, we acquired from Motorola certain wireless operators in Mexico in exchange for approximately 122.6 million of our ordinary shares. As a result, we consolidated these companies in our financial statements for 2001 as from the date of their acquisition.
In the third quarter of 2001, Telefónica Móviles changed the method by which it accounts for its interest in IPSE 2000 from the global integration method to the equity method because it more accurately reflects Telefónica Móviles participation in IPSE 2000s decision-making process. As a result, in 2001, we did not deduct for minority interests in the losses of this company.
Telefónica Latinoamérica acquired an additional holding of 10% in Telefónica Perú Holding, S.A. for 227.3 million, giving rise to goodwill in consolidation of 46.3 million. As a result of this acquisition, Telefónica Latinoamérica became the sole stockholder of this company, which continues to be consolidated.
In January 2001, we acquired all the shares of mediaWays, GmbH for 1,473.1 million from the German company Bertelsmann AG, giving rise to goodwill of 1,474.7 million. As a result, we consolidated this company in our financial statements for 2001.
In August 2001, Terra Lycos acquired a 49% holding in Uno-e Bank, S.A. for 160.4 million, giving rise to goodwill of 130.3 million. We carry Uno-e Bank by the equity method.
Significant Accounting Changes
In 2002, under Spanish GAAP, pursuant to an ICAC resolution dated March 15, 2002, we recorded tax assets relating to tax relief and tax credits not yet taken for tax purposes but regarding which there is no doubt that they can be deducted in the future in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. An asset of 343.0 million was recorded as of December 31, 2002, pursuant to this resolution.
In 2001, Telefónica de Argentina changed its fiscal year end from September 30 to December 31. As a result, our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2001 include a non-recurring extraordinary three-month period of results from Telefónica de Argentina for October 1, 2000 to December 31, 2000. Under U.S. GAAP the effect of this change in respect of the additional three-month period was a credit to retained earnings. See note 25 to our consolidated financial statements.
Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of our financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Consequently, our reported financial condition and results of operations are sensitive to accounting methods, assumptions and estimates that underlie the preparation of our financial statements. The profile of critical accounting policies, the judgments and other uncertainties affecting application of those policies and the sensitivity of reported results to changes in conditions and assumptions are factors you should consider in connection with your review of our financial statements and the discussion of our financial condition and results of operations below. We consider the following policies to be most critical in understanding the judgments that are involved in preparing our financial statements and the uncertainties that could impact our financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.
The accounting policies under Spanish and U.S. GAAP applied by Telefónica are described in notes 4 and 25, respectively, to our consolidated financial statements.
Accounting for Long-lived Assets, Including Goodwill
Property, plant and equipment and purchased intangible assets other than goodwill (like licenses) are recorded at acquisition cost. If such assets are acquired in a business combination, the purchase price is allocated to the estimated fair value of the acquired property, plant and equipment and intangible assets. Property, plant and equipment are depreciated or amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, and licenses
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included in the intangible assets are depreciated or amortized using an amortization method based on the estimated capacity to generate revenues during the concession period.
Accounting for long-lived assets and intangible assets involves the use of estimates for determining: (a) the fair value at the acquisition date, especially in the case of such assets acquired in a business combination, and (b) the useful lives of the assets over that will be used to determine the future amortization to be charged to the income statement.
When an impairment in the value of assets occurs, nonscheduled write-downs are made. We assess the impairment of identifiable intangibles and long-lived assets whenever there is reason to believe that the carrying value may exceed the fair value and where a permanent impairment in value is anticipated. The determination if impairments of long-lived and intangible assets are necessary involves the use of estimates that include but are not limited to the determination of its cause, its timing and estimation of the amount of the impairment. The determination if an impairment is necessary is based on a broad measure of factors. Among other things, we typically consider technological obsolescence, discontinuance of services and other changes in circumstances that indicate an impairment.
A significant change in the above mentioned facts and circumstances may trigger the requirement of recording an impairment and may have a material adverse impact on our operating results and financial condition.
Goodwill resulting from business combinations is amortized on a straight-line basis over its useful life. The consideration paid for acquisitions in excess of the underlying book value of each acquired subsidiary at the purchase date and not directly allocable to the companies assets is recorded as goodwill in consolidation and amortized on a straight-line basis during the period in which such goodwill contributes to the obtainment of revenues by the companies for which the goodwill was recorded. The maximum goodwill amortization period is 20 years.
Nonscheduled write-downs are provided when an impairment in the value of goodwill occurs. We review, on a regular basis, the performance of our subsidiaries. When there is reason to believe that the goodwill arising from the acquisition of that subsidiary is impaired and that the impairment is of a permanent nature, we compare the carrying amount of that subsidiary to its fair value. The determination of the fair value of a subsidiary involves extensive use of estimates, depending on the method used. Significant management judgment is involved. Methods commonly used by us for valuations include discounted cash flow methods and quoted stock market prices, if available.
Factors affecting estimated fair values typically include discount rates, future cash flows, market prices and control premiums. These estimates, including the methodologies used, are important in determining fair value and ultimately the amount of any goodwill write-down.
A significant reduction in these estimates may have a material adverse impact on our operating results and financial condition.
In June 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, which requires the use of a non-amortization approach to account for purchased goodwill and certain intangibles. Under a non-amortization approach, goodwill and certain intangibles will not be amortized into results of operations, but instead would be reviewed for impairment and written down and charged to results of operations in the periods in which the recorded value of goodwill and certain intangibles exceeds its fair values. The provisions of SFAS No. 142, which apply to goodwill and intangible assets acquired prior to June 30, 2001, were adopted by us on January 1, 2002. The adoption of SFAS 142 has required the reversal of goodwill amortization recorded under Spanish GAAP which amounted to 543.5 million in 2002 and the recognition of an intangible asset originally arising from the purchase of Mediaways.
In October 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment and Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, which supersedes SFAS No. 121 Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of and certain provisions of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 30 (APB 30) Reporting Results of Operations Reporting the Effects of Disposal of a Segment of a Business, and Extraordinary, Unusual and Infrequently Occurring Events and Transactions. SFAS No. 144 requires that one accounting model be used for long-lived assets to be disposed of by sale, whether previously held and used or newly acquired. The Company
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adopted the provisions of this statement on January 1, 2002 for U.S. GAAP reporting purposes. The adoption of SFAS No. 144 resulted in an additional impairment charge of 107.1 million under U.S. GAAP.
Any carrying amounts that exceed its fair value should be immediately written off. Provisions under Spanish GAAP considered temporary or which did not qualify as goodwill impairment under U.S. GAAP were reverted and any other impairment according to U.S. GAAP requirements were recorded.
Devaluation in Argentina
In view of its international presence, the Telefónica Group, like other corporations, has been affected by the economic situation in Argentina through the various Telefónica Group companies operating there. As of December 31, 2002, the Telefónica Groups exposure at the various Argentine companies amounted to 968.1 million, including the related goodwill, intercompany financing and the asset value assignable to those investments (after inclusion of the losses of these companies before the related tax effect).
Argentine exchange markets closed on December 23, 2001 and remained closed through January 11, 2002, during which period the official exchange rate remained at 1.0 pesos/U.S.$1.00. Accordingly, as of December 31, 2001, the closing date of our consolidated financial statements for 2001, there was no explicit Argentine peso/euro exchange rate that could be taken as representative.
Taking into account Spanish accounting legislation, the express communications from the Spanish Accounting and Audit Institute (ICAC) regarding the way in which this devaluation should be treated at year-end 2001 and the international accounting rulings in force, in preparing its consolidated financial statements for 2001 the Telefónica Group used peso/euro and peso/U.S. dollar exchange rates of 1.5149 pesos/1.00 and 1.70 pesos/U.S.$1.00 at year-end as the first representative exchange rates prevailing in the market after December 31, 2001, following the aforementioned devaluation. At 2002 year-end, with the normal currency exchange market re-established, the exchange rate used was 3.5341 pesos/1.00 (3.37 pesos/ U.S.$1.00). These exchange rates were used to include in the consolidated financial statements the assets and liabilities of the Argentina subsidiaries and associated companies and to asses the status of their assets as regards their solvency, the value of their investments, their viability, the recoverability of goodwill, etc.
In accordance with the foregoing, these consolidated financial statements reflect an adverse impact on consolidated earnings and on the Stockholders EquityTranslation Differences in Consolidation caption of 354.68 million and 1,147.09 million, respectively, in 2002 (369.0 million and 1,424.1 million, respectively in 2001).
The matters still not resolved include the necessary renegotiations with the Argentine Government of the future rates due to the effect of the provisions of Law 25.561. Accordingly, although the book value of the fixed assets was maintained on the basis of estimates based on the information currently available, neither the results of the negotiations relating to rate levels nor, therefore, the future sales revenues and cash flows can be predicted.
Given that the aforementioned circumstances had not occurred at the date of preparation of the consolidated financial statements and that it is not certain that they will occur, it was not possible to quantify their effect, if any, on the consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2002.
Net investment hedge
In order to reduce foreign currency exposure of net investments in foreign operations, Telefónica, as a matter of policy, attempts to finance its activities in the same currencies as those used for its foreign investments. This policy is implemented either by financing in the related currency or using derivatives, such as currency swaps, which provide a synthetic effect of a foreign currency loan, thereby reducing the exchange risk.
For the year ended December 31, 2002, we recorded as a positive cumulative translation adjustment in equity, under Spanish GAAP, approximately 1,148 million related to the effective portion of non-derivative instruments and derivative instruments used as net investment hedges included as a cumulative translation adjustment in equity. These net gains or losses principally offset the net gains (losses) recorded on the respective net investments in foreign currencies being hedged. Under Spanish GAAP, the requirements to qualify a net investment differ from those of U.S. GAAP. The main differences relate to the measurement of the hedge ineffectiveness. We re-designated all hedging relationships anew for U.S. GAAP purposes at December 31, 2000. Those economic hedge instruments under Spanish GAAP that were not assigned as
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a net investment hedge under U.S. GAAP were recorded at fair value through earnings. Additionally, all differences relating to net investment hedges under Spanish GAAP and U.S. GAAP (economic hedges not assigned and ineffectiveness) were recorded in earnings for the year ended December 31, 2002. Both of these impacts represented a loss of 376.2 million, gross of tax and minority interests. We have calculated the ineffectiveness of our net investment hedges by comparing an appropriate hypothetical derivative and non-derivative contracts with the actual instruments being used.
The determination of the fair value of each derivative and the assessment of hedge effectiveness require the use of estimates regarding discount rates and market prices, among others. A significant change in these estimates may preclude our ability to assign hedging relationships and/or increase the amounts of ineffectiveness and, therefore, produce a material adverse impact on our operating results and financial condition.
Recent Developments
The principal events since the close of our financial year are set forth below. Certain of these events are described in greater detail in Note 23 to the consolidated financial statements.
On January 7, 2003, as a result of a change in the legal conditions applicable to the ownership of shares of television concession-holder companies, Telefónica, S.A. and our subsidiary, Telefónica de Contenidos, S.A., exercised an option granted by Banco Santander Central Hispano, S.A. to purchase 17,365,125 and 2,167,500 shares of Antena 3 de Televisión, S.A., which together represent 11.7% of the capital stock of Antena 3. The shares were acquired by Admira Media, S.A. The resulting percentage of ownership was 59.2%.
On January 10, 2003, Terra Lycos and BBVA entered into an agreement to integrate the consumer finance lines of business of Finanzia Banco de Crédito, S.A. and Uno-e Bank, S.A. This agreement replaced the parties memorandum of understanding dated May 15, 2002, conditional upon obtainment of the relevant internal and administrative authorizations. After the integration takes place, Terra Lycoss ownership interest in Uno-e Bank, S.A. will be 33% and that of the BBVA Group will be 67%. BBVA and Terra also entered into a liquidity agreement that will replace that dated May 15, 2002, once integration has taken place.
On January 29, 2003, Sogecable S.A., Telefónica, S.A. and Telefónica de Contenidos S.A. entered into an agreement whereby they deemed that the contract terms established for the merger of Sogecable and Vía Digital had been fully met.
On January 16, 2003, Brasilcel entered into an agreement to acquire, through its subsidiary Telesp Celular Participações, S.A. (TCP), from the Brazilian company Fixcel 61.1% of the ordinary shares of Tele Centro Oeste Celular Participações, S.A. (TCO) representing 20.4% of the total capital of TCO. On April 25, 2003, TCP finalized the acquisition. The purchase price was approximately reai 1.5 billion, corresponding to reai 19.49 per each lot of 1,000 shares acquired. As of the date of this annual report, TCP has paid reai 284.7 million of the total amount and the remaining will be paid in future installments. On May 25, 2003, in compliance with Brazilian legislation, TCP made a request to launch a tender offer, which is currently being reviewed by the CVM, for the voting shares of the minority shareholders of TCO. The price per share to be offered will be equal to 80% of the price paid to the controlling shareholders. The minority shareholders that tender their shares will be compensated pro rata, in the same manner as the controlling shareholders, as described above. After the acquisition and the tender offer, TCP expects to incorporate TCOs shares and ADSs into TCP and de-list TCOs shares.
In February 2003, Telefónica issued 97,213,225 new shares, and in April 2003 issued 99,157,490 new shares. Both capital increases were charged to unrestricted reserves and were assigned free of charge to stockholders at a ratio of one new share for every 50 shares owned.
On February 12, 2003, Telefónica, Terra, Lycos and Bertelsmann entered into a preferential interest agreement which will enable them to continue to explore opportunities for the mutual provision of communications, development and content services in the on-line market.
On February 13, 2003, Telefónica de Contenidos communicated to Vía Digital its intention to convert all of its convertible bonds into common equity. This conversion was approved by the board of Vía Digital in its meeting on February 20, 2003. 9,446,625 bonds were converted into 9,446,625 common shares at par val