Board of Directors approves 2006 financial statements
Board of Directors unanimous in appreciation of the work of management
Recommended dividend in line with last year: 0.1400 euro per ordinary share, 0.1510 euro per savings share
Net financial position equal to 37.3 billion euro, down over 2.5 billion euro compared with December 31, 2005
Industrial investments exceed 5 billion euro
Shareholders’ Meeting called in ordinary and extraordinary session
Mobile:
- Italy: over 32.4 million lines, 4.2 million of which UMTS. Market share 40.4%
- Brazil: Total market share reached 25.4% with 25.4 million customers. Market leader for revenues from services in Q4
WireIine:
- 8.7 million broadband lines reached across Europe, of which 6.8 million in Italy
TELECOM ITALIA GROUP
REVENUES: 31,275 MILLION EURO (UP 4.5% COMPARED WITH 29,919 MILLION EURO FOR 2005); ORGANIC GROWTH 2.9%
EBITDA: 12,850 MILLION EURO (UP 2.7% COMPARED WITH 12,517 MILLION EURO FOR 2005); ORGANIC GROWTH 0.9%
EBIT: 7,437 MILLION EURO (DOWN 0.8% COMPARED WITH 7,499 MILLION EURO FOR 2005); ORGANIC VARIATION -1.2%
NET INCOME: 3,014 MILLION EURO
(DOWN 6.3%, 3,216 MILLION EURO IN 2005)
NET FINANCIAL BORROWINGS AT 31 DECEMBER 2006 EQUAL TO 37,301 MILLION EURO, DOWN OVER 2.5 BILLION EURO COMPARED WITH 31 DECEMBER 2005
TELECOM ITALIA SPA
Telecom Italia S.p.A data for 2006 include the data of TIM Italia S.p.A and Nuova Tin.it S.r.l. incorporated, respectively, on 1 March 2006 and 1 October 2006
REVENUES: 22,721 MILLION EURO (UP 42.8% COMPARED WITH 2005)
EBITDA: 10,610 MILLION EURO (UP 63.8% COMPARED WITH 2005)
EBIT: 6,782 MILLION EURO (UP 78.9% COMPARED WITH 2005)
NET INCOME: 4,144 MILLION EURO
* * *
This press release contains alternative performance indicators not contemplated under IFRS accounting standards (EBITDA; EBIT; Organic Variation in Revenues, EBITDA and EBIT; and Net Financial Borrowings). These terms are defined in the appendix.
Milan, 8 March 2007 – At today’s meeting the Telecom Italia Board of Directors, chaired by Guido Rossi, analyzed and approved the Group and Parent company’s full-year 2006 accounts.
TELECOM ITALIA GROUP
The financial results of the Telecom Italia Group for FY 2006 and the results of periods to which they are compared have been calculated according to accounting standards issued by the International Accounting Standards Board and approved by the European Union (“IFRS”).
The consolidation area as at December 31, 2006 differs from December 31, 2005 as follows:
- Inclusion of the Liberty Surf Group (consolidated from 1 June 2005);
- Exclusions: Entel Chile Group (sold in March 2005), Tim Hellas (sold in early June 2005), the Finsiel Group (sold in late June 2005), Tim Peru (sold in August 2005), the Buffetti Group (sold in January 2006) and Digitel Venezuela (sold in May 2006), previously stated as discontinued or soon-to-be discontinued operations, in addition to the exclusion of Wirelab (sold in February 2006), Ruf Gestion (sold in March 2006), Eustema (sold in April 2006), Telecom Italia Learning Services (sold in July 2006) and other minor businesses.
Revenues grew by 4.5% to 31,275 million eurocompared with 2005 (29,919 million euro). Excluding exchange rate fluctuations (+385 million euro) and changes to the area of consolidation (+82 million euro),organic growth was equal to 2.9% (889 million euro).
The principle drivers of organic revenue growth in 2006 were:
1) An additional 677 million euro from the Brazil Mobile Business Unit, driven by the development of the customer base and the positive contribution from value-added services;
2) An additional 134 million euro from the Domestic Mobile Business Unit, up 1.3% on the preceding year. Growth was generated particularly by an increase in value-added services, a positive trend in revenues from outgoing (voice) traffic, and higher turnover from the sale of handsets. This was offset by the negative impact of new fixed/mobile and mobile/mobile termination tariffs;
3) Constant growth on the domestic and European broadband market and an increase in wholesale services, offset by a decline in traditional telephony connections associated in part with the reduction in termination tariffs and the migration of voice traffic from fixed-line to mobile;
4) A positive contribution from the Media Business Unit, where higher advertising income and the development of Digital Terrestrial revenues brought in an additional28 million euro.
Revenues breakdown by activities:
EBITDA was equal to 12,850 million euro, 2.7% higher than in 2005 (12,517 million euro). The EBITDA margin corresponded to 41.1% in 2006 (41.8% in 2005). Organic growth was equal to 0.9% (+116 million euro), excluding changes to the consolidation area (-58 million euro), exchange-rate fluctuations (+91 million euro) and the impact of other non-organic items (+184 million euro). For further information on organic growth, please consult the attached tables.
On an organic basis, the EBITDA margin was 41.8%(42.7% in 2005). In addition to the impact of reduced termination tariffs, this margin was affected by growth in Brazil and in the European Broadband Project.
EBIT amounted to 7,437 million euro, little changed compared with the preceding year (down 62 million euro or -0.8%). This result was impacted by high levels of amortization (255 million euro more than during the same period in 2005), partly as a result of investment in network infrastructure development and business support. It should be noted that in the last quarter of 2006, the Telecom Italia Group re-assessed the useful life of selected assets in order to bring them up to date with developments in technology and changes in the market in recent years. This revision is estimated to have had a 319 million euro impact on EBIT through the lower depreciation of fixed assets. The EBIT margin corresponded to 23.8% (25.1% in 2005).
On an organic basis, this is 95 million euro lower (down 1.2% compared with 2005), excluding changes to the consolidation area (-41 million euro) and other non-organic items (+74 million euro). For more information on organic growth, please see the attached tables. On an organic basis, in 2006 the EBIT margin was 24.2% (25.2% in 2005).
The net consolidated result for 2006 was equal to 3,014 million euro (3,003 million euro before minority interests); in 2005, the Group net consolidated result was equal to 3,216 million euro (3,690 million euro before minority interests), a reduction of 6.3%. Beyond the effect of the already mentioned lower EBIT, this difference was impacted by the improved financial management balance (+173 million euro, essentially due to a reduction of net average exposure in 2006) partially offset by the lower result from the management of equity interests and from the release of provisions set aside for Avea, equal to -159 million euro) and to higher taxes on income, from lower profits from activities sold/or destined to be sold. (2005 included net capital gains of 550 million euro from disposals mainly linked to the sale of TIM Hellas and TIM Peru) and lower attributable profits of minority shareholders (+485 million euro predominantly as a result of the TIM merger).
Industrial investments in 2006 amounted to 5,114 million euro and was substantially in line with last year (5,173 million euro). A significant portion of overall fixed-line telephony investment (3,002 million euro, up 179 million euro compared with 2005) was spent on broadband development (principally, investment in ADSL) and on new services (IPTV, Alice services, video telephony, etc). Domestic mobile telephony investment of 1,146 million euro was predominantly associated with developing new technologies and systems to support the rollout of new offers and services.
Net financial position at 31 December 2006 amounted to 37,301 million euro (39,858 million euro at end 2005), down over 2.5 billion euro compared with the same period in 2005 as a consequence of cash generation from operations (9,476 million euro during 2006). The 2.2 billion euro reduction in net financial debt from 30 September 2006 was, beyond operational dynamics, also due the cash-in of 546 million euro corresponding to the capital share that Telecom Italia and TIM paid for the year 1999 as fee for undertaking telecommunications operations (pursuant to article 20, Law no. 448, 23 Dec. 1998).
At 31 December 2006 the Group employed 83,209 people. Headcount was down by 3,322 compared with 31 December 2005.
Telecom Italia S.p.A. 2006 results
From 1 January 2006, Telecom Italia S.p.A., for the preparation of separate accounts, adopted IFRS accounting standards issued by the International Accounting Standards Board and authorized by the European Union. To facilitate comparisons, FY 2005 data has been reclassified in accordance with these International Accounting Standards. Telecom Italia S.p.A.’s statement of income, balance sheet and cash flow during FY 2006 reflects the situation after the merger of TIM Italia S.p.A. and Nuova Tin.it S.r.l. into Telecom Italia S.p.A., completed respectively on 1 March 2006 and 1 October 2006.
Revenues amounted to 22,721 million euro, up42.8% (+6,808 million euro) compared with FY 2005, predominantly as a result of the incorporation of TIM Italia. On an equivalent consolidation basis, revenues were down 414 million euro (-1.8%) compared with FY 2005 (23,135 million euro).
EBITDA was equal to 10,610 million euro, up 63.8%(+4,133 million euro) compared with FY 2005 predominantly as a result of the incorporation of TIM Italia. The EBITDA margin corresponded to 46.7% of revenues (40.7% for 2005). On an equivalent consolidation basis, EBITDA for FY 2006 was down 195 million euro (-1.8%) compared with FY 2005 (10,805 million euro); this corresponds to 46.7% of revenues, unchanged from 2005.
EBIT was equal to 6,782 million euro, up 78.9%(+2,991 million euro) compared with FY 2005, predominantly as a result of the incorporation of TIM Italia. The EBIT margin was 29.8% of revenues (23.8% for 2005). On an equivalent consolidation basis, EBIT for FY 2006 was down 214 million euro (-3.1%) compared with FY 2005 (6,996 million euro); the EBIT margin was29.8% (compared with 30.2% in FY 2005).
Telecom Italia S.p.A. posted a net result of 4,144 million euro, up 2,310 million euro compared with FY 2005, predominantly as a consequence of the incorporation of TIM Italia.
Events after December 31, 2006
Acquisition of AOL Germany’s internet operations completed with Time Warner
On 28 February 2007 Telecom Italia and Time Warner Inc. completed a deal for the 665 million euro (USD 877 million) cash purchase of AOL Germany’s internet operations, owned by Time Warner.
Following this acquisition, Telecom Italia is today Germany’s second largest ISP with over 3 million customers (approximately 2.1 million broadband customers).
TI Media becomes Group Content Competence Center
Today’s Telecom Italia and TI Media Board Meetings adopted a resolution to set up a Content Competence Center, uniting all Group competencies in traditional and multimedia content under TI Media.
TI Media well leverage its know-how as Telecom Italia’s exclusive adviser in the planning and implementation of TV content for new platforms (IPTV, DVB-H, etc.), including associated rights acquisitions.
BUSINESS UNIT RESULTS
Telecom Italia Media results for 2006 were published in a press release issued today (8 March 2007) following the Board meeting called to approve the accounts.
WIRELINE
Revenues of 17,795 million euro were down 0.2% (-39 million euro) compared with 2005. On an organic basis, that is considering the same consolidation area and excluding the impact of exchange-rate fluctuations, revenues were down 0.7% (-123 million euro).
This result was significantly impacted by the reduction in fixed-mobile termination tariffs (-152 million euro) beginning from the second half of 2005, and by an acceleration in voice traffic migration from fixed-line to mobile networks. This negative trend was to a large extent offset by strong domestic and European broadband market growth. Excluding the negative impact of reduced termination tariffs, organic growth was equal to 0.2% (+29 million euro).
Retail telephony revenues amounted to 9,308 million euro, down 7.8% compared with 2005. Revenues were affected by an erosion of traffic from fixed-line in favor of mobile, by major regulatory changes (the reduction mentioned above in termination tariffs and the liberalization of “12xy” directory enquiry services).
Revenues generated in the internet segment were up5.2% (+75 million euro) compared with 2005 to 1,511 million euro, spurred by strong growth in broadband revenues, which were up 11.5% compared with the same period in 2005 (+127 million euro). Wireline’soverall retail broadband customer portfolio in Italyexceeded 5.6 million accesses at December 31, 2006, up 17.1% compared with December 2005.
Data Business revenues of 1,743 million euro were down overall by 124 million euro (-6.6%) compared with 2005. This may be ascribed to increasingly fierce competition for the corporate and public administration markets, particularly in leased lines and traditional data transmission services. ICT services continued to registerdynamic growth, up 9.5% compared with 2005 (+52 million euro).
Revenues from wholesale services amounted to 3,989 million euro, an overall increase of 13.1% (+463 million euro) compared with 2005. Revenues from domesticwholesale services rose to 2,131 million euro, up9.2% compared with 2005 (+180 million euro). Revenues from international wholesale services grew by 18.0% compared with 2005 (+283 million euro) to1,858 million euro.
European Broadband Project operations in France, Germany and Holland registered strong and continuous growth. Revenues amounted to 915 million euro (up 350 million euro compared with 2005). Organic growth,taking into account the addition of the Liberty Surf Group from the first half of 2005, was 40.1% (+262 million euro) on an equivalent consolidation basis. Thebroadband customer portfolio numbered 1.9 millionat year-end, up 43.9% (an increase of 577,000) compared with end 2005.
EBITDA amounted to 7,474 million euro, down 2.3% (-176 million euro) compared with 2005. The EBITDA margin was equal to 42.0% (42.9% in 2005). Compared with 2005, the result was significantly impacted by changes to the revenues mix, by concerted commercial drives associated with the rollout of new business-oriented initiatives, and by increasing competitive pressure in Italy. The organic variation in Ebitda compared with 2005, excluding the positive impact of one-time items (associated predominantly with restructuring costs),EBITDA was down 3.0% (-239 million euro).
On an organic basis, the EBITDA margin was 42.8%(43.9% at December 2005).
With regard to domestic operations (excluding the European Broadband Project) and on an organic basis, the EBITDA margin was 44.7%, compared with 45.5% in 2005.
EBITamounted to 4,396 million euro, a reduction of 2.0% (-92 million euro) compared with 2005. The EBITmargin was equal to 24.7% (25.2% in 2005). The organic variation, excluding changes to the consolidation area and the positive impact of exceptional items, was -3.3% compared with 2005 (-154 million euro).
On an organic basis, EBIT came to 25.7% of revenues (26.3% in 2005).
Industrial investment amounted to 3,002 million euro, up 6.3% compared with 2005 (+179 million euro). The increase may be ascribed principally to European Broadband Project’s development.
The headcount stood at 55,705, down 1,282 compared with 31 December 2005.
DOMESTIC MOBILE
Revenues for 2006 of 10,210 million euro were up1.3% compared with 2005 (+134 million euro). This result was penalized by the coming into force of the new terminations price list (which had a 372 million euro impact). Excluding this item, 5.0% growth was registered in comparison with 2005.
In 2006, growth was driven, in particular, by the strong performance of value added services (VAS), which rose10.2% (152 million euro) compared with 2005 to 1,649 million euro. This growth was driven by ongoing innovation of the interactive services portfolio VAS revenues now account for 16.2% of overall revenues (14.9% in 2005), and 17.5% of revenues from services (16.0% in 2005). “Voice” revenues totalling 7,292 million euro registered growth for outbound traffic (+2.6%) and a diminution for inbound traffic (-14.2%), which was also negatively impacted by the new terminations price list. Excluding this factor, incoming voice revenues were 4.1% higher than in 2005.Revenues from the sale of handsets rose 15.0% to812 million euro (106 million euro higher than in 2005).
EBITDA was down 0.9% to 5,042 million euro (44 million euro lower than in 2005). The EBITDA margin was49.4% (50.5% in 2005). Compared with 2005, in addition to the previously-mentioned cut in termination rates and changes to the mix of revenues, the result was impacted by higher spending on marketing levers associated with a marked increase in acquisitions, and by the rollout of new innovative services. On an organicbasis, excluding the impact of one-time items (associated predominantly with restructuring costs), EBITDA was down 0.7% (37 million euro lower).
On an organic basis, the EBITDA margin was 49.6%(50.6% in 2005). Excluding the impact of the new terminations price list, EBITDA rose 2.9% (+146 million euro).
EBITwas down 3.0% to 3,742 million euro (114 million euro lower than in 2005). The EBIT margin was 36.7%(38.3% in 2005). On an organic basis, excluding the impact of one-time items, EBIT was down -2.8% (-107 million euro).
BRAZIL MOBILE
(Average euro/real exchange rate 2006: 0.365843)
The Brazilian market continued to grow in 2006, though at a slightly slower pace than in 2005. By the end of 2006, the market reached 99.9 million lines (53.2% population penetration), compared with 86.2 million in 2005 (47.2% penetration). The TIM Brasil Group further strengthened its position as the number two player on the market: the company’s market share for lines increased to 25.4% (from 23.4% at end 2005), further closing the gap with the number one operator (4 percentage points at end 2006, compared with 11 percentage points at end 2005).
The TIM Brasil Group is the only carrier on the market to offer nationwide GSM coverage. At 31 December 2006, the company had a 25.4 million-strong customer base (+26% compared with December 31, 2005), and confirmed its GSM market leadership with 23.1 million lines.
In 2006, the TIM Brasil Group’s consolidated revenuesamounted to 10,836 million reais, up 23.4%compared with 2005; revenues from services were up 27.9%. This result was driven by strong growth in the customer base, and by revenues from value-added services, which accounted for 6.9% of revenues from services (up from 5.7%). Notably, in the fourth quarter of 2006 TIM Brasil reached market leadership in terms of revenues from services, and in 2006 posted a better EBITDA margin than any of its competitors. In 2006, there were regulatory changes (abolition of the “Bill and Keep” rule) which generated a positive impact on revenues equal to 794 million reais and a similar increase in interconnection costs.
Consolidated EBITDA amounted to 2,596 million reais, an increment of 83.9% (up 1,184 million reais compared with 2005). The EBITDA margin equated to 24.0%, a 7.9 percentage point improvement over 2005. OrganicEBITDA growth compared with 2005 came to 81.7%. On an organic basis, the EBITDA margin was 24.1%(16.3% in 2005).
Consolidated EBITamounted to 58 million reais (compared with minus 574 million reais in 2005). The result improved over 2005 despite higher depreciation and amortization (up from 1,953 million reais in 2005 to 2,540 million reais in 2006), associated principally with network infrastructure and IT systems investment.
On an organic basis, EBIT in 2006 amounted to 69 million reais, a 592 million reais improvement over the figure for 2005.
Industrial investments amounted to 1,910 million reais (2,551 million reais in 2005). The 641 million reais reduction reflects progress in the completion of nationwide coverage.
OLIVETTI
Revenues for 2006 amounted to 440 million euro, a reduction of 12 million euro (-2.7%) compared with the same period in 2005.
On an equivalent consolidation area basis, excluding the effects of exchange rate fluctuations and the sale of intellectual property to Telecom Italia, the organic variation was negative 5 million euro. The reduction may be ascribed to lower revenues from traditional inkjet and gaming products that were only partially offset by higher revenues from specialist printers, new inkjet products (multifunction color printers and portable photo printers, brought to market in late 2005), and professional office products.
EBITDA was a negative 33 million euro, down 18 million euro compared with FY 2005, predominantly as a result of launch campaigns for the new inkjet products and reduction of margins from traditional inkjet and gaming products.
On an organic basis, EBITDA rose by 5 million euro and is broken down thus:
This improvement may predominantly be ascribed to cost savings arising from fixed-cost structure rationalization, and the use of provisions previously set aside for the Olivetti do Brasil affiliate.
EBIT was a negative 50 million euro, down 12 million euro compared with 2005. On an organic basis, EBIT was positive 3 million euro, as follows:
Industrial investment amounted to 10 million euro, 9 million euro lower than in 2005.
At 31 December 2006 the headcount was 1,428 (1,750 at end 2005) with 1,278 employees in Italy and 150 outside Italy.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
At today’s meeting, the Board approved a series of amendments to the company’s corporate governance documentation. Among other things, these changes bring the documents into line with Italy’s recent savings protection law and the March 2006 update to the Italian Stock Exchange Code of Conduct.
The following were specifically approved:
- A new version of the Code of Conduct, incorporating pre-existing regulations regarding operations with related parties;
- A procedure regulating all flows of information to non-executive Directors and Auditors, in substitution of previous provisions regarding the discharge of obligations pursuant to article 150, Legal Decree no. 58/1998, for the purposes of coordinating all methods of information circulation and disclosure to members of administrative and auditing bodies;
- An updated version of the Disclosure Committee Charter.
No amendments were made to passages that cover issues for which CONSOB regulation is legally required, as these regulations have yet to be adopted.
All new corporate governance documents shall be available online, as per standard practice, on thewww.telecomitalia.it web site, under the Governance section.
CALL FOR SHAREHOLDERS’ MEETING AND PROPOSED DIVIDEND
The Board has called the General Shareholders’ Meeting as follows:
- April 14, on first call, in extraordinary session;
- April 15, on first call, in ordinary session, and on second call, in extraordinary session;
- April 16, on second call, in ordinary session and on third call, in extraordinary session.
In view of the amount of net income generated in 2006, on approval of the company accounts the Shareholders’ Meeting shall be recommended to distribute a dividend in line with last year’s figure, at 0.1400 euro per ordinary share and 0.1510 euro per savings share.
The dividend shall be paid out from 26 April 2007, ex-coupon on 23 April 2007.
In ordinary session, the Shareholders’ Meeting shall be called upon to appoint a new Board of Directors, which finishes its term on approval of the 2006 accounts. The Shareholders’ Meeting shall also be called upon to pass a resolution to appoint a new Acting Auditor following the resignation of the previous incumbent. With regard to the appointment of the Board of Directors, the Board shall not be submitting recommendations, but rather awaits shareholder presentation of suitable lists, as per company bylaws. For the Board of Auditors, up until the end of its current term (with the approval of the 2008 accounts), the Board of Directors has recommended the appointment of Enrico Maria Bignami (a former alternate auditor who replaced Stefano Meroi, and was on the same “minority” list) as Acting Auditor, and the appointment of Luigi Gaspari as an Alternate Auditor. The two candidates’ CVs/resumes are in the appendix to the relevant documents.
The 2006 accounts Auditor’s Report brings to an end the three-year appointment of external auditors Reconta Ernst & Young S.p.A. The Board of Auditors shall be making a recommendation to the April Shareholders’ Meeting to extend this appointment until 2009.
The Shareholders’ Meeting shall also be called upon to approve an incentive and retention package for top management through the free allocation of shares. Targeted at Executive Directors with direct responsibility for Telecom Italia’s business results and managers with strategic roles within the Group as nominated by the Board of Directors, the plan requires Shareholders’ Meeting authorization to acquire a maximum of 25 million of the company’s shares on the market, following the cancellation of the current resolution of authorization, passed by the Shareholders’ Meeting on April 13, 2006.
Lastly, the Shareholders’ Meeting shall be called upon to approve a series of changes to the Shareholders’ Meeting regulations and to the company bylaws, reflecting the need to incorporate recent changes in the legal framework and Code of Conduct (in particular, the appointment of a company manager responsible for drafting the company’s accounting documents, regulations regarding shareholder-sponsored additions to the Shareholders’ Meeting agenda, regulations for publishing lists), and updates to a number of provisions in both documents (company purpose, the method for appointment the Board of Directors and the Board of Auditors, regulations regarding postal voting).
All information shall be published on thewww.telecomitalia.it web site, under the Investors section.
