Form 6-K
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15D-16

UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER 2009

 

 

Telecom Italia S.p.A.

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

 

 

Piazza degli Affari 2

20123 Milan, Italy

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F: FORM 20-F  x  FORM 40-F  ¨

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):  ¨

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this Form, the registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  YES  ¨  NO  x

If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-             

 

 

 


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The present document has been translated from the document issued and filed in Italy, from the Italian into the English language solely for the convenience of international readers. Despite all the efforts devoted to this translation, certain errors, omissions or approximations may subsist. Telecom Italia, its representatives and employees decline all responsibility in this regard.

Cautionary Statement for Purposes of the “Safe Harbor” Provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe harbor” for forward-looking statements, which reflect management’s current views with respect to certain future events, trends and financial performance. Actual results may differ materially from those projected or implied in the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking information is based on certain key assumptions which we believe to be reasonable but forward-looking information by its nature involves risks and uncertainties, which are outside of our control, that could significantly affect expected results of future events.

The following important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or implied in any forward-looking statements:

 

   

our ability to successfully implement our strategy over the 2009-2011 period;

 

   

our ability to successfully achieve our debt reduction targets;

 

   

the continuing impact of increased competition in a liberalized market, including competition from established domestic competitors and global and regional alliances formed by other telecommunications operators in our core Italian domestic fixed-line and wireless markets;

 

   

the impact of the global recession in the principal markets in which we operate;

 

   

our ability to utilize our relationship with Telefónica to attain synergies primarily in areas such as network, IT, purchasing and international mobile roaming;

 

   

our ability to introduce new services to stimulate increased usage of our fixed and wireless networks to offset declines in the traditional fixed-line voice business due to the continuing impact of regulatory required price reductions, market share loss, pricing pressures generally and shifts in usage patterns;

 

   

our ability to successfully implement our internet and broadband strategy both in Italy and abroad;

 

   

the impact of regulatory decisions and changes in the regulatory environment in Italy and other countries in which we operate;

 

   

the impact of economic development generally on our international business and on our foreign investments and capital expenditures;

 

   

our services are technology-intensive and the development of new technologies could render such services non-competitive;

 

   

the impact of political developments in Italy and other countries in which we operate;

 

   

the impact of fluctuations in currency exchange and interest rates;

 

   

our ability to build up our business in adjacent markets and in international markets (particularly in Brazil), due to our specialist and technical resources;


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our ability to achieve the expected return on the investments and capital expenditures we have made and continue to make (such as those in Brazil);

 

   

the amount and timing of any future impairment charges for our licenses, goodwill or other assets; and

 

   

the outcome of litigation, disputes and investigations in which we are involved or may become involved.

The foregoing factors should not be construed as exhaustive. Due to such uncertainties and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. 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 hereof, including, without limitation, changes in our business or acquisition strategy or planned capital expenditures, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.


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Contents

 

Key Operating and Financial Data – Telecom Italia Group

   Page    3

Corporate Boards at September 30, 2009

   Page    9

Macro-Organization Chart at September 30, 2009 - Telecom Italia Group

   Page    11

Information for Investors

   Page    12

Review of Operating and Financial Performance - Telecom Italia Group

   Page    16

Events Subsequent to September 30, 2009

   Page    35

Business Outlook for the Year 2009

   Page    35

Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

   Page    36

Key Operating and Financial Data - The Business Units of the Telecom Italia Group

   Page    42

The Business Units of the Telecom Italia Group

   Page    44

Domestic

   Page    44

Brazil

   Page    52

Media

   Page    56

Olivetti

   Page    60

International Investments

   Page    63

Discontinued Operations/Non-Current Assets Held for Sale

   Page    65

Related Party Transactions

   Page    67

Significant Non-Recurring Events and Transactions

   Page    75

Positions or Transactions Resulting from Atypical and/or Unusual Transactions

   Page    75

Alternative Performance Measures

   Page    76

Effects of the Application of IFRIC 13 (Customer Loyalty Programmes) on Key Operating and Financial Data of the Telecom Italia Group

   Page    78

Disputes, Litigation and Legal Proceedings Pending and Other Information

   Page    79

Declaration by the Manager Responsible for Preparing Corporate Financial Reports

   Page    85

This document has been translated into English solely for the convenience of the readers.

In the event of a discrepancy, the Italian-language version prevails.

 

Interim Report at September 30, 2009     2
Telecom Italia Group  


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Key Operating and Financial Data

Telecom Italia Group

 

 

Highlights on the first nine months of 2009

 

Organic EBITDA and EBITDA margin   

The effectiveness of actions to revise the composition of revenues and efficiency and control over expenses, aimed at containing cash costs, developed as part of the path outlined for the Group’s transformation indicated in the Industrial Plan 2009-2011, is confirmed by the organic EBITDA margin trend and the organic consolidated EBITDA for the third quarter of 2009 and for the first nine months of 2009.

 

The organic consolidated EBITDA margin, in particular, shows an appreciable improvement, reaching 44.2% for the third quarter of 2009 (42.5% in the first quarter of 2009, 41.3% in the second quarter of 2009), while total EBITDA is basically stable compared to the corresponding period of the prior year (2,990 million euros, 3,002 million euros for the third quarter of 2008).

 

Such results put the Telecom Italia Group among the top performers in the TLC sector.

Operating cash flow and financial discipline    The above indicated efficiency measures for revenues and costs, combined with strict financial discipline, brought operating cash flow to 3.9 billion euros for the first nine months of 2009, about 500 million euros more than in the corresponding period of 2008.
Profit before tax from continuing operations    Effective financial management together with the positive trend of operating management resulted in an increase in profit before tax of 419 million euros (+18.6%) compared to the first nine months of 2008.
BroadBand business in Germany    For the third quarter of 2009, owing to the planned sale of the BroadBand business in Germany, HanseNet was classified in Discontinued operations while the other companies in the European BroadBand Business Unit have become part of Other operations. Consequently, disclosure for that operating segment is no longer presented and for comparison purposes the income statement and the cash flow data has been restated for the various periods under comparison.

***

The main financial and operating indicators performed as follows for the first nine months of 2009:

Consolidated organic revenues: are 20,194 million euros. The organic change (1) is -4.4% compared to the same period of the prior year. In particular:

 

   

the organic reduction of Domestic revenues is 5.4%: although National Wholesale revenues grew (+17.4%), retail revenues contracted as a result of competition and the macroeconomic trend which caused a decrease in revenues of 4.0% in the Top Clients Division, 9.3% in the Business Division and 7.5% in the Consumer Division.

This variation was determined by a reduction of the revenues of the mobile segment (-8.3%) and a contraction of the revenues in the fixed segment (-1.8%);

 

   

the organic growth of revenues in Brazil is 1.0%. Steps for reorganization continued and the sales relaunch plan was implemented. VAS and product revenues, in particular, recorded a good performance, driven by the growth of the customer base which, after a contraction in the first quarter, recorded, starting from the second quarter, a positive change (+1.7 million lines in the second quarter compared to the first quarter, +1.8 million lines in the third quarter compared to the second quarter).

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(1) The organic change in Revenues, EBITDA and EBIT is calculated by excluding the effects of the change in the scope of consolidation, exchange differences and non-organic components constituted by non-recurring items and other non-organic income/expenses.

 

Interim Report at September 30, 2009     3
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Organic consolidated EBITDA: thanks partly to the structural revision of the composition of revenues which favored higher-margin services and the efficiency and control actions put into place over all cost variables, in line with the operating cost reductions announced with the Group’s Plan 2009/2011, the organic consolidated EBITDA margin shows a considerable improvement arriving at 44.2% for the third quarter of 2009 (42.5% in the first quarter of 2009, 41.3% in the second quarter of 2009). Organic consolidated EBITDA in absolute terms, on the other hand, is basically stable against the same periodo of the last year (2,990 million euros for the third quarter of 2009, 3,002 million euros in the same period of the prior year).

The positive performance of the third quarter of 2009 is also reflected in the year-to-date figures for the first nine months of the year. The percentage margin rose by 1.8 percentage points over the first nine months of 2008, from 40.9% to 42.7%, and, in absolute terms, organic EBITDA is basically stable against the same period of 2008 (8,614 million euros for the first nine months of 2009 compared to 8,646 million euros for the first nine months of 2008).

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Organic consolidated EBIT: is 4,430 million euros for the first nine months of 2009. The organic change is -0.5% compared to the first nine months of 2008.

The organic consolidated EBIT margin: is 21.9% for the first nine months of 2009, with a gain of 0.8% points over the same period of the prior year.

Finance income/expenses and income taxes: the financial component, investment management and the associates accounted for by the equity method record an overall improvement of 271 million euros.

Income taxes increased by 449 million euros: excluding the benefit of 515 million euros for deferred income taxes reversed to income on accelerated depreciation taken in prior years, income taxes decreased by 66 million euros.

Profit for the period attributable to owners of the Parent: is 1,165 million euros and decreased by 578 million compared to the first nine months of 2008. The reduction is mainly due to the impairment loss on goodwill on the BroadBand business in Germany recorded for 540 million euros in order to reduce the carrying amount of HanseNet to its estimated sales value.

Net operating free cash flow: is 3,932 million euros and improved by 515 million euros compared to the first nine months of 2008. This is the consequence of a stable operating margin and the effectiveness of measures aimed at controlling costs and monitoring and selecting capital expenditure projects. Capital expenditures, in particular, decreased by 730 million euros (-19.6%) compared to the first nine months of 2008, which had included 477 million euros for the acquisition of the 3G license in Brazil.

 

Interim Report at September 30, 2009     4
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Adjusted net financial debt: the volatility of interest rates and exchange rates which were a distinguishing feature of the financial markets in the fourth quarter of 2008, had a sharp impact on the fair value of derivatives and related financial assets and liabilities. In order to present a more realistic analysis of net financial debt, starting with the Half-Yearly Financial Report at June 30, 2009, a new performance measure has been introduced denominated “adjusted net financial debt” which excludes effects that are merely accounting and non-monetary deriving from the fair value measurement of derivatives and the correlated financial assets and liabilities.

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At September 30, 2009, adjusted net financial debt amounts to 35,093 million euros, increasing by 567 million euros compared to December 31, 2008 (34,526 million euros) and by 234 million euros compared to June 30, 2009. This increase reflects the payment of income taxes for 1.3 billion euros in the third quarter of 2009, countered by positive operating cash flows.

Liquidity margin: amounts to 5.9 billion euros at September 30, 2009. During the first nine months of 2009, the situation of the European and United States financial markets made it possible to issue new bonds and obtain new loans at advantageous conditions. In addition, 6.5 billion euros of available irrevocable long-term credit lines (expiring in 2014) is available, not subject to events which limit its utilization. In the present environment of financial market uncertainty, the Telecom Italia Group keeps a high level of financial coverage in order to have a sufficient treasury margin at its disposal to meet debt repayment obligations over the next 18 to 24 months.

 

Interim Report at September 30, 2009     5
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Consolidated Operating and Financial Data

 

 

(millions of euros)   3rd Quarter
2009
    3rd Quarter
2008
  9 months to
9/30/2009
    9 months to
9/30/2008
    Change
%
 

Revenues

  6,764      7,273   20,188      21,520      (6.2

EBITDA (1)

  2,979      3,011   8,526      8,398      1.5   

EBIT (1)

  1,608      1,579   4,293      4,145      3.6   

Profit before tax from continuing operations

  1,069      856   2,676      2,257      18.6   

Profit from continuing operations

  748      499   1,707      1,737      (1.7

Profit (loss) from Discontinued operations/Non-current assets held for sale

  (541   120   (559   (33     ° 

Profit for the period

  207      619   1,148      1,704      (32.6

Profit for the period attributable to owners of the Parent

  201      626   1,165      1,743      (33.2

Investments:

         

Industrial

  1,076      952   2,998      3,728      (19.6

Financial

  —        1   4      1        ° 

 

 

Consolidated Financial Position Data

 

 

(millions of euros)   9/30/2009     12/31/2008     Change     12/31/2008  
          Restated (*)           Historical Restated  

Total assets

  84,041      86,223      (2,182   85,650   

Total equity

  26,989      26,825      164      26,825   

- attributable to owners of the Parent

  26,136      26,095      41      26,095   

- attributable to Minority Interest

  853      730      123      730   

Total liabilities

  57,052      59,398      (2,346   58,825   

Total equity and liabilities

  84,041      86,223      (2,182   85,650   

Share capital

  10,585      10,591      (6   10,591   

Net financial debt carrying amount (1)

  35,506      34,039      1,467      34,039   

Adjusted Net financial debt (1)

  35,093      34,526      567      34,526   

Adjusted Net invested capital (2)

  62,082      61,351      731      61,351   

Debt Ratio (Adjusted net financial debt /Adjusted net invested capital)

  56.5   56.3   (0.2) pp      56.3

 

 

Headcount, number in the Group at period-end (3)

 

 

(number)   9/30/2009   12/31/2008   Change     12/31/2008
        Restated (*)         Historical Restated

Headcount (excluding headcount of Discontinued operations/Non-current assets held for sale)

  72,560   75,320   (2,760   77,825

Headcount of Discontinued operations/Non-current assets held for sale

  2,283   2,505   (222   —  

 

 

Headcount, average number in the Group (3)

 

 

(equivalent number)   9 months to
9/30/2009
  9 months to
9/30/2008
  Change  

Headcount (excluding headcount of Discontinued operations/Non-current assets held for sale)

  70,574   73,746   (3,172

Headcount of Discontinued operations/Non-current assets held for sale

  2,231   3,580   (1,349

 

Interim Report at September 30, 2009     6
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Consolidated Profit Ratios

 

 

    3rd Quarter
2009
    3rd Quarter
2008
    9 months to
9/30/2009
    9 months to
9/30/2008
    Change  

EBITDA(1) / Revenues

  44.0   41.4   42.2   39.0   3.2 pp   

EBIT(1) / Revenues (ROS)

  23.8   21.7   21.3   19.3   2.0 pp   

Revenues/Headcount (average number in the Group, thousands of euros)

      286.0      291.8      (5.8

EBITDA(1) /Headcount (average number in the Group, thousands of euros)

      120.8      113.9      6.9   

 

 

Operating Data

 

 

     9/30/2009    12/31/2008    Change  

Fixed-line network connections in Italy at period-end (thousands)

   18,854    20,031    (1,177

Physical accesses at period-end (Consumer + Business) (thousands)

   16,358    17,352    (994

Mobile lines in Italy at period-end (thousands)

   31,921    34,797    (2,876

Mobile lines in Brazil at period-end (thousands)

   39,600    36,402    3,198   

BroadBand connections in Italy at period-end (thousands)

   8,567    8,134    433   

of which retail broadband connections (thousands)

   6,921    6,754    167   

 

(*) For purposes of comparison, the figures at December 31, 2008 have been restated by considering HanseNet Telekommunikation GmbH in Discontinued operations/Non-current assets held for sale.
(1) Details are provided in the section “Alternative Performance Measures”.
(2) Adjusted net invested capital = Total equity + Adjusted net financial debt.
(3) Headcount includes the number of people with temp work contracts.

The Telecom Italia Group Interim Report at September 30, 2009 has been prepared as set out in art. 154-ter (Financial Reports) of Legislative Decree 58/1998 (Consolidated Law on Finance – TUF), and subsequent amendments and additions, as well as Consob Communication DEM/8041082 of April 30, 2008 (Quarterly Corporate Reports issued by Companies whose Shares are Listed in Italy as the Original Member State).

The Interim Report is unaudited and has been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standards issued by the International Accounting Standards Board and endorsed by the European Union (IFRS).

In the preparation of the Interim Report, the same accounting policies and consolidation principles have been adopted as those used in the preparation of the annual consolidated financial statements of the Telecom Italia Group at December 31, 2008, to which reference can be made, except for new standards and interpretations adopted by the Group beginning January 1, 2009 and previously described in the annual report 2008.

Moreover:

 

   

following the retrospective application of IFRIC 13 (Customer Loyalty Programmes), the comparative figures for the year 2008 have been restated. Additional details are provided in the paragraph “Effects of the application of IFRIC 13 (Customer Loyalty Programmes) on the principal operating and financial data of the Telecom Italia Group”;

 

   

with the application of IFRS 8, the term “operating segment” is considered synonymous with the term “business unit” used in this Interim Report.

The Telecom Italia Group, in addition to the conventional financial performance measures established by IFRS, uses certain alternative performance measures in order to present a better understanding of the trend of operations and financial condition. Specifically, these alternative performance measures refer to: EBITDA, EBIT, the organic change in revenues, EBITDA and EBIT, and net financial debt carrying amount and adjusted net financial debt. Additional details on such measures are presented under “Alternative performance measures”.

Furthermore, particularly the section entitled “Business Outlook for the Year 2009” contains forward-looking statements. The Interim Report is based on the Group’s intentions, beliefs or current expectations regarding financial performance and other aspects of the Group’s operations and strategies. Readers are reminded not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements; actual results may differ significantly from forecasts owing to numerous factors, to be considered also in relation to the uncertainties connected with the financial market crisis, the majority of which is beyond the scope of the Group’s control.

 

Interim Report at September 30, 2009     7
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PRINCIPAL CHANGES IN THE SCOPE OF CONSOLIDATION

During the third quarter of 2009, owing to its planned sale, the investment in HanseNet Telekommunikation GmbH (operating in the broadband business in Germany) was classified in Discontinued operations (Discontinued operations/Non-current assets held for sale).

In accordance with IFRS 5 (Non-current assets held for sale and discontinued operations), the results of operations of the company for the first nine months of 2009 and the third quarter of 2009, in addition to the corresponding periods of 2008, are presented in a specific line in the separate consolidated income statement “Profit (loss) from Discontinued operations/Non-current assets held for sale” while the balance sheet figures at September 30, 2009 are presented in two separate lines of the consolidated statement of financial position.

Beginning May 1, 2009, the company Telecom Media News S.p.A. has been excluded from the scope of consolidation following the sale of a 60% stake by Telecom Italia Media S.p.A..

The following principal changes had taken place during 2008:

 

   

the exclusion of Entel Bolivia starting from the second quarter of 2008 after the Bolivian government issued a decree on May 1, 2008 calling for the nationalization of the company. The investment is now carried in Current assets;

 

   

the exclusion of the “Pay-per-View” business segment from December 1, 2008 after its disposal by Telecom Italia Media S.p.A..

 

Interim Report at September 30, 2009     8
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Corporate Boards at September 30, 2009

 

 

Board of Directors

The board of directors of Telecom Italia was elected by the shareholders’ meeting held on April 14, 2008 for three years, up to the approval of the 2010 annual financial statements, and is composed of 15 directors.

The composition of the board of directors of the Company at September 30, 2009 is as follows:

 

Chairman    Gabriele Galateri di Genola
Chief Executive Officer    Franco Bernabè
Directors    César Alierta Izuel
   Paolo Baratta (independent)
   Tarak Ben Ammar
   Roland Berger (independent)
   Elio Cosimo Catania (independent)
   Stefano Cao (*)
   Jean Paul Fitoussi (independent)
   Berardino Libonati
   Julio Linares López
   Gaetano Micciché
   Aldo Minucci
   Renato Pagliaro
   Luigi Zingales (independent)
Secretary to the Board    Antonino Cusimano

 

(*) Co-opted by the board of directors on February 27, 2009 to replace Gianni Mion, who resigned, and subsequently appointed a director by the shareholders’ meeting held on April 8, 2009 up to the expiry of the term of office of the board of directors (the approval of the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2010).

The board of directors formed the following internal committees:

 

   

Executive Committee, composed of: Gabriele Galateri di Genola (Chairman), Franco Bernabè, Roland Berger, Elio Cosimo Catania, Julio Linares López, Aldo Minucci, Stefano Cao (appointed by the board of directors’ meeting held on May 7, 2009, to replace Gianni Mion) and Renato Pagliaro;

 

   

Committee for Internal Control and Corporate Governance, composed of: Paolo Baratta (Chairman), Roland Berger, Jean Paul Fitoussi and Aldo Minucci;

 

   

Nomination and Remuneration Committee, composed of: Elio Cosimo Catania (Chairman), Berardino Libonati and Luigi Zingales.

 

 

Board of Statutory Auditors

The board of statutory auditors of Telecom Italia was elected by the shareholders’ meeting held on April 8, 2009 and will remain in office until approval of the 2011 annual financial statements.

The new board of statutory auditors is composed as follows:

 

Chairman    Enrico Maria Bignami
Acting Auditors    Gianluca Ponzellini
   Lorenzo Pozza
   Salvatore Spiniello
   Ferdinando Superti Furga
Alternate Auditors    Silvano Corbella
   Maurizio Lauri
   Vittorio Giacomo Mariani
   Ugo Rock

 

Interim Report at September 30, 2009     9
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Independent Auditors

The independent auditors are Reconta Ernst & Young S.p.A. up to the audit of the 2009 annual financial statements.

 

 

Manager Responsible for Preparing Corporate Financial Reports

Marco Patuano (Head of the Group Administration, Finance and Control Function) is the Manager Responsible for Preparing Corporate Financial Reports of Telecom Italia.

 

Interim Report at September 30, 2009     10
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Macro-Organization Chart at September 30, 2009

Telecom Italia Group

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Note should be taken that:

 

   

beginning October 8, 2009, in Domestic Market Operations, the Business Innovation structure has been abolished. Starting on the same date, the BroadBand Content function has been established and is headed by Luca Tomassini.

 

Interim Report at September 30, 2009     11
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Information for Investors

 

 

Telecom Italia S.p.A. share capital at September 30, 2009

 

Share capital

   10,673,804,177.85 euros   

Number of ordinary shares (par value 0.55 euros each)

   13,380,796,026   

Number of savings shares (par value 0.55 euros each)

   6,026,120,661   

Number of Telecom Italia ordinary treasury shares

   37,672,014   

Number of Telecom Italia ordinary shares held by Telecom Italia Finance S.A.

   124,544,373   

Percentage of treasury shares held by the Group to share capital

   0.84

Market capitalization (based on September 2009 average prices)

   21,139 million euros   

 

 

Shareholders

Composition of Telecom Italia S.p.A. shareholders according to the Shareholders Book at September 30, 2009, supplemented by communications received and other sources of information (ordinary shares)

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In reference to the Shareholders’ Agreement among Telco shareholders which will expire on April 28, 2010, on October 28, 2009, that is, with at least six months notice before the expiration date, Sintonia has exercised its right to request to withdraw from the agreement according to art. 11 of the Shareholders’ Agreement signed on April 28, 2007. On the same date, the other shareholders communicated that:

 

   

they will not exercise the right to request, in October, to withdraw according to art. 11 of the Shareholders’ Agreement signed on April 28, 2007;

 

   

they have agreed, as from that time, to renew the Shareholders’ Agreement for three years, that is, until April 27, 2013, at the terms and conditions in force, with the right to request the termination of the agreement and the relative withdrawal via communication to be sent between October 1, and October 28, 2012;

 

   

they have also agreed that the renewed Shareholders’ Agreement shall provide for the right of early termination and relative request of withdrawal to be communicated in the period between April 1, and April 28, 2011, with execution within the following six months.

 

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The shareholders also agreed that for the purpose of Sintonia’s withdrawal from the agreement, they could take into consideration, in accord with Sintonia, technical forms other than withdrawal, with the understanding that the common objective is to complete the exit in the shortest technical time, possibly by the end of November.

Major holdings in share capital

At September 30, 2009, taking into account the results in the Shareholders Book, communications sent to CONSOB and the Company pursuant to Legislative Decree 58 dated February 24, 1998, art. 120 and other sources of information, the principal shareholders of Telecom Italia S.p.A. ordinary share capital are as follows:

 

Holder

  

Type of ownership

   % stake in ordinary share capital  

Telco S.p.A.

  

Direct

   24.50

Findim Group S.A.

  

Direct

   5.01

Furthermore, the following companies, as investment advisory firms, notified CONSOB that they are in possession of Telecom Italia S.p.A. ordinary shares:

 

   

Brandes Investment Partners LP: on July 23, 2008, for a quantity of ordinary shares equal to 4.024% of total Telecom Italia S.p.A. ordinary shares;

 

   

Alliance Bernstein LP: on November 14, 2008, for a quantity of ordinary shares equal to 2.069% of total Telecom Italia S.p.A. ordinary shares;

 

   

Barclays Global Investors UK Holdings LTD: on August 21, 2009, for a quantity of ordinary shares equal to 2.009% of total Telecom Italia S.p.A. ordinary shares.

 

 

Common representatives

Carlo Pasteris is the common representative of the savings shareholders for the years 2007– 2009. Francesco Pensato is the common representative of the bondholders for the following bonds:

 

   

Telecom Italia S.p.A. 1.5% 2001-2010 convertible bonds with a repayment premium (with a mandate until maturity);

 

   

Telecom Italia S.p.A. 2002-2022 bonds at floating rates, open special series, reserved for subscription by employees of the Telecom Italia Group, in service or retired (with a mandate for the three-year period 2008-2010);

 

   

Telecom Italia S.p.A. 750,000,000 euros, 4.50% notes due 2011 (with a mandate for the three-year period 2009-2011 and, therefore, up to maturity);

 

   

Telecom Italia S.p.A. 1,250,000,000 euros 5.375% notes due 2019 (with a mandate for the three-year period 2009-2011).

 

Interim Report at September 30, 2009     13
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Performance of the stocks of the major companies in the Telecom Italia Group

Relative performance by Telecom Italia S.p.A.

1/1/2009 – 9/30/2009 vs. FTSE Italy All-Shares Index and Dow Jones Stoxx TLC Index

LOGO

(*) Stock market prices. Source: Reuters.

Relative performance by Telecom Italia Media S.p.A.

1/1/2009 – 9/30/2009 vs. FTSE Italy All-Shares Index and Dow Jones Stoxx MEDIA Index

LOGO

 

(*) Stock market prices. Source: Reuters.

 

Interim Report at September 30, 2009     14
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Relative performance by Tim Participações S.A.

1/1/2009 – 9/30/2009 vs. BOVESPA Index and ITEL Index (in Brazilian reais)

LOGO

 

(*) Stock market prices. Source: Reuters.

The ordinary and savings shares of Telecom Italia S.p.A. and the preferred shares of Tim Participações S.A. are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Telecom Italia S.p.A. shares are listed with ordinary and savings American Depositary Shares (ADS) representing, respectively, 10 ordinary shares and 10 savings shares.

 

 

Rating at September 30, 2009

 

     Rating    Outlook

STANDARD & POOR’S

   BBB    Stable

MOODY’S

   Baa2    Stable

FITCH RATINGS

   BBB    Stable

Standard & Poor’s, on July 29, 2009, confirmed its BBB rating of Telecom Italia with a stable outlook for the Group.

Moody’s, on June 17, 2009, confirmed its Baa2 rating of Telecom Italia with a stable outlook for the Group.

Fitch Ratings, on June 12, 2009, confirmed its BBB rating of Telecom Italia with a stable outlook for the Group.

 

Interim Report at September 30, 2009     15
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Review of Operating and Financial Performance - Telecom Italia Group

Consolidated Operating Performance - First 9 months and 3rd Quarter 2009

The principal profit indicators for the first nine months of 2009 and the third quarter of 2009 compared with the corresponding periods of the prior year are as follows:

 

(millions of euros)

   3rd Quarter
2009
    3rd Quarter
2008
    9 months to
9/30/2009
(a)
    9 months to
9/30/2008
(b)
    Change (a-b)  
           amount     %     %
organic
 

REVENUES

   6,764      7,273      20,188      21,520      (1,332   (6.2   (4.4

EBITDA

   2,979      3,011      8,526      8,398      128      1.5      (0.4

EBITDA MARGIN

   44.0   41.4   42.2   39.0   +3.2 pp       

ORGANIC EBITDA MARGIN

   44.2   41.8   42.7   40.9   +1.8 pp       

EBIT

   1,608      1,579      4,293      4,145      148      3.6      (0.5

EBIT MARGIN

   23.8   21.7   21.3   19.3   +2.0 pp       

ORGANIC EBIT MARGIN

   23.8   22.1   21.9   21.1   +0.8 pp       

PROFIT BEFORE TAX FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

   1,069      856      2,676      2,257      419      18.6     

PROFIT FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

   748      499      1,707      1,737      (30   (1.7  

PROFIT (LOSS) FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS/NON-CURRENT ASSETS HELD FOR SALE

   (541   120      (559   (33   (526   °     

PROFIT FOR THE PERIOD

   207      619      1,148      1,704      (556   (32.6  

PROFIT FOR THE PERIOD ATTRIBUTABLE TO OWNERS OF THE PARENT

   201      626      1,165      1,743      (578   (33.2  

The following chart summarizes the main line items which had an impact on the profit attributable to owners of the Parent for the first nine months of 2009:

LOGO

 

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Revenues

Revenues amount to 20,188 million euros for the first nine months of 2009, with a reduction of 6.2% compared to 21,520 million euros in the same period of 2008 (-1,332 million euros). In terms of the organic change, the reduction in consolidated revenues is 4.4% (-925 million euros).

In detail, the organic change in revenues is calculated by:

 

 

excluding the effect of the change in the scope of consolidation (-55 million euros, mainly in reference to the exclusion of Entel Bolivia from the second quarter of 2008);

 

 

excluding the effect of exchange differences (-370 million euros, being the sum of the negative exchange differences of the Brazil Business Unit (1), equal to -385 million euros, and the exchange differences of the other Business Units, equal to +15 million euros);

 

 

excluding non-organic other revenues, equal to 6 million euros for the first nine months of 2009 (24 million euros for the first nine months of 2008).

The breakdown of revenues by operating segment is the following:

 

     9 months to
9/30/2009
    9 months to
9/30/2008
    Change  

(millions of euros)

         % of
total
          % of
total
    amount     %     %
organic
 

Domestic

   16,233      80.4      17,119      79.5      (886   (5.2   (5.4

Brazil

   3,622      17.9      3,973      18.5      (351   (8.8   1.0   

Media, Olivetti and Other Operations

   498      2.5      638      3.0      (140   (21.9  

Adjustments and Eliminations

   (165   (0.8   (210   (1.0   45      (21.4  

Total consolidated revenues

   20,188      100.0      21,520      100.0      (1,332   (6.2   (4.4

The following chart summarizes the changes in revenues in the periods under comparison:

LOGO

The Domestic Business Unit (divided into Core Domestic and International Wholesale) has suffered overall from the negative market scenario in the last nine months, although the reduction in fixed telephone market revenues was less affected that the mobile telephone business where revenues have fallen compared to the previous quarters.

 

(1)

The average exchange rate used to translate the Brazilian real to euro (expressed in terms of units of local currency per 1 euro), is equal to 2.83709 for the first nine months of 2009 and 2.56184 for the first nine months of 2008. The effect of the change in the exchange rates is calculated applying, to the period under comparison, the foreign currency translation rates used for the current period.

 

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In particular, the change in Core Domestic Revenues (telecommunications activities regarding the domestic market, in its new representation by sales business segment reported below) during the first nine months of 2009 reflects the following:

 

   

a contraction in Consumer segment revenues (-674 million euros, -7.5%), largely attributable to business areas with low margins (in particular: mobile segment product revenues -220 million euros and mobile segment content revenues -50 million euros,) while growth was reported for BroadBand in both fixed (+86 million euros, +13%) and mobile (+51 million euros, +21%) areas;

 

   

a fall in Business segment revenues (-289 million euros, -9.3%), which, to a greater extent than the other markets, was hurt by the decline in consumption owing to the aforementioned economic picture and the contrasting impact of competition in the fixed telephony area, particularly regarding Telecom Italia’s customer win-back procedure. Nevertheless, positive trends have been consolidated in these circumstances such as the stability of fixed internet revenues and the steady growth of mobile browsing revenues;

 

   

a limited reduction in the Top segment (-4.0%) driven by strong growth in ICT solutions and packages (+15.2%), a stable mobile area and a fall in fixed business;

 

   

a significant increase in the National Wholesale segment (+224 million euros, +17.4% in organic terms) generated by the growth of the customer base of alternative operators.

As for the growth of the Brazil Business Unit revenues, the increase in organic revenues is 1.0% thanks to the good trend in VAS and product revenues, buoyed by the expansion of the customer base (+3.2 million lines compared to the end of 2008).

For the third quarter of 2009, revenues are equal to 6,764 million euros (7,273 million euros for the third quarter of 2008), with a decrease of 7.0% compared to the corresponding period of 2008. Excluding the exchange effect (-97 million euros, mainly referring to the Brazil Business Unit) and the change in the scope of consolidation (-2 million euros), the organic change in revenues is -5.6%.

For an in-depth analysis of revenue performance by individual Business Unit, please refer to the section “The Business Units of the Telecom Italia Group”.

EBITDA

EBITDA is equal to 8,526 million euros and increased, compared to the corresponding period of 2008, by 128 million euros (+1.5%). The organic change in EBITDA is basically stable (-32 million euros, -0.4%).

The EBITDA margin went from 39.0% for the first nine months of 2008 to 42.2% for the first nine months of 2009; at the organic level, the organic EBITDA margin is 42.7% for the first nine months of 2009 with an increase of 1.8 percentage points compared to the same period of the prior year (40.9%).

Details of EBITDA and EBITDA margins by operating segment are as follows:

 

(millions of euros)

   9 months to
9/30/2009
    9 months to
9/30/2008
    Change  
         % of
total
          % of
total
    amount     %     %
organic
 

Domestic

   7,712      90.5      7,573      90.2      139      1.8      (1.8 ) 

EBITDA margin

   47.5     44.2     +3.3 pp        +1.7 pp   

Brazil

   849      10.0      875      10.4      (26   (3.0   11.5   

EBITDA margin

   23.5     22.0     +1.5 pp        +2.3 pp   

Media, Olivetti and Other Operations

   (28   (0.3   (40   (0.5   12      (30.0  

Adjustments and Eliminations

   (7   (0.2   (10   (0.1   3      (30.0  

Total consolidated EBITDA

   8,526      100.0      8,398      100.0      128      1.5      (0.4

EBITDA margin

   42.2     39.0     +3.2 pp        +1.8 pp   

 

Interim Report at September 30, 2009     18
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The following chart summarizes the changes in EBITDA:

LOGO

(Revenues and income) / costs and expenses excluded from the calculation of organic EBITDA are the following:

 

(millions of euros)

   9 months to
9/30/2009
   9 months to
9/30/2008
   Change  

Disputes and settlements

   47    37    10   

Costs for services of the Brazil Business Unit associated with the settlement of a dispute

   22    —      22   

Others, net

   19    11    8   

Expenses for mobility under Law 223/91

   —      287    (287

Total non-organic (revenues and income) / costs and expenses, net

   88    335    (247

For the third quarter of 2009, EBITDA is equal to 2,979 million euros (3,011 million euros for the third quarter of 2008), with a decrease of 1.1%. Organic EBITDA is basically steady (-12 million euros, -0.4%).

EBITDA was particularly impacted by the change in the following line items, analyzed below:

Acquisition of goods and services

Acquisition of goods and services stands at 8,362 million euros, with a reduction of 1,091 million euros (-11.5%) compared to the first nine months of 2008 (9,453 million euros) connected in part with the exchange rate effect, particularly that of the Brazil Business Unit (-220 million euros). In any case, the reductions are across all areas of expenses, particularly the portion of revenues to be paid to other operators and purchases of goods by the Domestic Business Unit.

In detail:

 

(millions of euros)

   9 months to
9/30/2009
   9 months to
9/30/2008
   Change  

Purchases of goods

   1,285    1,695    (410

Portion of revenues to paid to other operators and interconnection costs

   3,223    3,755    (532

Commercial and advertising costs

   1,412    1,423    (11

Power, maintenance and outsourced services

   914    940    (26

Rent and leases

   429    426    3   

Other service expenses

   1,099    1,214    (115

Total acquisition of goods and services

   8,362    9,453    (1,091

% of Revenues

   41.4    43.9    (2.5) pp   

 

Interim Report at September 30, 2009     19
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Employee benefits expenses

Details are as follows:

 

(millions of euros)

   9 months to
9/30/2009
   9 months to
9/30/2008
   Change  

Employee benefits expenses – Italian companies:

        

Ordinary employee costs and expenses

   2,543    2,568    (25

Expenses for mobility under Law 223/91

   —      287    (287

Total employee benefits expenses – Italy

   2,543    2,855    (312

Total employee benefits expenses – Foreign

   194    233    (39

Total employee benefits expenses

   2,737    3,088    (351

% of Revenues

   13.6    14.3    (0.7) pp   

In the Italian component of ordinary employee benefits expenses, the decrease of 25 million euros is the result of the reduction in the average number of the salaried workforce (-2,548 compared to the first nine months of 2008, at the same scope of consolidation) and is mainly offset by the effect of the June 2008 increase in minimum salaries established by the TLC collective national labor contract and estimated TLC labor contract expenses for the current year.

Employee benefits expenses for the first nine months of 2008 also included expenses amounting to 287 million euros for the start of mobility procedures under Law 223/91 by the Parent, Telecom Italia.

In the foreign component of employee benefits expenses, the decrease of 39 million euros is largely due to the reduction in the average number of the salaried headcount (-129 compared to 2008, net of the changes in the scope of consolidation), the exchange rate effect of the Brazil Business Unit (-18 million euros) and also the exclusion from the scope of consolidation of the Entel Bolivia group (-4 million euros).

The average number of the salaried workforce is the following:

 

(equivalent number)

   9 months to
9/30/2009
   9 months to
9/30/2008
   Change  

Average salaried workforce – Italy

   60,731    63,279    (2,548

Average salaried workforce – Foreign (1)

   9,843    10,467    (624

Total average salaried workforce (2)

   70,574    73,746    (3,172

Non-current assets held for sale – Foreign (3)

   2,231    3,580    (1,349

Total average salaried workforce – including Non-current assets held for sale

   72,805    77,326    (4,521

 

(1) The change compared to the first nine months of 2008 includes a reduction due to the exclusion of a 495 average headcount relating to the Entel Bolivia group.
(2) The total includes people with temp work contracts: 395 average headcount for the first nine months of 2009 (of whom a 350 average - Italy and a 45 average - foreign); a 1,132 average headcount for the first nine months of 2008 (of whom a 1,072 average - Italy and a 60 average - foreign).
(3) The first nine months of 2009 include the average salaried headcount of HanseNet (2,231); the first nine months of 2008 comprised the average salaried headcount of HanseNet (2,571) and the Liberty Surf group, sold at the end of August 2008 (1,009).

The headcount at September 30, 2009 is the following:

 

(number)

   9/30/2009    12/31/2008    Change  

Headcount – Italy

   62,485    64,242    (1,757

Headcount – Foreign

   10,075    11,078    (1,003

Total (1)

   72,560    75,320    (2,760

Non-current assets held for sale – Foreign

   2,283    2,505    (222

Total – including Non-current assets held for sale

   74,843    77,825    (2,982

 

(1) Includes headcount of employees with temp work contracts: 110 at 9/30/2009 (of whom 84 in Italy and 26 foreign) and 782 at 12/31/2008 (of whom 721 in Italy and 61 foreign).

 

Interim Report at September 30, 2009     20
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Other income

Details are as follows:

 

(millions of euros)

   9 months to
9/30/2009
   9 months to
9/30/2008
   Change  

Late payment fees charged for telephone services

   53    67    (14

Recovery of employee benefit expenses, acquisition of goods and services

   33    37    (4

Capital and operating grants

   40    33    7   

Damage compensation, penalties and sundry recoveries

   18    53    (35

Sundry income

   40    25    15   

Total

   184    215    (31

Other operating expenses

Other operating expenses amount to 1,078 million euros, with a decrease of 158 million euros compared to the first nine months of 2008 (1,236 million euros). The change is connected in part with the exchange effect of the Brazil Business Unit (-70 million euros).

Details are as follows:

 

(millions of euros)

   9 months to
9/30/2009
   9 months to
9/30/2008
   Change  

Writedowns and expenses in connection with credit management

   391    504    (113

Accruals to provisions

   55    80    (25

Telecommunications operating fees and charges

   230    246    (16

Taxes on revenues of Brazilian companies

   194    216    (22

Indirect duties and taxes

   96    98    (2

Penalties, settlement compensation and administrative sanctions

   59    41    18   

Association dues and fees, donations, scholarships and traineeships

   19    18    1   

Sundry expenses

   34    33    1   

Total

   1,078    1,236    (158

Writedowns and expenses in connection with credit management include 268 million euros referring to the Domestic Business Unit (260 million euros for the first nine months of 2008), 120 million euros to the Brazilian Business Unit (241 million euros for the first nine months of 2008, which recorded higher credit writedowns for one specific sales channel).

The accruals to provisions recorded mainly for pending disputes include 33 million euros referring to the Domestic Business Unit (47 million euros for the first nine months of 2008) and 18 million euros to the Brazilian Business Unit (28 million euros for the first nine months of 2008).

Penalties, settlement compensation and administrative sanctions refer entirely to the Domestic Business Unit; for the first nine months of 2009, the amount also includes expenses in connection with a settlement with another operator.

Depreciation and amortization

Details are as follows:

 

(millions of euros)

   9 months to
9/30/2009
   9 months to
9/30/2008
   Change  

Amortization of intangible assets with a finite useful life

   1,676    1,747    (71

Depreciation of tangible assets – owned and leased

   2,502    2,525    (23

Total

   4,178    4,272    (94

 

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The reduction in depreciation and amortization is mainly in connection with the Domestic Business Unit (-33 million euros) and, for the remaining balance, the net effect between the change in the Brazilian real/euro exchange rate (-78 million euros) and higher depreciation and amortization by the Brazil Business Unit.

Net losses on disposals of non-current assets

Net losses on disposals of non-current assets total 55 million euros and principally include:

 

 

the negative impact for a total of 39 million euros connected with the final divestiture of the platform for credit management of the fixed consumer clientele of the Domestic Business Unit. In the first half of 2009, the platform had been written down by 48 million euros, now reduced to 39 million euros following a more exact analysis of the assets effectively written down;

 

 

the negative impact for a total of 11 million euros connected with the sale of a 60% stake in Telecom Media News S.p.A. by Telecom Italia Media S.p.A.

For the first nine months of 2008, this item included net gains of 25 million euros principally in reference to the sale of buildings.

EBIT

EBIT is 4,293 million euros, with an increase of 148 million euros compared to the first nine months of 2008 (+3.6%). The organic change in EBIT, instead, is a negative 21 million euros (-0.5%).

The EBIT margin went from 19.3% for the first nine months of 2008 to 21.3% for the first nine months of 2009: at the organic level, the EBIT margin is 21.9% for the first nine months of 2009 (21.1% for the same period of the prior year).

The following chart summarizes the changes in EBIT:

LOGO

(Revenues and income) / costs and expenses excluded from the calculation of organic EBIT are the following:

 

(millions of euros)

   9 months to
9/30/2009
    9 months to
9/30/2008
    Change  

Non-organic items already described under EBITDA

   88      335      (247

Losses (Gains) on disposals of buildings, investments and intangible assets

   50      (25   75   

Other expenses, net

   (1   —        (1

Total Non-organic (revenues and income)/costs and expenses, net

   137      310      (173

 

Interim Report at September 30, 2009     22
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For the third quarter of 2009, EBIT is equal to 1,608 million euros (1,579 million euros for the third quarter of 2008), with an increase of 1.8%. The organic change in EBIT is equal to 1.3% (+20 million euros).

The EBIT margin is 23.8% (21.7% for the third quarter of 2008); the organic EBIT margin for the third quarter of 2009 is 23.8% (22.1% in the same period of the prior year).

Share of profits (losses) of associates and joint ventures accounted for using the equity method

Details are as follows:

 

(millions of euros)

   9 months to
9/30/2009
   9 months to
9/30/2008
   Change  

ETECSA

   44    40    4   

Other

   5    13    (8

Total

   49    53    (4

Other income (expenses) from investments

Other income (expenses) from investments for the first nine months of 2009 amount to a negative 34 million euros and include the writedown of 39 million euros on the 19.37% investment in the Italtel Group. The amount of the investment, recorded at cost, was written off on the basis of a valuation backed by a specific report on its estimated value, conducted by an independent appraiser. The line item also includes gains, net of the relative transaction expenses of 3 million euros, on the disposals, in early 2009, of the investments held in Luna Rossa Challenge 2007 and Luna Rossa Trademark, which had already been classified in Non-current assets held for sale at December 31, 2008.

Finance income (expenses), net

Details are as follows:

 

(millions of euros)

   9 months to
9/30/2009
    9 months to
9/30/2008
    Change  

Fair value measurement of call options on 50% of Sofora Telecomunicaciones share capital

   5      (190   195   

Income (expenses) on bond buybacks

   —        49      (49

Early closing of derivative instruments

   15      14      1   

Writedown of receivables from Lehman Brothers

   —        (51   51   

Net finance expenses, fair value adjustments of derivatives and underlyings and other items

   (1,652   (1,765   113   

Total

   (1,632   (1,943   311   

The change in finance income (expenses), net was impacted by the following:

 

 

the overall reduction in interest rates and the positive change in the fair value adjustments of positions that qualified for hedge accounting and the improvement in the fair value measurement of the call options on Sofora share capital;

 

 

the writedown of receivables from Lehman Brothers International Europe Ltd and Lehman Brothers Special Financing Inc. in the nine month of 2008 and arising on the transactions in derivative instruments hedging financial risks on existing financial liabilities;

 

 

lower income on bond buybacks. Such bond repurchase transactions, although having no impact in terms of income for the first nine months of 2009 (income of 49 million euros for the first nine months of 2008), will give rise to lower finance expenses prospectively and constitute an efficient alternative investment of liquidity.

For the third quarter of 2009, finance income (expenses) is a net expense of 555 million euros (a net expense of 739 million euros for the third quarter of 2008). The improvement of 184 million euros is not only due to the cited overall reduction in interest rates but also to the fair value measurement of the call options on Sofora

 

Interim Report at September 30, 2009     23
Telecom Italia Group  


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share capital (unchanged for the third quarter of 2009 compared to a writedown of 80 million euros for the third quarter of 2008). Moreover, receivables from Lehman Brothers International Europe Ltd and Lehman Brothers Special Financing Inc. had been written down in the third quarter of 2008.

Income tax expense

Income tax expense is 969 million euros and records an increase of 449 million euros compared to the same period of the prior year which benefitted from 515 million euros of deferred income taxes reversed to income on accelerated depreciation taken in prior years, net of the substitute tax, as allowed by the Italian Budget Law 2008. Net of such effect, income tax expense would decrease by 66 million euros.

For the third quarter of 2009, income tax expense is 321 million euros (357 million euros for the third quarter of 2008).

Loss from Discontinued operations/Non-current assets held for sale

For the first nine months of 2009, this line item totals -559 million euros and includes:

 

 

the writedown of 540 million euros on the goodwill allocated to BroadBand activities in Germany in order to adjust the carrying amount of HanseNet to the estimated sales value;

 

 

the loss on consolidation of HanseNet, for -19 million euros, including the negative impact of the amortization of the customer relationship and the audience agreement which arose following the acquisition of the AOL internet business in Germany.

During the first nine months of 2008, this line item totaled -33 million euros and included the gain on the sale of the entire investment in Liberty Surf Group S.A.S. (160 million euros) finalized in August 2008, the loss on consolidation of the Liberty Surf group up to the date of its sale (188 million euros) and the loss on consolidation of HanseNet (-5 million euros).

Additional details are provided in the section “Discontinued operations / Non-current assets held for sale”.

 

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Consolidated financial position performance

 

 

Financial position structure

 

 

(millions of euros)

   9/30/2009    12/31/2008
Restated (1)
   Change     12/31/2008
Historical restated
     (a)    (b)    (a-b)      

ASSETS

          

Non-current assets

   67,670    69,567    (1,897   70,957

Goodwill

   43,489    43,230    259      43,891

Intangible assets with a finite useful life

   6,016    6,154    (138   6,492

Tangible assets

   14,635    15,116    (481   15,662

Other non-current assets

   3,530    5,067    (1,537   4,912

Current assets

   15,153    14,904    249      14,684

Inventories, Trade and miscellaneous receivables and other current assets

   8,241    8,383    (142   8,480

Current income tax receivables

   56    73    (17   73

Investments

   39    39    —        39

Securities other than investments, Financial receivables and other non-current financial assets, Cash and cash equivalents

   6,817    6,409    408      6,092

Discontinued operations/Non-current assets held for sale

   1,218    1,752    (534   9

of a financial nature

   49    20    29      —  

of a non-financial nature

   1,169    1,732    (563   9
   84,041    86,223    (2,182   85,650

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

          

Equity

   26,989    26,825    164      26,825

Non-current liabilities

   40,425    40,303    122      40,356

Current liabilities

   15,698    18,200    (2,502   18,469

Liabilities directly associated with Discontinued operations/Non-current assets held for sale

   929    895    34      —  

of a financial nature

   659    546    113      —  

of a non-financial nature

   270    349    (79   —  
   84,041    86,223    (2,182   85,650

 

(1) For purposes of comparison, the figures at December 31, 2008 have been restated by considering HanseNet Telekommunikation GmbH in Discontinued operations/Non-current assets held for sale.

 

 

Non-current assets

 

   

Goodwill: increased by 259 million euros due to the fluctuation in the exchange rates of the Brazilian companies. During the third quarter of 2009, with the exception of what as been previously described in terms of the goodwill allocated to the BroadBand activities in Germany, there were no events or circumstances such as to require an updating of the impairment test on the recoverability of goodwill that had been carried out in conjunction with the half-year condensed consolidated financial statements at June 30, 2009. In particular, the performance of the key parameters (EBITDA and CAPEX) of the Telecom Italia Group for the third quarter of 2009 is in line with the targets previously communicated to the market and assumed as the basis for the impairment test at June 30, 2009.

 

   

Intangible assets with a finite useful life: decreased by 138 million euros as a result of the following:

 

   

additions (+1,286 million euros);

 

   

amortization charge for the period (-1,676 million euros);

 

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disposals, exchange differences, change in the scope of consolidation and other movements (for a net balance of +252 million euros).

 

   

Tangible assets: decreased by 481 million euros from 15,116 million euros at the end of 2008 to 14,635 million euros at September 30, 2009, as a result of:

 

   

additions (+1,712 million euros);

 

   

depreciation charge for the period (-2,502 million euros);

 

   

disposals, exchange differences, change in the scope of consolidation and other movements (for a net balance of +309 million euros).

 

   

Other non-current assets: decreased by 1,537 million euros, from 5,067 million euros at the end of 2008 to 3,530 million euros at September 30, 2009. Of that amount, 458 million euros refers to Deferred tax assets, following compensation with income taxes accrued for the first nine months of 2009.

Discontinued operations/Non-current assets held for sale

Discontinued operations/Non-current assets held for sale at September 30, 2009 refer to HanseNet and include:

 

   

assets of a financial nature for 49 million euros;

 

   

goodwill equal to 121 million euros, already net of the writedown of 540 million euros made during the third quarter of 2009;

 

   

other assets of a non-financial nature for 1,048 million euros.

At the end of 2008, Discontinued operation/Non-current assets held for sale refer to HanseNet and also, for 9 million euros, to the investments held in Luna Rossa Challenge 2007 and Luna Rossa Trademark, which were sold in March 2009.

 

 

Consolidated equity

Consolidated equity amounts to 26,989 million euros (26,825 million euros at December 31, 2008), of which 26,136 million euros is attributable to owners of the Parent (26,095 million euros at December 31, 2008) and 853 million euros is attributable to Minority Interest (730 million euros at December 31, 2008).

In greater detail, the changes in equity are the following:

 

(millions of euros)

   1/1 - 9/30/2009     1/1 - 12/31/2008  

At the beginning of the period (historical data)

   26,856      26,985   

Change in accounting principles (*)

   (31   (4

At the beginning of the period (restated)

   26,825      26,981   

Total comprehensive income for the period

   1,237      (*)1,635   

Dividends declared by:

   (1,053   (1,668

- Telecom Italia S.p.A.

   (1,029   (1,609

- Other Group companies

   (24   (59

Bond conversions, equity instruments granted and purchase of treasury shares

   (10   (26

Change in scope of consolidation and other changes

   (10   (97

At the end of the period

   26,989      26,825   

 

(*) Includes the impact of the retrospective application of IFRIC 13 (Customer Loyalty Programmes).

 

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Net financial debt and financial flows

Net debt is composed as follows:

 

Net financial debt                         

(millions of euros)

   9/30/2009     12/31/2008     Change        
     Restated (*)       12/31/2008  
   (a)     (b)     (a-b)     Historical Restated  

NON-CURRENT FINANCIAL LIABILITIES

        

Bonds

   26,745      25,680      1,065      25,680   

Amounts due to banks, other financial payables and liabilities

   8,770      9,134      (364   9,134   

Finance lease liabilities

   1,584      1,694      (110   1,713   
   37,099      36,508      591      36,527   

CURRENT FINANCIAL LIABILITIES (1)

        

Bonds

   3,021      4,497      (1,476   4,497   

Amounts due to banks, other financial payables and liabilities

   3,056      1,496      1,560      1,496   

Finance lease liabilities

   229      266      (37   274   
   6,306      6,259      47      6,267   

Financial liabilities relating to Discontinued operations/Non-current assets held for sale

   659      546      113      —     

GROSS FINANCIAL DEBT

   44,064      43,313      751      42,794   

NON-CURRENT FINANCIAL ASSETS

        

Securities other than investments

   (14   (15   1      (15

Financial receivables and other non-current financial assets

   (1,678   (2,830   1,152      (2,648
   (1,692   (2,845   1,153      (2,663

CURRENT FINANCIAL ASSETS

        

Securities other than investments

   (1,447   (185   (1,262   (185

Financial receivables and other current financial assets

   (930   (828   (102   (491

Cash and cash equivalents

   (4,440   (5,396   956      (5,416
   (6,817   (6,409   (408   (6,092

Financial assets relating to Discontinued operations/Non-current assets held for sale

   (49   (20   (29   —     

FINANCIAL ASSETS

   (8,558   (9,274   716      (8,755

NET FINANCIAL DEBT CARRYING AMOUNT

   35,506      34,039      1,467      34,039   

Reversal of fair value measurement of derivatives and related financial liabilities/assets

   (413   487      (900   487   

ADJUSTED NET FINANCIAL DEBT

   35,093      34,526      567      34,526   

Detailed as follows:

        

TOTAL ADJUSTED GROSS FINANCIAL DEBT

   42,621      41,745      876      41,226   

TOTAL ADJUSTED FINANCIAL ASSETS

   (7,528   (7,219   (309   (6,700

(1)      of which current portion of medium/long-term debt:

        

Bonds

   3,021      4,497      (1,476   4,497   

Amounts due to banks, other financial payables and liabilities

   2,481      684      1,797      684   

Finance lease liabilities

   229      266      (37   274   

 

(*) For purposes of comparison, the figures at December 31, 2008 have been restated by considering HanseNet Telekommunikation GmbH in Discontinued operations/Non-current assets held for sale.

 

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The financial risk management policies of the Telecom Italia Group are directed towards diversifying market risks, fully hedging exchange rate risk and minimizing interest rate exposure by an appropriate diversification of the portfolio, which is also achieved by using carefully selected derivative financial instruments. Such instruments, it should be stressed, are not used for speculative purposes and all have an underlying.

Furthermore, in order to determine its exposure to interest rates, the Group defines an optimum composition for the fixed-rate and floating-rate debt structure and uses derivative financial instruments to achieve that prefixed composition. Taking into account the Group’s operating activities, the optimum mix of medium/long-term non-current financial liabilities has been established, on the basis of the nominal amount, at around 65% - 70% for the fixed-rate component and 30% - 35% for the floating-rate component.

In managing market risks, the Group has adopted a “Guideline policy for debt management using derivative instruments” and mainly uses IRS and CCIRS derivative financial instruments.

The volatility of interest rates and exchange rates featuring prominently in the financial markets beginning in the fourth quarter of 2008, significantly impacted the fair value measurement of the derivative positions and the correlated financial assets and liabilities.

With this in mind and in order to present a more realistic analysis of net financial debt, already starting from the June 2009 report, in addition to the usual indicator (renamed “Net financial debt carrying amount”), a new indicator is also presented denominated “adjusted net financial debt” which excludes effects that are purely accounting and non-monetary in nature deriving from the fair value measurement of derivatives and related financial assets and liabilities. The measurement of derivative financial instruments, which also has the objective of pre-setting the exchange rate and the interest rate of future variable contractual flows, does not, in fact, require an actual financial settlement.

The following chart summarizes the main transactions which had an impact on the change in net financial debt during the first nine months of 2009:

LOGO

 

(*) Adjustment of the fair value measurement of derivatives and related financial assets and liabilities.

 

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Net operating free cash flow                   

(millions of euros)

   9 months to
9/30/2009
    9 months to
9/30/2008
    Change  

EBITDA

   8,526      8,398      128   

Capital expenditures on an accrual basis

   (2,998   (3,728   730   

Change in net operating working capital:

   (1,501   (1,370   (131

Change in inventories

   (5   (56   51   

Change in trade receivables and net amounts due on construction contracts

   131      764      (633

Change in trade payables (*)

   (1,496   (1,984   488   

Other changes in operating receivables/payables

   (131   (94   (37

Change in provisions for employees benefits

   (74   301      (375

Change in operating provisions and Other changes

   (21   (184   163   

Net operating free cash flow

   3,932      3,417      515   

 

(*) Including the change in trade payables for amounts due to fixed asset suppliers.

Net operating free cash flow amounts to 3,932 million euros for the first nine months of 2009 and shows an improvement of 515 million euros compared to the corresponding period of the prior year. The change is mainly the result of the reduction in capital expenditure requirements (-730 million euros compared to the first nine months of 2008), countered in part by greater net operating working capital requirements.

Capital expenditures on an accrual basis flow

Capital expenditures on an accrual basis flow is 2,998 million euros, with a decrease of 730 million euros compared to the first nine months of 2008. The breakdown is as follows:

 

(millions of euros)

   9 months to
9/30/2009

% of total
    9 months to
9/30/2008

% of total
    Change  

Domestic

   2,418      80.7      2,646      71.0      (228

Brazil

   539      18.0      1,073      28.8      (534

Media, Olivetti and Other operations

   49      1.6      50      1.3      (1

Adjustments and Eliminations

   (8   (0.3   (41   (1.1   33   

Total

   2,998      100.0      3,728      100.0      (730

% of Revenues

   14.9        17.3       

Capital investments for the first nine months of 2008 had included 477 million euros relating to the purchase of the mobile telephone licenses for the Brazil Business Unit’s 3G service. Without considering that purchase, the reduction in capital expenditures, besides the impact of the Brazilian reais exchange rate (-58 million euros), is also due to the impact of the programs to cut costs and capital expenditures begun in 2008.

The following also had an effect on net financial debt during the first nine months of 2009:

Disposal of investments and other divestitures flow

Disposal of investments and other divestitures flow amounts to 42 million euros (846 million euros for the first nine months of 2008) and mainly refers to the sale of the investments held in Luna Rossa Challenge 2007 and Luna Rossa Trademark (for total cash receipts of 13 million euros), the sale of the investment in Telecom Media News for the first nine months of 2009, after the necessary capitalization, and also the disposal of other tangible and intangible assets. In particular, the disposals of tangible assets included the cancellation of a contract for the purchase of an aircraft which involved the manufacturer’s restitution of the advances that had been paid by Telecom Italia (about 21 million euros).

 

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The flow for the first nine months of 2008 had mainly related to the sale, in August 2008, of the Liberty Surf group (euro 757 million, including the deconsolidation of the net financial debt of the subsidiary sold).

Financial investments and treasury shares buyback flow

Financial investments and treasury shares buyback flow amounts to 15 million euros including 11 million euros referring to the buyback of a total of 11.4 million Telecom Italia ordinary shares purchased to service the top management incentive plan denominated 2008 Top Plan. The average unit price was 0.92959 euros per share (including agent commissions).

Moreover, in July 2009, the Parent, Telecom Italia, purchased on the market 39,500 Telecom Italia Media savings shares to add to the 221,000 Telecom Italia Media savings shares already held. Such purchases required a total disbursement of 4,470.23 euro, corresponding to the average cost of 0.11317 euros per share (including commissions paid to the agent)

The purchases were carried out through the financial agent Mediobanca which operated with a mandate for the purchase of the shares on behalf of the Company in complete autonomy and independently of Telecom Italia and in accordance with the “Regulation of the markets organized and operated by Borsa Italiana S.p.A.” and the relative instructions.

Finance expenses, taxes and other net non-operating requirements flow

Finance expenses, taxes and other net non-operating requirements flow mainly includes the payment, made during the first nine months of 2009, of taxes (equal to 1,629 million euros, which comprises 244 million euros for the tax disputes which had already been provided for in financial statements of prior years), net finance expenses and also the change in non-operating receivables and payables.

Sales of receivables to factoring companies

The sales of receivables to factoring companies finalized during the first nine months of 2009 resulted in a positive effect on net financial debt at September 30, 2009 of 591 million euros (794 million euros at December 31, 2008 and 695 million euros at September 30, 2008).

Gross financial debt

Bonds

Bonds at September 30, 2009 are recorded for 29,766 million euros (30,177 million euros at December 31, 2008). Their nominal repayment amount is 28,873 million euros, with an increase of 53 million euros compared to December 31, 2008 (28,820 million euros).

The change in bonds during the first nine months of 2009 is as follows:

 

(millions of the original currency)

   currency    amount      

NEW ISSUES

        Issue date

Telecom Italia S.p.A. 500 million euros, 7.875% maturing 1/22/2014

   Euro    500      1/22/2009

Telecom Italia S.p.A. 650 million euros, 6.75% maturing 3/21/2013

   Euro    650      3/19/2009

Telecom Italia S.p.A. 850 million euros, 8.25% maturing 3/21/2016

   Euro    850      3/19/2009

Telecom Italia S.p.A. 750 million pounds sterling, 7.375% maturing 12/15/2017

   GBP    750      5/26/2009

Telecom Italia Capital S.A. 1,000 million U.S. dollars, 6.175% maturing 6/18/2014

   USD    1,000      6/18/2009

Telecom Italia Capital S.A. 1,000 million U.S. dollars, 7.175% maturing 6/18/2019

   USD    1,000      6/18/2009

 

REPAYMENTS

        Repayment date

Telecom Italia Finance S.A. 5.15%, issue guaranteed by Telecom Italia S.p.A.

   Euro    1,450 (*)    2/9/2009

Telecom Italia S.p.A. Floating Rate Notes Euribor 3 months + 0.60%

   Euro    110      3/30/2009

Telecom Italia Finance S.A. 6.575%, issue guaranteed by Telecom Italia S.p.A.

   Euro    1,849 (**)    7/30/2009

 

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BUYBACKS

         Buyback period

Telecom Italia Finance S.A. 1,849(**) million euros 6.575% maturing July 2009

   Euro    253.77    January – June

Telecom Italia Finance S.A. 119 million euros Floating Rate Notes maturing June 2010

   Euro    20.00    March – May

Telecom Italia S.p.A. 796 million euros Floating Rate Notes maturing June 2010

   Euro    53.75    April – May

 

NOTES               
Telecom Italia S.p.A. 2002-2022 bonds, reserved for subscription by employees of the Group: 351 million euros (nominal amount) at September 30, 2009 which increased during the first nine months of 2009 by 3 million euros (348 million euros at December 31, 2008).

Bond buybacks: as in 2008, for the first nine months of 2009, the Telecom Italia Group bought back bonds in order to:

 

   

give investors a further possibility of monetizing their positions;

 

   

partially repay some debt securities before maturity, increasing the overall return on the Group’s liquidity without inviting any additional risks.

 

(*) Net of 50 million euros of bonds repurchased by the company in 2008.
(**) Net of 107 million euros and 254 million euros of bonds repurchased by the company in 2008 and in the first nine months of 2009.

Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan

The composition and drawdown of the syndicated committed credit lines available at September 30, 2009, represented by the Term Loan (TL) for 1.5 billion euros expiring January 2010 and the Revolving Credit Facility (RCF) for a total of 8 billion euros expiring August 2014, are presented in the following table:

 

     9/30/2009    12/31/2008

(billions of euros)

   Agreed    Drawn down    Agreed    Drawn down

Term Loan – expiring 2010

   1.5    1.5    1.5    1.5

Revolving Credit Facility – expiring 2014

   8.0    1.5    8.0    1.5

Total

   9.5    3.0    9.5    3.0

It should be noted that Lehman Brothers Bankhaus AG London Branch bank is the Lender of the Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan for the following amounts:

 

   

under the RCF, the bank has a commitment for 127 million euros of which 23.8 million euros has been disbursed;

 

   

under the TL, the bank has a commitment for 19.9 million euros, for an amount completely disbursed.

With regard to Lehman Brothers Bankhaus AG’s commitment, the Telecom Italia Group has not received any communication from Lehman Brothers Bankhaus AG, or from its representatives or directors or agent of the committed facilities which, at this time, entails changes compared to the situation prior to the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers Holding Inc..

Maturities of financial liabilities and average cost of debt

The average maturity of non-current financial liabilities (including the current portion of medium/long-term financial liabilities) is 7.7 years.

The average cost of the Group’s debt, considered as the cost for the period calculated on an annual basis and resulting from the ratio of debt-related expenses to average exposure, is equal to about 5.5%.

For details of the maturities of financial liabilities in terms of expected nominal repayment amount, as contractually agreed, reference should be made to the table that follows.

 

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Maturities of Financial Liabilities – nominal repayment amount:

 

     maturing by 9/30/ of the year:

(millions of euros)

   2010    2011    2012    2013    2014    After
2014
   Total

Bonds

   2,343    4,594    2,250    3,000    3,222    13,464    28,873

Loans and other financial liabilities

   2,198    585    200    841    2,561    3,507    9,892

Finance lease liabilities

   212    169    173    136    120    987    1,797

Total

   4,753    5,348    2,623    3,977    5,903    17,958    40,562

Current financial liabilities

   533                   533

Total excluding Discontinued operations

   5,286    5,348    2,623    3,977    5,903    17,958    41,095

Discontinued operations (1)

   627                   627

Total

   5,913    5,348    2,623    3,977    5,903    17,958    41,722

 

(1) Discontinued operations represent the financial liabilities of HanseNet Telekommunikation GmbH due to companies of the Telecom Italia Group (606 million euros) and third parties (21 million euros).

Current financial assets and liquidity margin

The Telecom Italia Group’s available liquidity margin, calculated as the sum of Cash and cash equivalents and Securities other than investments, amounts to 5,887 million euros at September 30, 2009 (5,581 million euros at December 31, 2008) which, together with its unused committed credit lines of 6.5 billion euros, allows the Group to amply meet its repayment obligations over the next 18 months. During the first nine months of 2009, the situation of the European and United States financial markets made it possible to issue new bonds and obtain new loans at advantageous conditions. These transactions have ensured an increase in cash compared to the end of 2008 despite the payment of dividends, income taxes and payables due.

In particular:

 

   

Cash and cash equivalents are 4,440 million euros (5,396 million euros at December 31, 2008).

The different technical forms of investing available cash at September 30, 2009, including Euro Commercial Paper for 110 million euros, can be analyzed as follows:

 

   

Maturities: investments have a maximum maturity date of three months;

 

   

Counterparty risk: investments are made with first-rate banks and financial institutions that have high creditworthiness and a rating of at least A;

 

   

Country risk: investments are mainly made in major European financial markets;

 

   

Securities other than investments are 1,447 million euros (185 million euros at December 31, 2008). Such forms of investment represent alternatives to liquidity investments with the aim of raising the yield. These consist of 914 million euros in Italian treasury bonds purchased by Telecom Italia S.p.A. (with A ratings by S&P’s); 200 million euros in a monetary fund, 200 million euros in a government fund, both with an AAA rating by S&P’s and managed by a leading international credit institution; 133 million euros in bonds issued by counterparties with ratings of at least BBB with different maturities, but all with an active market.

 

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For the third quarter of 2009, adjusted net financial debt increased by 234 million euros. The effects of the positive operating change were absorbed in particular by tax payments.

 

Adjusted net financial debt                   

(millions of euros)

   9/30/2009     6/30/2009     Change  

NET FINANCIAL DEBT CARRYING AMOUNT

   35,506      35,185      321   

Reversal of fair value measurement of derivatives and related financial liabilities/assets

   (413   (326   (87

ADJUSTED NET FINANCIAL DEBT

   35,093      34,859      234   

Detailed as follows:

      

TOTAL ADJUSTED GROSS FINANCIAL DEBT

   42,621      44,483      (1,862

TOTAL ADJUSTED FINANCIAL ASSETS

   (7,528   (9,624   2,096   

***

 

 

Covenants and negative pledges relating to outstanding positions at September 30, 2009

With reference to loans received by Telecom Italia S.p.A. from the European Investment Bank (EIB), an amount of 855 million euros (out of a total of 2,549 million euros at September 30, 2009) is not secured by bank guarantees but there are covenants which cover the following:

 

   

in the event the company becomes the target of a merger, demerger or contribution of a business segment outside the Group, or sells, disposes or transfers assets or business segments, it shall immediately inform EIB which shall have the right to ask for guarantees to be provided or changes to be made to the loan contract. Additionally, if Telecom Italia S.p.A. fails to provide the guarantees requested, EIB shall have the right to terminate the contract. With regard to the contract between EIB and Telecom Italia S.p.A. on November 30, 2007 for 182,200,000.00 euros, EIB may also terminate the contract ex art. 1456 of the Italian Civil Code whenever Telecom Italia S.p.A. ceases to hold, directly or indirectly, more that 50% (fifty percent) of the voting rights in the ordinary shareholders’ meeting of HanseNet Telekommunikation GmbH in Germany or, in any case, a number of shares such that it represents more than 50% (fifty percent) of the share capital of that company;

 

   

for the loan with a nominal amount of 350 million euros, if Telecom Italia S.p.A.’s rating is lower than BBB+ for S&P’s, Baa1 for Moody’s and BBB+ for Fitch Ratings and, for the loans with a nominal amount of 500 million euros, if Telecom Italia’s rating is lower than BBB for S&P’s, Baa2 for Moody’s and BBB for Fitch Ratings, the company shall immediately inform EIB which shall have the right to ask for suitable guarantees to be provided, indicating a date for setting up these guarantees. After that date and if Telecom Italia S.p.A. fails to provide the guarantees, EIB shall have the right to demand immediate repayment of the amount disbursed;

 

   

the company is obliged to promptly advise the bank about changes in the allocation of share capital among the shareholders which could bring about a change in control. Failure to communicate this information would result in the termination of the contract. The contract shall also be terminated when a shareholder, which, at the date of signing the contract does not hold at least 2% of the share capital, comes to hold more than 50% of the voting rights in the ordinary shareholders’ meeting or, in any case, a number of shares such that it represents more than 50% of the share capital, whenever, in the bank’s reasonable opinion, this fact could cause a detriment to the bank or could compromise the execution of the Project. This clause also applies to the guaranteed EIB loan for 300 million euros disbursed in June 2009.

The syndicated bank lines of Telecom Italia S.p.A. do not contain financial covenants (e.g. ratios such as Debt/EBITDA, EBITDA/Interest etc.) which would oblige Telecom Italia S.p.A. to repay the outstanding loan if the covenants are not observed. Mechanisms are provided for adjusting the cost of funding in relation to Telecom Italia S.p.A.’s credit rating, with a spread compared to the Euribor of between a minimum of 0.15% and a maximum of 0.425% for the line expiring in 2010 and a minimum of 0.0875% and a maximum of 0.2625% for the line expiring in 2014.

The two syndicated bank lines contain the usual other types of covenants, including the commitment not to use the company’s assets as collateral for loans (negative pledges), the commitment not to change the business purpose or sell the assets of the company unless specific conditions exist (e.g. the sale takes place at fair market value), the commitment not to merge with third parties, barring suppositions of merger, corporate restructuring or contribution of assets between Telecom Italia S.p.A. (or companies which it controls,

 

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incorporated in the European Union) and one or more companies controlled or other members of the Group. Covenants with similar content are also found in the export credit loan agreements.

The syndicated bank lines (as well as an export credit agreement for a residual nominal amount of about 100 million euros at September 30, 2009) consider the case where a party, other than the current relative majority shareholder or permitted acquiring shareholders, including the shareholders of Telco, acquires control of Telecom Italia, individually or jointly. In that case, a 30-day period is established during which the parties shall negotiate the terms with which to continue the relationship. After that period ends, the parties shall no longer be obliged to continue the negotiations and, in the event an agreement is not reached by two-thirds of the lending banks, the loan shall be cancelled.

Lastly, in the documentation of loans granted to certain companies of the Tim Brasil group, the companies must generally respect certain financial ratios (e.g. capitalization ratios, ratios for servicing debt and debt ratios) as well as the usual other covenants, under pain of a request for the early repayment of the loan. It should be noted that the loans of the Tim Brasil group do not provide for any type of guarantee by Telecom Italia S.p.A.. Finally, it should be pointed out that, at September 30, 2009, no covenant, negative pledge clause or other clause relating to the above-described debt position, has in any way been breached or violated.

 

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Events Subsequent to September 30, 2009

HanseNet

Consistently with the gradual increase of focus on the core markets announced in December 2008, the board of directors’ meeting held on November 5, 2009 approved the disposal of HanseNet Telekommunikation GmbH. HanseNet (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Telecom Italia S.p.A. through its holding Telecom Italia Deutschland Holding GmbH) is an operator in the retail broadband market in Germany. For additional information on the economic and financial data of the company, reference should be made to the section “Discontinued operations / Non-current assets held for sale”.

The competitive scenario of the German broadband market and its future prospects, given the size and infrastructural features of competitors, would make it difficult for the company to acquire a strategic positioning that would be successful in the long term in the absence of huge investments with an uncertain return. For this reason, the disposal responds to the strategical rationale of financial discipline aimed at strengthening cash flows, with focus on the core markets.

Assisted by Morgan Stanley Bank International Limited (Milan Branch), the process for the sale of the company was started and involved a number of potential buyers. At the end of this process, the negotiations settled on Telefónica S.A., a related party of Telecom Italia through the board members César Alierta and Julio Linares, respectively, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Telefónica S.A.. In turn Telefónica owns a 42.3% stake in Telco S.p.A., the majority shareholder of Telecom Italia which currently holds 24.5% of the ordinary share capital of the Company.

The consideration on the sale negotiated by the management of the Company is based on an enterprise value of 900 million euros.

The preliminary agreement on the sale was signed after the board’s decision. The closing of the sale, subject to obtaining the necessary antitrust authorizations, is expected to take place during the first quarter of 2010.

Business Outlook for the Year 2009

With regard to the performance of the Telecom Italia Group for the current year, based upon the results of the first nine months, the profit targets are confirmed:

 

   

Domestic Business Unit: organic EBITDA at 9.9—10 billion euros;

 

   

Brazil Business Unit: organic EBITDA at about 3.6 billion Brazilian reais.

The Group also expects to achieve an adjusted net financial debt at year-end 2009 of approximately 34 billion euros, without considering the positive effects of the sale of HanseNet likely expected to take place in the first quarter of 2010.

 

Interim Report at September 30, 2009     35
Telecom Italia Group  


Table of Contents

Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Separate Consolidated Income Statements

 

    

3rd Quarter

2009

   

3rd Quarter

2008 Restated

   

9 months to

9/30/2008

   

9 months to

9/30/2008

Restated

   

Change

(a - b)

       

(millions of euros)

               (a)     (b)     amount         %  

Revenues

   6,764      7,273      20,188      21,520      (1,332   (6.2

Other income

   48      64      184      215      (31   (14.4

Total operating revenues and other income

   6,812      7,337      20,372      21,735      (1,363   (6.3

Acquisition of goods and services

   (2,762   (3,235   (8,362   (9,453   1,091      11.5   

Employee benefits expenses

   (834   (867   (2,737   (3,088   351      11.4   

Other operating expenses

   (348   (386   (1,078   (1,236   158      12.8   

Changes in inventories

   (8   45      (32   63      (95   °   

Internally generated assets

   119      117      363      377      (14   (3.7

OPERATING PROFIT BEFORE DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION, CAPITAL GAINS (LOSSES) AND IMPAIRMENT REVERSALS (LOSSES) ON NON-CURRENT ASSETS (EBITDA)

   2,979      3,011      8,526      8,398      128      1.5   

Depreciation and amortization

   (1,379   (1,426   (4,178   (4,272   94      2.2   

Gains (losses) on disposals of non-current assets

   (1   (1   (55   25      (80   °   

Impairment reversals (losses) on non-current assets

   9      (5   —        (6   6      °   

OPERATING PROFIT (EBIT)

   1,608      1,579      4,293      4,145      148      3.6   

Share of profits (losses) of associates and joint ventures accounted for using the equity method

   16      16      49      53      (4   (7.5

Other income (expenses) from investments

   —        —        (34   2      (36   °   

Finance income

   670      272      2,206      1,795      411      22.9   

Finance expenses

   (1,225   (1,011   (3,838   (3,738   (100   (2.7

PROFIT BEFORE TAX FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

   1,069      856      2,676      2,257      419      18.6   

Income tax expense

   (321   (357   (969   (520   (449   °   

PROFIT FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

   748      499      1,707      1,737      (30   (1.7

Profit (loss) from Discontinued operations/Non-current assets held for sale

   (541   120      (559   (33   (526   °   

PROFIT (LOSS) FOR THE PERIOD

   207      619      1,148      1,704      (556   (32.6

Attributable to:

            

*       Owners of the Parent

   201      626      1,165      1,743      (578   (33.2

*       Minority Interest

   6      (7   (17   (39   22      56.4   

 

(euro)

   9 months to
9/30/2009
    9 months to
9/30/2008
Restated

Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (EPS) (*):

    

•      Ordinary Share

   0.06      0.09

•      Savings Share

   0.07      0.10

Of which:

    

–       From continuing operations

    

•      Ordinary Share

   0.09      0.09

•      Savings Share

   0.10      0.10

–       From Discontinued operations/Non-current assets held for sale

    

•      Ordinary Share

   (0.03   —  

•      Savings Share

   (0.03   —  

 

(*) Basic EPS is equal to Diluted EPS.

 

Interim Report at September 30, 2009     36
Telecom Italia Group  


Table of Contents
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

In accordance with IAS 1 revised (Presentation of Financial Statements), which came into effect on January 1, 2009, the following statements of comprehensive income includes the profit or loss for the period as shown in the separate consolidated income statements and all non-owner changes in equity.

 

(millions of euros)

        3rd Quarter
2009
    3rd Quarter
2008 Restated
    9 months to
9/30/2009
    9 months to
9/30/2008
Restated
 
           
           

PROFIT FOR THE PERIOD

   (A)    207      619      1,148      1,704   

Other components of the Statements of Comprehensive Income:

           

Available-for-sale financial assets:

           

Profit (loss) from fair value adjustments

      12      2      —        6   

Loss (profit) transferred to the Separate Consolidated Income Statement

      —        —        —        —     

Income tax expense

      (2   (2   6      (2
   (B)    10      —        6      4   

Hedging instruments:

           

Profit (loss) from fair value adjustments

      (454   364      (1,240   1   

Loss (profit) transferred to the Separate Consolidated Income Statement

      366      (373   295      8   

Income tax expense

      24      5      264      2   
   (C)    (64   (4   (681   11   

Exchange differences on translating foreign operations:

           

Profit (loss) on translating foreign operations

      220      (330   791      (190

Loss (profit) on translating foreign operations transferred to the Separate Consolidated Income Statement

   —      —        —        —       

Income tax expense

      —        —        —        —     
   (D)    220      (330   791      (190

Share of other profits (losses) of associates and joint ventures accounted for using the equity method

           

Profit (loss)

      (13   30      (27   13   

Loss (profit) transferred to the Separate Consolidated Income Statement

      —        —        —        —     

Income tax expense

      —        —        —        —     
   (E)    (13   30      (27   13   

Total

   (F=B+C+D+E)    153      (304   89      (162

TOTAL PROFIT (LOSS) FOR THE PERIOD

   (A+F)    360      315      1,237      1,542   

Attributable to:

           

*       Owners of the Parent

      309      389      1,091      1,619   

*       Minority Interest

      51      (74   146      (77

 

Interim Report at September 30, 2009     37
Telecom Italia Group  


Table of Contents
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

 

(millions of euros)

   9/30/2009
(a)
   12/31/2008
Restated (1)
(b)
   Change
(a-b)
    12/31/2008
Historical
restated

ASSETS

          

NON-CURRENT ASSETS

          

Intangible assets

          

Goodwill

   43,489    43,230    259      43,891

Intangible assets with a finite useful life

   6,016    6,154    (138   6,492
   49,505    49,384    121      50,383

Tangible assets

          

Property, plant and equipment owned

   13,327    13,743    (416   14,252

Assets held under finance leases

   1,308    1,373    (65   1,410
   14,635    15,116    (481   15,662

Other non-current assets

          

Investments in associates and joint ventures accounted for using the equity method

   460    495    (35   496

Other investments

   61    57    4      57

Securities, financial receivables and other non-current financial assets

   1,692    2,845    (1,153   2,663

Miscellaneous receivables and other non-current assets

   792    687    105      694

Deferred tax assets

   525    983    (458   1,002
   3,530    5,067    (1,537   4,912

TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS (A)

   67,670    69,567    (1,897   70,957

CURRENT ASSETS

          

Inventories

   383    378    5      379

Trade and miscellaneous receivables and other current assets

   7,858    8,005    (147   8,101

Current income tax receivables

   56    73    (17   73

Investments

   39    39    —        39

Securities other than investments

   1,447    185    1,262      185

Financial receivables and other current financial assets

   930    828    102      491

Cash and cash equivalents

   4,440    5,396    (956   5,416

Current assets sub-total

   15,153    14,904    249      14,684

Discontinued operations/Non-current assets held for sale

          

of a financial nature

   49    20    29      —  

of a non-financial nature

   1,169    1,732    (563   9
   1,218    1,752    (534   9

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS (B)

   16,371    16,656    (285   14,693

TOTAL ASSETS (A+B)

   84,041    86,223    (2,182   85,650

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

          

EQUITY

          

Equity attributable to owners of the Parent

   26,136    26,095    41      26,095

Equity attributable to Minority Interest

   853    730    123      730

TOTAL EQUITY (C)

   26,989    26,825    164      26,825

NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

          

Non-current financial liabilities

   37,099    36,508    591      36,527

Employee benefits

   1,195    1,212    (17   1,212

Deferred tax liabilities

   179    359    (180   386

Provisions

   727    692    35      692

Miscellaneous payables and other non-current liabilities

   1,225    1,532    (307   1,539

TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES (D)

   40,425    40,303    122      40,356

CURRENT LIABILITIES

          

Current financial liabilities

   6,306    6,259    47      6,267

Trade and miscellaneous payables and other current liabilities

   9,210    10,682    (1,472   10,942

Current income tax payables

   182    1,259    (1,077   1,260

Current liabilities sub-total

   15,698    18,200    (2,502   18,469

Liabilities directly associated with Discontinued operations/Non-current assets held for sale

          

of a financial nature

   659    546    113      —  

of a non-financial nature

   270    349    (79   —  
   929    895    34      —  

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES (E)

   16,627    19,095    (2,468   18,469

TOTAL LIABILITIES (F=D+E)

   57,052    59,398    (2,346   58,825

TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES (C+F)

   84,041    86,223    (2,182   85,650

 

(1) For purposes of comparison, the figures at December 31, 2008 have been restated by considering HanseNet Telekommunikation GmbH in Discontinued operations/Non-current assets held for sale.

 

Interim Report at September 30, 2009     38
Telecom Italia Group  


Table of Contents
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

(millions of euros)

   9 months to
9/30/2009
    9 months to
9/30/2008
Restated
 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

    

Profit from continuing operations

   1.707      1.737   

Adjustments for:

    

Depreciation and amortization

   4.178      4.272   

Impairment losses (reversals) on non-current assets (including investments)

   72      197   

Net change in deferred tax assets and liabilities

   549      (262

Losses (gains) realized on disposals of non-current assets (including investments)

   52      (26

Share of losses (profits) of associates and joint ventures accounted for using the equity method

   (49   (53

Change in employee benefits

   (74   301   

Change in inventories

   (5   (56

Change in trade receivables and net amounts due from customers on construction contracts

   131      764   

Change in trade payables

   (1.215   (1.243

Net change in miscellaneous receivables/payables and other assets/liabilities

   (1.534   128   

CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES (A)

   3.812      5.759   

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

    

Purchase of intangible assets on an accrual basis

   (1.286   (1.726

Purchase of tangible assets on an accrual basis

   (1.712   (2.002

Total purchase of intangible and tangible assets on an accrual basis

   (2.998   (3.728

Change in amounts due to fixed asset suppliers

   (281   (309

Total purchase of intangible and tangible assets on a cash basis

   (3.279   (4.037

Acquisition of other investments

   (4   (1

Change in financial receivables and other financial assets

   (552   (213

Proceeds from sale of subsidiaries, net of cash disposed of

   (12   449   

Proceeds from sale/repayment of intangible, tangible and other non-current assets

   54      89   

CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES (B)

   (3.793   (3.713

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

    

Change in current financial liabilities and other

   (1.017   32   

Proceeds from non-current financial liabilities (including current portion)

   5.251      2.194   

Repayments of non-current financial liabilities (including current portion)

   (4.180   (3.419

Consideration paid for equity instruments

   (11   (27

Share capital proceeds/reimbursements

   —        1   

Dividends paid

   (1.050   (1.665

CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES (C)

   (1.007   (2.884

CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS/NON-CURRENT ASSETS HELD FOR SALE (D)

   30      (41

AGGREGATE CASH FLOWS (E=A+B+C+D)

   (958   (879

NET CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF THE PERIOD (F)

   5.226      6.204   

Net foreign exchange differences on net cash and cash equivalents (G)

   101      (30

NET CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF THE PERIOD (H=E+F+G)

   4.369      5.295   

ADDITIONAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

    

(millions of euros)

   9 months to
9/30/2009
    9 months to
9/30/2008
Restated
 

Income taxes (paid) received

   (1.629   (387

Interest expense paid

   (2.541   (2.704

Interest income received

   727      868   

Dividends received

   3      46   

 

Interim Report at September 30, 2009     39
Telecom Italia Group  


Table of Contents

ADDITIONAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

 

(millions of euros)

   9 months to
9/30/2009
    9 months to
9/30/2008
Restated
 

Income taxes (paid) received

   (1,629   (387

Interest expense paid

   (2,541   (2,704

Interest income received

   727      868   

Dividends received

   3      46   

ANALYSIS OF NET CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:

    

(millions of euros)

   9 months to
9/30/2009
    9 months to
9/30/2008
Restated
 

NET CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF THE PERIOD:

    

Cash and cash equivalents – from continuing operations

   5,396      6,398   

Bank overdrafts repayable on demand – from continuing operations

   (190   (276

Cash and cash equivalents – from Discontinued operations/Non-current assets held for sale

   20      82   

Bank overdrafts repayable on demand – from Discontinued operations/Non-current assets held for sale

   —        —     
   5,226      6,204   

NET CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF THE PERIOD:

    

Cash and cash equivalents – from continuing operations

   4,440      5,585   

Bank overdrafts repayable on demand – from continuing operations

   (121   (310

Cash and cash equivalents – from Discontinued operations/Non-current assets held for sale

   50      20   

Bank overdrafts repayable on demand – from Discontinued operations/Non-current assets held for sale

   —        —     
   4,369      5,295   

 

Interim Report at September 30, 2009     40
Telecom Italia Group  


Table of Contents

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity – January 1, to September 30, 2008

 

     Equity attributable to owners of the Parent              

(millions of euros)

   Share
capital
    Paid-in
Capital
   Reserve for
available-for-sale
financial assets
    Reserve
for
cash

flow
hedges
   Reserve
for
exchange
differences
on
translating
foreign
operations
    Other
gains
(losses) of
associates
and joint
ventures
accounted
for using
the equity
method
    Other
reserves
and retained
earnings
(accumulated

losses) including
profit (loss) for the
period
    Total     Equity
attributable

to Minority
Interest
    Total equity  

Balance at December 31, 2007

   10,605      1,689    (12   204    886      (52   12,602      25,922      1,063      26,985   

Change in accounting principles (IFRIC 13)

                 (4   (4     (4

Adjusted balance at December 31, 2007

   10,605      1,689    (12   204    886      (52   12,598      25,918      1,063      26,981   

Changes in equity, January 1, to September 30, 2008

                      

Dividends approved

                 (1,609   (1,609   (59   (1,668

Total comprehensive income for the period

        4      11    (152   13      1,743      1,619      (77   1,542   

Grant of equity instruments

                 1      1        1   

Treasury shares

   (14               (13   (27     (27

Change in the scope of consolidation

                     (117   (117

Other changes

                 3      3      6      9   

Balance at September 30, 2008

   10,591      1,689    (8   215    734      (39   12,723      25,905      816      26,721   

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity – January 1, to September 30, 2009

 

     Equity attributable to owners of the Parent                    

(millions of euros)

   Share
capital
    Paid-in
Capital
   Reserve for
available-for-sale
financial assets
    Reserve
for
cash

flow
hedges
    Reserve
for
exchange
differences
on
translating
foreign
operations
   Other
gains
(losses) of
associates
and joint
ventures
accounted
for using
the equity
method
    Other
reserves
and retained
earnings
(accumulated

losses) including
profit (loss) for the
period
    Total     Equity
attributable

to Minority
Interest
    Total equity  

Balance at December 31, 2008

   10,591      1,689    (22   441      255    (39   13,211      26,126      730      26,856   

Change in accounting principles (IFRIC 13)

                 (31   (31     (31

Adjusted balance at December 31, 2008

   10,591      1,689    (22   441      255    (39   13,180      26,095      730      26,825   

Changes in equity, January 1, to September 30, 2009

                      

Dividends approved

                 (1,029   (1,029   (24   (1,053

Total comprehensive income for the period

        6      (681   628    (27   1,165      1,091      146      1,237   

Grant of equity instruments

                 1      1        1   

Treasury shares

   (6               (5   (11     (11

Other changes

                 (11   (11   1      (10

Balance at September 30, 2009

   10,585      1,689    (16   (240   883    (66   13,301      26,136      853      26,989   

 

Interim Report at September 30, 2009     41
Telecom Italia Group  


Table of Contents

Key Operating and Financial Data – The Business Units of the Telecom Italia Group

The data of the Telecom Italia Group is presented in this Interim Report according to the following operating segments:

 

 

Domestic Business Unit: includes domestic operations for voice and data services on fixed and mobile networks for final customers (retail) and other operators (wholesale) as well as the relative support activities;

 

 

Brazil Business Unit: includes telecommunications operations in Brazil;

 

 

Media Business Unit: includes television network operations and management;

 

 

Olivetti Business Unit: includes activities for the manufacture of digital printing systems and office products;

 

 

Other operations: includes finance companies and other minor companies not strictly related to the core business of the Telecom Italia Group.

As a result of including HanseNet in Discontinued operations in the third quarter of 2009, the European BroadBand Business Unit is no longer presented. The other companies of that business unit have become part of Other operations. For purposes of comparison, the disclosure by operating segment for the periods under comparison have been appropriately restated:

 

     Revenues     EBITDA     EBIT     Capital
expenditures
    Headcount at
period-end
(number)

(millions of euros)

   9 months to
9/30/2009
    9 months to
9/30/2008
    9 months to
9/30/2009
    9 months to
9/30/2008
    9 months to
9/30/2009
    9 months to
9/30/2008
    9 months to
9/30/2009
    9 months to
9/30/2008
    9/30
2009
   12/31
2008

Domestic

   16,233      17,119      7,712      7,573      4,298      4,187      2,418      2,646      60,298    61,816

Brazil

   3,622      3,973      849      875      85      71      539      1,073      9,319    10,285

Media

   162      210      (6   (45   (62   (93   40      34      821    967

Olivetti

   219      252      (18   (23   (22   (28   3      2      1,101    1,194

Other operations

   117      176      (4   28      (20   2      6      14      1,021    1,058

Adjustments and Eliminations

   (165   (210   (7   (10   14      6      (8   (41   —      —  

Consolidated total

   20,188      21,520      8,526      8,398      4,293      4,145      2,998      3,728      72,560    75,320

 

Interim Report at September 30, 2009     42
Telecom Italia Group  


Table of Contents

Highlights of the operating data of the Telecom Italia Group Business Units are presented in the following table:

 

     9/30/2009     12/31/2008     9/30/2008  

DOMESTIC FIXED

      

Fixed-line network connections in Italy at period-end (thousands)

   18,854      20,031      20,539   

Physical accesses (Consumer +Business) at period-end (thousands)

   16,358      17,352      17,786   

Voice pricing plans (thousands)

   5,451      5,834      5,919   

BroadBand accesses in Italy at period-end (thousands)

   8,567      8,134      7,914   

of which retail (thousands)

   6,921      6,754      6,610   

Virgilio average daily page views during period (millions)

   45.0      44.8      44.0   

Virgilio average daily single visitors (millions)

   3.1      2.5      2.4   

Network infrastructure in Italy:

      

- access network in copper (millions of km - pair)

   109.3      109.3      106.8   

- access and carrier network in optical fiber (millions of km - fiber)

   3.9      3.9      3.9   

Network infrastructure abroad:

      

- European backbone (km of fiber)

   55,000      55,000      55,000   

- Mediterranean (km of submarine cable)

   7,000      7,000      7,000   

- South America (km of fiber)

   30,000      30,000      30,000   

Total traffic:

      

Minutes of traffic on fixed-line network (billions)

   100.6      144.3      107.7   

- Domestic traffic

   86.6      125.3      93.7   

- International traffic

   14.0      19.0      14.0   

DOMESTIC MOBILE

      

Number of lines at period-end (thousands)

   31,921      34,797      35,274   

of which prepaid lines (thousands) (1)

   25,598      28,660      29,279   

Change in lines (%)

   (8.3   (4.2   (2.9

Churn rate (2)

   21.6      23.6      17.6   

Total outgoing traffic per month (millions of minutes)

   2,974      3,054      3,065   

Total outgoing and incoming traffic per month (millions of minutes)

   4,222      4,316      4,323   

Average monthly revenues per line (3)

   19.9      20.0      20.6   

BRAZIL

      

Number of lines at period-end (thousands)

   39,600      36,402      35,206   

MEDIA

      

La7 audience share Free to Air (analog mode)

(average during period, in %)

   3.0      3.1      3.1   

La7 audience share Free to Air (analog mode)

(last month of period, in %)

   3.0      3.0      3.0   

 

(1) Excluding “not human” SIM.
(2) The data refers to total lines. The churn rate for the period represents the number of mobile customers who discontinued service during the period expressed as a percentage of the average number of customers.
(3) The values are calculated on the basis of revenues from services (including revenues from prepaid cards and revenues from non-domestic traffic) as a percentage of the average number of lines.

 

Interim Report at September 30, 2009     43
Telecom Italia Group  


Table of Contents

The Business Units of the Telecom Italia Group

Domestic

 

 

The Business Unit

The Domestic Business Unit operates as the consolidated market leader in the sphere of voice and data services on fixed and mobile networks for final retail customers and other wholesale operators. In the international field, the Business Unit develops fiber optic networks for wholesale customers (in Europe, in the Mediterranean and in South America).

 

 

The structure of the Business Unit

The Domestic Business Unit is organized as follows:

LOGO

 

(*)

   Principal companies: Telecom Italia S.p.A., Matrix S.p.A., Telenergia S.p.A., Telecontact Center S.p.A., and Path.Net S.p.A..

As described in detail in the Half-Yearly Financial Report at June 30, 2009, the Telecom Italia Group has adopted the new “customer centric” organization.

The principal operating and financial data of the Business Unit is now reported according to two Cash-generating units (CGU) Core Domestic (made up by the Consumer, Business, Top, National Wholesale and Other segments) and International Wholesale (made up of the activities of the Telecom Italia Sparkle group).

 

 

Main operating and financial data

Key results for the third quarter and the first nine months of 2009 by the Domestic Business Unit, overall and by segment of clientele / business, compared to the corresponding periods of 2008 are presented in the following tables.

 

(millions of euros)

   3rd Quarter
2009
(a)
   3rd Quarter
2008
(b)
   9 months to
9/30/2009

( c )
   9 months to
9/30/2008

(d)
   Change %  
               (a/b)     (c/d)     Organic
(c/d)
 

Revenues

   5,342    5,728    16,233    17,119    (6.7   (5.2   (5.4

EBITDA

   2,668    2,676    7,712    7,573    (0.3   1.8      (1.8

EBITDA margin (%)

   49.9    46.7    47.5    44.2       

EBIT

   1,587    1,542    4,298    4,187    2.9      2.7      (2.4

EBIT margin (%)

   29.7    26.9    26.5    24.5       

Capital expenditures

   809    694    2,418    2,646    16.6      (8.6  

Headcount at period-end (number)

         60,298    (1) 61,816      (2.5  

 

(1)

Headcount at December 31, 2008.

 

Interim Report at September 30, 2009     44
Telecom Italia Group  


Table of Contents

Core Domestic

 

(millions of euros)

   3rd Quarter
2009
(a)
   3rd Quarter
2008
(b)
   9 months to
9/30/2009

( c )
   9 months to
9/30/2008

(d)
   Change %  
               (a/b)     (c/d)     Organic
(c/d)
 

Revenues (1)

   5,078    5,446    15,415    16,296    (6.8   (5.4   (5.5

•    Consumer

   2,763    3,034    8,307    8,981    (8.9   (7.5   (7.5

•    Business

   895    1,003    2,806    3,095    (10.8   (9.3   (9.3

•    Top

   868    924    2,684    2,796    (6.1   (4.0   (4.0

•    National Wholesale

   506    425    1,480    1,256    19.1      17.8      17.4   

•    Other

   46    60    138    168    (23.3   (17.9  

EBITDA

   2,585    2,586    7,457    7,302    n.s.      2.1      (1.6

EBITDA margin (%)

   50.9    47.5    48.4    44.8       

EBIT

   1,536    1,483    4,138    4,005    3.6      3.3      (1.9

EBIT margin (%)

   30.2    27.2    26.8    24.6       

Capital expenditures

   795    673    2,373    2,547    18.1      (6.8   (6.8

Headcount at period-end (number)

         59,011    (2) 60,539      (2.5  

 

(1)

The amounts indicated are net of infrasegment transactions.

(2)

Headcount at December 31, 2008.

As far as the impact on margins is concerned, the decline in revenues for the first nine months of 2009 against the first nine months of 2008 (-881 million euros) is largely compensated by a corresponding reduction in related costs (referring to the portion of revenues to be paid to other telecommunications operators and purchases of merchandise for resale).

For the third quarter of 2009, revenues amount to 5,078 million euros (5,446 million euros in the corresponding period of 2008) and post a reduction of 368 million euros compared to the third quarter of 2008 (-6.8%). In organic terms, such contraction is equal to 362 million euros (-6.6%).

In particular, as regards the market segments, for the first nine months of 2009, the following changes compared to the corresponding period of 2008 are noted:

 

   

Consumer: the reduction in revenues is 674 million euros (-7.5%) and is attributable to: lower access and fixed traffic revenues (-156 million euros, -8%) and outgoing Mobile traffic (-147 million euros, -12%) owing to the contraction of the customer base, the impact of the change in regulated interconnection rates, particularly income from termination on the mobile network which is down 124 million euros, of which 92 million euros is due to the effect of rates, the decrease in traditional value-added service revenues (messaging -51 million euros, -8%) and content revenues (-50 million euros, -25%) and the drop of product sales volumes (-220 million euros, of which -192 million euros refers to mobile devices). Such changes in the traditional business areas were in part offset by the growth of the customer base and broadband service revenues on the fixed network (+86 million euros, +13%) and mobile network (+51 million euros, +21%);

 

   

Business: the contraction in revenues (-289 million euros, -9.3%) is mainly due to the continuation of the economic difficulties encountered by the small and medium-sized business segment which adversely affected consumption. Both areas show marked reductions: Fixed, -11% compared to the corresponding period of 2008 but in line with the previous quarters, and Mobile, -8%. Nevertheless, the segment consolidated the stable gain in fixed internet revenues and the growth of mobile browsing revenues (+26% for the third quarter of 2009 compared to the same period of 2008);

 

   

Top: revenue performance (-112 million euros, -4.0%) is the outcome of three different factors: a strong growth in ICT solutions and packages (+15.2%) with an increase in market share from around 7% for the first nine months of 2008 to 11% for the first nine months of 2009, an improvement in the mobile area (up 1.4% for the third quarter of 2009) as well as the ongoing contraction of the fixed-line area, partly in connection with the economic environment and the consequent reduction of consumption by companies;

 

   

National Wholesale: the increase in revenues (+224 million euros, +17.8%; 17.4% in organic terms) is generated by the growth of the OLO (Other Licensed Operators) customer base on Local Loop Unbundling, Wholesale Line Rental and Bitstream services.

 

Interim Report at September 30, 2009     45
Telecom Italia Group  


Table of Contents

International Wholesale

 

(millions of euros)

   3rd Quarter
2009
(a)
   3rd Quarter
2008
(b)
   9 months to
9/30/2009

( c )
   9 months to
9/30/2008

(d)
   Change %  
               (a/b)     (c/d)     Organic
(c/d)
 

Revenues

   421    456    1,298    1,357    (7.7   (4.3   (5.4

•    of which third parties

   280    305    875    895    (8.2   (2.2  

EBITDA

   86    93    270    280    (7.5   (3.6   (5.1

EBITDA margin (%)

   20.4    20.4    20.8    20.6       

EBIT

   52    59    167    181    (11.9   (7.7   (8.8

EBIT margin (%)

   12.4    12.9    12.9    13.3       

Capital expenditures

   16    21    47    99    (23.8   (52.5   (52.5

Headcount at period-end (number)

         1,287    (1) 1,277      0.8     

 

(1)

Headcount at December 31, 2008.

For the first nine months of 2009, International Wholesale (Telecom Italia Sparkle group) reported revenues of 1,298 million euros, down 59 million euros compared to the first nine months of 2008 (-4.3%) owing to the reduction of revenues from voice services both in the captive market and with third parties. The positive performance of IP/Data, Multinational Corporations and Consulting businesses was in part offset by the above reduction in voice services.

For the third quarter of 2009, revenues are 421 million euros and post a reduction of 35 million euros compared to the third quarter of 2008 (-7.7%).

***

Besides the summary by market segment reported above, sales information by technology (fixed and mobile) is also presented below as a continuation of the information presented in the annual and interim reports of the previous periods.

Revenues

Revenues of the Business Unit by technology and market segment are reported below:

 

     9 months to 9/30/2009    9 months to 9/30/2008    Change %  

(millions of euros)

Market segment

   Total     Fixed (*)     Mobile (*)    Total     Fixed (*)     Mobile (*)    Total     Fixed (*)     Mobile (*)  

Consumer

   8,307      3,776      4,755    8,981      3,973      5,283    (7.5   (5.0   (10.0

Business

   2,806      1,861      989    3,095      2,080      1,074    (9.3   (10.5   (7.9

Top

   2,684      2,140      613    2,796      2,226      614    (4.0   (3.9   (0.2

National Wholesale

   1,480      2,028      119    1,256      1,684      76    17.8      20.4      56.6   

Other (support structures)

   138      141      20    168      116      38       

Total Core Domestic

   15,415      9,946      6,496    16,296      10,079      7,085    (5.4   (1.3   (8.3

International Wholesale

   1,298      1,298         1,357      1,357         (4.3   (4.3  

Eliminations

   (480   (280      (534   (308         

Total Domestic

   16,233      10,964      6,496    17,119      11,128      7,085    (5.2   (1.5   (8.3

 

(*) The breakdown by fixed and mobile technology is presented gross of intersegment eliminations.

 

Interim Report at September 30, 2009     46
Telecom Italia Group  


Table of Contents

Fixed Telecommunications

For the first nine months of 2009, revenues of the fixed telecommunications area amount to 10,964 million euros and decreased by 164 million euros (-1.5%) compared to the corresponding period of the prior year. At the organic level, the change in revenues is a reduction of 198 million euros (-1.8%).

At September 30, 2009, the number of retail voice accesses is around 16.4 million (-994,000 accesses compared to December 31, 2008). The wholesale customer portfolio increased and at September 30, 2009 reached approximately 5.9 million accesses (+953,000 accesses against December 31, 2008). The overall access market recorded basic stability compared to December 2008.

The total broadband portfolio at September 30, 2009 is equal to 8.6 million accesses (+433,000 accesses compared to December 31, 2008), of which retail is 6.9 million and wholesale is 1.7 million.

The following chart shows the trend of revenues in the major business areas:

LOGO

Retail Voice

 

(millions of euros)

        9 months to
9/30/2009

%
        9 months to
9/30/2008

%
   Change  
               amount     %  

Traffic

   2,059    40.1    2,357    41.4    (298   (12.6

Accesses

   2,641    51.4    2,782    48.9    (141   (5.1

VAS voice services

   156    3.0    196    3.5    (40   (20.4

Telephone products

   284    5.5    353    6.2    (69   (19.5

Total Retail Voice

   5,140    100.0    5,688    100.0    (548   (9.6

Retail voice revenues, in all market segments, show an ongoing reduction in the customer base and traffic volumes due to the competitive environment in which the company operates. Combined with this is a reduction of regulated fixed-mobile termination rates and the discontinuance of certain mandatory or voluntary Premium services offered by the company: in fact, VAS service revenues decreased by 40 million euros compared to the corresponding period of 2008. The economic impact in terms of lower revenues from accesses (-141 million euros), despite the increase in subscriber charges which came into effect on February 1, 2009 for the domestic business, is nevertheless compensated by the expansion of national wholesale services (+134 million euros for regulated intermediate services such as Local Loop Unbundling and Wholesale Line Rentals).

 

Interim Report at September 30, 2009     47
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Table of Contents

Internet

 

(millions of euros)

        9 months to
9/30/2009
%
        9 months to
9/30/2008

%
   Change
                   amount    %

Total Internet

   1,263    100.0    1,208    100.0    55    4.6

of which content/portal

   100    7.9    81    6.7    19    23.5

Revenues from internet are 1,263 million euros, up 55 million euros compared to the first nine months of 2008. The Narrowband component continues to decline and now represents only 2% of total revenues. The total domestic retail broadband access portfolio in the domestic market reached 6.9 million accesses, growing 167,000 compared to the end of 2008. Flat-rate packages now account for 81.5% of the total retail broadband customer portfolio (77% at year-end 2008). IPTV services continue to gain ground in the Consumer market (the portfolio has 405,000 customers, +76,000 compared to the end of 2008) and the Virgilio portal Web packages and activities grew. The Alice Casa offering has a portfolio of 488,000 customers (+370,000 compared to December 31, 2008) and accounts for 7.1% of the broadband portfolio compared to 1.7% at December 2008.

Business Data

 

(millions of euros)

        9 months to
9/30/2009

%
        9 months to
9/30/2008
%
   Change  
                   amount     %  

Leased lines

   140    11.5    152    12.5    (12   (7.9

Data transmission

   376    30.8    415    34.1    (39   (9.4

Data products

   140    11.4    143    11.7    (3   (2.1

ICT

   566    46.3    508    41.7    58      11.4   

Total Business Data

   1,222    100.0    1,218    100.0    4      0.3   

Revenues of the Business Data area rose by 4 million euros (+0.3%) compared to the first nine months of 2008. The growth in the packages offered for ICT services and products is especially notable and those revenues increased by 57 million euros (+11.2%), above all in the services area which grew by 17.5%.

Wholesale

 

     9 months to
9/30/2009
   9 months to
9/30/2008
   Change  
          %         %    amount     %  

National Wholesale

   2,124    69.5    1,785    64.6    339      19.0   

International Wholesale (*)

   933    30.5    978    35.4    (45   (4.6

Total Wholesale

   3,057    100.0    2,763    100.0    294      10.6   

 

(*) Includes sales to the third-party market and domestic Mobile Telecommunications.

The customer portfolio of Telecom Italia’s wholesale division reached about 6.2 million accesses for voice services and 1.6 million for broadband services at the end of September 2009.

On the whole, revenues from national wholesale services show an increase of 339 million euros (+19.0%) compared to the corresponding period of 2008. The change in wholesale revenues is related to the expansion of the customer base of alternative operators served through the various types of accesses.

Mobile Telecommunications

Mobile telecommunications revenues for the first nine months of 2009 total 6,496 million euros, down 589 million euros (-8.3%) compared to the first nine months of 2008. This decline is due to:

 

   

the contraction of traditional value-added services (text messaging) and relative to the sale of content;

 

   

the change in regulated interconnection rates;

 

   

the reduction in the sales volume of handsets.

 

Interim Report at September 30, 2009     48
Telecom Italia Group  


Table of Contents

At September 30, 2009, the number of Telecom Italia mobile lines is about 31.9 million. The reduction compared to December 31, 2008 can be attributed to greater selectivity in the sales policy focusing on higher-value customers (as well as the cessation of silent lines). This strategy is confirmed by the number of postpaid lines which reached about 20% of total lines compared to about 17% at December 31, 2008.

The following chart summarizes the trend of the main types of revenues.

LOGO

Outgoing Voice

Outgoing voice revenues total 3,508 million euros, down 203 million euros (-5.5%) compared to the same period of 2008, mainly as a result of the reduction in the customer base.

Incoming Voice

Incoming voice revenues of 1,152 million euros record a decrease of 129 million euros (-10.1%) compared to the same period of 2008, principally due to the reduction of termination prices on the mobile network and marginally also to the above-mentioned contraction in the customer base.

Value-Added Services (VAS)

Value-added services (VAS) revenues amount to 1,497 million euros and fell by 5.6% compared to the first nine months of 2008. Such contraction is primarily attributable to VAS content (ring tones, logos and games) following a drop in the usage of such services caused by the general economic situation. The ratio of VAS revenues to revenues from services is about 24%, in line with the 2008 average.

Handset Sales

Handset sales revenues are 339 million euros, down 169 million euros compared to the first nine months of 2008. The reduction is due to a decrease in the total quantities sold owing to a more selective sales policy that rationalizes the product portfolio and focuses on quality (higher percentage of advanced handsets and devices using mobile internet) and also to the margins on these same handsets and devices.

 

Interim Report at September 30, 2009     49
Telecom Italia Group  


Table of Contents

EBITDA

EBITDA amounts to 7,712 million euros, an increase of 139 million euros compared to 2008 (+1.8%). The EBITDA margin is 47.5%, an increase of 3.3 percentage points compared to the corresponding period of 2008. The organic change in EBITDA compared to the first nine months of 2008 is a negative 145 million euros (-1.8%) with an EBITDA margin of 47.8% (46.1% in the same period of 2008). Details are as follows:

 

(millions of euros)

   9 months to
9/30/2009
   9 months to
9/30/2008
   Change  

HISTORICAL EBITDA

   7,712    7,573    139   

Effect of translation of foreign currency financial statements

      5    (5

Non-organic (income) expenses

   56    335    (279

Mobility expenses under Law 223/91

   —      287   

Disputes and settlements

   47    37   

Other expenses, net

   9    11   

COMPARABLE EBITDA

   7,768    7,913    (145

With regard to changes in costs, the following are noted:

 

   

acquisition of goods and services total 6,064 million euros, with a reduction of 785 million euros (-11.5%) compared to the same period of 2008. The change is mainly due to a decrease in the amount to be paid to other operators, partly following the reduction in the termination rates of voice calls on the network of other operators from the fixed and mobile network, and lower purchases of products for resale, in addition to keeping commercial expenses in check, particularly those related to customer acquisition. Such decrease is connected with the Group’s strategy of focusing on higher-value customers;

 

   

employee benefits expenses of 2,440 million euros decreased by 290 million euros compared to the corresponding period of 2008. In fact, for the first nine months of 2008, expenses and accruals had been provided for 287 million euros in connection with the mobility procedure under Law 223/91. Excluding such effect, employee benefits expenses recorded a decrease of 3 million euros; the contraction in the average headcount (-2,313 compared to the same period of 2008) is mainly offset by the effect of the June 2008 increase in minimum salaries established by the TLC collective national labor contract and estimated TLC labor contract expenses for the current year.

For the third quarter of 2009, EBITDA is 2,668 million euros and basically in line with EBITDA for the third quarter of 2008 (-8 million euros; -11 million euros in organic terms).

EBIT

EBIT is 4,298 million euros with an increase of 111 million euros (+2.7%) compared to the corresponding period of 2008. The EBIT margin is 26.5% (24.5% for the first nine months of 2008).

EBIT performance can be attributed, apart from the factors commented under EBITDA, to lower depreciation and amortization charges of 33 million euros and the fact that the first nine months of 2008 had benefited from gains recognized on the sale of properties for 25 million euros while for the first nine months of 2009, a loss of 39 million euros was recorded on the divestiture of the credit management platform for the fixed consumer clientele which, in light of the new organizational structure and the continuance of the fixed-mobile convergence process, is now no longer considered usable.

The organic change in EBIT is a negative 106 million euros (-2.4% compared to the corresponding period of 2008). The EBIT margin is 27.1% (26.2% for the first nine months of 2008). Details are as follows:

 

(millions of euros)

   9 months to
9/30/2009
   9 months to
9/30/2008
    Change  

HISTORICAL EBIT

   4,298    4,187      111   

Effect of translation of foreign currency financial statements

      2      (2

Non-organic (income) expenses

   95    310      (215

Non-organic (income) expenses already described under EBITDA

   56    335     

Non-recurring gains on sale of properties

      (25  

Loss on intangible assets

   39     

COMPARABLE EBIT

   4,393    4,499      (106

 

Interim Report at September 30, 2009     50
Telecom Italia Group  


Table of Contents

For the third quarter of 2009, EBIT is 1,587 million and increased by 45 million euros compared to the third quarter of 2008 (+2.9%) and by 33 million euros in organic terms (+2.1%).

Capital expenditures

Capital expenditures total 2,418 million euros, down 228 million euros compared to the same period of 2008. The percentage of capital expenditures to revenues is 14.9% (15.5% for the first nine months of 2008). That reduction is largely due to lower commitments associated with handset packages (either rented or in connection with multi-year contracts) and the optimization and the rationalization of capital expenditures for the BroadBand Access network, Core Platform and Control, Service and Application Platform.

Headcount

Headcount is 60,298, with a reduction of 1,518 compared to December 31, 2008.

***

 

 

Main changes in the regulatory framework

Retail fixed markets

By resolution 379/09/CONS dated July 9, 2009, AGCom submitted the deregulation of the retail markets of international calls from a fixed location for public consultation and notified the European Commission. The European Commission did not raise objections and, consequently, by the end of the year AGCom’s final decision will be published confirming the consultation document.

In July 2009, another conclusion was reached on the public consultation begun by AGCom, under resolution 315/09/CONS, on the proposal for the deregulation of the retail market of rented lines that will be communicated to the European Commission in November. The Commission’s opinion and the publication of the final measure are expected by the end of the year.

Last September 20, by Resolution 525/09/CONS, AGCom began a public consultation on the subject of the proposal of the Measure inherent to the definition of the regulatory obligations relative to the retail and wholesale access markets. In reference to the retail access market, the Authority proposed a series of measures for the purpose of reducing regulatory pressure on the retail markets and, in particular, a proposal was put forth to revoke the application of the price cap mechanism used for controlling residential and business subscriber charges. A proposal was also put forward to keep Telecom Italia’s obligation to provide Wholesale Line Rental service only in the areas where disaggregated access services are not offered, with a price calculated according to the Network Cap method instead of the current retail-minus regime. The consultation will end this November 2 and it is believed that the final measure will be published by the end of 2009.

Wholesale fixed markets

Under the same Resolution 525/09/CONS, AGCom confirms the current regulatory system relative to the wholesale access obligations to the copper infrastructure (unbundling and bitstream) whereas, with regard to the determination of prices, it proposes the change to a network cap mechanism in place of the current orientation to cost. Furthermore, Resolution 525/09/CONS proposes some obligations for the access market to the new generation networks and, in particular, for access to dark fiber and infrastructures.

Broadband access services (Bitstream)

The Bitstream Reference Offer for 2009, published by Telecom Italia on June 18, 2009, under which Telecom Italia reduced the monthly charge for ADSL access from 8.50 euros/month to 8.07 euro/month, is awaiting approval by AGCom.

Mobile market

Number Portability

By order of the Council of State 07029/2009, the effects of the rulings 5769/2009 and 5781/2009 by the TAR of Lazio concerning the regulations for number portability under Resolution 78/08/CIR were suspended. The Authority therefore requested the operators to implement the dispositions covered by the Resolution (which called for, among other things, the ban on canceling requests, 3-day portability processing and a change in the daily capacity of requests).

 

Interim Report at September 30, 2009     51
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Table of Contents

Brazil

 

 

The Business Unit

The Telecom Italia Group operates in the mobile and fixed telecommunications markets in Brazil through the Tim Brasil group, which offers mobile services using UMTS, GSM and TDMA technologies.

 

 

The structure of the Business Unit

The Tim Brasil group is organized as follows:

LOGO

 

 

Main operating and financial data

Key results for the third quarter and the first nine months of 2009 compared to the corresponding periods of 2008 are presented in the following table.

 

     (millions of euros)    (millions of Brazilian reais)                 
                         3rd Quarter    3rd Quarter    9 months to    9 months to    Change %
     3rd Quarter
2009
   3rd Quarter
2008
   9 months to
9/30/2009
   9 months to
9/30/2008
   2009
(a)
   2008
(b)
   9/30/2009
(c)
   9/30/2008
(d)
   (a/b)     (c/d)     (c/d)
organic

Revenues

   1,323    1,436    3,622    3,973    3,554    3,596    10,275    10,178    (1.2   1.0      1.0

EBITDA

   322    354    849    875    869    890    2,410    2,241    (2.4   7.5      11.5

EBITDA margin (%)

   24.5    24.7    23.5    22.0    24.5    24.7    23.5    22.0       

EBIT

   48    73    85    71    135    189    242    183    (28.6   32.2     

EBIT margin (%)

   3.8    5.3    2.4    1.8    3.8    5.3    2.4    1.8       

Capital expenditures

   251    249    539    1,073    687    611    1,530    2,749    12.4      (44.3  

Headcount at period-end (number)

         9,319    (1) 10,285          9,319    (1) 10,285      (9.4  

 

(1)

Headcount at December 31, 2008.

Revenues

Revenues total 10,275 million Brazilian reais, 97 million Brazilian reais higher than in the same period of 2008 (+1.0%). Product revenues grew from 737 million Brazilian reais for the first nine months of 2008 to 897 million Brazilian reais for the first nine months of 2009 (+21.7%). Service revenues went from 9,441 million Brazilian reais for the first nine months of 2008 to 9,378 million Brazilian reais for the first nine months of 2009 (-0.7%). In this category of service revenues, VAS revenues increased by 21.3% over the corresponding period of the prior year, sustained by the growth of data packages with broadband services and content services. The average monthly revenue per user (ARPU) is 28.0 Brazilian reais at September 2009 compared to 31.5 Brazilian reais at September 2008. It should be noted that in the last quarter of 2009 the principal sales indicators are basically stable thanks to the positive contribution of the postpaid customer base and the success of new prepaid plans.

 

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Total lines at September 30, 2009 are 39.6 million, up 12.5% compared to September 30, 2008 and 8.8% compared to December 31, 2008, corresponding to a 23.8% market share on lines.

For the third quarter of 2009, revenues total 3,554 million Brazilian reais (3,596 million Brazilian reais for the third quarter of 2008), with a decrease of 42 million Brazilian reais compared to the third quarter of 2008. This result reflects the progressive reduction in the contribution of incoming revenues due to the fixed-mobile substitution process and higher “on net”’ traffic developed by the plans offered by all the market operators.

EBITDA

EBITDA for the first nine months of 2009 is 2,410 million Brazilian reais which is 169 million Brazilian reais higher than the same period of the prior year (+7.5%). The EBITDA margin is 23.5%, up 1.5 percentage points over the first nine months of 2008. This result was achieved by designing efficiency measures aimed at generating resources to finance the Business Unit’s growth and the commercial relaunching of Tim Brasil. The cost components which grew compared to the previous nine months consequently refer to the expansion of the business.

During the first half of 2009, negotiations were concluded with Embratel regarding the dispute that began in 2005 over long-distance traffic and interconnection. The settlement produced a negative impact on EBITDA of 64 million Brazilian reais along with the recognition of amounts payable by Embratel that had been disputed and that had already been recorded in Tim Participações’ financial statements for 90 million Brazilian reais. In April 2009, following a burglary, an impairment loss was recorded on the San Paolo warehouse for 21 million Brazilian reais. The organic change in EBITDA compared to the same period of 2008 is +257 million Brazilian reais with an EBITDA margin of 24.3% (22.0% for the first nine months of 2008). Details are as follows:

 

(millions of Brazilian reais)

   9 months to
9/30/2009
   9 months to
9/30/2008
   Change

HISTORICAL EBITDA

   2,410    2,241    169

Costs for services associated with the settlement of a dispute

   64       64

Other costs and expenses, net

   24       24

COMPARABLE EBITDA

   2,498    2,241    257

With regard to changes in costs, the following is noted:

 

   

acquisition of goods and services totaling 5,818 million Brazilian reais are basically unchanged compared to the same period of 2008 (5,820 million Brazilian reais). The change particularly reflects an increase of 326 million Brazilian reais in commissions, sales commission, other sales costs and advertising and promotion costs (for a total of 1,515 million Brazilian reais for the first nine months of 2009 and 1,189 million Brazilian reais for the same period of 2008). Such increases were compensated by the reduction in the portion of revenues to be paid to other TLC operators for 397 million Brazilian reais (1,957 million Brazilian reais for the first nine months of 2009 and 2,354 million Brazilian reais for the same period of the prior year);

 

   

employee benefits expenses, amounting to 423 million Brazilian reais, decreased by 40 million Brazilian reais compared to the first nine months of 2008 (-8.6%) due to a variation in the composition and in the unit cost of the workforce. Average headcount went from 9,219 for the first nine months of 2008 to 9,091 for the first nine months of 2009. The percentage of employee benefits expenses to revenues is 4.1%, a decrease of 0.4 percent compared to the same period of 2008;

 

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other operating expenses, amounting to 1,537 million Brazilian reais, decreased by 15.7% (1,824 million Brazilian reais for the first nine months of 2008) mainly as a result of better performance posted in the management of credits related to postpaid customers. Such expenses consist of the following:

 

(millions of Brazilian reais)

   9 months to
9/30/2009
   9 months to
9/30/2008
   Change  

Writedowns and expenses in connection with credit management

   340    618    (278

Accruals to provisions

   50    72    (22

Telecommunications operating fees and charges

   539    523    16   

Taxes on revenues

   550    554    (4

Indirect duties and taxes

   32    33    (1

Sundry expenses

   26    24    2   

Total

   1,537    1,824    (287

For the third quarter of 2009, EBITDA is 869 million Brazilian reais (890 million Brazilian reais for the third quarter of 2008), 2.4% lower compared to the same period of the prior year.

EBIT

EBIT amounts to 242 million Brazilian reais, 59 million Brazilian reais higher than in the first nine months of 2008. This increase is due to a higher contribution by the EBITDA margin compared to the first nine months of 2008, in part offset by higher amortization and depreciation charges of 101 million Brazilian reais mainly in connection with the 3G license purchased in the second quarter of 2008, capital expenditures in respect of the new UMTS network and preserving the capacity and quality of the 2G network.

The organic change in EBIT is a positive 147 million Brazilian reais compared to the same period of 2008 with a positive EBIT margin of 3.2% (1.8% for the first nine months of 2008). Details are as follows:

 

(millions of Brazilian reais)

   9 months to
9/30/2009
   9 months to
9/30/2008
   Change

HISTORICAL EBIT

   242    183    59

Non-organic expenses, net already described under EBITDA

   88       88

COMPARABLE EBIT

   330    183    147

For the third quarter of 2009, EBIT is 135 million Brazilian reais (189 million Brazilian reais for the third quarter of 2008), 28.6% lower compared to the same period of the prior year.

Capital expenditures

Capital expenditures amount to 1,530 million Brazilian reais, with a decrease of 1,219 million Brazilian reais compared to the same period of 2008, when the 3G license was purchased in April 2008 for 1,239 million Brazilian reais.

Headcount

Headcount is 9,319 at September 30, 2009, with a reduction of 966 compared to December 31, 2008 (10,285).

 

 

Commercial developments

For the first nine months of 2009, the relaunching of the positioning and the relative sales strategy of the Tim Brasil group were directed to:

 

   

brand strategy and positioning: the company has designed a communication format centered on three pivotal points: network coverage and quality, attractive rate packages and improved handset portfolios;

 

   

prepaid segment: Tim Brasil is improving the attractiveness of the “Infinity” plan, extending the “pay per call” concept to long-distance calls, thus spreading the community concept to the approximate 40 million customers in all the Brazilian states. The “Infinity” plan offers continuity to the growth of MOU (minutes of use) on a client base that represents more than 30% of the global prepaid base (11 million). Also with the aim of encouraging the use of the service, a prepaid refill incentive has been launched called “recarga imperdivel Tim”;

 

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business segment: the advertising campaign was created to publicize “Tim Empresa Simples” (Tim Simple Business), a converging plan in which mobile, fixed and broadband services are included in a single invoice. In September, “Liberty Empresas” was launched following the use of the community concept, with a monthly charge that gives the right to unlimited traffic (‘on net’ local and long-distance calls) and national roaming at no additional price;

 

   

Tim-Chip: beginning July, the clientele was offered the possibility of buying a new cell phone, receiving a discount on traffic. The strategy, which shifts the customer’s attention from the usual handset subsidy to Tim’s central service, offers the client more options and flexibility;

 

   

handset portfolio expansion with highly innovative features: products were launched such as “Samsung Galaxy” (the first cell phone with “Android”– Google’s mobile software) and the IPhone 3G. Tim is the leader in IPhones sales in the Brazilian market.

 

 

Other relevant information

On April 16, 2009, agreements were sealed between the Tim Brasil group and the Docas group for the indirect acquisition of control of Intelig Telecomunicações Ltda, the domestic and international Brazilian telecommunications operator for long-distance and data transmission, through the merger by incorporation of the parent of Intelig (Holdco Participações Ltda) in Tim Participações S.A.

As a result of the merger, the Docas group will acquire an investment in the ordinary and preferred share capital of Tim Participações of up to 6.15% of each class of stock according to an exchange ratio that, in time, will be subject to verification and confirmation by a leading financial institution.

The closing of this transaction is subject to a series of conditions including the approval of the Brazilian National Regulatory Agency (Anatel), which was received on August 16, 2009, and the restructuring of the Intelig debt position with banks and former shareholders. The transaction must also be approved by the Antitrust Authority.

At this time, the approval of the Antitrust Authority is still pending and the debt restructuring has not been communicated by the Docas group.

 

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Media

 

 

The Business Unit

In 2008, the Telecom Italia Media group changed its organizational structure in order to establish a focused and specific presence over La7 and MTV as a result of the increase in the number of channels and products now on several platforms (Free to Air, Web, satellite and Mobile), as well as the specifics of the different editorial profiles. It was therefore decided to more visibly distinguish the attributions of responsibility between the two companies; consequently, beginning January 1, 2009, the manner of presenting the income statement results and financial position has also been revised so that three specific business segments have been identified as follows:

 

   

Telecom Italia Media S.p.A.: activities relating to La7 and the Telecom Italia Group’s Digital Content which develops and creates content for the IPTV, DVB-H and Web platforms;

 

   

MTV Group: activities relating to MTV broadcasting, the Playmaker production unit, the musical platforms via satellite, the Nickelodeon and Comedy Central satellite channels, MTV Mobile and multimedia (Web);

 

   

Network operator (TIMB - Telecom Italia Media Broadcasting): assets for the management of the Group’s analog and digital networks and hosting service on digital multiplexes.

 

 

The structure of the Business Unit

The Business Unit is organized as follows:

LOGO

 

 

Main operating and financial data

On December 1, 2008, Telecom Italia Media S.p.A. sold the “Pay-per-View” business segment and, in May 2009, as part of the actions designed to regain profitability as set out in the Industrial Plan, sold a 60% stake in Telecom Media News which controls the APCom press agency, one of the major operators in primary national news, to the company Sviluppo Programmi Editoriali S.p.A. (E.P.S. group).

Key results of the Business Unit for the third quarter and the first nine months of 2009 compared to the corresponding periods of 2008 are presented in the following table.

 

     3rd Quarter     3rd Quarter     9 months to     9 months to        
     2009     2008     9/30/2009     9/30/2008     Change %  

(millions of euros)

   (a)     (b)     (c)     (d)     (a/b)     (c/d)  

Revenues

   48      62      162      210      (22.6   (22.9

EBITDA

   —        (10   (6   (45     86.7   

EBITDA margin (%)

     (16.1   (3.7   (21.4    

EBIT

   (15   (24   (62   (93   37.5      33.3   

EBIT margin (%)

   (31.2   (38.7   (38.3   (44.3    

Capital expenditures

   16      7      40      34      °      17.6   

Headcount at period-end (number)

       821     (1) 967        (15.1

 

(1)

Headcount at December 31, 2008.

 

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The principal operating data of the “Pay-per-View” business sold, for the first nine months of 2008, and the data of the company Telecom Media News up to April 30, 2009 and for the first nine months of 2008 are as follows:

 

           9 months to     Change  

(millions of euros)

   1/1 - 4/30/2009     9/30/2008     amount     %  

Revenues

   3      61      (58   (95.1

EBITDA

   (2   (19   17      89.5   

EBIT

   (2   (20   18      90.0   

Tables and comments on the data for the first nine months of 2009 and the data restated for the first nine months of 2008, entirely excluding the results relating to the business segment sold (Pay-per-View) and the company Telecom Media News, are as follows:

 

     3rd Quarter     3rd Quarter     9 months to     9 months to              
     2009     2009     9/30/2009     9/30/2008     Change %  

(millions of euros)

   (a)     (b)     (c)     (d)     (a/b)     (c/d)  

Revenues

   48      50      159      157      (4.0   1.3   

EBITDA

   —        (4   (4   (26     84.6   

EBITDA margin (%)

     (8.0   (2.5   (16.6    

EBIT

   (15   (17   (49   (72   11.8      31.9   

EBIT margin (%)

   (31.2   (34.0   (30.8   (45.9    

Capital expenditures

   16      7      40      33      °      21.2   

Headcount at period-end (number)

       821      (1) 856        (4.1

 

(1)

Headcount at December 31, 2008.

Revenues

Revenues amount to 159 million euros, with an increase of 1.3% compared to 157 million euros for the first nine months of 2008. In greater detail:

 

   

revenues of Telecom Italia Media S.p.A. for the first nine months of 2009, before intragroup eliminations, amount to 81 million euros. This is an increase of 11 million euros (+15.7%) compared to the first nine months of 2008. Net advertising revenues show an improvement compared to the first nine months of 2008 (+3 million euros) and sales of Digital Content for Telecom Italia grew (+5 million euros). Revenues for 4 million euros are also included in respect of services rendered to Dahlia TV, an activity that was completed in the first half of 2009;

 

   

revenues of the MTV group, amounting to 68 million euros, before intragroup eliminations, are down 18.1% (-15 million euros) compared to the first nine months of 2008 (83 million euros). This result is attributable to lower net advertising revenues (-12 million euros) and, to a lesser extent, the decrease in revenues from other activities, offset only in part by higher revenues from the MTV Mobile operations (+3 million euros);

 

   

revenues relating to Network Operator activities, before intragroup eliminations, amount to 35 million euros, compared to 34 million euros for the first nine months of 2008. This result is principally due to higher revenues from the rental of bandwidths to third parties, offset in part by lower invoicing of digital bandwidth for the Pay-per-View activities that were sold to Dahlia TV at year-end 2008. The contract with Dahlia TV, which went through an experimental period in the first four months of 2009 in connection with the start-up phase, beginning from the second quarter, is now producing its full effects and has made it possible to recover and increase profitability.

For the third quarter of 2009, revenues total 48 million euros, a decrease of 2 million euros compared to the third quarter of 2008 (-4.0%).

 

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EBITDA

EBITDA amounts to -4 million euros (-26 million euros for the first nine months of 2008) and recorded a positive change of 22 million euros (+84.6%) compared to the first nine months of 2008.

EBITDA of Telecom Italia Media S.p.A. is -25 million euros, better by 24 million euros compared to the first nine months of 2008. The improvement for the period can be ascribed not only to higher revenues but also to lower La7 programming costs for 13 million euros, mainly concentrated in the entertainment sector (-8 million euros).

EBITDA of the MTV Group, equal to about 7 million euros, shows a reduction of 3 million euros. To deal with the fall in advertising, MTV initiated a program for the reorganization of the company as early as the end of the first quarter. This program has led to cost savings of 12 million euros which are mainly concentrated in production activities and has made it possible to minimize the impact of the reduction of revenues on EBITDA.

EBITDA relating to Network Operator activities is a positive 13 million euros and higher by 1 million euros compared to the first nine months of 2008; such increase is entirely attributable to the increase in revenues previously mentioned.

For the third quarter of 2009, EBITDA is basically a breakeven and posts an improvement of 4 million euros compared to the third quarter of 2008.

EBIT

EBIT amounts to -49 million euros (-72 million euros for the first nine months of 2008), with an improvement of 23 million euros. The change, besides the aforementioned improvement in EBITDA, can essentially be ascribed to lower amortization and depreciation charges (-2 million euros) relating to the user rights of digital frequencies, the useful life of which was extended starting from the second half of 2008 after the introduction of changes in the law.

For the third quarter of 2009, EBIT is a negative -15 million euros and records an improvement of 2 million euros compared to the third quarter of 2008 (+11.8%).

Capital expenditures

Capital expenditures overall amount to 40 million euros (33 million euros for the first nine months of 2008). Such expenditures refer to Telecom Italia Media S.p.A. and the MTV group, respectively for 21 million euros and 4 million euros, mostly for the acquisition of television rights extending beyond one year (21 million euros). Capital expenditures of the Network Operator (15 million euros) regard the acquisition of infrastructures for the expansion of the digital network.

Headcount

Headcount is 821 at September 30, 2009, with a reduction of 35 compared to December 31, 2008 and includes 79 people with temp work contracts (75 at December 31, 2008).

 

 

Main changes in the regulatory framework

While the EU Commission expressed satisfaction with the reforms introduced by Law 101 dated June 6, 2008 in respect of the Gasparri Law and resulting Consolidation Law on Broadcasting, it however found the plan for the assignment of bandwidth inadequate and recommended an increase in the number of frequency resources (digital dividends) earmarked for auction to allow new players to enter the market

In response to the Commission’s latest conclusions, in resolution 181/09/CONS, transposed into primary regulation by the Community Law 2008, the Authority established the national criteria for the complete digitalization of terrestrial television broadcasting networks. At this time, a national dividend of five DVBT television networks is anticipated which will be auctioned in two parts, the first for three networks and the second for the other two.

AGCOM has begun, but has not yet concluded, the public consultation on the criteria for the auction of the digital dividends. The text of the consultation presents a series of aspects for which changes have been requested since it believed that they do not comply with the actual law, including: (i) the ban on trading the bandwidth awarded and a change in control of the company which was awarded the bandwidth and (ii) the assimilation of TIMB to RAI and Mediaset, the only two analog operators notified as dominant, with the resulting exclusion from the auction for the first three networks.

 

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As part of the uncertainty of the regulatory framework, note should be taken of the failure to publish the National Bandwidth Assignment Plan (NBAP) which would be necessary for choosing the bandwidths that the Ministry is offering for all the areas considered for complete digitalization. The Telecom Italia Media group has indicated this critical area in all the competent offices.

Moreover, in the preceding months, the Network Operator of Telecom Italia Media group (Telecom Italia Media Broadcasting - TIMB), filed a petition with the competent Offices of the Ministry for Economic Development and Communications, to review in self-defense the procedure for the start of the proceedings for awarding the bandwidth for Valle d’Aosta, Western Piedmont and Trento Alto Adige. In these areas, the Ministry has planned to award only three bandwidths, instead of four, as expressly requested by TIMB in all the competent offices and as occurred in Sardinia. There was no reply to the petitions and as determined subsequently, the Ministry assigned TIMB the temporary user rights to the bandwidths with reference only to the three frequencies in Valle d’Aosta, Western Piedmont and Trento Alto Adige. In defense of its rights, at the end of October, the Telecom Italia Media group took legal action, in line with other operators, with a separate appeal to the President of the Republic.

***

 

 

Events subsequent to September 30, 2009

On November 3, 2009, the board of directors of Telecom Italia Media examined the offer received on the valuation of the Digital Assets of the Network Operator (TIMB). The offer presented some critical areas in the valuation of the individual MUXs and particularly the valuation of the first and second MUXs was considered inadequate, while the valuation of the other two MUXs was higher than expectations. Nevertheless, the offer did not contain bank guarantees with regard to the extension of the payment terms for the third and fourth MUXs.

The Telecom Italia Media board of directors, taking into account the critical areas mentioned above and having taken note that the recent changes in the law on the subject could grow the value of the above MUXs for Telecom Italia Media in the future, has decided to suspend the process for the sale of TIMB and call a new meeting by the end of the year for updating the Industrial Plan 2010-2012.

 

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Olivetti

 

 

The Business Unit

The Olivetti group mainly operates in the sectors of digital printing systems and ink-jet office products, in specialized applications for the banking field and commerce and in information systems managing forecast games, electronic voting and e-government. It also develops and manufactures products using silicon technology (ink-jet print heads and Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems – MEMS and industrial applications) and is also present with a dedicated structure in the field of documental services (digital management of company documents), caring services (specialist help-desk) and technical assistance. The market of the Business Unit is focused mainly in Europe, Asia and South America.

 

 

The structure of the Business Unit

The Business Unit is organized as follows (main companies only):

LOGO

 

 

Main operating and financial data

Key results of the Business Unit for the third quarter and the first nine months of 2009 compared to the corresponding periods of 2008 are presented in the following table:

 

(millions of euros)

   3rd Quarter
2009

(a)
    3rd Quarter
2008

(b)
    9 months to
9/30/2009

( c )
    9 months to
9/30/2008

(d)
    Change %  
           (a/b)     (c/d)  

Revenues

   66      72      219      252      (8.3   (13.1

EBITDA

   (6   (11   (18   (23   45.5      21.7   

EBITDA margin (%)

   (9.1   (15.3   (8.2   (9.1    

EBIT

   (7   (12   (22   (28   41.7      21.4   

EBIT margin (%)

   (10.6   (16.7   (10.0   (11.1    

Capital expenditures

   1      1      3      2      —        °   

Headcount at period-end (number)

       1,101      (1) 1,194        (7.8

 

(1)

Headcount at December 31, 2008.

Revenues

Revenues amount to 219 million euros for the first nine months of 2009, down 33 million euros compared to the first nine months of 2008.

As far as products are concerned, revenues decreased for the first nine months of 2009 by about 12% compared to the same period of 2008, partly as a result of lower sales volumes owing to the difficult economic scenario. The highest declines occurred in European markets, particularly in Spain and in Great Britain where the Pound sterling decreased significantly in value.

With regard to ink-jet products, the 33% reduction in revenues is due to lower sales of fax machines, multifunction printers and accessories.

Printers for banking counter applications, the segment in which Olivetti is the market leader, posted a decrease in revenues due to the contraction of Middle East markets, particularly Iran: quantities sold are expected to drop by 10% for the full year. The supply of counter printers to the Italian post office company, Poste Italiane S.p.A., continued in 2009.

 

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The sales of fiscal tax registers recorded a considerable decline in volumes compared to the first nine months of 2008 which had benefited from the order to replace installed machines owing to the so-called “seven-year period”, that is, the average period over which the fiscal memory inserted in the products becomes depleted.

In the first nine months of 2009 as compared to the corresponding period of 2008, professional office products, copiers and relative accessories posted a sharp reduction in terms of sales volumes in the black and white copier segment (-27%) and in the color copier segment (-7%), with a 9% average price reduction.

In 2009, installations began, to date more than 3,200, on an important project in cooperation with Telecom Italia S.p.A., for the supply of specialized terminals for payments/services for authorized tobacconists in Italy.

Since the end of June, Olivetti’s product catalog has been enhanced with the start of the ‘Supply Chain’ activity. This activity centers on the supply of Data Cards, Netbooks and Notebooks to Telecom Italia S.p.A. and the foreign market. For the third quarter of 2009, in particular, revenues from the Parent were over 5 million euros.

For the third quarter of 2009, revenues amount to 66 million euros (72 million euros for the third quarter of 2008). This is a reduction of -8.3% compared to the third quarter of 2008, with a decisive turnabout in the trend recorded in the two previous quarters (-15.5% in the second quarter of 2009 compared to the same period of 2008 and -14.5% in the first quarter of 2009 compared to the same period of 2008).

EBITDA

EBITDA is a negative 18 million euros, with an improvement of 5 million euros compared to the first nine months of the prior year. The lower margin connected with the fall in revenues was absorbed by a significant reduction in fixed overheads, an outgrowth of the effects of the reorganization. Considering also the impact of exchange rate fluctuations on sales in foreign currency to customers outside the EU and on purchases of merchandise and products in foreign currencies, the change in the U.S. dollar rate against the euro adversely affected EBITDA by 3 million euros. If the foreign exchange effect is not considered, the comparison with the first nine months of 2008 would be an improvement of another 3 million euros.

For the third quarter of 2009, EBITDA is a negative 6 million euros (a negative 11 million euros for the third quarter of 2008), with an improvement of 5 million euros over the same period of the prior year.

EBIT

EBIT is a negative 22 million euros, better by 6 million euros over the first nine months of the prior year.

For the third quarter of 2009, EBIT is a negative 7 million euros, improving by 5 million euros compared to the third quarter of 2008.

Capital expenditures

Capital expenditures amount to 3 million euros, an increase of 1 million euros compared to the same period of 2008.

Headcount

Headcount is 1,101 (1,008 in Italy and 93 abroad) at September 30, 2009, a decrease of 93 compared to December 31, 2008 (1,194, of whom 1,088 in Italy and 106 abroad).

 

 

Commercial developments

In July 2009, Olivetti presented the new “Documental Hub” offering which proposes a series of solutions and services for the digital management of corporate documents to the world of companies and the Public Administration. Available in the “on demand” mode through the Telecom Italia Data Centers, the offering not only makes it possible to dematerialize paper flows but also makes advanced services available such as the digital signature (also through cell phones), digital filing in accordance with law and electronic invoicing without the need of having one’s own dedicated IT structure.

 

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Events subsequent to September 30, 2009

In October 2009, in Ivrea, Olivetti inaugurated the headquarters of Advalso, the company created to expand IT assistance and support services for Olivetti and Telecom Italia clients in the ICT and TLC sectors, and guarantee the highest level of quality. Through this new center, alongside the center in Carsoli, Advalso is able to manage the entire customer assistance process, from the execution of standard help desk services to the most advanced technical support and back office services for all the Group’s solutions, up to the development of solutions to support company business. With its 360-degree expertise in the IT sector, the new Advalso center is the benchmark services center for Olivetti’s new “Documental Hub” offering for document management, a market in Italy estimated to be worth approximately 1.5 billion euros.

 

Interim Report at September 30, 2009     62
Telecom Italia Group  


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International Investments

BBNed Group

The BBNed group consists of the parent, BBNed N.V., and its two subsidiaries, BBeyond B.V. and InterNLnet B.V..

BBNed Group

 

(millions of euros)

   9 months to
9/30/2009
    9 months to
9/30/2008
    Change  
       amount     %  

Revenues

   66      62      4      6.5   

EBITDA

   10      7      3      42.9   

EBITDA margin (%)

   15.2      11.3       

EBIT

   (5   (9   4      44.4   

EBIT margin (%)

   (7.6   (14.5    

Capital expenditures

   5      13      (8   (61.5

The key results for the first nine months of 2009 can be summarized as follows:

 

   

revenues amount to 66 million euros, 4 million euros higher than for the first nine months of 2008 (+6.5%), thanks to a greater contribution of revenues from retail ADSL services. The customer portfolio, standing at about 160,000, is some 6,000 lower compared to December 31, 2008, but approximately 2,000 higher compared to September 30, 2008;

 

   

EBITDA is 10 million euros, with an increase of 3 million euros (+42.9%) over the first nine months of 2008. The EBITDA margin is 15.2% compared to 11.3% for the first nine months of 2008;

 

   

EBIT is a negative 5 million euros, compared to a negative 9 million euros for the first nine months of 2008;

 

   

capital expenditures total 5 million euros, 8 million euros lower than for the first nine months of 2008;

 

   

headcount is 375 at September 30, 2009, a reduction of 32 versus December 31, 2008 and includes 26 people with temp work contracts (61 at December 31, 2008).

 

 

Commercial developments

The confirmation of the promotional policies on the DSL market was a distinguishing feature of the competitive scenario during the third quarter of 2009. In the fiber sector, the joint venture between the incumbent (KPN) and the Reggefiber group continued to cover the territory in a selective manner in some cities of the country, posting growth, though limited, in the commercial penetration of the offering. Cable operators responded with aggressive sales policies also making the most of the introduction of EURODocsis 3.0 technology which allows greater connection speed compared to previous offers.

In this environment, BBNed, the Dutch subsidiary of the Group, retained its positioning as an active operator in the different markets, retail and wholesale, and customer segments (the business segment with the BBeyond brand and the consumer segment with the Alice and InterNLnet brands). Further development efforts were given to the technological evolution of network infrastructures and the rationalization of IT systems. Finally, the focus continued on improving the margins of rate plans, on loyalty and retention, on operating efficiency and, at the same time, on control over costs and the assessment of the return on investments.

 

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Telecom Italia Group  


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Other Investments Accounted for Using the Equity Method

 

 

Telecom Argentina Group

Held by: Telecom Italia and Telecom Italia International through Sofora/Nortel Inversora 13.97%

The group operates in the sectors of fixed and mobile telecommunications, internet and data transmission in Argentina and also offers mobile telephone services in Paraguay.

At September 30, 2009, land lines in service (including installed public telephones) are about 4,347,000, a slight increase compared to December 31, 2008 (4,299,000).

As regards BroadBand, accesses total approximately 1,170,000, growing 13% compared to the end of 2008 (1,032,000).

In the mobile business, the customer base of the group reached approximately 15,758,000 customers at September 30, 2009 (of which, more than 11% in Paraguay), with an increase of about 10% compared to year-end 2008 (14,375,000). The number of postpaid customers increased by more than 2% compared to the end of December 2008 and continues to account for about 30% of the total customer base. Migration of mobile customers from TDMA, which was still used by only a small number in Paraguay at December 31, 2008, to GSM technology was completed during the period and is now used by 100% of customers.

 

 

ETECSA

Held by: Telecom Italia International 27%

The company operates a monopoly in the sectors of fixed and mobile telecommunications, internet and data transmission in Cuba. At September 30, 2009, the number of land lines in service (including installed public telephones) is 1,108,300, a slight increase compared to December 31, 2008 (1,088,100). Of the lines in service, 51,800 are invoiced in U.S. dollars and the others, associated with the social development of Cuban telecommunications, in non-convertible Cuban pesos. With a market that is still of modest proportions, at September 30, 2009, the number of internet and data customers has reached 27,100, 5% more than at year-end 2008 (25,800).

In the mobile telephony business, the customer base is close to 546,000 at September 30, 2009, with an increase of almost 65% compared to December 31, 2008 (331,700). The number of customers with prepaid contracts constitutes more than 94% of the client base and is equal to 515,300 (303,600 at December 31, 2008). The performance for the period still benefits from the considerable reductions in activation charges which took place on December 11, 2008 and on May 18, 2009.

 

Interim Report at September 30, 2009     64
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Discontinued operations/Non-Current Assets Held for Sale

The following is a reconciliation of the Profit (loss) from Discontinued operations/Non-current assets held for sale, with an indication of the principal economic and financial data of the German broadband operator, HanseNet.

 

(millions of euros)

         9 months to
9/30/2009
    9 months to
9/30/2008
    Change  
         amount     %  

Economic impacts of HanseNet:

          

Revenues

     858      899      (41   (4.6

EBITDA

     196      185      11      5.9   

EBITDA margin (%)

     22.8      20.6       

EBIT

     —        19      (19   °   

EBIT margin (%)

       2.1       

Financial income and expenses

     (20   (22   2     

Profit (loss) before tax from Discontinued operations/Non-current assets held for sale

     (20   (3   (17  

Income tax expenses

     1      (2   3     

Profit (loss) after tax from Discontinued operations/Non-current assets held for sale

   (A   (19   (5   (14  
                          

Other economic impacts:

          

Writedown of goodwill allocated to HanseNet

     (540   —        (540  

Net impact correlated to the Liberty Surf group

     —        (28   28     
   (B   (540   (28   (512  
                          

Profit (loss) from Discontinued operations/Non-current assets held for sale

   (A+B   (559   (33   (526  
                          

Comment on the principal economic data of HanseNet - BroadBand activities in Germany:

Revenues

Revenues relating to business conducted in Germany, totaling 858 million euros, post a decrease of 4.6% compared to the first nine months of 2008 (-41 million euros). The reduction is largely due to the minor contribution to revenues by AOL clients (BroadBand resale and NarrowBand) and wholesale customers on the platform of the incumbent, Deutsche Telekom (DT). Such decrease was only compensated in part by higher revenues from unbundled accesses and mobile service. The broadband customer portfolio in Germany at September 30, 2009 is about 2.3 million accesses, a figure basically in line with that at December 31, 2008 and at September 30, 2008.

EBITDA

EBITDA is 196 million euros and posts an increase of 11 million euros (+5.9%) compared to the first nine months of 2008. The EBITDA margin is 22.8% against 20.6% for the first nine months of 2008.

As far as costs are concerned, the following is noted in particular:

 

   

acquisition of goods and services, amounting to 580 million euros, decreased by 9.2% compared to the first nine months of 2008 (-59 million euros). The reduction is principally due to the lower impact of advertising and promotion expenses, commercial costs (thanks also to the acquisition of new customers with 2-year minimum contracts, the costs of which, 26 million euros for the first nine months of 2009 and 3 million euros in the corresponding months of 2008, are capitalized) and outsourced customer care costs, whereas interconnection costs with other operators increased in connection with the growth of unbundled Alice customers;

 

   

employee benefits expenses, for 75 million euros, decreased by 6 million euros compared to the first nine months of 2008 (-7.4%) thanks to the reduction in the average headcount (from 2,571 in the first nine months of 2008 to 2,231 in the same period of 2009).

 

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Telecom Italia Group  


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EBIT

EBIT is zero; for the first nine months of 2008 EBIT was a positive 19 million euros.

The decline in EBIT is basically due to higher amortization and depreciation charges (+31 million euros) owing to significant investments in network infrastructures and supporting computer systems made between 2007 and 2008 and also the capitalization of costs incurred for the acquisition of customers with 2-year minimum contracts.

 

Interim Report at September 30, 2009     66
Telecom Italia Group  


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Related party transactions

At September 30, 2009 there are no significant transactions with related parties, including intragroup transactions, which are nonrecurring or unusual / atypical in nature.

The following tables present the balances relating to transactions with related parties and the incidence of those amounts on the separate consolidated income statements, consolidated statements of financial position and consolidated statements of cash flows.

The figures in the separate consolidated income statements and consolidated statements of cash flows for the first nine months of 2009 are compared to those of the first nine months of 2008, while the figures in the consolidated statements of financial position at September 30, 2009 are compared to those at December 31, 2008 (Historical restated).

The effects on the individual line items of the separate consolidated income statements for the first nine months of 2009 and 2008 are as follows:

 

           Related parties

SEPARATE CONSOLIDATED INCOME
STATEMENT LINE ITEMS
9 months to 9/30/2009
(millions of euros)

   Total    Associates
and joint
ventures
   Companies
controlled by
associates
and joint
ventures
   Other related
parties (*)
    Pension
funds
   Key managers    Total related
parties
    Transactions of
Discontinued

Operations
    Total related
parties net of
Disc.Op
    %
incidence
on line item

Revenues

   20.188    138    21    575            734      (25   709      3,5

Other income

   184    2       3            5        5      2,7

Acquisition of goods and services

   8.362    70    4    413            487      (97   390      4,7

Employee benefits expenses

   2.737          3      73    11    87        87      3,2

Finance income

   2.206          47            47        47      2,1

Finance expenses

   3.838    24       183            207        207      5,4

Profit (loss) from Discontinued operations/Non-current assets held for sale

            (72         (72      

 

(*)    Other related parties through directors, statutory auditors and key managers.

          Related parties

SEPARATE CONSOLIDATED INCOME
STATEMENT LINE ITEMS
9 months to 9/30/2008
(millions of euros)

   Total    Associates
and joint
ventures
   Companies
controlled by
associates
and joint
ventures
   Other related
parties (*)
    Pension
funds
   Key managers    Total related
parties
    Transactions of
Discontinued
Operations
    Total related
parties net of
Disc.Op
    %
incidence
on line item

Revenues

   21.520    112    15    662            789      (21   768      3,6

Other income

   215    2    4    5            11        11      5,1

Acquisition of goods and services

   9.453    87    21    459            567      (77   490      5,2

Employee benefits expenses

   3.088          3      71    29    103        103      3,3

Finance income

   1.795    1       86            87        87      4,8

Finance expenses

   3.738    25       35            60        60      1,6

Profit (loss) from Discontinued operations/Non-current assets held for sale

            (57         (57     (1  

 

(*)    Other related parties through directors, statutory auditors and key managers.

 

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The effects on the individual line items of the consolidated statements of financial position at September 30, 2009 and at December 31, 2008 (Historica restated) are as follows:

 

           Related parties

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL
POSITION LINE ITEMS AT 9/30/2009
(millions of euros)

  Total     Associates
and joint
ventures
  Companies
controlled by
associates
and joint
ventures
  Other related
parties (*)
    Pension
funds
  Key
managers
  Total related
parties
    Transactions of
Discontinued
Operations
    Total related
parties net of
Disc.Op
    %
incidence
on line item

NET FINANCIAL DEBT

                   

Securities, financial receivables and other non-current financial assets

  (1,692       (102       (102     (102   6.0

Securities other than investments (current assets)

  (1,447       (1       (1     (1   0.1

Financial receivables and other current financial assets

  (930       (13       (13     (13   1.4

Cash and cash equivalents

  (4,440       (98       (98     (98   2.2

Discontinued assets/Non-current asses held for sale of a financial nature

  (49                  

Non-current financial liabilities

  37,099      216     258          474        474      1.3

Current financial liabilities

  6,306      114     416          530        530      8.4

Liabilities directly associated with Discontinued operations/Non-current assets held for sale of a financial nature

  659                     

Total net financial debt

  35,506      330     460          790        790      2.2

OTHER STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION LINE ITEMS

                   

Miscellaneous receivables and other non-current assets

  792      27           27        27      3.4

Trade and miscellaneous receivables and other current assets

  7,858      113   11   324          448      (4   444      5.7

Discontinued assets/Non-current asses held for sale of a non-financial nature

  1,169          4          4        4     

Miscellaneous payables and other non-current liabilities

  1,225        21   3          24      (1   23      1.9

Trade and miscellaneous payables and other current liabilities

  9,210      57   4   283      28     372      (30   342      3.7

Liabilities directly associated with Discontinued operations/Non-current assets held for sale of a non-financial nature

  270          31          31        31     

 

(*) Other related parties through directors, statutory auditors and key managers.

 

          Related parties  

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL
POSITION LINE ITEMS AT 12/31/2008
(millions of euros)

  Total     Associates
and joint
ventures
    Companies
controlled by
associates
and joint
ventures
  Other related
parties (*)
    Pension
funds
  Key
managers
  Total related
parties
    Transactions of
Discontinued
Operations
  Total related
parties net of
Disc.Op
    %
incidence
on line item
 

NET FINANCIAL DEBT

                   

Securities, financial receivables and other non-current financial assets

  (2,663       (255       (255     (255   9.6   

Securities other than investments (current assets)

  (185                  

Financial receivables and other current financial assets

  (491   (27     (14       (41     (41   8.4   

Cash and cash equivalents

  (5,416   (8     (1,189       (1,197     (1,197   22.1   

Non-current financial liabilities

  36,527      247        608          855        855      2.3   

Current financial liabilities

  6,267      142        75          217        217      3.5   

Total net financial debt

  34,039      354        (775       (421     (421   (1.2

OTHER STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION LINE ITEMS

                   

Miscellaneous receivables and other non-current assets

  694      4              4        4      0.6   

Trade and miscellaneous receivables and other current assets

  8,101      113      6   267          386        386      4.8   

Miscellaneous payables and other non-current liabilities

  1,539        23   3          26        26      1.7   

Trade and miscellaneous payables and other current liabilities

  10,942      50      58   313      31     452        452      4.1   

 

(*) Other related parties through directors, statutory auditors and key managers.

 

Interim Report at September 30, 2009     68
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The effects on the individual line items of the consolidated statements of cash flows for the first nine months of 2009 and 2008 are as follows:

 

           Related parties

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
LINE ITEMS
9 months to 9/30/2009
(millions of euros)

   Total    Associates
and joint
ventures
   Companies
controlled by
associates
and joint
ventures
   Other related
parties (*)
   Pension
funds
   Key managers    Total related
parties
   Transactions of
Discontinued
Operations
    Total related
parties net of
Disc.Op
   %
incidence
on line item

Purchase of intangible and tangible assets on an accrual basis

   2,998    2       19          21    (19   2    0.1

Dividends paid

   1,050          176    1       177      177    16.9

Cash flows from (used in) Discontinued operations/non-current assets held for sale

   30          19          19      19   

 

(*) Other related parties through directors, statutory auditors and key managers.

 

           Related parties

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
LINE ITEMS
9 months to 9/30/2008
(millions of euros)

   Total     Associates
and joint
ventures
   Companies
controlled by
associates
and joint
ventures
   Other related
parties (*)
   Pension
funds
   Key managers    Total related
parties
   Transactions of
Discontinued
Operations
    Total related
parties net of
Disc.Op
   %
incidence
on line item

Purchase of intangible and tangible assets on an accrual basis

   3,728      1    194    29          224    (30   194    5.2

Dividends paid

   1,665            281          281      281    16.9

Cash flows from (used in) Discontinued operations/non-current assets held for sale

   (41      2    28          30      30   

 

(*) Other related parties through directors, statutory auditors and key managers.

 

 

Transactions with associates and joint ventures

 

The most significant amounts are summarized as follows:

 

SEPARATE CONSOLIDATED INCOME

STATEMENT LINE ITEMS

(millions of euros)

   9 months to
9/30/2009
   9 months to
9/30/2008
  

TYPE OF CONTRACT

REVENUES

        

ETECSA

   3    3    International telecommunications services, roaming and technical assistance

LI.SIT. S.p.A.

   16    8    Lombardy Region social health system information networking and telephone services

Teleleasing S.p.A.

   115    100    Sale of equipment as per the 2000 collaboration agreement

NordCom S.p.A.

   1    1    Supply of data network connections and applications software

Telbios S.p.A.

   1       Supply of telephone services, ADSL circuits, sale of equipment and property leases

Other minor companies

   2      

Total revenues

   138    112   

OTHER INCOME

   2    2    Recovery of costs of personnel on secondment and recovery of costs for services rendered

ACQUISITION OF GOODS AND SERVICES

        

ETECSA

   55    56    International telecommunications services and roaming

NordCom S.p.A.

   1    1    Purchase and development of computer solutions

Teleleasing S.p.A.

   7    22    Purchase of goods sold under leasing arrangements with Telecom Italia customers as per the 2000 collaboration agreement

Telbios S.p.A.

   3    4    Supply of remote medicine services and products

Tiglio I S.r.l.

   2    3    Property leases

Telecom Media News S.p.A.

   1       Press agency services and supply of information content

Other minor companies

   1    1   

Total acquisition of goods and services

   70    87   

FINANCE INCOME

      1    Interest income on loans made to Aree Urbane S.r.l.

FINANCE EXPENSES

   24    25    Interest expenses for finance leases with Teleleasing

 

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL

POSITION LINE ITEMS

(millions of euros)

   9/30/2009    12/31/2008   

TYPE OF CONTRACT

NET FINANCIAL DEBT

        

FINANCIAL RECEIVABLES AND OTHER CURRENT FINANCIAL ASSETS

      27    Loans with Aree Urbane S.r.l.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

      8    Treasury account with Teleleasing S.p.A.

NON-CURRENT FINANCIAL LIABILITIES

        

Teleleasing S.p.A.

   215    246    Finance lease

Tiglio I S.r.l.

   1    1    Sale and leaseback transactions

Total non-current financial liabilities

   216    247   

CURRENT FINANCIAL LIABILITIES

   114    142    Finance lease and treasury account with Teleleasing S.p.A.

OTHER STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION LINE ITEMS

        

MISCELLANEOUS RECEIVABLES AND OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS

        

Aree Urbane S.r.l.

   25       Non interest-bearing loan to shareholders

LI.SIT. S.p.A.

   2    4    Receivables representing the residual share premium paid

Total miscellaneous receivables and other non-current assets

   27    4   

TRADE AND MISCELLANEOUS RECEIVABLES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS

        

ETECSA

   27    11    International telecommunications services, roaming and dividends collectible

LI.SIT. S.p.A.

   34    51    Lombardy Region social health system information networking and telephone services

NordCom S.p.A.

   1    1    Supply of data network connections and applications software

Telbios S.p.A.

   3    1    Supply of telephone services, ADSL lines, sale of equipment and property leases

Teleleasing S.p.A.

   45    48    Sale of equipment as per the 2000 collaboration agreement

Telecom Media News S.p.A.

   2       Property leases and telecommunications services

Other minor companies

   1    1   

Total trade and miscellaneous receivables and other current assets

   113    113   

TRADE AND MISCELLANEOUS PAYABLES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES

        

ETECSA

   7    5    Telecommunications services and roaming

LI.SIT. S.p.A.

   19    18    Deferred financial income on the information networking project of the Lombardy Region social health system

Movenda S.p.A.

   1    1    Development of computer solutions and applications software for SIM card laboratories and mobile handsets and professional services

Nord.Com S.p.A.

   1    2    Purchase and development of computer solutions

Telbios S.p.A.

   2    5    Supply of services and products for the remote medicine offering

Teleleasing S.p.A.

   23    16    Purchase of goods sold under leasing arrangements with Telecom Italia customers as per the 2000 collaboration agreement and purchase of telecommunications equipment

Telecom Media News S.p.A.

   2       Press agency services and supply of information content

Tiglio I S.r.l.

   1    2    Property leases

Other minor companies

   1    1   

Total trade and miscellaneous payables and other current liabilities

   57    50   

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

LINE ITEMS

(millions of euros)

   9 months to
9/30/2009
   9 months to
9/30/2008
  

TYPE OF CONTRACT

PURCHASE OF INTANGIBLE AND TANGIBLE ASSETS ON AN ACCRUAL BASIS

   2    1    Acquisitions from other minor companies

 

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Transactions with companies controlled by associates and joint ventures

 

Beginning January 1, 2009, the company, Italtel Group S.p.A., and all the companies in the Italtel group are no longer considered related parties since the shareholders’ agreements expired at the end of 2008 and have not been renewed.

The most significant amounts are summarized as follows:

 

SEPARATE CONSOLIDATED INCOME

STATEMENT LINE ITEMS

(millions of euros)

   9 months to
9/30/2009
   9 months to
9/30/2008
  

TYPE OF CONTRACT

REVENUES

        

Telecom Argentina group

   21    14    International telecommunications and roaming services; data, voice and supply of “IRU” transmission capacity; supply of advanced platforms and technical assistance rendered by Telecom Italia for the development of broadband and the study of Value-Added Services

Italtel group

      1    Supply of telephone and data transmission services, contact center and sale of LAN and MAN networks

Total revenues

   21    15   

OTHER INCOME

      4    Commercial settlement with the Italtel group

ACQUISITION OF GOODS AND SERVICES

        

Telecom Argentina group

   4    5    International telecommunications services and roaming

Italtel group

      16    Maintenance contracts and assistance for switching equipment

Total acquisition of goods and services

   4    21   

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL

POSITION LINE ITEMS

(millions of euros)

   9/30/2009    12/31/2008   

TYPE OF CONTRACT

NET FINANCIAL DEBT

        

TRADE AND MISCELLANEOUS RECEIVABLES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS

        

Telecom Argentina group

   11    5    International telecommunications and roaming; data, voice and supply of “IRU” transmission capacity services; supply of advanced platforms and technical assistance rendered by Telecom Italia for the development of broadband and the study of Value-Added Services

Italtel group

      1    Supply of telephone and data transmission services, contact center and sale of LAN and MAN networks

Total trade and miscellaneous receivables and other current assets

   11    6   

MISCELLANEOUS PAYABLES AND OTHER NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

   21    23    Medium/long-term portion of deferred income for the supply of “IRU” transmission capacity to the Telecom Argentina group

TRADE AND MISCELLANEOUS PAYABLES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES

        

Telecom Argentina group

   4    3    International telecommunications services, roaming and the short-term portion of deferred income for the supply of “IRU” transmission capacity

Italtel group

      55    Supply contracts connected with investment and operating activities

Total trade and miscellaneous payables and other current liabilities

   4    58   

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

LINE ITEMS

(millions of euros)

   9 months to
9/30/2009
   9 months to
9/30/2008
  

TYPE OF CONTRACT

PURCHASE OF INTANGIBLE AND TANGIBLE ASSETS ON AN ACCRUAL BASIS

      194    Purchases of telephone equipment from the Italtel group

At September 30, 2009, the Telecom Italia Group has provided guarantees on behalf of associates and companies controlled by associates for a total of 16 million euros (31 million euros at 12/31/2008), of which, on behalf of: Aree Urbane S.r.l. 11 million euros (11 million euros at 12/31/2008), ETECSA 3 million euros (3 million euros at 12/31/2008) and Telecom Media News S.p.A. 2 million euros. At 12/31/2008, 16 million euros had been provided as guarantees on behalf of the Italtel group, which is no longer a related party and 1 million euros on behalf of other minor companies. Furthermore, weak comfort letters have also been provided for a total of 33 million euros (138 million euros at 12/31/2008) on behalf of ETECSA, in respect of loans from suppliers.

 

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Transactions with other related parties

(through directors, statutory auditors and key managers)

 

On February 27, 2009, following the resignation of Gianni Mion (through whom the companies of the Edizione group and the Sintonia group were related parties of Telecom Italia), Stefano Cao was co-opted as director (through whom only the companies of the Sintonia group are related parties of Telecom Italia); the shareholders’ meeting of April 8, 2009 later confirmed this appointment.

Consequently, the income statement and financial position transactions reported in the following tables include the income statement transactions with respect to the Edizione group from January 1, to March 31, 2009 and the Sintonia group from January 1, to September 30, 2009, while the financial position transactions at September 30, 2009 refer solely to the companies of the Sintonia group.

The most significant amounts are summarized as follows:

 

SEPARATE CONSOLIDATED INCOME

STATEMENT LINE ITEMS

(millions of euros)

   9 months to
9/30/2009
   9 months to
9/30/2008
   

TYPE OF CONTRACT

REVENUES

       

Edizione group

   5    7      Supply of telephone and data transmission services outsourced managed with dedicated assistance

Generali group

   39    38      Supply of telephone and data transmission services, peripheral data networks, connections, storage and telecommunications products and services for foreign holdings

Intesa SanPaolo group

   89    96      Telephone, data and international network services, ICT services, Lan network management and applications platform

Mediobanca group

   4    5      Telephone and MPLS data network services and marketing of data and VoIP devices

Telefónica group

   437    508      Interconnection services, roaming, broadband access fees, supply of “IRU” transmission capacity and software

Other minor companies and companies that are no longer related parties

   1    8     

Total revenues

   575    662     

OTHER INCOME

   3    5      Damage compensation from the Generali Group

ACQUISITION OF GOODS AND SERVICES

       

China Unicom group

   2      International telecommunications services and roaming

Edizione group

   7    5      Sponsorships, commissions for the sale of prepaid telephone cards, fees for laying cables along expressways, TV and internet rights connected with sports events

Generali group

   18    19      Insurance premiums and property leases

Intesa SanPaolo group

   12    15      Mobile banking services, commissions for payment of telephone bills by direct debit and collections via credit cards

Mediobanca group

   2      Credit recovery activities

Telefónica group

   372    395      Interconnection and roaming services, site sharing, co-billing agreements, broadband linesharing and unbundling

Other, no longer related parties

      25     

Total acquisition of goods and services

   413    459     

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS EXPENSES

   3    3      Non-obligatory employee insurance taken out with the Generali group.

FINANCE INCOME

       

Intesa SanPaolo group

   25    62      Bank accounts, deposits and hedging derivatives

Mediobanca group

   22    24      Bank accounts, deposits and hedging derivatives

Total finance income

   47    86     

FINANCE EXPENSES

       

Intesa SanPaolo group

   168    23      Term Loan Facility, Revolving Credit Facility, hedging derivatives, loans and bank accounts

Mediobanca group

   15    12      Term Loan Facility and Revolving Credit Facility and hedging derivatives

Total finance expenses

   183    35     

Profit (loss) from Discontinued operations/Non-current assets held for sale

      (1   Mediobanca incidental charges for disposal of Liberty Surf group

 

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL

POSITION LINE ITEMS

(millions of euros)

   9/30/2009    12/31/2008   

TYPE OF CONTRACT

NET FINANCIAL DEBT

        

SECURITIES, FINANCIAL RECEIVABLES AND OTHER NON-CURRENT FINANCIAL ASSETS

        

Intesa SanPaolo group

   96    225    Hedging derivatives

Mediobanca group

   6    30    Hedging derivatives

Total securities, financial receivables and other non-current financial assets

   102    255   

SECURITIES OTHER THAN INVESTMENTS - CURRENT ASSETS

   1       Bonds issued by Intesa San Paolo group

FINANCIAL RECEIVABLES AND OTHER CURRENT FINANCIAL ASSETS

        

Intesa SanPaolo group

   1    13    Hedging derivatives

Mediobanca group

   12    1    Hedging derivatives

Total financial receivables and other current financial assets

   13    14   

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

        

Intesa SanPaolo group

   98    696    Bank accounts and deposits

Mediobanca group

      493    Repurchase agreements

Total cash and cash equivalents

   98    1.189   

NON-CURRENT FINANCIAL LIABILITIES

        

Intesa San Paolo group

   195    478    Revolving Credit Facility, hedging derivatives, loans and lease obligations

Mediobanca group

   63    130    Revolving Credit Facility and hedging derivatives

Total non-current financial liabilities

   258    608   

CURRENT FINANCIAL LIABILITIES

        

Intesa SanPaolo group

   347    74    Term Loan Facility, bank accounts, hedging derivatives, finance lease liabilities and other financial payables

Mediobanca group

   69    1    Term Loan Facility and hedging derivatives

Total current financial liabilities

   416    75   

OTHER STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION LINE ITEMS

        

TRADE AND MISCELLANEOUS RECEIVABLES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS

        

China Unicom group

   1       Supply of international telecommunications services and roaming

Generali group

   35    21    Supply of telephone and data transmission services, peripheral data networks, connections, storage, applications services and supply of telecommunications products and services for foreign holdings

Intesa SanPaolo group

   200    178    Supply of telephone and data transmission services and ICT services, LAN network management and applications platform

Mediobanca group

   1    1    Supply of telephone and MPLS data network services and marketing of data and VoIP devices

Edizione group

   3    4    Supply of telephone and data transmission services, outsourced managed with dedicated assistance

Telefónica group

   83    63    Interconnection services, roaming, broadband access fees, supply of “IRU” transmission capacity and software

Other minor companies

   1      

Total trade and miscellaneous receivables and other current assets

   324    267   

MISCELLANEOUS PAYABLES AND OTHER NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

   3    3    Deferred income relating to the supply of “IRU” transmission capacity to the Telefónica group

TRADE AND MISCELLANEOUS PAYABLES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES

        

China Unicom group

   1       International telecommunications services and roaming

Generali group

   4       Deferred income regarding outsourcing of data networks and central and peripheral telephony

Intesa SanPaolo group

   184    232    Mobile banking services, commissions for payment of telephone bills by direct debit and collections via credit cards

Mediobanca group

   2    2    Credit recovery activities and factoring commissions

Edizione group

   10    9    Fees for laying telephone cables along expressways, television and internet rights connected with sports events

Telefónica group

   82    70    Interconnection, roaming services, site sharing, co-billing agreements, broadband linesharing and unbundling

Total trade and miscellaneous payables and other current liabilities

   283    313   

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

LINE ITEMS

(millions of euros)

   9 months to
9/30/2009
   9 months to
9/30/2008
  

TYPE OF CONTRACT

PURCHASE OF INTANGIBLE AND TANGIBLE ASSETS ON AN ACCRUAL BASIS

        

Telefónica group

   19    28    Capitalization of costs connected with unbundling in Germany

Others, companies that are no longer related parties

      1   

Total purchase of intangible and tangible assets on an accrual basis

   19    29   

 

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Transactions with pension funds

 

The most significant amounts are summarized as follows:

 

SEPARATE CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT LINE

ITEMS (millions of euros)

   9 months to
9/30/2009
   9 months to
9/30/2008
  

TYPE OF CONTRACT

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS EXPENSES

         Contributions to pension funds

Fontedir

   11    11   

Telemaco

   58    55   

Other Italian and foreign pension funds

   4    5   

Total employee benefits expenses

   73    71   

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL

POSITION LINE ITEMS

(millions of euros)

   9/30/2009    12/31/2008   

TYPE OF CONTRACT

TRADE AND MISCELLANEOUS PAYABLES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES

         Payables for contributions to pension funds

Fontedir

   5    5   

Telemaco

   21    24   

Other Italian and foreign pension funds

   2    2   

Total trade and miscellaneous payables and other current liabilities

   28    31   

 

 

Remuneration to key managers

 

The total remuneration recorded on the accrual basis by Telecom Italia S.p.A. or by companies controlled by the Group in respect of key managers amounts to 11.2 million euros for the first nine months of 2009 (29.2 million euros for the first nine months of 2008), analyzed as follows:

 

(millions of euros)

   9 months to
9/30/2009
   9 months to
9/30/2008

Short-term remuneration

   10,3    10,6

Long-term remuneration

      0,1

Employment termination benefit incentives

      18,0

Share-based payments (*)

   0,9    0,5
   11,2    29,2

 

(*) This is the fair value of rights matured at September 30, 2009 under the Telecom Italia S.p.A. share incentive plans (PSG and TOP 2008).

Key managers, that is, those who have the power and responsibility, directly or indirectly, for the planning, direction and control of the operations of Telecom Italia, including directors, are the following:

 

Directors:   
Gabriele Galateri di Genola    Chairman of Telecom Italia S.p.A.
Franco Bernabè    Chief Executive Officer of Telecom Italia S.p.A.
Managers:   
Paolo Annunziato 1    Head of Public Affairs
Oscar Cicchetti    Head of Domestic Market Operations
Stefano Ciurli 2    Head of Purchasing
Antonino Cusimano    Head of General Counsel & Corporate and Legal Affairs
Luca Luciani 3    Director Chairman of Tim Brasil
Antonio Migliardi    Head of Human Resources and Organization
Marco Patuano    Head of Administration, Finance and Control
Stefano Pileri    Head of Technology & Operations
Germanio Spreafico 4    Head of Purchasing
Giovanni Stella    Deputy Chairman of Telecom Italia Media S.p.A.
   Head of Media Business Unit
   Head of Telecom Italia S.p.A. Disposals

 

1

to February 26, 2009.

2

from March 16, 2009.

3

from January 19, 2009.

4

to March 15, 2009.

 

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Significant Non-Recurring Events and Transactions

The effect of non-recurring events and transactions on the separate consolidated income statement is set out below in accordance with Consob Communication DEM/6064293 dated July 28, 2006.

 

(millions of euros)

   9 months to
9/30/2009
    9 months to
9/30/2008
 

Acquisition of goods and services / Other operating expenses:

    

Other sundry expenses

   (5   (3

Employee benefits expenses:

    

Expenses for mobility under Law 223/91

   —        (287

IMPACT ON OPERATING PROFIT BEFORE DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION, CAPITAL GAINS (LOSSES) AND IMPAIRMENT REVERSALS (LOSSES) ON NON-CURRENT ASSETS (EBIDTA)

   (5   (290

Gains (losses) on disposals of non-current assets:

    

Gains on properties

   —        25   

Loss on disposal of Telecom Media News

   (11   —     

Losses on intangible assets

   (39   —     

IMPACT ON OPERATING PROFIT (EBIT)

   (55   (265

Other income (expenses) from investments:

    

Gains on disposals of Other investments

   3      1   

Financial income (expenses)

    

Writedown of receivables from Lehman Brothers

   —        (51

IMPACT ON PROFIT BEFORE TAX FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

   (52   (315

Effect of income taxes on non-recurring items

   13      71   

Discontinued operations

   (540   160   

IMPACT ON PROFIT FOR THE PERIOD

   (579   (84

Positions or Transactions Resulting from Atypical and/or Unusual Transactions

In accordance with Consob Communication DEM/6064293 of July 28, 2006, a statement is made to the effect that in the first nine months of 2009 the Telecom Italia Group has not put into place any atypical and/or unusual transactions, as defined by that Communication.

 

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Alternative Performance Measures

In this Interim Report at September 30, 2009 of the Telecom Italia Group, in addition to the conventional financial performance measures established by IFRS, certain alternative performance measures are presented for purposes of a better understanding of the trend of operations and the financial condition. Such measures, which are also presented in other periodical financial reports (annual report and interim reports) should, however, not be construed as a substitute for those required by IFRS.

The non-IFRS alternative performance measures used are described below:

 

   

EBITDA: this financial measure is used by Telecom Italia as the financial target in internal presentations (business plans) and in external presentations (to analysts and investors). It represents a useful unit of measurement for the evaluation of the operating performance of the Group (as a whole and at the level of the Business Units), in addition to EBIT. These measures are calculated as follows:

 

Profit before tax from continuing operations
+    Finance expenses
-    Finance income
+/-    Other expenses (income) from investments
+/-    Share of losses (profits) of associates and joint ventures accounted for using the equity method
EBIT - Operating profit
+/-    Impairment (reversals) losses on non-current assets
+/-    Losses (gains) on disposals of non-current assets
+    Depreciation and amortization
EBITDA - Operating profit before depreciation and amortization, Capital gains (losses) and Impairment reversals (losses) on non-current assets

 

   

Organic change in Revenues, EBITDA and EBIT: these measures express changes (amount and/or percentage) in Revenues, EBITDA and EBIT, excluding, where applicable, the effects of the change in the scope of consolidation, exchange differences and non-organic components constituted by non-recurring items and other non-organic income/expenses. Telecom Italia believes that the presentation of such additional information allows for a more complete and effective understanding of the operating performance of the Group (as a whole and at the level of the Business Units). The organic change in Revenues, EBITDA and EBIT is also used in presentations to analysts and investors. Details of the economic amounts used to arrive at the organic change are provided in this Interim Report as well as an analysis of the major non-organic components for the first nine month and the third quarter of 2009 and 2008.

 

   

Net Financial Debt: Telecom Italia believes that Net Financial Debt represents an accurate indicator of its ability to meet its financial obligations. It is represented by Gross Financial Debt less Cash and Cash Equivalents and other Financial Assets. A schedule is presented in this Interim Report that shows the statement of financial position amounts used to calculate the Net Financial Debt of the Group.

In order to better represent the actual change in net financial debt, starting with the Half-Yearly Financial Report at June 30, 2009, in addition to the usual measure (renamed “Net financial debt carrying amount”) a new measure has been introduced denominated “Adjusted net financial debt” which excludes effects that are purely accounting in nature resulting from the fair value measurement of derivatives and related financial assets and liabilities. In fact, the volatility of interest rates and exchange rates that is a distinguishing feature of the financial markets starting from the fourth quarter of 2008, significantly impacted the fair value measurement of the derivative positions and the related financial assets and liabilities.

The new net financial debt measure will be used consistently and is also presented for the comparative data of previous periods.

 

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Net financial debt is calculated as follows:

+    Non-current financial liabilities
+    Current financial liabilities
+    Financial liabilities relating to Discontinued operations / Non-current assets held for sale
A)    Gross financial debt
+    Non-current financial assets
+    Current financial assets
+    Financial assets relating to Discontinued operations / Non-current assets held for sale
B)    Financial assets
C=(A - B)    Net financial debt carrying amount
D)    Reversal of fair value measurement of derivatives and related financial liabilities/assets
E=(C + D)    Adjusted net financial debt

 

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Effects of the Application of IFRIC 13 (Customer Loyalty Programmes) on Key Operating and Financial Data of the Telecom Italia Group

IFRIC 13 (Customer Loyalty Programmes) has been applied retrospectively and led to the restatement of the separate consolidated income statements, the statements of comprehensive income and the consolidated statements of cash flows for the first nine months of 2008 and the third quarter of 2008, in addition to the balance sheet at January 1, and December 31, 2008. Such restatement only regarded the Domestic Business Unit.

The application of this Interpretation led to: a decrease in Revenues mainly in reference to the deferral of the component relating to customer award credits granted and an increase in Acquisition of goods and services correlated to the redemption of awards and a consequent reduction in the Income tax expense.

In the balance sheet, this Interpretation led to the recognition of higher Current liabilities, mainly correlated to the deferral of revenues, the recognition of Deferred tax assets and a consequent reduction in Equity.

In detail:

 

     3rd Quarter 2008     9 months to 9/30/2008  

(millions of euros)

   Historical     Impact
IFRIC 13
    Restated     Historical     Impact
IFRIC 13
    Restated  

Revenues

   7,279      (6   7,273      21,555      (35   21,520   

Acquisition of goods and services

   (3,235   —        (3,235   (9,449   (4   (9,453

EBITDA

   3,017      (6   3,011      8,437      (39   8,398   

EBIT

   1,585      (6   1,579      4,184      (39   4,145   

PROFIT BEFORE TAX FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

   862      (6   856      2,296      (39   2,257   

Income tax expense

   (359   2      (357   (532   12      (520

PROFIT FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

   503      (4   499      1,764      (27   1,737   

PROFIT (LOSS) FOR THE PERIOD

   623      (4   619      1,731      (27   1,704   

Attributable to:

            

* Owners of the Parent

   630      (4   626      1,770      (27   1,743   

* Minority interest

   (7   —        (7   (39   —        (39

 

     1/1/2008    12/31/2008

(millions of euros)

   Historical    Impact
IFRIC 13
    Historical
Restated
   Historical    Impact
IFRIC 13
    Historical
Restated

Deferred tax assets

   247    3      250    987    15      1,002

TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS

   70,688    3      70,691    70,942    15      70,957

TOTAL ASSETS

   87,425    3      87,428    85,635    15      85,650

EQUITY

               

Other reserves and retained earnings (accumulated losses), including profit (loss) for the period

   13,628    (4   13,624    13,846    (31   13,815

Equity attributable to owners of the Parent

   25,922    (4   25,918    26,126    (31   26,095

Equity attributable to Minority Interest

   1,063    —        1,063    730    —        730

TOTAL EQUITY

   26,985    (4   26,981    26,856    (31   26,825

Trade and miscellaneous payables and other current liabilities

   12,380    7      12,387    10,896    46      10,942

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

   19,162    7      19,169    18,423    46      18,469

TOTAL LIABILITIES

   60,440    7      60,447    58,779    46      58,825

TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

   87,425    3      87,428    85,635    15      85,650

 

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Disputes, Litigation and Legal Proceedings Pending and Other Information

This section illustrates the main judicial, arbitration and tax proceedings in which the Telecom Italia Group companies were involved as of September 30, 2009. Attention is called to the provisions for 65 million euros made by the Telecom Italia Group for disputes, which are described below, for which an adverse outcome is deemed likely.

Moreover, information is provided regarding the potential asset relating to the reimbursement of the license fee for fiscal year 1998 for 529 million euros plus interest.

 

 

Disputes and pending proceedings

FASTWEB

Proceedings initiated by Fastweb in October 2007 are still pending before the Court of Appeal of Milan, for the alleged abusive win-back strategy adopted by Telecom Italia in the market for residential and non-residential fixed-line voice telephony services and broadband internet access services. The plaintiff is seeking compensation for approximately 1,070 million euros. Fastweb’s lawsuit is based on the order issued by the Court of Appeal of Milan in the month of May 2006, following the urgent motion for relief filed by Fastweb, requiring Telecom Italia to cease and desist from continuing its alleged abusive conduct.

Telecom Italia filed a formal challenge against Fastweb’s claims.

VODAFONE

Proceedings are still under way before the Court of Appeal of Milan in the action brought by Vodafone in July 2006, seeking compensation for losses set originally at 525 million euros and subsequently raised to 759 million euros. The plaintiff maintains that Telecom Italia engaged in abusive conduct, due to its dominant position in fixed telephony, to strengthen its role in the contiguous mobile telephony market, with exclusionary effects to the detriment of its competitor. According to Vodafone, Telecom Italia’s alleged abusive conduct involved residential and business customers and was illegal also because it broke the law on personal data protection.

Telecom Italia filed a formal challenge against Vodafone’s allegations and the ground of its claims.

EUTELIA AND VOICEPLUS

In June 2009, Eutelia and Voiceplus filed a complaint alleging Telecom Italia’s abuse of dominant position in the premium service market (involving the offering to the public of services through so-called Non Geographical Numbers). Plaintiffs seek compensation of approximately 730 million euros for losses suffered.

These proceedings were initiated as plaintiffs sought relief before the Court of Appeal of Milan, which ordered Telecom Italia to cease and desist from certain alleged abuses of dominant position perpetrated in the management of business relationships with Eutelia and Voiceplus. Specifically, the matter refers to Telecom Italia’s regulatory obligation to collect payments, on behalf of these OLOs, from end users of non-geographical number services.

Telecom Italia will appear to ask the Court to dismiss plaintiffs’ claims.

NOTICE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROCEEDINGS RECEIVED BY TELECOM ITALIA S.P.A. FOR ADMINISTRATIVE OFFENCES UNDER LEGISLATIVE DECREE 231/2001

In December 2008 Telecom Italia received a notice of commencement of proceedings for administrative offences under articles 21 and 25, paragraph 4 of legislative decree 231/2001, following the investigation, by the Public Prosecutor of Milan, of events involving former Company employees and consultants charged with a series of crimes, including – among others — the offence, under legislative decree 231/2001, of bribing public officials to obtain information from confidential archives.

The preliminary hearing is under way.

In the hearing held on July 9, 2009, the Court found:

 

   

that Telecom Italia had standing to sue the defendants for embezzlement and money-laundering and that the civil claim filed was eligible for submission;

 

   

lack of eligibility for all the civil claims filed against Telecom Italia, as defendant under legislative decree 231/2001, except for the claim filed by the State Attorney on behalf of the Presidency of the Council and the Ministries of the Economy, Interior, Defence as well as the Revenue Agency for losses resulting from the offence of bribery, the only charge brought against Telecom Italia.

In the next hearings, the Court will review the eligibility of the requests for compensation submitted by the parties that, in the penal proceedings under way, will try to establish Telecom Italia’s civil responsibility for the

 

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offences committed by former Company employees under the applicable civil laws. Telecom Italia challenged the grounds upon which it was sued, asking the Court to dismiss the civil liability charges. As to the risk of any contingent liability associated with those requests for compensation against the Company, Telecom Italia considers such risk possible.

In any case, given the possibility to enter into a plea bargain in connection with the sanction, Telecom Italia’s risk, if found guilty under legislative decree 231/2001, is limited to the payment of a small fine. Moreover, in the case at hand the risk of so-called interdictive sanctions is unlikely.

TAX DISPUTES

In February and March 2009 - following the tax audits conducted by the Finance Police, the main findings of which have already been settled with the Revenue Agency, as indicated in the 2008 Annual Report – the Company received notices disputing the income taxes and VAT deductibility of certain “TOP” and “Security” expenses for fiscal years 2002 and from 2004 to 2007, resulting in estimated back taxes and fines of approximately 30 million euros. To this end, the Company activated a procedure with the Revenue Agency for a pre-litigation settlement agreement.

DISPUTES CONCERNING LICENSE FEES FOR 1994-1998

Proceedings are still pending in relation to the request to the Ministry of Communications to make whole Telecom Italia and TIM for the license fees paid for 1994-1998.

BT ITALIA

In October 2009, BT Italia brought a case against Telecom Italia for compensation against losses resulting from alleged acts of abusing its dominant position in the wholesale market for termination of fixed line-mobile calls, specifically in reference to business clientele. BT Italia claims a total amount of 419 million euros.

BT Italia, basing its demands on the outcome of the well-known AGCM A/357 proceeding, attributes the alleged losses (i) to the difference between the wholesale termination price on the Telecom Italia mobile network, paid by the competitor according to the regulated maximum prices, and the lower price applied, instead, by the retail sales functions of Telecom Italia to its customers, (ii) the loss of earnings caused by the application of prices below cost to its clientele for the same termination service in order to maintain its competitiveness in the market and (iii) the loss of market share. Telecom Italia will appear before the court asking for the total rejection of the claim.

ARGENTINA

On June 27, 2008 W de Argentina—Inversiones SL (“Los W”), partners of Telecom Italia S.p.A. and Telecom Italia International N.V. in Sofora Telecomunicaciones S.A. initiated proceedings against Telecom Italia International N.V. before the Commercial Court of Buenos Aires to void the call option agreement (“Option Agreement”) signed in 2003 by Telecom Italia International N.V and Los W for an alleged subsequent conflict with the Argentine corporate law. The existence of the dispute was recorded in Sofora Telecomunicaciones S.A.’s shareholder register. Telecom Italia International filed its own defence brief requesting the Court to dismiss counterparty’s claim as unfounded.

* * *

On October 6, 2008 Los W and its shareholders filed a lawsuit against Telecom Italia and Telecom Italia International, as well as certain directors of the Telecom Argentina Group companies appointed by Telecom Italia, in the Commercial Court of Buenos Aires. The plaintiffs requested that the court declare the existence of an alleged permanent conflict of interest affecting Telecom Italia, Telecom Italia International and the directors of the Telecom Argentina group nominated by Telecom Italia, determined by the alleged de facto control of Telecom Italia – and consequently of Telecom Argentina – by Telefónica S.A., (which controls also Telecom Argentina’s main competitor, Telefónica de Argentina S.A.), following the Telco S.p.A.’s acquisition of 100% of Olimpia S.p.A. (“Telco Transaction”).

Telecom Italia and Telecom Italia International filed their defence brief requesting that plaintiff’s arguments and claims be rejected.

***

On April 15, 2009 the administrative court of appeal served Telecom Italia and Telecom Italia International with an ex parte interim order, upon request of the Dracma group and Los W. This order suspended Telecom Italia International’s rights under the Option Agreement, as well as any other disposition rights thereunder (in

 

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particular the assignment of the agreement to third parties), until SECOM (the Argentine telecommunication regulator) rules on the Telco Transaction or until the court rules on the action that the Dracma group and Los W will have to bring to obtain a declaratory judgment confirming the validity of the obligations set out by SECOM Note 1004/08 (see below).

On August 5, 2009 Telecom Italia and Telecom Italia International filed an extraordinary appeal (“Recurso extraordinario”) with Argentina’s Supreme Court against such interim order. However, the submission of such appeal to the Supreme Court was rejected by the competent magistrate. Therefore, on September 30, 2009 Telecom Italia and Telecom Italia International filed a direct appeal (Recurso de queja) with the Supreme Court.

* * *

On August 31, 2009 the Administrative Court of first instance of Buenos Aires served Telecom Italia, Telecom Italia International and the companies of the Telecom Argentina group with two ex parte interim orders upon request of Los W., whereby:

 

  (i) the legal status existing prior to the Telco Transaction would be maintained and both Telecom Italia and Telecom Italia International, as parties to the shareholder agreement with Los W (“Shareholder Agreement”) and the Option Agreement, would refrain from taking any action under these agreements, including the exercise and any disposition of any right under the Option Agreement;

 

  (ii) the political rights (“derechos politicos”) of Telecom Italia and Telecom Italia International under the law, Bylaws and Shareholder Agreements in the companies of the Telecom Argentina group would be suspended;

 

  (iii) such directors of the companies of the Telecom Argentina group as were appointed by Telecom Italia and/or Telecom Italia International would be suspended;

 

  (iv) such directors as were appointed by Telecom Italia would not be calculated in determining whether the meetings of the boards of directors of the companies of the Telecom Argentina group reach a quorum.

Subsequently, Telecom Italia and Telecom International requested and obtained from the Civil and Commercial Court of Appeal the interim suspension of several meetings of the boards of directors of the companies of the Telecom Argentina group, some of which had been illegally convened by Los W. Moreover, on September 30, 2009 Telecom Italia and Telecom Italia International challenged the above two interim orders, which the Administrative Court ratified on the same date upon Los W’s request.

* * *

Given the foregoing decision, on October 6, 2009 Telecom Italia filed an appeal with the Argentine Supreme Court, requesting the settlement of the conflict between the aforementioned interim orders and those issued by the Civil and Commercial Court of Appeal which, among others, suspend the effects of Resolution 44/09 of CNDC (see below) by causing the latter to prevail on the basis of the exclusive competence of the Court of Appeal.

ARGENTINA – SECOM

On June 26, 2008 SECOM (the Argentine telecommunication regulator) issued Note 1004/08, ordering Telecom Italia and Telecom Italia International to request SECOM’s authorization to sign any agreement or to perform any act that would result in:

 

(i) any increase of their direct or indirect equity interests in the companies of the Telecom Argentina group;

 

(ii) the assignment to third parties of Telecom Italia’s and Telecom Italia International’s rights on Sofora Telecomunicaciones S.A. shares or rights on the call options on Sofora Telecomunicaciones S.A. shares;

 

(iii) the performance of acts of disposition that would distort competition and undermine the general economic interest.

SECOM’s order was based on Telefónica S.A.’s potential role as a substantial shareholder in Telecom Italia – and consequently in Telecom Argentina – with the risk of distortive effects for competition in the telecommunication market.

On August 11, 2008 Telecom Italia and Telecom Italia International filed a hierarchical appeal (Recurso jerarquico”) before the Ministerio de Planificación Federal, Inversión Pública y Servicios, which is still pending, against Note 1004/08.

* * *

 

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On December 30, 2008 SECOM issued Note 2573/08 whereby, among others, Telecom Italia and Telecom Italia International were ordered to refrain from any legal act that might entail a change in Sofora Telecomunicaciones S.A.’s share capital or from transferring the rights related to the call options held by Telecom Italia International until SECOM rules on the Telco Transaction.

On January 26, 2009 Telecom Italia and Telecom Italia International filed a “Recurso jerarquico”, which is still pending, with the Ministerio de Planificación Federal, Inversión Pública y Servicios against Note 2573/08.

ARGENTINA – CNDC

On January 6, 2009, the CNDC (Argentina’s Antitrust) notified Resolution 123/08 to Telecom Italia and Telecom Italia International, prohibiting the Telecom Italia Group from performing any action related to the exercise of the call options or the transfer of such options, until the CNDC rules on these call options in the light of the Telco Transaction.

Telecom Italia and Telecom Italia International challenged the Resolution and filed an appeal seeking its reversal. Subsequently, on January 28, 2009 (with Resolution no. 6/09) the CNDC refused to transfer the case to the court having jurisdiction over it, declaring that there was no detriment to Telecom Italia and Telecom Italia International, as Resolution 123/08 had simply suspended the exercise period of Telecom Italia International’s call options, without undermining the company’s contractual rights.

Telecom Italia and Telecom Italia International regard Resolution 6/09 as illegal and asked the Courts to step in and take over the appeal case against Resolution 123/08.

On June 25, 2009 the Civil and Commercial Court of Appeal of Buenos Aires affirmed its jurisdiction over the appeal case. A ruling is still pending.

* * *

On January 9, 2009 the CNDC notified Resolution 4/09 to Telecom Italia and Telecom Italia International, requiring – among other things – that Pirelli & Co. S.p.A., Sintonia S.p.A. and Sintonia S.A. (in their capacity as “sellers”) and Telefónica S.A., Assicurazioni Generali S.p.A., Intesa Sanpaolo S.p.A., Sintonia S.A. and Mediobanca S.p.A. (in their capacity as “buyers” of all of Olimpia’s shares outstanding) notify the Telco Transaction as, according to an early assessment of the Authority, this would result in a market concentration within the meaning of the Argentine antitrust rules.

Moreover, the foregoing resolution ordered the buyers to refrain from exercising, directly or indirectly, their “derechos politicos” as direct or indirect shareholders of Telecom Italia, Telco, Olimpia, Telecom Italia lnternational, Sofora, Nortel Inversora and Telecom Argentina and their subsidiaries, including such rights as arise under shareholder agreements, until the CNDC adopts a decision on the Telco Transaction. According to qualified experts, this restriction should be construed as limited to the Argentine market. Moreover, with the same resolution, the CNDC ordered the directors and statutory auditors appointed by Telecom Italia in the companies of the Argentina Telecom group to refrain from taking any action that would result in a violation of this resolution.

***

On April 3, 2009 the CNDC issued Resolution 44/09, requiring that:

 

  (i) Telecom Italia, Telecom Italia International, the directors, officers and representatives of Telecom Italia and Telecom Italia International, and their direct and indirect shareholders, as well as the directors and statutory auditors designated by Telecom Italia and Telecom Italia International in the companies of the Telecom Argentina group should have refrained and should refrain from adopting decisions or giving instructions that entailed or would entail in future, directly or indirectly, the exercise of “derechos politicos” (including such rights as arise from shareholder agreements in the companies of the Telecom Argentina group);

 

  (ii) the reversal, as of January 9, 2009, of such decisions adopted by corporate bodies or directors of the Telecom Argentina group as involved the exercise of “derechos politicos”.

The Telecom Italia Group filed an urgent appeal against this decision before the Civil and Commercial Court of Appeal of Buenos Aires, which has ordered that the shareholder meetings of Nortel and Telecom Argentina be suspended and that the boards of directors of Sofora and Nortel refrain from discussing matters to be submitted to the shareholder meetings of the Telecom Argentina group. On July 27, 2009 the same Court accepted the Telecom Italia Group’s request to suspend the effects of Resolution 44/09.

 

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The challenge against the petition to reverse the ruling of July 27, 2009 filed by the Ministerio de Economía y Finanzas Públicas ry of the Economy and Public Finances is pending.

* * *

On May 26, 2009 the CNDC issued Resolution 64/09, ordering:

 

  (i) the re-establishment of Telecom Argentina’s previously dissolved “Consejo de Direccion”;

 

  (ii) the cancellation of certain organizational arrangements in Telecom Argentina;

 

  (iii) the institution of a five-day deadline for certain directors of Telecom Argentina to submit evidence against their alleged violation of the CNDC’s orders on the exercise of “derechos politicos”.

Telecom Italia, Telecom Italia International, the Companies of the Telecom Argentina group and its directors challenged this Resolution.

On June 10, 2009 the Civil and Commercial Court of Appeal of Buenos Aires ordered Telecom Italia’s Board of Directors to refrain, during the upcoming meeting of June 12, 2009, from addressing the item on the agenda related to the implementation of the provisions of Resolution 64/09.

On October 22, 2009 the Penal Economic Court of Appeal of Buenos Aires, to which the CNDC had transferred the petition to reverse Resolution 64/09 submitted by Telecom Italia, accepted Telecom Italia’s argument and cancelled this administrative measure.

* * *

In connection with the antitrust proceeding related to the Telco Transaction, on July 23, 2009 the SECOM rendered an opinion to the CNDC to the effect that the Telco Transaction is in violation of several telecommunication rules, thus recommending the CNDC to not approve it.

* * *

On August 25, 2009 the Secretariat of Internal Commerce (SCI—Secretária de Comercio Interior) adopted Resolution 483/09 whereby, in keeping with Dictamen 744/09 attached to the Resolution:

 

  (i) it would approve the Telco Transaction subject to Telecom Italia’s full divestment of its direct and indirect equity investments in Sofora, as well as Telecom Italia’s divestment of all its rights in the Telecom Argentina group, including the call options under the Option Agreement;

 

  (ii) it authorizes the CNDC to establish, within 60 days, the terms and manner of the divestment process. However, the deadline for the divestment is set at one year.

 

  (iii) it requires, within 60 days, the CNDC to rule on whether fines should be inflicted in relation to the late notification of the alleged concentration that took place through the Telco Transaction, their amount and to whom they should be inflicted.

On September 16, 2009 Telecom Italia and Telecom Italia International challenged Resolution 483/09 before the CNDC, requesting its suspension and reversal and requesting also that the records of the case be transmitted to the Civil and Commercial Court of Appeal of Buenos Aires, where both companies have initiated proceedings (accion autosatisfactiva”) to obtain urgent relief so as to suspend the effects of the Resolution. On October 9, 2009, the CNDC accepted the request for transmittal of the records of the case, ordering their transmittal to the Economic Penal Court of Appeal.

BOLIVIA – ENTEL

Following a series of measures adopted starting in March 2007, on May 1, 2008 the Bolivian government issued a Supreme Decree to nationalize the equity interest acquired in 1995 by the Telecom Italia Group (through the Dutch vehicle ETI) in Entel S.A. The Decree set out a 60-day period to determine a price for the nationalized shares, after deducting Entel’s liabilities and contingent liabilities. To date the Bolivian Government has not set a price for or provided any compensation for the expropriation.

On October 12, 2007, after failing to settle the matter amicably, ETI filed for arbitration with the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), a World Bank institution located in Washington D.C., citing the violation of the international treaty for the protection of foreign investment in Bolivia and applying for damages to obtain compensation for the losses incurred as a result of the measures adopted by the Bolivian government; on October 31, 2007 ICSID entered the request in its records.

 

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Bolivia filed a motion to question the jurisdiction of the Arbitration Court over the case, based on that country’s denunciation of the ICSID convention after ETI submitted its claim.

Following the motion questioning ICSID’s jurisdiction, on October 14, 2009 ETI notified the Bolivian government the request to begin so-called “ad hoc” arbitration proceedings, on the basis of the Bilateral Agreement for the Promotion and Protection of Investments between Bolivia and The Netherlands, to determine whether the steps taken by the Bolivian government constituted a violation of such Agreement and to set compensation for the loss suffered.

On October 21, 2009 ETI and Bolivia agreed to terminate the ICSID arbitration proceedings, appointing a new Arbitration Panel composed of the same arbitrators as those of the ICSID Arbitration Court.

GERMANY – AOL ARBITRATION

In November 2008 AOL LLC and AOL Europe Sàrl (“AOL”) notified Telecom Italia Deutschland Holding GmbH (“TIDE”) and Telecom Italia S.p.A. that they had initiated arbitration proceedings before the Paris International Chamber of Commerce (“ICC”) in relation to the contract for TIDE’s acquisition of the BroadBand assets of the AOL Time Warner Group in Germany, signed in September 2006 and executed in February 2007.

The aim of the request for arbitration is to:

 

  (i) obtain a ruling that the contracts for the supply of services to a specific category of customers (known as Bring-Your-Own-Access or BYOA) are not to be considered sold to Telecom Italia and TIDE;

 

  (ii) obtain an order for defendants to cause HanseNet (the German company controlled by TIDE that currently manages the services provided to BYOA customers) to return to AOL the amount invoiced to customers for the above services (approximately 2 million euros).

In February 2009, Telecom Italia and TIDE filed their own briefs and cross-claims, requesting AOL – after determining that the BYOA customers had to be sold to AOL – to transfer them, where this is still possible, and in any case to disgorge the revenues generated from these customers or provide compensation for the loss suffered.

The arbitration proceedings are under way.

 

 

Other information

LICENSE FEE FOR 1998

In March 2009 Telecom Italia filed an appeal with the Council of State against ruling by the Lazio Regional Administrative Court (TAR) which rejected the Telecom Italia Group’s request to be repaid the 1998 license fee despite the favourable decision of the EU Court of Justice of February 23, 2008 on the preliminary ruling question raised by the Lazio Court.

In particular, in 2003 Telecom Italia and TIM had brought separate actions to determine their right to obtain repayment of the license fee for 1998 (equal to 386 million euros for Telecom Italia and to 143 million euros for TIM, plus interest) in light of the conflict between Directive 97/13/EC on a common framework for general authorizations and individual licenses in the field of telecommunications services and Italian law, and specifically Article 20 of Law 448/1998, which had extended to 1998 the obligation for telecommunications operators to pay the annual license fee.

The hearing for Telecom Italia’s case has been scheduled for November 2009.

MOBILE TELEPHONY: DEALER INVESTIGATION

In order to update the information provided in the half-yearly report, please note that in the 3rd quarter of 2009 activities continued to check prepaid Sim cards incorrectly associated with an ID card. This process led to the termination of roughly 1.9 million cards and the regularization of over 641,000 cards in the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

Furthermore, to ensure that newly activated Sim cards are matched to proper ID cards, a computerized procedure has been implemented which enables the new mobile service only in the presence of the required documentation. Closer scrutiny has been implemented on the quality of the documents filed and new procedural and IT solutions are being considered to optimize the qualitative level of the documents during the application phase.

 

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Declaration by the Manager Responsible for Preparing Corporate Financial Reports

The Manager Responsible for Preparing Corporate Financial Reports declares, pursuant to paragraph 2, art. 154-bis of the Consolidated Law on Finance, that the accounting disclosure contained in the Interim Report at September 30, 2009 of the Telecom Italia Group corresponds to the company’s documents, accounting records and entries.

 

The Manager Responsible for Preparing
Corporate Financial Reports
Marco Patuano

 

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SIGNATURES

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

 

TELECOM ITALIA S.p.A.
/s/    CARLO DE GENNARO
Carlo De Gennaro

Date: November 30, 2009