First Quarter 1999 – BCE Inc
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May 10, 1999 1 First Quarter 1999 – BCE Inc. Management’s Discussion and Analysis This document has been filed by BCE with Canadian securities commissions and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. It can also be found on BCE’s web site at: http://www.bce.ca or is available upon request from: BCE Inc. Investor Relations 1000, rue de La Gauchetière Ouest Bureau 3700 Montreal (Quebec) H3B 4Y7 Tel.: 1 800 339-6353 Fax: (514) 786-3970 E-mail: [email protected] Management’s Discussion and Analysis HIGHLIGHTS On March 24, 1999, BCE Inc. and Ameritech Corporation (Ameritech) announced a strategic partnership. Under the terms of the partnership, Ameritech will acquire an indirect 20% minority stake in Bell Canada for approximately $5.1 billion. Bell Canada is being reorganized to hold certain telecommunications assets previously held by BCE. Bell Canada will acquire at net book value from BCE, BCE’s indirect interest in BCE Mobile Communications Inc. (Bell Mobility), Teleglobe Inc. and six regional Canadian telecommunications companies, three of which plan to combine under a single entity known as AtlanticCo. Furthermore, Bell Canada will transfer to BCE, at net book value, its investments in BCE Emergis Inc. (BCE Emergis) and CGI Group Inc. (CGI). The binding agreement is expected to close by the end of May 1999, pending customary regulatory approvals. In the first quarter of 1999, BCE organized its activities around five business groups: Bell Canada, CGI and BCE Emergis, BCE Media, Nortel Networks and Bell Canada International, to better reflect the scope of its operations. BCE’s earnings, excluding special items (baseline earnings), increased by $52 million (17%) to $367 million in the first quarter of 1999 compared with the same period last year. The improved results for the first quarter of 1999 primarily reflected: · increased operating earnings at Nortel Networks Corporation (Nortel Networks) (increased earnings contribution of $36 million); · improved results at Corporate and Other of $19 million resulting mainly from lower interest expense; and, · lower intercompany eliminations resulting from BCE’s decreased ownership in Nortel Networks and lower volume of intercompany sales; partially offset by: · decreased contribution at BCE Media of $23 million. BCE’s net loss applicable to common shares was $115 million for the first quarter of 1999 compared with net earnings applicable to common shares of $174 million for the same period last year. Included in BCE’s first quarter net loss were net special items totaling $482 million. This compares with special items of $141 million for the same period last year. The special items in both years relate mainly to BCE’s share of Nortel Networks’ acquisition related costs (the amortization of the Bay Networks, Inc. (Bay Networks) and Cambrian Systems Corporation (Cambrian) intangible assets and purchased in-process research and development (R&D) expense from other acquisitions). The acquisition related costs will continue to negatively impact BCE’s net earnings applicable to common shares over the next several years. Excluding Nortel Networks, revenues increased $239 million (7%) in the first quarter of 1999 compared with the first quarter of 1998 mainly due to increased revenues at CGI, BCE Emergis, BCE Media and Other Bell Canada Group, partially offset by lower revenues at Bell Canada. BCE’s reported revenues decreased $4,552 million in the first quarter of 1999 compared with the first quarter of 1998 mainly due to BCE changing, prospectively, its accounting for Nortel Networks from consolidation to equity accounting effective September 1, 1998. - 2 - RESULTS BY OPERATING GROUP Contribution to net earnings (loss) applicable ($ millions, except per share amounts) Revenues1 to common shares1 For the three months ended March 31 1999 1998 Change 1999 1998 Change Bell Canada Group Bell Canada 2,530 2,577 (47) 288 281 7 Bell Mobility 294 297 (3) (3) 2 (5) Other 255 192 63 38 30 8 3,079 3,066 13 323 313 10 CGI and BCE Emergis 187 6 181 (30) (7) (23) BCE Media 85 2 83 (19) 4 (23) Nortel Networks2 - 5,025 (5,025) (290) (31) (259) Bell Canada Internatonal 195 161 34 (54) (13) (41) Corporate and Other 8 9 (1) (7) (44) 37 Intercompany eliminations (96) (259) 163 (15) (26) 11 Total revenues 3,458 8,010 (4,552) Net earnings (loss) (92) 196 (288) Dividends on preferred shares (23) (22) (1) Net earnings (loss) applicable to common shares (115) 174 (289) Net special items3 482 141 341 Earnings excluding special items (baseline earnings) 367 315 52 Net earnings (loss) per common share (0.18) 0.27 (0.45) Baseline earnings per common share 0.57 0.50 0.07 1Effective March 31, 1999, BCE’s business segments have been modified and now include two new segments: (1) CGI and BCE Emergis, and (2) BCE Media (which includes Bell ExpressVu and Telesat Canada). These companies were previously included in the Bell Canada Group segment. In addition, Corporate and Other now includes BCE’s equity investment in Cable & Wireless Communications plc (CWC) (which was sold in June 1998) and Jones Intercable, Inc. (Jones) (which was sold in April 1999). These companies were previously included in the International Telecommunications segment which comprised Bell Canada International (BCI) and Other International Telecom. BCI is now reported as a separate segment. Previously reported amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current presentation. 2Effective September 1, 1998, BCE equity accounts for its investment in Nortel Networks. 3Net special items include amortization of purchased in-process research and development expense, amortization of Bay Networks and Cambrian intangibles, gains on disposal of investments, restructuring and other charges and BCI’s results. BELL CANADA GROUP The Bell Canada Group includes Bell Canada (excluding BCE Emergis), Bell Mobility and Other (which includes NewTel Enterprises Limited, Northern Telephone Limited, Northwestel Inc., Télébec ltée and Bell ActiMedia Services Inc. as well as the associated companies, Bruncor Inc., Maritime Telegraph and Telephone Company, Limited (MT&T) and Teleglobe Inc.). NewTel Enterprises Limited, Bruncor Inc. and MT&T plan to combine under a single entity known as AtlanticCo of which Bell Canada will hold approximately a 42% interest. These entities provide a full range of domestic and international communications services to Canadian customers. The contribution of the Bell Canada Group to BCE’s net earnings increased by $10 million or 3% in the first quarter of 1999 compared with the first quarter of 1998 reflecting increases in earnings at Bell Canada and Other Bell Canada Group companies, partially offset by decreased earnings contribution at Bell Mobility. Bell Canada Bell Canada’s results for the first quarter of 1999 compared with the first quarter of 1998 reflected lower operating revenues due to the impact of intense competition on long distance revenues and lower depreciation and amortization. - 3 - Operating Revenues Bell Canada ($ millions) For the three months ended March 31 1999 1998 % Change Local and access services 1,247 1,231 1 Long distance and network services 908 1,003 (9) Other 375 343 9 Total 2,530 2,577 (2) Local and access services revenues for the first quarter of 1999 increased $16 million compared with the first quarter of 1998 mainly due to: · network access services growth primarily in business lines; · increased revenues from SmartTouchTM services; and, · increased revenues from competitors accessing the local network; partially offset by: · the impact of a local business rate decrease which became effective May 1, 1998; and, · lower single line terminal sales. Long distance and network services revenues decreased $95 million for the first quarter of 1999 compared with the first quarter of 1998. Long distance revenues for the first quarter of 1999 decreased due to lower average prices of approximately 30%. The lower average prices were primarily due to increased penetration of discount calling plans for the consumer market such as First Rate+. The increased penetration of these discount calling plans has led to an increase in long distance services volumes, as measured in conversation minutes, of 669 million (26%) to 3,198 million for the first quarter of 1999 compared with the first quarter of 1998. Bell Canada’s share of the long distance market as at March 31, 1999, increased by 1.5%, compared with March 31, 1998, to an estimated market share of 63.4%. The decrease in long distance services revenues was partially offset by an increase in network services revenues. Network services revenues increased for the first quarter of 1999 compared with the first quarter of 1998 due mainly to growth in digital data services. Other revenues increased $32 million during the first quarter of 1999 compared with the first quarter of 1998 due mainly to increased terminal equipment sales partially offset by lower revenues due to the disposition of Bell Sygma’s Telecom Solutions and International divisions to CGI on July 1, 1998. On March 3, 1999, Bell Canada and MCI WorldCom announced a strategic alliance to provide seamless North American and global voice and data services to customers. This new alliance will replace the existing arrangements between MCI WorldCom and Stentor and will make Bell Canada the exclusive provider in Canada of MCI WorldCom’s On-Net’s enhanced set of voice and data products including managed international private line, frame relay, ATM, virtual voice, and toll free services. BCE Nexxia Inc. (Bell Nexxia) and its partners will be the vehicle for meeting customer requirements on a national basis. MCI WorldCom will source its customers’ requirements in Canada through Bell Canada. Bell Canada, in turn, will source its Canadian customers’ requirements outside of Canada through MCI WorldCom. Regulatory Decisions On March 12, 1999, in Order 99-239, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) established on an interim basis the manner in which Bell Canada can recover over a three year period, costs associated with local competition start-up and local number portability.